Question 1

I'm a total PC noob. Moving from the Mac world and want to build a PC for video production and occasional gaming. How does one initially install windows on case like this without a disc drive bay? I don't want a disc drive bay for any other reason. Thanks for listening to my dumb question.

Accepted Answer

When you buy your OS, the key part is that you get the activation key with it.  With this key, it's not necessary to use the CD at all.  Instead, you can download the disk image from Microsoft's site (new hardware supports 64-bit so grab that version) and put it on a USB drive.  You just need to Google and make sure you are pulling it from a reputable site and have a decent sized USB to hold it.  There are lots of sites out there for PC makers that will walk you through the process step by step.  Good luck!

Question 2

So this setup is not compatible with an optical disk drive, correct?

Accepted Answer

This case is designed for maximum performance... a super gamer's case. There is no place to put an optical drive. There are, however, numerous USB 2 and 3 ports to plug in an external optical drive.

Question 3

Does this case not support an optical drive? If not, how do you manage with out one>

Accepted Answer

No this case does not support an optical drive.  Almost every piece of software today you can download online and enter your key code to redeem.  All new games come with download keys for various services (steam, origin, Uplay etc...).

If you really have to have optical drive you can pick up an external blu-ray or DVD drive and connect via USB.

Question 4

i live in another country where voltage is different can i remove the power supply and put another one or is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

You have no problem as it DOES NOT come with a power supply, you have to buy the power supply that meet your system requirements.

Question 5

I assume one can remove one of the intake fans on the front to fit some BD/DVD drives?

Accepted Answer

No the case has no option for CD driver slim or 3.5. You have use a usb CD drive with this case. Getting this case just showed me how much I did not use my CD bay any more and that usb drive are not hard to use since it has 2 usb 3 front jacks

Question 6

How can you download the drivers to your components without a cd rom?

Accepted Answer

There are two options for installing device drivers:

1) Download the appropriate drivers on another device and install them to the computer from a USB drive.

2) Use an external optical drive to load drivers from any included media (CD/DVD).  You could also use an internal 5.25" ODD by connecting the SATA and power cables until the drivers are installed.

For installation of Windows, or another operating system, the process is largely the same. You need to create a bootable USB drive with the appropriate ISO and set the BIOS boot order to scan the flash drive first. As for the device drivers, you can also use an internal or external ODD temporarily.

Question 7

I am looking into building my first gaming computer and I really love the look and functionality of this case. It seems to have only gotten good reviews as well. Would this case be a good case to have for a gaming PC?

Accepted Answer

David B,

My Gaming Rig is exactly what I use this case for.  My gaming machine tends to have the best hardware I have, and I like how it looks through all the other great design of the case.

Functionally The cable management is made easier and prettier, as well as enough access to USB2.0/3.0 on the front I/O panel.  Gaming systems tend to need a decent amount of cooling which means airflow through the case.  The magnetic dust filter that comes over the 3 front case fans is really easy to remove and clean when necessary.  I also like the sound dampening foam that lines the inside of each case wall.  Louder gaming components stay very quiet.

The one place this case doesn't shine as well as others is the air-only cooling performance in highly overclocked situations.  I believe reviewers have said the same thing.  I use a closed loop water cooler to lessen the need for high airflow when overclocking and I find the case performs just fine in all but the most extreme builds.  So if you have 4x R9 290X Video Cards in Crossfire and a max overclocked 2011 socket X79 based system you may need to think about a different solution.  For anything less, this case has been the best gaming case I have ever purchased.

Just remember there is no optical bay.  To solve this I just went to the store and purchased a USB3.0 to SATA adapter for 20 bucks for the few times I actually need to use a DVD drive.  Good luck, and happy gaming!

Question 8

Does this case come with a PSU or do I have to buy it separately? I can't seem to find any info on that. If it had a PSU included, I assume that it would be clearly stated?

Accepted Answer

It does not come with a PSU. Yes it would be stated. Some proprietary cases like the Hadron come with a built in one. NZXT makes some nice looking ones (Hale series) however there is a cover over the PSU so you will not see it at all.

Question 9

I'm looking at building my first gaming PC now, my brother who is very experienced  in this areais helping me order parts, but I really like the look of this case and it seems to only have positive reviews. I guess I was wondering if this case would be good for gaming?

Accepted Answer

Well, the case itself won't impact your gaming, so much as simply facilitating the use and arrangement of components that, in turn, are good for gaming.  From that perspective, it's quite good for gaming.  It has PLENTY of room for a large power supply, large CPU cooler, long video cards, etc.  It has very good stock air cooling capacity, and can be upgraded to exceptionally good water cooling (ie multiple radiators or a single large one).  It has great cable management features built in, so coupling that with the nice big window means you can make it look great as well.  
I've only found 1 or 2 cons to mine.  The "maybe" being the drive bay - no external drive.  if you don't need one, cool!  But if you do, look elsewhere.  The only other issue is that the intake/exhaust vents are a little bit restrictive.  Works great to silence the system, but if you've got a 360mm radiator up top exhausting out/upwards with a lot of air, the case vent will limit effectiveness just a bit.  Only an issue though if you're venting a LOT of heat (ie, multiple very high end video cards overclocked and on a water cooler).

Question 10

When I run two graphics cards in Cross Fire Mode the GPU temp reaches ~60C and the PC restarts. I took the front and top off this case and realized that there are three spaces for fans?

Would getting three fans up top help with the GPU overheating? What fans should I get?

Thanks for your time in this matter.

Aaron

Accepted Answer

Yes you can put three 120mm fans or two 140mm fans in the top or in the front and that will help a lot with temps of the entire computer. I think your problem is with something else. Sounds like your graphics cards. I have dual gtx 770 wind force editions and they pump out massive amounts of heat but only get to maybe 85C which still isn't very hot for a GPU. 60C is way too low for it to kill the PC from high temps. I'm not positive but most GPUs can get well over 90c and be fine and only shut down around 100+. As for fans noctua or gentle typhoons seem to be pretty popular but crazy expensive. I found corsair seems to be kind of a sweet spot for price to performance

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