Darksaber
10-08-2007, 05:37 PM
[page=Introduction & Specifications]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/Stacker_832/images/logo.jpg
I would like to thank CaseKing.de (http://www.caseking.de) for supplying the review sample.
CaseKing is one of the few companies out there, which will not just sell anything. They only offer hardware that performs well and is of high quality. The shop offers quite a few exclusive parts and devices from all around the world and it is also the official distributor for a long list of well known manufacturers. Their assortment has grown greatly in recent years, while great service and support is still a very important part of the shop philosophy. The website may be in German, but they do ship to most European countries. One of the companies of which CaseKing is the distributor for is GIGABYTE, so you will surely get the latest and greatest from that manufacturer at CaseKing.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/isolocolors.jpg
Today I have the pleasure of reviewing GIGABYTE's iSOLO 210. It features a clean cut, aluminum & steel front, which makes for a great looking chassis. It is available in silver, grey and black. the iSOLO is part of GIGABYTE's new and extensive case line-up, first presented at Computex this year. We have the black variant on our testbench today.
Specifications
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable" width="450">
<tr>
<th scope="row">Color</th>
<td scope="row">Silver / Black / Metallic Gray</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Drive Bays </th>
<td scope="row">5 x exposed 5.25 inch,
2 x exposed 3.5, 3 x internal 3.5 inch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Material</th>
<td scope="row">Chassis: 0.7 mm SECC, Bezel: Aluminum & Steel Mesh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Form Factor </th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">ATX / Micro ATX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Expansion Slots</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">7 standard slots </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Case Fans </th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">Front: One 120 mm silent fan equipped,
Rear: One 120 mm silent fan equipped</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Dimensions</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">200 mm x 440 mm x 485 mm (W x H x D)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Weight</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">8.5kg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Front I/O</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">Two USB 2.0 / One IEEE 1394 / HD audio + AC97</td>
</tr>
</table>
[page=Packaging & Contents]
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packrear.jpg)
Gigabyte packs the case in a full color package. The front only holds the case name, while the back lists all the features in detail. The cardboard is quite sturdy and the package can be considered quite compact for midtower cases.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidecolor_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidecolor.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidespecs_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidespecs.jpg)
Further information can be found on either side of the box. One side reveals which color the case has, and also mentiones if a power supply is included, while the other lists the afore mentioned specs in detail. There are holes on theses sides, to make transportation a bit easier.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packbottomtext_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packbottomtext.jpg)
Another interesting feature is the text on the bottom of the package. The best way to take a case out of its package is to let gravity do the work, by turning it over and pulling up the cardboard box. That way you will see the above message while unpacking.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casenew_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casenew.jpg)
Gigabyte has chosen to secure the iSOLO 210 with tight fitting Styrofoam spacers. The case is further protected by a thin plastic bag.
Contents
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/manualembedded_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/manualembedded.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/contents.jpg)
The manual is the first thing you will find, once you open up the case. It has been placed right on top of the case, so you cannot miss it. This is also a further, subtile hint to read the manual first. Inside the case you will find a small white carboard box which holds the hard drive rails, all needed screws, a cloth to clean the case and a few cable clips to make routing easier.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casefront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casefront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caserear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caserear.jpg)
The front of the case is constructed of solid aluminum and steel. The drive bays utilize the SECC mesh, which aids airflow, reduces weight and does look quite stylish. The rear is nothing out of the ordinary and does hint at a no frills interior layout.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casesidewindow_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casesidewindow.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseotherside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseotherside.jpg)
One side of the case features a window in form of a steel mesh. This also helps to keep the temperature at room level inside the case. The other side is completely void of any openings or features.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fronttop_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fronttop.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontbottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontbottom.jpg)
The iSOLO can hold five 5.25 inch devices. The covers are very solid and line up perfectly with the rest of the front. The bottom part holds two 3.5 inch bays and the I/O. It consists of two USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire and the usual audio connectors. The power button is round and fairly large. There are two aspects missing at first sight: a reset button and LEDs for the hard drive and power. Gigabyte has not included any of these with the iSOLO case.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/reartop_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/reartop.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/rearmiddle_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/rearmiddle.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/rearbottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/rearbottom.jpg)
The rear can be divided into three parts. The top holds the power supply. The bay is completely standard. There is no foam lighting, you cannot choose to install the PSU upside down or slide it in from the outside. The middle holds the rear fan, which is of the 120 mm variety. A noteworthy feature are the rubber spacers used, which eliminate any vibration from the fan. The bottom holds the PCI brackets and also features two large openings for water cooling tubes. The brackets are covered by real metal pieces, which do not need to be broken out and can be reused at any time. As you can see, the side panels are secured by thumb screws.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/isolologo_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/isolologo.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/foot_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/foot.jpg)
The side of the case features the iSOLO logo. This is the only indication of a model name. The feet used are of very high quality and make for a very well placed and sturdy case - no matter if you have a carpet or hard floor.
[page=The Insides]
The Insides
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/innersidepanel_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/innersidepanel.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseopen_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseopen.jpg)
The side panel is made of 0.7 mm SECC, just like the rest of the case, excluding the front. The steel mesh is secured by screws, so you will not have to worry about it giving way or reducing the overal structural integrity of the side panel. Once the panel is removed, the case inside can be inspected. The general layout is nothing out of the ordinary and can be found in many other mainstream cases. The notable addition is the clean routing of the fan power cable. It runs along the top of the mainboard area towards the lower front of the case.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/othersideopen_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/othersideopen.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fan2connect_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fan2connect.jpg)
Opening the other side yields no real surprises, but upon closer inspection an additional connector for the front 120 mm fan can be seen. Gigabyte is routing this cable towards the lower mainboard area as well.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/extbays_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/extbays.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/hddbay_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/hddbay.jpg)
All external drive bays feature a plastic locking mechanism. This is the same type of "semi" screw-less system used by a lot of other manufacturers. Even though you should be fine with these clips, inserted drives should still be secured by screws on the other side, as Gigabyte has not included these there.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/rearfanpsubay_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/rearfanpsubay.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fan1connect_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fan1connect.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/pcibrackets_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/pcibrackets.jpg)
Turns out that the rear fan has the same connector as the front fan. Following the routed cables yields another surprise. Gigabyte has combined both cables at the end, which means that you will only need to use a single mainboard header to power both of them. The PCI brackets also feature a screw-less system which uses the same principle as the Cooler Master RC-690. It utilizes the case structure to excert pressure on the inserted cards, but also allows the user to install a screw instead. This is something not possible with the RC-690.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontoff_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontoff.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/sticker_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/sticker.jpg)
You will need to take the front of the iSOLO 210 to install any external drives or devices. The covers cannot be removed otherwise. Gigabyte has also placed two stickers on the open 5.25 and 3.25 inch bays, which need to be removed. These have one simple purpose - to keep the user from trying to push out the drive bay covers without removing the entire front. These stickers can only be removed, once the front has been seperated from the rest of the case.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/ioconnectors_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/ioconnectors.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/mbconnect_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/mbconnect.jpg)
The I/O mainboard connectors are nothing special - except the Firewire connector. Gigabyte included two headers, one is the usual kind, found on other cases, while the second one is something I have never seen before. There are only two mainboard connectors, one for the power switch, the other for the speaker. There is no connector for a reset button or for any LEDs. Turns out that the Molex connector powers the blue front LEDs which also double as the power lights.
[page=Installation & Finished Looks]
Installation
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/mbinstalled_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/mbinstalled.jpg)
Installing the mainboard is done as it would in any other standard case. Place the golden mainboard spacers at the right location, insert the backplate of the mainboard and secure the board on the spacers. The PCI bracket clips hold quite well, but you should secure larger graphic cards with the supplied screws as well - especially if you plan to go to LAN parties.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/railsinst_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/railsinst.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/hddinserted_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/hddinserted.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/hddinst_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/hddinst.jpg)
Installing the hard drive on the other hand is done without the use of a screw driver. Just snap the rails onto the side of the drive and slide it into the case until it snaps into place - done.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/oddlocked_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/oddlocked.jpg)
Installing the optical drive can be performed after removing the front. Simply push it in and then slide over the lock. This holds the drive quite well on this side, but it still gives away a bit on the other side, so you will have to use the supplied screws to secure the ODD.
Finished Looks
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontfinish_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontfinish.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontled_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontled.jpg)
Once everything was installed, just replace the side panels and connect the computer. Even though Gigabyte did not use any foam spacers, the rubber rings do a great job from stopping any vibration. A silver drive was used in this case, which looks fine, but even a beige drive should not disturb the entire look and feel of the case. Obviously the color of choice to use would be black. The blue LED of the front looks great and the glow is quite strong. This should turn a few heads at a LAN party in the dark.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/finished_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/finished.jpg)
The case itself does take fingerprints easily, but as mentioned before, Gigabyte includes a cloth to wipe such residue off. The iSOLO looks great and is certainly a welcome addition in any setting - home office, gaming room, living room or at a LAN party.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Gigabyte iSOLO 210 costs $99.99 US Dollars or 89.90€ (http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id= 7130).</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Great looking case
Very solid front construction
Solid steel frame
Two 120 mm fans included
Routed fan cableing
One mainboard header for two fans
Vibration dampening on fan mounts
Large graphic cards like the 8800 GTX/Ultra or HD2900 should fit - barely.
Side panels can be removed easily
Very informative packaging
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Not reset button or HDD access LED
No frills interior layout - no fancy extras
No further fans can be installed
Complicated external device installation
No removable mainboard tray
</td></tr>
<tr><th>8.5</th>
<td>
The Gigabyte iSOLO 210 certainly impresses with its clean looks. The aluminum front and choice of three different colors, makes it a great allrounder. You can utilize the case as a gaming rig, for an office machine, a LAN party computer or even in your living room. The iSOLO 210 simply looks stunning everywhere. You clearly pay for looks in this case (no pun intended), as the inside features just a basic layout with the usual semi-screwless system. The iSOLO 210 is beautiful on the outside, but a bit boring on the inside, but it will take anything you can throw at it, from large power supplies to the biggest graphic cards out there. This makes up for the simplistic interior of the case. One of the things that count at the end of the day is looks and the Gigabyte iSOLO 210 certainly has that.</td>
</tr><tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/recommended.gif </td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/Stacker_832/images/logo.jpg
I would like to thank CaseKing.de (http://www.caseking.de) for supplying the review sample.
CaseKing is one of the few companies out there, which will not just sell anything. They only offer hardware that performs well and is of high quality. The shop offers quite a few exclusive parts and devices from all around the world and it is also the official distributor for a long list of well known manufacturers. Their assortment has grown greatly in recent years, while great service and support is still a very important part of the shop philosophy. The website may be in German, but they do ship to most European countries. One of the companies of which CaseKing is the distributor for is GIGABYTE, so you will surely get the latest and greatest from that manufacturer at CaseKing.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/isolocolors.jpg
Today I have the pleasure of reviewing GIGABYTE's iSOLO 210. It features a clean cut, aluminum & steel front, which makes for a great looking chassis. It is available in silver, grey and black. the iSOLO is part of GIGABYTE's new and extensive case line-up, first presented at Computex this year. We have the black variant on our testbench today.
Specifications
<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable" width="450">
<tr>
<th scope="row">Color</th>
<td scope="row">Silver / Black / Metallic Gray</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Drive Bays </th>
<td scope="row">5 x exposed 5.25 inch,
2 x exposed 3.5, 3 x internal 3.5 inch</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Material</th>
<td scope="row">Chassis: 0.7 mm SECC, Bezel: Aluminum & Steel Mesh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Form Factor </th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">ATX / Micro ATX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Expansion Slots</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">7 standard slots </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Case Fans </th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">Front: One 120 mm silent fan equipped,
Rear: One 120 mm silent fan equipped</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Dimensions</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">200 mm x 440 mm x 485 mm (W x H x D)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Weight</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">8.5kg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th valign="top" scope="row">Front I/O</th>
<td valign="top" scope="row">Two USB 2.0 / One IEEE 1394 / HD audio + AC97</td>
</tr>
</table>
[page=Packaging & Contents]
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packfront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packfront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packrear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packrear.jpg)
Gigabyte packs the case in a full color package. The front only holds the case name, while the back lists all the features in detail. The cardboard is quite sturdy and the package can be considered quite compact for midtower cases.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidecolor_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidecolor.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidespecs_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packsidespecs.jpg)
Further information can be found on either side of the box. One side reveals which color the case has, and also mentiones if a power supply is included, while the other lists the afore mentioned specs in detail. There are holes on theses sides, to make transportation a bit easier.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packbottomtext_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/packbottomtext.jpg)
Another interesting feature is the text on the bottom of the package. The best way to take a case out of its package is to let gravity do the work, by turning it over and pulling up the cardboard box. That way you will see the above message while unpacking.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casenew_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casenew.jpg)
Gigabyte has chosen to secure the iSOLO 210 with tight fitting Styrofoam spacers. The case is further protected by a thin plastic bag.
Contents
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/manualembedded_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/manualembedded.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/contents_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/contents.jpg)
The manual is the first thing you will find, once you open up the case. It has been placed right on top of the case, so you cannot miss it. This is also a further, subtile hint to read the manual first. Inside the case you will find a small white carboard box which holds the hard drive rails, all needed screws, a cloth to clean the case and a few cable clips to make routing easier.
[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casefront_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casefront.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caserear_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caserear.jpg)
The front of the case is constructed of solid aluminum and steel. The drive bays utilize the SECC mesh, which aids airflow, reduces weight and does look quite stylish. The rear is nothing out of the ordinary and does hint at a no frills interior layout.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casesidewindow_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/casesidewindow.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseotherside_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseotherside.jpg)
One side of the case features a window in form of a steel mesh. This also helps to keep the temperature at room level inside the case. The other side is completely void of any openings or features.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fronttop_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/fronttop.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontbottom_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/frontbottom.jpg)
The iSOLO can hold five 5.25 inch devices. The covers are very solid and line up perfectly with the rest of the front. The bottom part holds two 3.5 inch bays and the I/O. It consists of two USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire and the usual audio connectors. The power button is round and fairly large. There are two aspects missing at first sight: a reset button and LEDs for the hard drive and power. Gigabyte has not included any of these with the iSOLO case.
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The rear can be divided into three parts. The top holds the power supply. The bay is completely standard. There is no foam lighting, you cannot choose to install the PSU upside down or slide it in from the outside. The middle holds the rear fan, which is of the 120 mm variety. A noteworthy feature are the rubber spacers used, which eliminate any vibration from the fan. The bottom holds the PCI brackets and also features two large openings for water cooling tubes. The brackets are covered by real metal pieces, which do not need to be broken out and can be reused at any time. As you can see, the side panels are secured by thumb screws.
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The side of the case features the iSOLO logo. This is the only indication of a model name. The feet used are of very high quality and make for a very well placed and sturdy case - no matter if you have a carpet or hard floor.
[page=The Insides]
The Insides
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/innersidepanel_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/innersidepanel.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseopen_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/caseopen.jpg)
The side panel is made of 0.7 mm SECC, just like the rest of the case, excluding the front. The steel mesh is secured by screws, so you will not have to worry about it giving way or reducing the overal structural integrity of the side panel. Once the panel is removed, the case inside can be inspected. The general layout is nothing out of the ordinary and can be found in many other mainstream cases. The notable addition is the clean routing of the fan power cable. It runs along the top of the mainboard area towards the lower front of the case.
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Opening the other side yields no real surprises, but upon closer inspection an additional connector for the front 120 mm fan can be seen. Gigabyte is routing this cable towards the lower mainboard area as well.
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All external drive bays feature a plastic locking mechanism. This is the same type of "semi" screw-less system used by a lot of other manufacturers. Even though you should be fine with these clips, inserted drives should still be secured by screws on the other side, as Gigabyte has not included these there.
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Turns out that the rear fan has the same connector as the front fan. Following the routed cables yields another surprise. Gigabyte has combined both cables at the end, which means that you will only need to use a single mainboard header to power both of them. The PCI brackets also feature a screw-less system which uses the same principle as the Cooler Master RC-690. It utilizes the case structure to excert pressure on the inserted cards, but also allows the user to install a screw instead. This is something not possible with the RC-690.
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You will need to take the front of the iSOLO 210 to install any external drives or devices. The covers cannot be removed otherwise. Gigabyte has also placed two stickers on the open 5.25 and 3.25 inch bays, which need to be removed. These have one simple purpose - to keep the user from trying to push out the drive bay covers without removing the entire front. These stickers can only be removed, once the front has been seperated from the rest of the case.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/ioconnectors_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/ioconnectors.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/mbconnect_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/iSolo_210/images/mbconnect.jpg)
The I/O mainboard connectors are nothing special - except the Firewire connector. Gigabyte included two headers, one is the usual kind, found on other cases, while the second one is something I have never seen before. There are only two mainboard connectors, one for the power switch, the other for the speaker. There is no connector for a reset button or for any LEDs. Turns out that the Molex connector powers the blue front LEDs which also double as the power lights.
[page=Installation & Finished Looks]
Installation
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Installing the mainboard is done as it would in any other standard case. Place the golden mainboard spacers at the right location, insert the backplate of the mainboard and secure the board on the spacers. The PCI bracket clips hold quite well, but you should secure larger graphic cards with the supplied screws as well - especially if you plan to go to LAN parties.
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Installing the hard drive on the other hand is done without the use of a screw driver. Just snap the rails onto the side of the drive and slide it into the case until it snaps into place - done.
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Installing the optical drive can be performed after removing the front. Simply push it in and then slide over the lock. This holds the drive quite well on this side, but it still gives away a bit on the other side, so you will have to use the supplied screws to secure the ODD.
Finished Looks
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Once everything was installed, just replace the side panels and connect the computer. Even though Gigabyte did not use any foam spacers, the rubber rings do a great job from stopping any vibration. A silver drive was used in this case, which looks fine, but even a beige drive should not disturb the entire look and feel of the case. Obviously the color of choice to use would be black. The blue LED of the front looks great and the glow is quite strong. This should turn a few heads at a LAN party in the dark.
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The case itself does take fingerprints easily, but as mentioned before, Gigabyte includes a cloth to wipe such residue off. The iSOLO looks great and is certainly a welcome addition in any setting - home office, gaming room, living room or at a LAN party.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
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<td>
The Gigabyte iSOLO 210 costs $99.99 US Dollars or 89.90€ (http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id= 7130).</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Great looking case
Very solid front construction
Solid steel frame
Two 120 mm fans included
Routed fan cableing
One mainboard header for two fans
Vibration dampening on fan mounts
Large graphic cards like the 8800 GTX/Ultra or HD2900 should fit - barely.
Side panels can be removed easily
Very informative packaging
</td>
</tr>
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<td>
Not reset button or HDD access LED
No frills interior layout - no fancy extras
No further fans can be installed
Complicated external device installation
No removable mainboard tray
</td></tr>
<tr><th>8.5</th>
<td>
The Gigabyte iSOLO 210 certainly impresses with its clean looks. The aluminum front and choice of three different colors, makes it a great allrounder. You can utilize the case as a gaming rig, for an office machine, a LAN party computer or even in your living room. The iSOLO 210 simply looks stunning everywhere. You clearly pay for looks in this case (no pun intended), as the inside features just a basic layout with the usual semi-screwless system. The iSOLO 210 is beautiful on the outside, but a bit boring on the inside, but it will take anything you can throw at it, from large power supplies to the biggest graphic cards out there. This makes up for the simplistic interior of the case. One of the things that count at the end of the day is looks and the Gigabyte iSOLO 210 certainly has that.</td>
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