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Thermaltake Mozart HTPC Case
Author: Jason Kohrs
Manufacturer: Thermaltake
Source: Thermaltake
Purchase: PriceGrabber
Comment or Question: Post Here
Page: 7 of 7 [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ]
Thermaltake Mozart HTPC Case
February 17, 2006

Conclusion:

The Thermaltake Mozart case offers a simple and sophisticated styling that will help your HTPC blend in nicely with your other audio/video components. The aluminum face includes the items you require for convenient operation, but the design does fairly well to disguise that this is a computer. A few people have seen the Mozart case in my entertainment center since it was installed, and none identified it as a PC (although none had a guess as to what it might be, either).

Impressive styling, along with the low noise output, adequate cooling performance, and high quality construction are all things you should expect from a Thermaltake case... And the Mozart delivers.


Despite all of the positive aspects of this case, there are a few things that I think could/should be improved. The main thing I would like to see is the typical tool-less mechanisms for drive and expansion card installation. Assembling a system is obviously quicker and easier, and if a typical tower can be tool-lees, why not an HTPC? The front door closure might also benefit from a more robust design. The door probably closes properly on the first try only 3 out of 10 tries, and to have to concentrate on something so simple tells you the design is flawed. The issue I experienced with the power LED was hopefully an isolated incident, and I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who might have had a similar issue with a Mozart case (or any other for that matter).

A search of PriceGrabber shows that the Thermaltake Mozart is going to set you back just over $100 (US), without including shipping. Thermaltake offers cases with a wide range of prices, and to throw the Mozart into the mix with standard tower cases, the price may seem a bit above average. But, this isn't a typical case, and compared to other HTPC style cases it is priced rather competitively. For example, the recently reviewed Cooler Master CM Media 250 has a price tag in the same neighborhood, going for just under $100. Considering all of its positive features, the price of the Mozart is justifiable for those looking to set up a nice HTPC.

Balancing the style, quality, cooling capability, and all of the other positive features with the few items where I think the Mozart case could be improved the overall impression is still quite favorable. I could definitely recommend the Thermaltake Mozart HTPC case to anyone looking to integrate an HTPC into their home theater, and award the case a final score of four out of five stars.

Final Rating (4 out of 5 stars):


Pros:

» Roomy interior
» Attractive styling
» Runs cool and quiet
» Well constructed
» ATX & Micro ATX board / PSU compatible

Cons:

» Front door doesn't close reliably
» Nothing tool-less except for cover
» Power LED didn't function properly
» Has 3x 5.25" and 5x 3.5" bays, but can really only hold 2 of either

Special thanks to Thermaltake for providing the Mozart VC4000SNS HTPC Case to Bigbruin.com for review!

Please drop by the Bigbruin.com Forum and feel free to post any comments or questions.

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