Date: November 3rd, 2008
Article by: Joe Anderson (Hardware Reviewer)
Edited by: Nathan Glentworth (Owner / Head Editor)
Product was submitted by: Arctic Cooling <--SHOP FOR COMPUTER CASE HERE
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
M/B Formfactor: Micro & Full ATX (Max: 305mm x 245mm) 7 Drive Bays: 2 x 5.25" (open) + 2 x 3.5" (open)
1 x 3.5" (internal)
2 x 3.5" (Hard Disk Muffler) PSU Model: Fusion 550(F) Silentium Edition PSU Specification: 550 Watt, active PFC
Mainboard 20 + 4 Pin Connector
Mainboard 4 Pin 12V Connector for CPU
6 + 2 Pin PCIe Connector x 1
6 Pin PCIe Connector x 1
S-ATA Connector x 4
Peripheral Connector x 3
Floppy Connector x 1
Case Fans Connector x 1 PFC: 99% typical Fans: 1 x Arctic Fan 12 (PSU cooling) - 56 CFM
2 x Arctic Fan 8 (System cooling) - 42 CFM
All fans Fluid Dynamic Bearing, 400,000 hours MTTF Frontpanel I/O: 2 x USB 2.0
2 x Audio
IEEE 1394 (optional) Steel Quality: 0.8 mm SECC Dimensions: 23 (W) x 43.5 (H) x 45.6 (D) cm Net weight: 9.6 kg Gross weight: 11.2 kg Warranty: 2 Years
What we have here is a mid-tower steel case with some unusual features and design elements. We'll go over these in more detail later, but I'll mention just a few here to keep you interested. First of all, the T2 includes a high-quality 550-Watt power supply featuring active PFC and 80 PLUS efficiency. The case also has a non-standard layout with the PSU at the bottom-front, only two 5.25-inch bays and something called a “Hard Disk Muffler.” The T2 is also a bit shorter than many mid-towers. As we'll see later, it isn't as roomy as I'd like, either.
The cooling scheme is innovative and seems well thought out. We'll install a system very similar to the one illustrated above and see how it performs.
PRODUCT COMPOSITION
The packaging is non-standard as well. While most cases (and computers, for that matter) are shipped in the upright position, Arctic Cooling prefers to ship the T2 on its side. The packaging is routine, consisting of the case inside a plastic bag, sandwiched between foam blocks. It may be unusual, but it sure simplified unpacking the T2.
With the packing materials removed, we find a paper manual and a silver colored steel case with a plastic front and base. As you can see, the door is just a shade different in color from the rest of the case. To get to the other goodies, the side panel needs to come off.
