Thermaltake Chaser A31 Thunder Case Review
Author: Darren McCain
Published: Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Case Interior
The same blue and black theme is carried into the interior of the A31. Motherboards are supported in only ATX and Mini-ATX sizes but plenty of clearance is available for CPU heat sink solutions up to 160mm.
A full length drive rack supports an additional six 3.5" drives and every bay can take a 2.5" drive as needed. The top 5.25" bays are tool-less thanks to the removable matching blue and black clips. More on the drive setup in a minute.
Here is a closer look at the top and rear cooling options. The top mounts offer quite a bit of flexibility. Two 120mm fans or a double length radiator are an easy fit with plenty of room in front of the rear fan for most common rads. A single 140mm fan is an option for moving more air without increasing the sound signature. The top mesh isn't designed to be removable but it does have a foam filter built in to it.
Here is a closer look at the top and rear cooling options. The top mounts offer quite a bit of flexibility. Two 120mm fans or a double length radiator are an easy fit with plenty of room in front of the rear fan for most common rads. A single 140mm fan is an option for moving more air without increasing the sound signature. The top mesh isn't designed to be removable but it does have a foam filter built in to it.
The front drive bay adapter is actually the kit you see here. Even the new front facade is done in a matching blue and silver color. Just remember to buy black drives and you are set.
Coming back to the drive cage setup, we can remove the center cage for longer video card setups. With cage you can install cards up to 290mm. With the cage removed cards up to 410mm are supported.
Coming back to the drive cage setup, we can remove the center cage for longer video card setups. With cage you can install cards up to 290mm. With the cage removed cards up to 410mm are supported.
Most common build can probably benefit from removing this cage to help the front mounted 120mm Turbo fan (1000rpm, 16 dBA) move air more efficiently. For even more airflow an additional 120mm fan mount is available in the front right where the removable cage sits.
Drives are easily installed in the removable drive cages. These cages snap firmly into place making drive swaps pretty easy but not tool-less. I recommend buying or fabricating rubber washers to help with vibration in these plastic cages. It's a pretty easy addition that will help with vibration and could extend the life of your mechanical drives.
Drives are easily installed in the removable drive cages. These cages snap firmly into place making drive swaps pretty easy but not tool-less. I recommend buying or fabricating rubber washers to help with vibration in these plastic cages. It's a pretty easy addition that will help with vibration and could extend the life of your mechanical drives.
