Thermaltake Core V51 Case Review

Building a custom computer can be a challenging task.  Choosing the right motherboard to match your processor demands seems easy but often hardware availability and cost play a deciding factor.  The same is true when choosing a computer case.  As former casemodders the internals of a case were rarely a concern since a Dremel and Drill often resolved our concerns.  However, when casemodding went mainstream so did case designs and what was once a simple choice of beige or beige became a long search for the perfect combo of color choices, noise level and compatibility.

In this review we looked at the Thermaltake Core V51 Mid-Tower case.  The case features traditional design cues on the outside and a real attempt to build a modular box on the inside.  This direction was sparked by an effort to provide cases that supported a wide range of watercooling options from your basic AIO cpu cooler to fully vetted DIY watercooling with multiple loops, plethora of fans and hoses going everywhere.

From the outside you will see a very simple case design featuring the common box form factor with an elegant rolled edges along the front bezel.  We could name five or so cases that share a similar design style but the Core V51 seems to pull it off by not spending too much time adding more elements.

On the inside you will find a traditional case layout with drives located along the front panel and motherboard at the back.  Each of these drive cages is held in place with screws giving you the ability to change their location and/or removing them with a few turns of a screwdriver. 

In terms of future modifications, we hate to admit it but the Thermaltake Core V51 comes with it all.  While the design concept may not appeal to everyone it does a good job at combining functional style with tool free modifications.  Of course it is up to the user to decide their level of involvement.

If you are looking for paint options the mesh metal at the top and front of this care are ripe for painting.  Simply bend the locking tabs back, remove the metal parts and apply any color you like.  Likewise the easily removable drive cages could also be painted with no need for rivets when you are done..

Traditional Case Desgin
Clean Lines
Good Construction
Lots of Support for Watercooling
Ample Cable Routing Options
Easy Radiator Mounting

Not many locations for mounting pumps and reservoirs
Almost too much mesh