INTRODUCTION

   Although in the past we didn't focus much in doing PC case reviews since quite frankly they weren't really as popular with most of our readers as some other product lines (storage and gaming peripherals usually take the lead) things have changed a bit lately largely thanks to many requests by some of you asking for more midi and full tower reviews and others asking for mATX and mITX case reviews. A few days ago we took a look at the very good XPredator X3 Devil Red Edition Midi Tower by AeroCool so today we decided to move to the other side and bring all of you a review about one of the latest mITX cases to hit the market and more specifically the Core V1 by Thermaltake.

   The beginning of every myth and legend is about dreams and desire: the challenging, creative and combative features of Thermaltake Group create an exciting and fascinating user experience to share with everyone, while allowing users to enter a selfless state in terms of function and potential. Thermaltake Group's 3 main brands: Thermaltake, Tt eSPORTS and LUXA2 have been merchandising throughout the world, and have successfully established 6 business footholds in areas such as Europe, America, Oceania, Japan and China, with 95 regional distributors and over 4000 premium retailers. All product planning is orientated by observation of global PC peripheral market and understanding of consumer demands. Thermaltake creates direct contact opportunities with resellers and consumers by participating major global ICT exhibitions and trade shows every year, and develop innovative marketing strategies for the promotions of new products. Meanwhile, Thermaltake incorporates the composite marketing system by making branch offices and regional distributors both the distribution channel and technical support or service center to provide instant support; by maintaining close contact with end users, we manage to strengthen corporate competitiveness and create the momentum for the growth of accomplishments. With its outstanding wisdom and strength Thermaltake Group is recruiting creative talents to build a cultural brand for the enjoyment of entertainment, e-Sports, technology and lifestyle!

   We've already covered most of the Core line of PC cases by Thermaltake so we know that they don't use that name for no reason so the V1 must be a special little case. Well just by reading the features list it becomes clear that it is since despite its size Thermaltake has managed to equip it with a interchangeable panels (one of which is windowed), space for up to 4 3.5/2.5" drives, mounting spots for up to two 120/140mm radiators (even 240mm ones depending on the model), two PCI expansion slots for graphics cards up to 260mm long, room for CPU coolers up to 140mm in height and PSUs up to 200mm long and finally the ability to reposition the entire mainboard tray and the PCI expansion slots either horizontally or vertically. Of course it can't really match its larger brothers in features or interior space but the Core V1 does look promising so let's check it out.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

A drawing of the Core V1 is placed at the front of the box (and as you can see it did get damaged in transit).

The specifications and features are placed on the two sides of the box.

At the rear we see a drawing of the Core V1 partially dismantled.

The Core V1 is wrapped inside a plastic bag and placed between two rather thick Styrofoam spacers.

The bundle is quite limited so aside the user’s manual you're also getting 4 cable ties and a small plastic bag with screws and standoffs.

THE CORE V1 EXTERIOR

The Core V1 measures 316mm in length, 276mm in height and 260mm in width and is primarily made out of SPCC steel (the fascia is made out of plastic).

Both side panels are perforated (on this side panel you can mount up to two 3.5/2.5" drives by using the mounts in the bundle).

On the right side we also find the I/O which consists out of two USB 3.0 ports, reset and power on/off buttons, power and HDD activity LEDs and the typical microphone and headset ports.

A large plastic window is placed on the top panel which you can swap with any of the other 3 panels.

The fascia is perforated so that air can pass through easier.

At the rear we find room for two 80mm exhaust fans, two PCI expansion slots and the PSU area.

Both PCI expansion slots are secured via normal screws from the exterior.

A removable air filter is placed at the base panel right beneath the PSU area.

THE CORE V1 INTERIOR

Behind the fascia Thermaltake has placed an 200mm intake fan which you can replace either with an 120/140mm fan or with an 140/240mm radiator (not all 240mm radiators fit however).

The interior is quite spacious for an mini ITX case but what really matters is that you can swap panels and you can even move the mainboard tray with the rear to mount the mainboard vertically (we didn't try that feature in the end but according to TT it's not very hard to do).

Here you can see the space where you should be able to install a 240mm radiator (you may have to swap the stock fans for something thinner).

There are two metal vertical trays placed on the other side of the case where you can mount two 2.5/3.5" drives.

As you can all see the mainboard tray comes with 4 steel standoffs so you can go ahead and place the mainboard on them.

The PSU area will not fit the largest PSUs with ease but it's more than enough for normal sized ATX models.

BUILDING THE SYSTEM

As always the purpose of this section is not to build a functional system but rather to showcase what you can expect from the case at hand in terms of interior space.

After you place your mITX mainboard on the mainboard tray there's almost no room left (on the tray).

A single dual PCI slot card fits fine inside the Core V1 as long as it's not over 260mm long (if you decide on using a radiator at the front then expect to have much less space available).

In order to install the PSU you need to remove the bottom panel as seen above.

We really recommend using a fully modular PSU model since if not you will have trouble routing all the cables.

If you don't use fans at the rear then you should know that the Core V1 can fit most coolers up to 140mm in height.

Taking a look from the side it's clear that you can use even longer PSUs with the Core V1 but i really wouldn't recommend it.

NOISE LEVEL TEST

After giving it much thought we decided on performing noise tests with each PC Case we receive by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically ontop of each case to measure the noise levels emanating from the pre-installed fans at both 50% and 100% with the help of a fan controller (if the case doesn't have one we use our own).

CONCLUSION

   One of the things i never liked about mATX and mITX systems was the lack of space inside their cases and although the Core V1 offers more than many others I’ve gotten my hands onto i still don't like it. However this review is not about me but about people who are out in the market for a new mini ITX compatible PC case and at least for them the Core V1 by Thermaltake is a very good solution since aside offering a good amount of interior space it also allows the user to swap its panels, install up to 4 2.5/3.5" drives, mount up to 3 fans (2x120/140mm and 1x120/140/200mm) and or two radiators (140/240mm), install very long graphics cards (260mm) and PSUs (200mm), tall CPU coolers (160mm) and finally it also allows people who are good at customizing to change the orientation of the mainboard tray from horizontal to vertical. Unfortunately the lack of space such PC cases have doesn't leave much room for manufacturers to offer every single feature they'd like but the Core V1 does quite well in that area.

   With a current price tag set at USD49.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 55Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) the Core V1 Mini ITX PC Case by Thermaltake is extremely reasonably priced. Sure it may not offer a very long array of features but it offers more than what most other similar PC cases in the market and it costs less so what more can you ask? Of course if you can afford to spend more then you really should take a look at the brand new X line of PC Cases again by Thermaltake (reviews soon) since they offer much more in terms of features without asking for more in terms of space requirements. Regardless however the Core V1 Mini ITX PC Case is a very good solution for people on a tight budget and that's why it gets our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Size
- Interchangeable Panels
- 200mm Fan Preinstalled
- Room For Up To 4 Drives
- Spacious Interior (260mm Long GPUs/200mm Long PSUs/160mm Tall CPU Coolers)
- Adjustable Mainboard Tray Position
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Noise Levels (For Some)