Ultra m998

[Ripudio]

Just a quick question, possibly directed towards Jonny if he's got the time, but I was wondering if the m998 came with a solid side panel. For the most part I'm not a huge fan of the plexi window, but its starting to grow on me, but I'm really not digging the air duct as functional as it might be; however, that being said the m998 has a really good design otherwise, removable panels, 120mm fans, removable motherboard tray, all very good things in my book.

If anyone has any suggestions on similar aluminum cases, I'm open to them. Thanks in advance!

[Tazz]

Ultra doesn't list it with a solid panel. If you're unhappy with the vents on the side you can easily replace the plexi and have a solid window.

Personally I think the case is a good choice. I have one :D. You can easily remove all the panels to gain full access to your components. I do wish the mobo tray slid in and out a little easier, but its better than not having a removable mobo tray at all.

[jonnyGURU]

I have one with a 200MM fan. :D

Not sure why they went with the window. Wouldn't have been my first choice to launch the product with. They said that the solid side panel version would follow, but Ultra's been kind of slow with releasing new stuff.

[Tech Bori]

Ultra? Are they still around ??

[Ripudio]

Thats a really good point MI-Tazz, thanks for the suggestion. I kind of wanted to get the solid panel mainly so I could shape my own window, because like I said, the idea is growing on me. Maybe I'll just get it now and down the road Ultra will sell replacement side panels that are solid.

[HOOfan_1]

Just a quick question, possibly directed towards Jonny if he's got the time, but I was wondering if the m998 came with a solid side panel. For the most part I'm not a huge fan of the plexi window, but its starting to grow on me, but I'm really not digging the air duct as functional as it might be; however, that being said the m998 has a really good design otherwise, removable panels, 120mm fans, removable motherboard tray, all very good things in my book.

If anyone has any suggestions on similar aluminum cases, I'm open to them. Thanks in advance!


IMO that Ultra PC is tres ugamaly

I would say the Silverstone TJ-09 and TJ-10 would fit the bill. It can be almost completely disassembled and it has a removable motherboard tray and either a bunch of 120MM fans or empty spaces to put them in.

Edit: thought you were talking about the new Ultra mentioned on the front page....the Silverstones are a bit more expensive than the case you listed.

[jonnyGURU]

I like the SilverStones too, but I use the M998 and I love it. Not too tall, but roomy because it's wide and deep. It too can be almost completely disassembled (all panels come off, mobo tray pulls out, etc.) Of course, bezel aesthetics are a subjective thing. I think the M998 is rather "neutral". There's so many Transformers/Voltron inspired cases out there from folks like Apevia and Diablotek it's sickening. Of course, Antec's have a nice "neutral" look to them, but they're built like crap and the layout pisses me off almost as much as a Thermaltake case.

[Tazz]

IMO that Ultra PC is tres ugamaly

I would say the Silverstone TJ-09 and TJ-10 would fit the bill. It can be almost completely disassembled and it has a removable motherboard tray and either a bunch of 120MM fans or empty spaces to put them in.

Edit: thought you were talking about the new Ultra mentioned on the front page....the Silverstones are a bit more expensive than the case you listed.

You referring to the eXo or the M923?

I have one of the early designs of the eXo and truly feel its a top notch case. Although I do not like some of the modifications they made to it during the process. It is still one of my favorites. I love the fact that I can change the entire looks of the case pretty easily. Let alone being able to swap which way the mobo faces, and you can even invert the optical drives to the lower section instead of the upper section.

The M923.. Although I don't like the display at the top and don't like the drive covers they used. Depending on how much they charge for it, It might not be a bad starting point for a rig.

The TJ-10 is a nice case as well. Although I could make a significant list of things I personally would change on it. Silverstone always has great build quality, just not sure the I like the hdd / front fan orientation yet. Trying to build a clean system in it is rather challenging if you have a lot of wires to deal with.

[Ripudio]

So it seems like on the Exo the power strip is pretty permanent, but in the m998, it looks like its screwed in, so I was wondering if someone who has one has/knows if its removable or not. I don't know if I'd want to use it, maybe for the HDDs, optical drive, and front fan, but probably not for anything else.

[Tazz]

The one in the M998 is removable. On the eXo, it should be removable as well. The early design I have didn't come with one, but I am sure its removable. Everything else in the chassis is can be.

[madmat]

Tazz, the power bar in the EXO is actually mounted to the mobo tray from the backside. The holes for the connectors on the power bar are punched into the tray and the connectors pass through it. Yeah, I'm sure that it'll come out but you'll have molex and PCI-g shaped holes in the mobo tray to disguise.

[madmat]

IMO that Ultra PC is tres ugamaly

I would say the Silverstone TJ-09 and TJ-10 would fit the bill. It can be almost completely disassembled and it has a removable motherboard tray and either a bunch of 120MM fans or empty spaces to put them in.

Edit: thought you were talking about the new Ultra mentioned on the front page....the Silverstones are a bit more expensive than the case you listed.

"Almost completely"? You are kidding aren't you? You can tear them down to the point where they're nothing but bent pieces of metal, the only part with rivets is the mobo tray frame but it still unscrews from the case making it just another 2D panel. I think that in order to tear a TJ09/10 down further you'd have to molecularly disassemble it. The m998 is a close second. I would like to see them replace that funky plastic front bezel with one made of aluminum though.

[Tazz]

Tazz, the power bar in the EXO is actually mounted to the mobo tray from the backside. The holes for the connectors on the power bar are punched into the tray and the connectors pass through it. Yeah, I'm sure that it'll come out but you'll have molex and PCI-g shaped holes in the mobo tray to disguise.

Figured it did. As I stated, mine was an early design and didnt include it nor the mobo tray. I didn't see any current pics to see if they showed the board on the new version.

Did you see the price of the case ? $399

[madmat]

I'm not surprised, all the milled metal in that design. I'd like to play with one but I don't want one, I'd just like to see one in person at a store. Maybe Microcenter will get some and I can see it there. I really can't see moving away from my current case at any point in the future.

[Ripudio]

Okay, I've been looking around a bit more, and I was wondering about the TJ04, I know it doesn't have a removable motherboard tray, but its a pretty solid looking case, any good or bad experiences with it?

[Ripudio]

Anyone know what the hole in the motherboard tray of the m998 is for? I thought it might be a fan, except it wouldn't make any sense.

[madmat]

It's there to make people wonder what it's there for. Actually, I have no idea although you can use it to route cables behind the mobo which is nice. Now whether it was meant for that or not, I have no earthly idea.

[Ripudio]

Ooooh, cable routing, very good. It seems so obvious now! I'm so torn, Ultra...Lian Li...Ultra...Lian Li, but you know, who would want to hear me whine, TOO BAD.