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<B>Introduction</B>:
It has been nearly 6 months since the first case from <a href="http://www.xoxide.com/">Xoxide</a> came. <a href="articles.php?id=24">The Blackhawk case was awesome</a>. Today, we're going to look at the newest case from Xoxide, the <a href="http://www.xoxide.com/blackbox.html">X40 Blackbox</a>. What makes it better is that it is only $80 at this time of writing. It is extremely well priced for what you get.
<B>Specs</B> (From Nikao itself):
Motherboard Type: ATX, Extended ATX , AMD, Pentium III & IV
Construction: Steel with Heavy Chrome Coating on the Front Panel
Cooling options: 1 80mm fan hole and 1 60mm
Input Voltage: 115/230 Vac
Total Bays: 11 (4 CD/DVD, 1 Floppy, 6 HDDs)
External Bays Available: 4 x 5.25" and 1 x 3.5"
Carton Box Dimension: (L x W x H): 500mm x 225mm x 450mm
Actual Dimension (L x W x H): 475mm x 200mm x 425mm
Number of slots: 7 (PCI/AGP Cards)
Weight: 20LBS with No Power Supply
No power supply or fans are included, I was given a cold cathode to show you the lighting of the case though. You will have to purchase the cathode for extra money.
<B>The Box</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/box.jpg"></center>
This is the box it came in. The case isn't actually Xoxide's, they just modify it. The box is from <a href="http://www.nikao.net/case/union.htm">Nikao</a>.
<B>In the Box</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/parts1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/parts2.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/thumbscrews.jpg"></center>
Out of the box comes the case! Well, you also get some other VERY handy things. The all important screws that every case comes with, and two drive face plates! I really can't stress enough how much these things are needed for every case. They really make the matching simple, you don't need to paint or do anything. Just stick them in and your done. The I/O panel was off the case, just in case you have a different shield. You don't need to go through the extra hassle of removing the old one. The case comes with two thumbscrews for removing the side panel easily. A very nice touch in my opinion.
<center><h2><a href="/forums/">We got what you need in the forums</a>!</h2></center>
<B>Introduction</B>:
It has been nearly 6 months since the first case from <a href="http://www.xoxide.com/">Xoxide</a> came. <a href="articles.php?id=24">The Blackhawk case was awesome</a>. Today, we're going to look at the newest case from Xoxide, the <a href="http://www.xoxide.com/blackbox.html">X40 Blackbox</a>. What makes it better is that it is only $80 at this time of writing. It is extremely well priced for what you get.
<B>Specs</B> (From Nikao itself):
Motherboard Type: ATX, Extended ATX , AMD, Pentium III & IV
Construction: Steel with Heavy Chrome Coating on the Front Panel
Cooling options: 1 80mm fan hole and 1 60mm
Input Voltage: 115/230 Vac
Total Bays: 11 (4 CD/DVD, 1 Floppy, 6 HDDs)
External Bays Available: 4 x 5.25" and 1 x 3.5"
Carton Box Dimension: (L x W x H): 500mm x 225mm x 450mm
Actual Dimension (L x W x H): 475mm x 200mm x 425mm
Number of slots: 7 (PCI/AGP Cards)
Weight: 20LBS with No Power Supply
No power supply or fans are included, I was given a cold cathode to show you the lighting of the case though. You will have to purchase the cathode for extra money.
<B>The Box</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/box.jpg"></center>
This is the box it came in. The case isn't actually Xoxide's, they just modify it. The box is from <a href="http://www.nikao.net/case/union.htm">Nikao</a>.
<B>In the Box</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/parts1.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/parts2.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/thumbscrews.jpg"></center>
Out of the box comes the case! Well, you also get some other VERY handy things. The all important screws that every case comes with, and two drive face plates! I really can't stress enough how much these things are needed for every case. They really make the matching simple, you don't need to paint or do anything. Just stick them in and your done. The I/O panel was off the case, just in case you have a different shield. You don't need to go through the extra hassle of removing the old one. The case comes with two thumbscrews for removing the side panel easily. A very nice touch in my opinion.
Page 2
<B>The Exterior</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/isowindow.jpg"></center>
The entire case is primarily black, with a touch of chrome for added effect. The molding on the window is black. As always, the window is excellently made. The black finish is semi-glossy and it looks very nice. The case has 4 DVD/CD drives for all your burning/ripping/stealing pleasure. It also comes with a dedicated floppy drive. I don't have a working floppy, so it is useless to me.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/usbfront.jpg"></center>
Something every case should have, front USB connectors. It is funny because my board that I'm using doesn't have any USB headers. Sucks for me, it is a server anyway.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/isononwindow.jpg"></center>
As you can see, the case is extremely well finished. I really don't know who to thank for that, but who cares. The front has a design on it that is a plastic piece. It will make you dizzy, especially if your high (I'm assuming here).
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/frontdesign.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/frontdesign1.jpg"></center>
The design is wavy looking, like ripples. Then there is another thing that goes over it, like a plus (+), but the center gets fat to match the island. The Hard Drive LED is inside the center island of the design. The important buttons are also located on the island. This front design isn't for just a snazzy wavy pattern, it has the power LEDs embedded in it. We'll see that later.
<B>The Exterior</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/isowindow.jpg"></center>
The entire case is primarily black, with a touch of chrome for added effect. The molding on the window is black. As always, the window is excellently made. The black finish is semi-glossy and it looks very nice. The case has 4 DVD/CD drives for all your burning/ripping/stealing pleasure. It also comes with a dedicated floppy drive. I don't have a working floppy, so it is useless to me.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/usbfront.jpg"></center>
Something every case should have, front USB connectors. It is funny because my board that I'm using doesn't have any USB headers. Sucks for me, it is a server anyway.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/isononwindow.jpg"></center>
As you can see, the case is extremely well finished. I really don't know who to thank for that, but who cares. The front has a design on it that is a plastic piece. It will make you dizzy, especially if your high (I'm assuming here).
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/frontdesign.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/frontdesign1.jpg"></center>
The design is wavy looking, like ripples. Then there is another thing that goes over it, like a plus (+), but the center gets fat to match the island. The Hard Drive LED is inside the center island of the design. The important buttons are also located on the island. This front design isn't for just a snazzy wavy pattern, it has the power LEDs embedded in it. We'll see that later.
Page 3
<B>The Interior</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/mbtray.jpg"></center>
This is where is matters most. I never got cut once going in and out of this case. That is impressive, I usually get nicked or scrapped somehow. When I opened up the case, I was pleased to see a removable motherboard tray. To tell you the truth, I never actually had one, nor do I care about it that much. It does make it easier to put the motherboard in though.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/mbintray.jpg"></center>
Something else also caught my eye. Whoever made the case must have worse spelling than even me!
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/spelling.jpg">
That says Bady AT. HA!</center>
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/cdrack.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/hddrack.jpg"></center>
Next we have the 2 arrays of drive racks, the top is the CD/DVD and the bottom is the HDD. You get enough space for a nice four way hard drive raid action, but your airflow may be horrible. Hell you can even do something with 6 drives or 7 if you cut the floppy! The maximum amount of optical drives I have ever used at once is three, so you'll be fine with the four open optical drive slots. Notice the 60mm fan hole in the front. Mind you, I really don't think you should use a great deal of drives, the heat will be insane.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/backblow.jpg"></center>
This is a picture of the backblow hole, on the motherboard tray. It can fit an 80mm fan. Also of interest is the little tab that you see. This is how the tray gets secured on the case. I screwed it in myself, there is another tab on the bottom as well.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/smallthing.jpg"></center>
The piece of metal running vertically is the thing that is left after you remove the motherboard tray. You can put a cathode or wires here. What I mean to say is that it is stationary in the case.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/pled.jpg"></center>
The last thing about the inside the connectors for the motherboard. The power led is made into a molex connector, possibly because the LEDs needed were drawing too much power from the board. I like it better anyway, some boards have 3 pin LED connections and others have 2. I don't have a clue why this is.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/allin.jpg"></center>
Ahh, we make our way into the final product. The fan there is an <a href="articles.php?id=40">Antec lighted one</a>.
<B>The Interior</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/mbtray.jpg"></center>
This is where is matters most. I never got cut once going in and out of this case. That is impressive, I usually get nicked or scrapped somehow. When I opened up the case, I was pleased to see a removable motherboard tray. To tell you the truth, I never actually had one, nor do I care about it that much. It does make it easier to put the motherboard in though.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/mbintray.jpg"></center>
Something else also caught my eye. Whoever made the case must have worse spelling than even me!
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/spelling.jpg">
That says Bady AT. HA!</center>
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/cdrack.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/hddrack.jpg"></center>
Next we have the 2 arrays of drive racks, the top is the CD/DVD and the bottom is the HDD. You get enough space for a nice four way hard drive raid action, but your airflow may be horrible. Hell you can even do something with 6 drives or 7 if you cut the floppy! The maximum amount of optical drives I have ever used at once is three, so you'll be fine with the four open optical drive slots. Notice the 60mm fan hole in the front. Mind you, I really don't think you should use a great deal of drives, the heat will be insane.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/backblow.jpg"></center>
This is a picture of the backblow hole, on the motherboard tray. It can fit an 80mm fan. Also of interest is the little tab that you see. This is how the tray gets secured on the case. I screwed it in myself, there is another tab on the bottom as well.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/smallthing.jpg"></center>
The piece of metal running vertically is the thing that is left after you remove the motherboard tray. You can put a cathode or wires here. What I mean to say is that it is stationary in the case.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/pled.jpg"></center>
The last thing about the inside the connectors for the motherboard. The power led is made into a molex connector, possibly because the LEDs needed were drawing too much power from the board. I like it better anyway, some boards have 3 pin LED connections and others have 2. I don't have a clue why this is.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/allin.jpg"></center>
Ahh, we make our way into the final product. The fan there is an <a href="articles.php?id=40">Antec lighted one</a>.
Page 4
<B>Final Product</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/cdcover.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/cdcoveropen.jpg"></center>
Here is the CDrom drive with the included drive plate. It really is a great thing, the entire case looks complete and doesn't have a sore drive sticking out. It also sits flush with the other panels.
Lights:
What is a window without lights? Nothing! (By the way, I put on the Xoxide design wrong, it isn't there fault. I'm just stupid)
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/windowoff.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/windowon.jpg"></center>
The green cathode let's off a great deal of light, perfect for this case. Let's not forget about the front either.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/fronton.jpg"></center>
You'll know when this thing is on, even without a light in the window. Simply great looking.
<B>Conclusion</B>:
At around $80, this case is simply a great deal. I really do consider this a medium to high-end case, and for the price, I feel it is worth it. To really highlight this case, you'll need some sort of lighting, which is very simple to find. With the front USB connections and the really awesome front light up design, I have to really recommend this case. My thanks goes out to <a href="http://www.xoxide.com">Xoxide</a> for sending another case for review.
PS: Someone asked me to amend this review to include all negative aspects of this case. I will do that here. The biggest problem with the case is AIRFLOW, if you have many hot components, 1 80mm and 1 60mm fan aren't going to cut it at all! If you need, cut some fan holes in it. Second, I mentioned I didn't get cut, but I will say that like any other case cheaper case, there are sharp edges. I also don't like the dedicated floppy, but that is a minor issue. I still think the case is a well put together case.<br/>(Thanks Michael)
<br/>
<br/>
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<B>Final Product</B>:
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/cdcover.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/cdcoveropen.jpg"></center>
Here is the CDrom drive with the included drive plate. It really is a great thing, the entire case looks complete and doesn't have a sore drive sticking out. It also sits flush with the other panels.
Lights:
What is a window without lights? Nothing! (By the way, I put on the Xoxide design wrong, it isn't there fault. I'm just stupid)
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/windowoff.jpg">
<img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/windowon.jpg"></center>
The green cathode let's off a great deal of light, perfect for this case. Let's not forget about the front either.
<center><img src="http://www.aselabs.com/images/articles/nov02/blackbox/fronton.jpg"></center>
You'll know when this thing is on, even without a light in the window. Simply great looking.
<B>Conclusion</B>:
At around $80, this case is simply a great deal. I really do consider this a medium to high-end case, and for the price, I feel it is worth it. To really highlight this case, you'll need some sort of lighting, which is very simple to find. With the front USB connections and the really awesome front light up design, I have to really recommend this case. My thanks goes out to <a href="http://www.xoxide.com">Xoxide</a> for sending another case for review.
PS: Someone asked me to amend this review to include all negative aspects of this case. I will do that here. The biggest problem with the case is AIRFLOW, if you have many hot components, 1 80mm and 1 60mm fan aren't going to cut it at all! If you need, cut some fan holes in it. Second, I mentioned I didn't get cut, but I will say that like any other case cheaper case, there are sharp edges. I also don't like the dedicated floppy, but that is a minor issue. I still think the case is a well put together case.<br/>(Thanks Michael)
<br/>
<br/>
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