More on External Construction

Quite often, we overlook the removable panel or door to a case. Usually, we do not need to talk about this. However, once in a while, it slips by us and three months later, someone asks us, "Why did you give such a high rating to a case with a panel that I can’t remove or put back?"

Kingwin went with a very traditional panel door. The insets are oversized and the case does not produce any unnecessary complications to close or open. However, it is unusually heavy. The 8mm acrylic cutout is not flush with the rest of the panel, so the panel is slightly difficult to put back if you do not lay the case on its side.

The largest problem we have had with aluminum is its malleability. Whereas steel cases have sharp edges everywhere, aluminum cases have bent corners and creased paneling. Particularly, the side removable panels like to bend the most. The excessively think acrylic on the left side panel seems to keep the side panel from creasing, but carelessness can and will bend the right panel.



One of the more unusual little items was the carbon fiber insert along the top of the front bezel. This same insert makes itself present on almost every Lian Li case.

All external components on the case were removed with thumbscrews. The resemblance to Lian Li’s budget aluminum line is certainly present, but the inside differs greatly.

Front Panel Inside the KT-424
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  • KristopherKubicki - Saturday, September 6, 2003 - link

    BeanTech doesnt manufacturer the case either. I do not recall the manufacturer off the top of my head, but I am pretty sure its a no-name guy.

    Kristopher
  • Anonymous User - Thursday, August 28, 2003 - link

    This is the exact same case as the BeanTech BT60B. I know, I bought it about a year ago from GamePC. Don't get me wrong, it's a great case. It was the first case (IIRC) to have rubber hard drive mounting grommets standard. However, the design is a good year old, and other companies have taken BeanTech's design and improved on it (like the Antec Sonata's removable HD trays with rubber grommets).
  • Anonymous User - Monday, August 25, 2003 - link

    I have this case and it kicks ass. I was able to fit a radiator and two 120mm fans on the front part of the back panel of the case. Install is easy and runs beautifully. Blacklight, watercooling and still able to benefit from all the glorious features. Only thing they could have done better is include USB front header wires to the clip-and-go feature.
  • KristopherKubicki - Saturday, August 23, 2003 - link

    knight, no, just waiting for publishing. dont worry i havent forgotten ;)
  • KnightBreed - Friday, August 22, 2003 - link

    So, was the LCD interview/article cancelled or delayed indefinitely?
  • Anonymous User - Friday, August 22, 2003 - link

    is the ocsystem the OCSystem Diamond Warp Super 10bay Tower Case anygood and how does it stack up with the Kingwin KT-424
  • KristopherKubicki - Thursday, August 21, 2003 - link

    I still dont have a hold of this system. Sorry about the double post.

    The Antec Lanboy weighs about 13lbs with a power supply. The Kingwin KT-424 weighs 20lbs without a power supply.

    I have found no evidence of necesity to ground a hard drive on the outside. Obviously, grounding a power supply over the molex is very important, however.

    Kristopher
  • Anonymous User - Thursday, August 21, 2003 - link

    Grounding - if there's grounding in the HD power connecter, then why does the Zalman heatpipe HD cooler have a separate grounding/chassis wire? They say its necessary due to their rubbber grommet mounts...

  • Anonymous User - Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - link

    I want to thank the author for writing a good article. I also have a question. I have an Antec lanboy and I really love its weight. The author says the KT 424 is rather heavy. I wonder, how much does it weigh? Or at least, is it as light as a lanboy? Thanks.
  • KristopherKubicki - Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - link

    #7, what else would you like me to comment on? Feel free to email me too if you would like. kkubicki@anandtech.com

    Kristopher

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