Introduction

Quick Look
Logisys CS888UV The Good
+ Side panel audio/USB
+ Four 5-1/4" drive bays
+ Eight 3-1/2" drive bays (2 exposed)
+ Four 80mm fans
The Bad
- Motherboard tray difficult to work with
- Inefficient use of screws throughout case
- Tedious use of screws to hold case together

A few months ago, we decided to take a few clear acrylic cases and compare their features, constructions, and general usability in our acrylic roundup. The four competing products were from BeanTech, Sunbeam Technologies, ClearPC, and Logisys.

In the roundup, we explained the various differences in case construction and design, the pros and cons of the acrylic material, and the variations of assemblies in the four cases. It was evident that none could compete with the metal cases in the industry, but in the end, between the four, BeanTech's BT-85 came out on top. It had a solid design with a removable motherboard tray, sturdy construction, and an overall great performance in thermal and sound.

Recently, Logisys introduced us to another model in their acrylic family of cases, the CS888UV. There are a few differences in the UV models from their CL model; mainly, the UV reflective material. We will go in to more detail to explain the features that the CS888UV has, which the CL doesn't and vice versa.

More information is available on the CS888CL at Logisys' website.

External Design
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  • Zepper - Monday, November 29, 2004 - link

    Clear cases are only for store and show displays - they have little or no EMI/RFI containment/rejection.
    .bh.
  • The Beave - Sunday, November 7, 2004 - link

    #7, I agree. And who reviews a UV reflective case and doesn't shine a UV light on it to see how it looks? I don't care if the manufacturer didn't include one, it's the main reason anyone would buy this case in the fist place, and the reviewer didn't even try to do it. One of the worst hardware reviews I've EVER read.
  • KristopherKubicki - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    WooDaddy: Dont forget Lian Li either.

    Kristopher
  • SMT - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    That's gotta be the most impractical case design ever. This case is to computers what the Peavey Dan Armstrong is to guitars.
  • stephenbrooks - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    Well... This case is clearly for novelty value and is probably not designed with competing with the best technically spec'd metal cases in mind. I think it achieves what it's supposed to do pretty well - kind of a cross between a PC and a lavalamp-like glowy room oddity.
  • Slik - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    meh, I don't like where the fans are placed on this case; but Acrylic cases in general are great looking if you set them up properly.
    I also wouldn't expect an acrylic case to crack on you, If you manage to crack it then you're already handling your computer case way too rough.
    Its a matter of personal preference, like steel and aluminum there are good looking cases and ugly cases; This being one of those ugly cases. :)
  • LoneWolf15 - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    The side fan design is simply horrible. It maximizes cable clutter, for one. Mounting two side fans in the middle? It doesn't take an engineer to understand that it would make a lot more sense to put one fan over the CPU area where it gets hottest, and one fan in a top blowhole as hot air rises to the top of the case. Routing cables for these would also be far cleaner. Logisys also had enough space to make front and rear 120mm fan mounts, and blew it. Just as much airflow with less noise, and less power consumption.
  • michael2k - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    #5
    But if Macs were half as good as PCs, Apple would have to lower their prices accordingly :P
  • WooDaddy - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    #1 Agreed...

    It looks like the only company to really come out with Apple like designs is SilverstoneTek. We should make a thread tracking the coolest (not by temperature) cases that break the norm for PC cases... including the demon/transformer/car looking cases. I'm a 28 dude and I don't want my case looking like a fisher-price, mattel reject.
  • bldckstark - Friday, November 5, 2004 - link

    Jeez. Leave the mechanical design to the mechanical guys. I am almost positive that the reason they have 10 screws in the panel is to minimize thermal distortion of the acrylic at operating temps. If they had used 4, you would have complained about the gaps and warpage (and EMI leakage) that occurred every time the case heated up. Also, no one wants to use the red washers I agree, but the washers are there to minimize the probability of cracking and to help with vibration and sound issues. These are all valid reasons NOT to buy an acrylic case, but not reasons to rip on them either. I've seen better $35 cases than this one.

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