Completed Installation

System Components:

Motherboard: ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe
Processor: AMD Phenom 9600 Black Edition
Memory: 2x1GB Corsair XMS2 PC2 8500
GPU: 4x Diamond Radeon HD3850 256MB
Hard Drive: Hitachi Deskstar 500GB SATA2
Disk Drive: Pioneer SATA DVD Writer
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W Cable Management



After hours of grinding it out in the trenches, here is what our system looks like in the Sword M. Overall it is a pretty clean install but there were a few issues which mainly center on the complete lack of cable routing options built into this case. Mention also has to be made about the Toughpower 1200W power supply we installed; ironically, Thermaltake’s flagship power supply needs extension cables to fit into their flagship case. I am sure their competitors are laughing right about now…


The combination of very close PCI-E slots on the motherboard with the clamp system Thermaltake uses for expansion cards means that we struggled a bit betting the last Crossfire connector attached. Nonetheless, since the connector is amazingly pliable, there wasn’t any damage to it.


Remember I mentioned that I needed to buy black zip-ties? Well, here they are used en mass and their omission by Thermaltake is still mind boggling. Thankfully, getting the front panel connectors out of the way was pretty easy even though their white color still looks out of place when seen inside a black case.


With wires and water cooling tubes galore, the back portion of the Sword M can look like an absolute mess in no time at all. Since there is no real way to consolidate all of the Molex connectors that are attached to the fans, I daisy-chained them together and zip-tied them as close to the case as I could.


Since the door at the back of the Sword M closes so close Thermaltake has provided a custom AC power connector which is then attached to your regular power cord. This cord and all of the other cables which are attached to the motherboard and your expansion cards exit through the bottom of the case. This leaves the keeps the back of the Sword M looking clean but it also means that you will need longer than normal cables for your USB, monitor and other peripherals.