Categories




Review Contents:
Thermaltake Sword M Super Tower Case w/Liquid Cooling Review
by Michael "SKYMTL" Hoenig     |     February 3, 2008

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.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!Bookmark to Slashdot!Stumble this Post!Reddit! Bookmark to Newsvine!
 

Latest Reviews in Computer Cases
June 13, 2008
In the cluttered market of computer cases, there are bland products, innovative products and also products that are extremely unique in design. Many of Thermaltake'...
May 8, 2008
Here at Hardware Canucks we have very rarely seen cases from In Win but today we have a review of one such enclosure. This time we will be taking a look at their B2...
February 4, 2008
Thermaltake may make numerous enclosures but their Sword M stands head and shoulders above the others in terms of size and price. In this review we will be taking a...
LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/4408-thermaltake-sword-m-super-tower-case-w-liquid-cooling-review.html
Posted By Date
MSN Shopping September 28, 2008
Forums.Data.BG: Ïðåãëåä íà òåìà - Âñè÷êî çà: Crysis Wars September 26, 2008
News des 13. Februar 2008 | 3DCenter.org September 18, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Chassis Â» Full Tower Â» SwordM LCS : SwordM LCS VD500LBNA September 8, 2008
???? ????????. September 3, 2008
Club Overclocker - The Original Overclocker's Club! August 16, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Chassis Â» SwordM Series Â» SwordM LCS Â» SwordM LCS : SwordM LCS VD500LBNA August 15, 2008
What is the best watercooling kit out there? - SLI Zone Forums August 2, 2008
Thermaltake Sword M Super Tower Case w/Liquid Cooling Review July 31, 2008
Welcome to Thermaltake July 27, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Chassis Â» Full Tower Â» SwordM Series Â» SwordM LCS : SwordM LCS VD500LBNA July 26, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Chassis Â» Liquid Cooling Chassis Â» SwordM LCS : SwordM LCS VD500LBNA July 24, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Liquid Cooling Â» Liquid Cooling Chassis Â» SwordM LCS : SwordM LCS VD500LBNA July 23, 2008
techPowerUp! :: Review Database July 22, 2008
Thermaltake Sword M Super Tower Case w/Liquid Cooling Review July 20, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Chassis Â» Full Tower Â» SwordM Series Â» SwordM : SwordM VD5000BNA July 20, 2008
Thermaltakeusa Â» Chassis Â» SwordM Series Â» SwordM Â» SwordM : SwordM VD5000BNA July 19, 2008
Thermaltake Sword M Super Tower Case w/Liquid Cooling Review July 19, 2008
[OC]ModShop - Thermaltake Sword M Super Tower Case w/Liquid Cooling Review July 17, 2008
Lian Li PC-X2000/X500 : Tueur de Mozart tx/Sword M ! [Topic Unique] - Boitiers & alims - Hardware - FORUM HardWare.fr July 17, 2008