Thermaltake Urban T81 Full-Tower Chassis Review
I have to say this last year has been a fantastic year for full tower cases and the design engineers are gifting the water cooling enthusiast, pro builder, expert builder and overclockers with some products to get very excited about. The Thermaltake Urban T81 is a full-tower water cooling engineered marvel that’s an affordable competitive alternative to the $300+ cases of 2012/13. These newly designed water cooling cases are something special. The room, use of space, bracket designs, mounting options are giving those serious about water cooling the foundation for some ultimate configurations.
[sc:sponsor sponsor=”Thermaltake” product_link=”http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002239″ product_name=”Thermaltake Urban T81″ product_price_link=”http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133245″ product_price=”$169″ ]
Thermaltake is not just banking on a case with a plethora of water cooling features, they also built the Thermaltake Urban T81 to dominate the market with looks and price. This case competes with the likes of Cooler Master Cosmos II, Corsair 900D both $100 to $150 more than the Urban T81. Another competitor the new Phanteks Enthoo Primo has the same strategic marketing plan as the Urban T81. The Thermaltake T81 is comparable and even could be a better product for a much lower price. The Urban T81 Full-tower case is engineered for the serious water cooling builder but good looking and roomy enough for the enthusiast builder or even the builder that wants good looks. Let’s break it down and see what makes the Urban T81 competitive.
The packaging is nothing special. Cardboard with same graphics on back and front and the specs on the side.
Protection is well managed with solid thick foam.
Inside the boxing and foam is the case in a paper/cloth protective bag.
With the case out of the bag it reveals even more protection with all the gloss and acrylics covered in a protective skins and tapes.
Model: Urban T81
P/N: CA-1B7-00F1WN-00
Case Type: Full Tower
Dimension (H x W x D): 585 x 235 x 602 mm (23 x 9.3 x 23.7 inch)
Net Weight: 13.8 Kg / 30.4 lb
Side Panel: Transparent Window
Color: Exterior & Interior Black
Material: SECC
Cooling System:
Front (intake) : 200 x 200 x 30 mm fan (600~800rpm, 13~15dBA) x 2
Rear (exhaust) : 140 x 140 x 25 mm Turbo fan (1000rpm, 16dBA)
Top (exhaust) : 200 x 200 x 30 mm fan (600~800rpm, 13~15dBA)
Drive Bays: -Accessible : 2 x 5.25’’,1 x 3.5’’ (Converted from one 5.25” drive bay) -Hidden : 8 x 3.5’’ or 8 x 2.5’’
Expansion Slots: 8
Motherboards: 9.6” x 9.6” (Micro ATX), 12” x 9.6” (ATX), 12” x 13” (Extend ATX)
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 2,USB 2.0 x 4, HD Audio x 1, Fan Speed Control
PSU: Standard PS2 PSU (optional)
LCS Upgradable: Supports 1/2”、3/8”、1/4” water tube
Fan Support:
Front: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 120mm or 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm or 2 x 140mm 1 x 200mm or 2 x 200mm
Top: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 120mm or 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm or 2 x 140mm 1 x 200mm or 2 x 200mm
Rear: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 140mm
Bottom: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 120mm 1 x 140mm or 2 x 140mm
Radiator Support:
Front: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 240mm or 1 x 360mm 1 x 140mm or 1 x 280mm or 1 x 420mm
Top: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 240mm or 1 x 360mm 1 x 140mm or 1 x 280mm or 1 x 420mm
Rear: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 140mm
Bottom: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 240mm 1 x 140mm or 1 x 280mm
Other: CPU cooler height limitation: 180mm
VGA length limitation: 360mm(with HDD rack) 400mm(without HDD rack)
Boxed inside the case is the warranty, user guide and accessories box that includes an PCI-E Cable, 5 1/4 to 3 1/2 bracket, screws for HDD mounting with anti-vibration washers, fan screws, radiator screws and motherboard mounting screws. Also included are a few cable management ties and a motherboard audio speaker adapter.
