Review: ThermalTake and BMW's Level 10 GT Snow Edition

Review of ThermalTake Level 10 GT Snow Edition

Introduction:

Many of you will be familiar with this case, or more so it’s bigger brother the Level 10. This is Level 10’s albino little brother. Although, don’t let this fool you, while it is albino, it is not little. Standing at 580mm at its tallest point makes this the largest of the single section PC’s I’ve owned. To give some perspective, that’s 35mm taller than the Silverstone TJ-07. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The case can handle the largest of large GPU’s and with room to spare, having a huge 360mm in which to squeeze in the GPU of your wetdreams. In my review system I have a solid but small 6770 1gb. So not really taking advantage of the space. To further power your wildest of dreams, this case can fit a power supply of pretty much any size as long as your willing to forgo a 120mm bottom fan - again in my review unit the solid, but petite ThermalTake Tough Power 775w hardly made an imprint on the space inside. Whilst on the topic of fans, I can only imagine what the techs at BMW and ThermalTake must have done during the design meetings when talking about cooling.
“So we need to cool this thing.” one guy from ThermalTake said.
“What’s the biggest fans you guys can manufacture?” Queried the BMW Thermal Engineer

Cooling:

Or something like that anyway... This case contains 1x140mm fan, and 3x200mm fans... Yes, 3x200mm fans, These fans are not silent, and when you engage the High Speed’ switch at the top of the case they are anything but. While not exactly Delta Fans, these are to be avoided for anyone wanting to run a completely silent PC. Fan noise levels is a very ‘Your Results May Vary’ topic as when I look for a silent PC, and I mean silent, I don’t want to hear it over the sound of a pin drop. A more practical example is the moment I start playing a game, the sound of the fans is completely drowned out by the game even on very low volume settings. As expected a higher volume setting is required to drown out the ‘High Speed’ setting. Although neither setting requires you to raise the volume much at all, even some light background music while browsing the net will do it.

More impressively than their sound is their efficiency. Using the stock Intel Cooler while playing SC2 (don’t judge) I never got above 48c, with an ambient temp of 22c. After 30mins of IntelBurnTest I reached a Max of 61c. Another thing with the fans: there is a very clever switch on the side panel of the case that allows the door to be completely free of wires between itself and the case. It’s a little PCB with some copper traces soldered to the fan wire on the door and a few pins tensioned by springs between the hinges on the case. This made for very easy removal of the door. Oh and so did the fact that it just lifts off once it’s past 50% open no screws to lose or screwdrivers to find, but I’ve already mentioned that... Or at least now I have.

Lighting:

The case has a large variety of interesting features that will attract people, such as the ability to change the colour of the lights in the box with the flick of a switch from off to blue, green, or red and even a mixture of them with flashing and whatnot for those who like a disco in their bedroom I guess. For those of you with serious OCD, it’s also the same blue as the stock Intel 2011 Cooler if you happen to get one which I found to be a welcome surprise. There is also the inclusion of a headphone rack, which I’m actually using right now to much pleasure.

I/O Ports and Front Panel:

Other things that will grab your attention are the multiple connection points on the case for USB, and the coveted USB 3.0. On the front of the case, running down the spine in order is: A power switch, reset switch (we’ll get to you later!) HDD activity light, 2x USB 2.0 ports, Microphone Input, Headphone Output, 2x USB 2.0. This is pretty standard on most cases. What’s not standard is the additional interface on the top of the case. Here contains the following: eSata port, 2x USB 3.0 ports, High speed fan switch, Low speed fan switch, LED Light Switch (cycles through different lighting modes). While I don’t like these type on panels on the top of PC’s as I find them awkward, the inclusion of these ports I found to be well thought out. Personally I would like to have seen the USB 3.0 port on the spine with the headphone and power switch given that as time passes these will be used more than USB 2.0 ports with technology progressing, but this is a small gripe.

USB 3.0 and the Second Panel:

From a gripe to possibly the most solid selling point for this case. The premier attraction in my opinion, the HDD Hot-Swap Bays. These are without a doubt my favourite part of this case; they are well thought out, designed and almost well executed, but again we’ll get to that. The backplane works very well and required just enough force when inserting a drive to give you a solid feel that it’s in. They are lockable to stop little hands from pulling them out during operation, or falling out during relocation. For 3.5” drivers the mounting holes are rubberised and when installed the HDD is floating on them, so as to reduce noise from HDD vibration. Even better still: they are pre-wired. You heard me right, like all good backplanes, the Sata Power is already run, you only need to plug the header into a molex cable. Sata cables then plug into the backplane and into the motherboard. Perfect (almost).

Cable Management:

While we are on the topic of plugging things in, lets talk cable management, that... er 1,2,3,4.. Many letter dirty word/s. This case has it licked. Taking pointers from predecessors this case has a large enough gap between the motherboard and the aluminium case door to fit a large amount of cables, and a case door being both thick and alumium means that while you shove those cables in (for those like me more cable stuffing than cable managing) the panel does not bow out like a Irishman after a long night at the pub. There are many grommeted (that’s a word now) holes around the motherboard and PSU area to feed your cables in and out of to get them hidden away as best you can. Although intriguingly some of the cables are just slung over the top of the case for the aforementioned front USB ports. So cable management is easily done and with the motherboard and PSU close together you should be able to get the 4/8pin CPU cable and 20/24 motherboard cable in without the need for an extension. Though should you choose to use one, there is plenty of room to hide (see: Shove) the excess.

Room for Improvement/Quirks:

Now the part you’ve all been waiting for. There are many quirks to this case, some of them I like for example the odd design, the ‘sectioned off’ look, the HDD design and implementation (it’s coming...) and the front USB/Fan/Sound control and input sections of the case, but there are others that I find... Odd.

A few examples, there is what can only be described as a louvre. No, not the museum, although I might look just as out of place as an upsidedown pyramid in this case. It’s to control the direction of the air blown into the case by the 200mm fan on the case door. Much like Venetian Blinds. Firstly, why? Secondly, why? And finally, what purpose could you possibly have where a 200mm fan wasn’t blowing enough air that it needs to be directed at the correct area?
Keylocks? Who actually worries that someone is going to come along and steal the internals of their PC and leave the case? For a thief the case is essentially a carry bag for the goods so why have keylocks? And if you really feel you must have keylocks, can we at least see a new key? Not the same power symbol shaped key that has been on every lock since day dot for these purposes.

This is a personal gripe, but the 5.25 drive bays... Why do the covers have tabs that stick out... This actually really detracts from the front of the case in view. It is my greatest desire to dremel back the tabs to have a flush clean front. Worth noting that this case includes a 3.5” drive bay. Why I’m not sure, aside from the addition of a media reader (which to be best of my searches ThermalTake don’t make) I’m really at a loss as to why this was included.

Something very small, but not to be overlooked it the sata connections of the backplane. Put simply, they don’t click... The sata cables do not click into place, this is annoying 1, because I was never really sure if they were inserted all the way in, and 2, they tended to fall loose during my cable stuffing/managing. Whilst only a small thing, it would also only be a small thing to fix.

While it’s also likely this was just my review unit, but the reset button was faulty. Stuck in the reset position, I spent some time trying to work out why the PC wouldn’t post. When I went to press the reset switch I noticed it didn’t move, it was ‘stuck down’. Unplugged the switch and Voila! No problems. Again likely just the review unit, but would worry if this unit had gone to someone without the required PC knowledge to diagnose the problem.

All of these are small issues though when compared with my biggest problem with this case. Which is, simply put, plastic. Why is there so much plastic? I understand this is the smaller and more cost effective love child of BMW and ThermalTake’s Level 10, but at $300 RRP this is anything but cheap, and yet that’s exactly what the plastic makes it feel like. With the plastic, the joins just aren’t quite perfect, the feeling is tacky, almost cheap. The finish with the plastic while not bad for plastic, pales in comparison to the aluminium back panel. You really get a taste of how wonderfully crafted this case could be when you hold the aluminium back panel. With it’s lovely powder coating and it’s undeniable metaly goodness, and best of all it’s metal. Did I mention that this case could be wonderful if done in metal? While it would have added to the cases weight considerably, I don’t consider this case to be portable as it is, so the additional weight I also don’t see to be a problem. Once you lugged it onto your desk, that’s likely where it would stay.This is my only major problem with the case, although if you stand back 1-2 meters you cannot notice any of these issues with finish or joinery.

Conclusion:

This case really has huge potential, and in many ways that potential is most likely fully realised and materialised in the Full Size Level 10. The case, however, I feel missed the mark. All because of 1 small detail, the plastic. All of the previously mentioned issues are fairly trivial and don’t weigh very heavily on my opinion of this case, after all is said and done, I still very much like this case. This case is a conversation piece, everyone who sees it asks me about it. I was even talking to people on the train as I lugged it home from work. The reactions I received were very love/hate. Which on a case this outlandish is to be expected. People will either love it at first glance, or hate it. Neither party will change their minds once they’ve come at their decision. It certainly made for an interesting conversation. I like it, after closer inspection it lost some points, but the design is outstanding, and I only ask that the fabrication come up to the same standards.
I would score this case 7/10, with the plastic weighing heavily on that score. If it was all constructed from metal, it would likely be a solid 9.

Cheers Chris and ThermalTake for the review unit, and stay tuned for a build log using this beauty and I'll see what I can jam in there!

Photos!


Backpanel in all it's metally goodness



The view from behind



Front I/O Panel





Sexy, Sexy 5.25" Drive bay drawers



All slotted in...



Venetian blinds Louver blade direction adjustment switch



Contacts in the door and case hinge to allow for cable-less fan



Doors wide open, Louver to the left, drive drawers to the right



Door opening switch

​

All sealed up!

 

Thermaltake's come a long way since their humble beginning and some nasty ass ideas on design. They are probably one of the best looking around now. This particular case is just stunning

 

WANT!
Love the fact its got its own in built lighting setup

 

i dont have one but have seen many vid reviews... i love the lay out but as you have said the amount of plastic is off putting... would love lian li to steal this case design

also have heard to hot swap not lining up proply, they should have gone with 140mm fans all round. good to have many options to change stock fans for other manufactors like fractal 140mm silent fans..

my 2 cents

 

I don't know ..sometimes simple is better. It's pretty. Pretty fancy.

 

For what it's worth my review sample, all the drivers slotted in perfectly with both 2.5" and 3.5" drives in the bays.

I've almost finished my changes to this case and I must admit, really loving this case.

 

I just don't get it to be honest...

I'm trying to work it out but I just can't see what people like about it, It looks like someone stuck a bunch of random cardboard boxes together, threw in a few dunny rolls for shits n giggles then spray painted the lot.

Only thing I kinda like is the fact that from the front it almost reminds me of an old 486 or something... the middle bit looks like where the lock key and turbo button should be with an led proudly displaying "66Mhz" lol but then they kill that look by sticking the playstation like buttons on the side...

I'm guessing it probably looks better in real life but definitely not for me :/

 

Here, here ..BUT I can understand where (Tt) they are coming from; they are trying to evolve the common box into a piece of art. Now for all intensive purposes, it has paid off. It's a piece of art.

I would not think it suitable for warmer climates as it seems to be very plastic reliant build wise and plastic isn't a good conductor in any regard. The HDD bays are encased in plastic, umm, air flow?

I do wonder how the building went in terms of is it customizable or rigid? What limitations does it have? I don't know if the design is "open" enough for my liking, adequate air flow seems questionable.

 

U G L Y you ain't got no alibi...

 

just ghastly. reminds me of lian li's pc-777 & pc-888 trials... prolly be as popular.

 

I have actually defaulted to this case from my 800d simply because I didn't want to re do a dual loop and buy the Sata 3, Usb 3 backplanes..

I must say, I am not a huge fan of the plastic but in terms of usability it has grown on me a lot.. simple things like the headphone holder, the HDD bays and the ample amount of front connectors have been awesome.

As you, I do think they missed the mark for a case in its price bracket.. If it was a steel/ali chassis it would have been much better and presented a much higher quality... They should have certainly made things a little easier to say put a 3x120 rad at the top (not the 2x120 they accommodate), left more room on the rear for cable management... as it is I barely get the back closed...

But the dust filters, easy access to top rad etc. are very welcome.. the large fans do their job... Its a novel attempt and when you see the BMW designs you see where they were going but unfortunately they put their Thermaltake stamp of crap quality on it ... if say Silverstone or similar made it, I am certain that it would have been done much better and would have offered a good alternative to people sick of the black rectangular cases..

PS> Is this where the 1250W PSU is going? I would love to see your mods.. I only have the black version .. I can't stand anything white, the whole clinical look, reminds me of being in a hospital, toilet or the set of a B grade sci fi movie..

 

It cools just as good as the corsair 800D and even better load temps for multi gpu setups, the plastic is sturdy imo and heat isnt an issue.

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/chassis/28557-thermaltake-level-10-gt-chassis-review/?page=3

 

How sick does this setup look

http://gigabytedaily.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/gigabyte-g1-assassin-2-looks-cosy-in.html

 

Damn that's nice xD

 

o_0, that does look very nice! Also noticed the 'Water 2.0' unit, looks like the Corsair H100, wouldn't mind testing one out. Look quite nice and hopefully don't have the same pump problems I'm having with my h100!

 

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I personally can't stand the green look... and on top the mainbaord and its heatsinks appealing to 11 year olds.. Gigabyte has come a long way from its wiggles colour scheme but now they are regressing with these stupid heatsinks... If they just left everything black and changed that gun to somethings normal.... the board layout is nice otherwise

 

I agree wit the guns and bullets being very poor taste, but for those who still want Giga, UD series will more than suffice, the 'G.' series I think is aimed at Toorak 12yo's.

For me, MSI all the way

 

you seen the latest couple in Z77 range?

Sniper3





Sniper M3

 

I hadn't seen them to be honest, looks like we weren't the only one's who didn't really like the design, a Black and Green board could make for some new build with unique color schemes which would be awesome, a step away from the usual ROG Black and Red builds.

 

Too right lol