Thermaltake Level 10 Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case VL30001N1Z
Posted by admin | Posted in Computer | Posted on 25-05-2010
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- Open Compartment Architecture enables the gamer a unique way to experience the power of the high performance equipment and increases the usability
- Integrated with 6 removable hard drive cases for 3.5″ HDD or 2.5″ Solid Disk Drives (SSD).
- An ergonomically positioned handle enables convenient transportation of the whole system.
- Smart-lock Security System – the system allows gamers to lock the tower enabling them to secure their valuable components.
- Allowing users who wish to use their equipment in many different places, including public gaming events.
Product Description
Thermaltake Level 10 Super-Gaming Modular Tower Chassis is the culmination of performance, design and innovation in computer chassis. The design allows gamers to experience the power of their high-end computers through the design itself. Iconic design combined with optimum functionality and innovative details. By rendering the inside components visible, the design focuses on the architectural aesthetics which are inherent in the computers and result from each indivi… More >>
Thermaltake Level 10 Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case VL30001N1Z
About two months ago, I decided to kick my old computer to the curb, and build another. I was in the market for something that looked good, and had great functionality. After browsing several products, I discovered this gem.
My order was delivered a few days later by Lamborghini, and flanked by two AH-64 Apache helicopters. I was initially surprised that my product was delivered in such an extravagant way. However, I remembered that I’d ordered the “Level 10 Super-Gaming Modular.” A product of that caliber demands a high level of service, and Thermaltake certainly delivered. After opening the box and getting out all of the components, setup was extremely easy. The case is large, and I did not have any problems attaching the motherboard, or installing the rest of my stuff.
Also, the case and packaging material appear to have magical healing properties. My arthritic wife was busy cleaning up the box and packaging materials while I assembled my new Alliance-destroying beast. She has severe arthritis, and her knuckles resemble tangerines. As soon as she picked up the box, her fingers slimmed down and straightened out.
I highly recommend this case to anyone.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve not yet finished my build but I’ve been wrangling with this case for a couple of weeks now.
It looks fabulous. And, honestly, when I saw it on Tom’s Hardware nearly a year ago, that was all I cared about. Function was definitely not a consideration in my purchase – even though the case is rather functional. It’s a little too large to be considered easy to work with but it’s too functional and accessible to be called cumbersome.
The upshot of a computer case is that, aside from upgrading later, most folks only build a machine once or twice and never have to really build it more than that. Once the core components are in place, you should be set for a matter of years. This case supports that approach because the normal builder won’t be forced to deal with the frustrating quirks more than once.
Among the drawbacks, the computer only comes with two hard drive fans. These fans are an odd, rare size 60mm x 15mm. You’ll find few of these in the normal venues (Newegg, etc.). Conveniently enough, Thermaltake sells them though as of this writing they are out of stock; Thermaltake, perhaps sensing the target market for this case has priced these Chinese-made fans which are of no particular note, save their size, at $19.99 each. In my view, that’s ridiculously expensive. Nonetheless, I purchased and installed them. So, if you plan on having fans in every hard drive bay and you want them to be OEM, you’re looking at an additional $100. Installing these fans (a knowledgebase entry is available on Thermaltake’s site is available) is extremely time-consuming but not all that difficult. One must be careful not to strip any of the screws as the metal is thin and soft. It’s certainly doable for even a novice, just take your time and follow the instructions.
One of the reviewers here has indicated that the lights on the side of each hard drive bay will not illuminate with 2.5″ drives and, while I believe that may be true. I am planning to install my 2.5″ drives into 3.5″ converter boxes (not just the bay adapters that come with the 2.5″ drives) so that they mimic the form factor of a regular hard drive. I believe these will make contact with the button at the rear of each bay, causing the LED for each bay with a drive to light up. I will advise on this approach.
The case fans other than the hard drive fans that come with the case look cheap and could be loud (I don’t know). If they are not deadly quiet, my impulse will be to replace them with Noctua fans of similar size and employ and after market case lighting system.
The documentation for the case is slightly better than average Chinese translated to English. 90% of the direction is clear and the parts that are not clear are rather easily understood. All in all the documentation is adequate.
As you install parts onto the case, you get more and more familiar with what things to do first and last (routing cables) and things become easier. Take a step back, take your time. There is a series of Newegg Level 10 Case Build video on You Tube that is quite helpful and I recommend watching them.
This case does what it was supposed to do – look like nothing you’ve ever seen before and be a sufficiently advanced modular case at the same time. It combines these effectively. It is truly something fascinating to look upon and – bonus – it’s a reasonably well designed computer case.
Rating: 4 / 5
First, you buy this case if you want to prove to Apple customers that a personal computer can be stylish. You know it’s a piece of art when some people love it, some hate it and others just wonder what the thing is from casually viewing it. It’s REALLY big, REALLY heavy (40+ pounds), and it’s very interesting. As the other reviewer noted, the top is disappointing because there are just two LED’s on each end, and it’s not uniformly illuminated like the external packaging box shows. I wonder if Thermaltake took a shortcut here. I have some enthusiast parts in my setup, such as Corsair Dominator memory and a Corsair H50 cooling system. When I installed the Corsair cooling system, due to the shape of this “uber case” I had to position it in a slightly awkward position, which is just a minor quirk, but it helps me give this case 4 out of 5 in the Amazon rating system. I have a 3.2 Ghz Core i7 overclocked to 3.5 Ghz and this is running Windows 7 ultimate 64-bit. The motherboard is an ASUS P6X58D. The price has dropped to $750 from the $850 I paid for it, although I don’t know if even $750 justifies something like this. I think $500 would be a good price point though because it’s solid metal.
I suppose some company could do something very similar to this but make it in plastic and get the cost under $300, if not $200. The cooling fans are illuminated with in red color, but I replaced one with my Corsair H50 water cooled system instead, although you don’t really see the illumination unless you are looking at the back of the case. The Thermaltake Level 10 is solid metal, so it will resist scratching, although it’s not shiny like the prototype images sometimes show, it’s a brushed-like surface, not that I am complaining. The design is very solid and for people who have not seen it, it’s a conversation starter for sure.
The cord length can be a problem, and you may have to spend a lot of time getting your cables a very specific way for everything to successfully connect. Do not expect a 15 minute assembly time, but at least a full 30 minutes if not longer. Besides, the shipping box is even bigger than the case, although it has sufficient external protection when packaged up. It also includes a cloth-like bag which is good for protecting it from dust initially.
I would cautiously recommend this, but only if you are looking for something truly different with a personal computer case. I’m pleased with it in a general sense and I hope it lasts for at least 10 years, if not 15.
I hope enough people buy this to get personal computer case companies to make more radical designs like this.
Rating: 4 / 5
There’s no denying that this case is chiefly for looks, but like any decorative item, that’s the main purpose it serves. It’s not meant to win overclocking competitions, nor be the best at air-cooling; it’s probably just average in those respects (and so far, I’ve only seen one site that actually checked out this case’s thermal properties; it won some and lost some). I really like this different look; computer cases have been such boring boxes for so long, that on an almost altruistic level, I don’t mind “voting” some dollars in this direction, to encourage companies to do more to deliver interesting and unusual, decorative and evolving designs.
On the good side:
(1) It’s made of something called “extruded” aluminum, and is highly scratch-resistant.
(2) It’s fairly quiet.
(3) The right side provides AMPLE room for stowing cable excess without much fuss (so opposite of most other cases, where one build’s cable management can be an all-day ordeal).
(4) The motherboard tray (or just the CPU cooler together with its backplate) are easily removed.
(5) There are 8 PCI slots, allowing you to use that 7th PCI slot on your motherboard for a double-width GPU.
(6) It accommodates larger motherboards than are officially listed; it has no problem with an EVGA Classified 759/760, or the CEB form factor of my Asus P6T7.
On the bad side:
(1) There are no pre-cut holes for liquid-cooling tubing; you’ll either have to drill them yourself (under the rear exhaust fan seems the ideal place) or use that 8th PCI slot to allow them out. Mounting a pump inside will require some ingenuity – such as placing it in the forward ceiling of the motherboard area’s cover. Instead, one of those complete external liquid-cooling systems (pump, rad & reservoir all entirely outside the case) may need to be considered if you want to use liquid with this bit of eye candy.
(2) The PSU holder is too small for a lot of the top-level enthusiast PSUs (e.g. the SilverStone Strider 1500W or the Koolance 1300W). Contrary to what one reviewer reported at another site, the case is not able to accommodate PSUs of excess length (when I read that I thought I’d be able to simply have the excess sticking out of the back of the PSU holder, before I bought this case – but that isn’t possible).
(3) The CPU cooler isn’t supposed to be taller than 150mm (and therefore many of the top-level air coolers will be excluded, although my Prolimatech Megahalems seems to be OK, at 156mm). The motherboard cover should therefore be wider.
(4) Those neat red HDD LEDs don’t light up if you’re using 2.5″ drives – they only work with 3.5″ drives.
(5) The requirement that cables pass from the point of origin, to the right chamber, and then back out to their destination – means that some cables will be too short, and extensions or adapters are sometimes needed. ThermalTake should provide them in the box, at this price point.
(6) That band of red light on the top and front is actually only lit by LEDs at its ends. They don’t light the entire strip, and it actually ends up looking like you have several areas where your LEDs must have burned out (but there were never supposed to be any in those places to begin with). Besides, this should be available in different colors, to order.
(7) As big and heavy as this case already is, it’s still too small to accommodate that latest uber-motherboard from EVGA (the Classified 762, which requires 10 PCI slots). Therefore, the motherboard cover should be not only wider, but the whole thing should be taller – enough to have 10-11 PCI slots!
(8) The supplied two fans in the motherboard compartment are mid-quality at best; I’m replacing them straight away with quieter models that move more air.
BUT overall I’m pleased enough to keep it, and for now, every time I see this thing head-on in my office, I’m glad I bought it.
Rating: 3 / 5