AeroCool XPredator II Full Tower Chassis Review
AeroCool XPredator II Full Tower Chassis Review
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Our strong brand and product image are well received by gamers and enthusiasts world-wide. We offer a full line of performance products including gaming cases, gaming PSUs, gaming mouse, gaming headsets, gaming keyboard, gaming headsets, Multi-functional panels and fans. Aerocool will continue to innovate and deliver the best user experience to gamers world-wide.
The XPredator II also features top vents which you can open and close at the push of a switch, external 3.5/2.5″ dock, air-filters, removable drive cage and a grand total of five 140mm pre-installed fans at its front, top and rear. Time to take a closer look at the AeroCool XPredator II and see if it’s a valid choice for people out looking to get a new full tower.
Aerocool X-Predator II Full Tower Chassis Review – HardwareBunker
Introduction
We haven’t reviewed an Aerocool chassis in some time, and we had a favourable experience with their products in the past, so we were happy to receive the Aerocool X-Predator II full tower chassis for review.
The Aerocool X-Predator II is a large chassis, it’s also going to accommodate the E-ATX motherboards out there, such as the Asus Rampage Extreme V for example.
We have an E-ATX motherboard, and we struggle to find a good chassis that will support an E-ATX motherboard comfortably. So we are glad to see the largest consumer form factor supported. The Aerocool X-Predator II also comes with some common but interesting features none the less. A full-blown chassis air cooling fan set is included, as well as a basic and integrated fan controller to manage them.
We see this a lot in chassis these days but it would always be for the front or top fans, in the case of the Aerocool X-Predator II, all fans are included and managed by the fan controller if you so desire. The front panel fans also light up, and with the large panel window, it seems Aerocool are providing an out of the box experience for anyone wanting lights, managed air flow and a window to watch it all through.
Add to this support for a lot of storage, eight internal HDD trays and the X-Predator II has some serious cross functional support for anyone wanting a chassis with built-in cooling capability, or a storage server for example.
Aerocool are not finished there either, the Shell-like vent structure on the top of the chassis aids airflow out of the top if required and they have thrown in a HDD/SSD caddy just in case you want to swap some data. All good stuff, the Aerocool X-Predator II seems to want the customer to have as big an out of the box experience as possible, so let’s take a closer look.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Chassis Type | Full Tower |
| Manufacturer Number | 4713105958164 — Black Edition 4713105958171 — White Edition |
| Material | Steel 1.0 / 0.8 mm/ Plastic |
| Motherboards | E-ATX / XL-ATX / ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX |
| Chassis Dimensions | 232 x 559 x 595 mm(W x D x H ) Overall |
| Expansion Slots | 10 |
| 5.25” Drive Bays | 3 (Exposed) |
| 3.5” Drive Bays | 8 (Hidden, Internal 3.5” HDD Tray) |
2. 5” Drive Bays |
8 (Hidden, Internal 3.5” HDD Tray) |
| Air Cooling | Top : 120/140mm fan x2 (2 x 140mm Black fan Included ) Front : 120/140mm fan x2 (2 x 140mm LED fan Included ) Rear : 120mm/140mm fan x1 (1 x 140mm Black fan Included ) Bottom : 120mm/140mm fan x1 (Optional) |
| Max AirFlow | 48.7CFM Per Fan |
| Water Cooling | Rear : 120mm Radiator Installation Top : 1 x 240/280mm Radiator Installation |
| PSU | Standard ATX PS2 (optional) |
| Max VGA Card Length | 342 mm (465 mm) (Without HDD Cage) |
| Max height CPU coolers | 170mm |
| I/O Ports | 2 x USB3.0, 4 x USB2.0 , HD Audio + MIC, 2 x Fan Controller, HDD Docking |
Aerocool push this chassis as an air or water cooling ready chassis with plenty of features, it may well turn out to be one of the best chassis for internal space we have seen yet and one that offers a lot of versatility, you may just be spoiled for choice on what to use this chassis for.
From an external design aspect, the X-Predator II is not our cup of tea, we prefer a minimalist design of chassis, but we were struck by the quality and sturdiness of the exterior plastics, and in the flesh the design was actually impressive. The X-Predator II is also a very dominating chassis, it is very large and would be wasted on a low-budget build.
Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9
2666Mhz 500GB 850W AIO Amp Anidees Black Black Window BX200 chassis cooler CPU Crucial CRYORIG Cube DDR4 Drives Full Tower graphics GTX 980 GTX980 GTX980 Ti H5 HX1000 i7-6700K Intel Intel Z170 LPX mATX Memory Motherboard MX200 PSU review SATA combo-cable Sniper SSD SuperNOVA Ti Ultimate Unboxed USB 3.0 Watercooler X-Predator Xpridator II Z170 z170M Zotac Zotac Amp
Review and testing of computer case AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black GECID.com. Page 1
::>Enclosures
>2011
> AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black
08-06-2011
Page 1
Page 2
One page
Today we are going to look at the Full Tower 9 Large Chassis0007 AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black , which is the first «super tower» solution in the manufacturer’s lineup.
This case is distinguished by the ability to install large motherboards of the XL-ATX form factor and video cards up to 330 mm long. The features of the model do not end there. During testing, we will try to deal with all the available design details and capabilities, but first, let’s take a look at its specification.
AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case specification:
|
Model |
AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black |
|
Frame size |
Full Tower |
|
Supported motherboard form factors |
Flex ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, E-ATX, XL-ATX |
|
Number of compartments |
5.25″ external x6 |
|
Support for expansion boards |
10 |
|
Additional I/O connectors |
USB 3. |
|
Cooling system |
Front panel: 1x 230 mm (pre-installed) |
|
Buttons |
Power, Reset |
|
Indicators |
Power, HDD |
|
Power supply |
None |
|
Housing dimensions (HxWxD), mm |
600 x 234 x 555 |
|
Maximum expansion card size, mm |
330 |
|
Material |
SECC 0. |
|
Weight (net), kg |
13.2 |
|
Mass (gross), kg |
15.2 |
|
Manufacturer website |
http://www.aerocool.com.tw/ |
0 x1; USB 2.0 x3, eSATA x1; Audio x2 (headphones, microphone) 
8/1.0 mm All prices for AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black
AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case fans preinstalled:
|
Front panel |
Top panel |
|
|
Size, mm |
230 x 200 x 30 |
230 x 200 x 30 |
|
Voltage, V |
12 |
12 |
|
Voltage range, V |
10. |
10.8 — 13.2 |
|
Current, A |
0.24 |
0.24 |
|
Power consumption, W |
2.88±10% |
2.88±10% |
|
Static pressure, mm w.c. Art. |
0.54 |
0.54 |
|
Speed, rpm |
750±100 |
750±100 |
|
Airflow, CFM |
49 |
49 |
|
Noise level, dB |
27 |
27 |
|
Service life, hours |
25,000 |
25,000 |
|
Bearing type |
Slides |
Slides |
8 — 13.2 Case Pack AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black is designed very catchy and bright.
On its front part, the appearance of the case is demonstrated and its positive qualities are listed.
On the other side of the package, other views of the case are shown so that you can more clearly see the appearance of the product without unpacking it.
The AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black body design features are listed on the side in six languages, including Russian.
Body positioning AeroCool Xpredator determined the design for it. Designed specifically for advanced gamers and enthusiasts, this case draws attention and pleases the eye. The body color of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black is mostly black, with the exception of bright orange accents on the front panel and body chassis. Apparently «unnatural colors» are popular at the moment, as they are quite common in the palette of new AeroCool cases. In addition, on the side panel of the AeroCool Xpredator, users should be pleased with a large window, which is also almost a standard attribute of a gaming solution.
The AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case has six external 5.25″ bays and one external 3.5″ bay that converts from a 5.25″ bay.
The panel with buttons and quick access connectors is located in the upper part.Given the high height of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case equal to 600 mm, it would most likely be more appropriate to place it on the floor than on the table.This may explain such a decision of the designers.
I also liked the design of the “control panel”, which is made obliquely towards the front. The computer power button is made, as usual, large, but the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black body has no restart buttons at all. The number of quick access connectors is quite large: three USB connectors, one USB 3.0 connector , eSATA and two audio connectors. In addition, two fan speed controls are installed on this panel. The main indicators are also unusually implemented in the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case. In fact, the indicator of PC operation and drive activity are combined.
Their role is played by two stripes along the edges of the control panel, which glows white when the computer is turned on, and when the drives are accessed, it is highlighted in orange, and the color saturation also changes depending on the intensity of the access.
The right side panel of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case has a large acrylic «window» that can accommodate four 120mm or 140mm fans, or one large 180mm or 200mm fan. Thus, it will be possible to easily improve the cooling conditions in the required area of the system case.
A very original solution is the sliding curtains on the top panel, which are opened by a small switch. In order for the dust, which settles mainly from above, not to clog the case, even in the open state, the curtains are located at a fairly sharp angle. But this should be enough for the fan to be able to «throw» the heated air out.
An increasing number of modern high-end cases rely on bottom-mounted power supplies, and the AeroCool Xpredator is no exception.
For better air movement, the gap between the bottom panel and the surface on which the case will stand has been increased due to sufficiently high legs. This is an important design point for solutions with the location of the power supply at the bottom.
The legs of the case are equipped with rubber inserts, which should prevent scratching the surface. On top of that, there are ventilation holes for the case fan on the bottom panel.
To reduce dust clogging of the power supply, the ventilation grill on the bottom panel is covered with a dust filter that can be easily removed and washed under running water.
The side panels are attached to the chassis, as usual, with manual screws.
The AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black rear panel design features four holes with rubber seals for the water cooling system. The same holes can be used to connect the USB 3.0 connector on the front panel, which is made through an external connector on the motherboard.
The fan mounting holes on the back of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black are provided for 120 or 140 mm models only.
There are a lot of spaces inside the case of AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black . The panel for mounting the motherboard has a contrasting orange color. For greater convenience and better ergonomics, holes are cut into it for arranging power cables, as well as cable connectors for the interface panel.
The case’s HDD cage is implemented 90 degrees to the side panel to allow installation of very large video cards up to 330mm in length.
Chassis steel processing is top notch. The bodywork is also very well done. Judging by the specification data, the thickness of the SECC steel from which the case is made is 0.8 mm and 1 mm. This ensures high structural rigidity.
In the area where the processor is placed, the panel has a large cutout, which will contribute to better cooling of the power unit on the motherboard.
The AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black has a large 230mm fan on the top panel that rotates at 750±100 rpm and has a maximum airflow of 49 CFM. The noise level of this fan according to the specification is average — 27 dB.
But the fan is not pre-installed on the rear panel of the case. Of the distinctive features of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case, it can be emphasized that it supports not seven, as usual, but ten expansion slots, which can be found on large motherboards with an increased XL-ATX form factor.
In general, the chassis ventilation system is designed in such a way that cool air is taken in from the bottom of the front panel, and heated air is ejected by a fan on the top panel. You can improve cooling conditions by installing additional fans on the side and bottom panels. And, of course, do not forget about the possibility of installing fans on the rear panel.
Expansion cards are mounted using a screwless mounting system using a lever mechanism with plastic latches.
Note that all plugs are made of fine-mesh ventilation mesh and are removable. The fastening system itself ensures a fairly tight clamping of expansion cards to the chassis.
There are several nuances in the place where the power supply is installed. First, the back panel is padded with soft padding to reduce vibration. Secondly, there are four rubber stops on the bottom of the case, which should ensure soft docking of the case with the power supply and eliminate chatter.
Installation of 120 or 140 mm fans in the center of the bottom panel of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case is supposed to be carried out using a holder with a dust filter.
Connectors for connecting fans to speed controllers are marked. So, three fans with a 3-pin power connector can be connected to one of the controllers at once.
One-piece USB 2.0 connectors and audio connectors for easy connection. Moreover, the audio port is made in two connection options: HDA and AC’97.
The USB 3.0 port connector provides connection to an external motherboard connector. For better protection of contacts, the USB 3.0 connector is closed with a plastic cap.
The AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case includes a small user manual, a set of various screws and motherboard stands, and several cable ties.
The front panel of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case has the same technical characteristics as the fan on the top panel, but in a transparent case and with orange backlight.
The six external device bays are equipped with a screwless fixing mechanism using a plastic retainer. The «basket» for the drives of this case is also very capacious. It is able to accommodate six devices, which are installed using special sleds.
The drive sled is designed to be universal, allowing installation of 3.5″ and 2.5″ storage devices. Moreover, they are supposed to be fixed through anti-vibration pads.
Large slots are provided in the cage leg for better cooling of the drives.
The outer 5.25″ bays have knock-out covers in addition to the top one. The ventilation grill on the front panel is specially adapted to accommodate a large 230x200mm fan.
The removable plugs of the front panel compartments are lined with black foam on the inside, which will prevent dust from entering the case.
On the top panel of the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case there are mounting holes not only for the complete fan, but also for installing two 120 or 140 mm fans.
The transistors that change the voltage at the output of the speed controllers are cooled by two small heatsinks. Two regulators allow you to control a load that does not exceed a total of 20 watts.
There is a lot of space inside the AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black case, but due to the fact that the case has ten expansion slots at once, the distance from the power supply to the power connectors on the motherboard is very large.
For this reason, power supply models with long cables should be selected.
Despite the backlight on the front panel fan, almost no light from it penetrates through the dense ventilation mesh. But building AeroCool Xpredator Evil Black already looks very impressive and dignified.
Case Overview Aerocool XPredator White Edition
Case XPredator White Edition , a gaming case with great features and interesting color scheme.
Enclosure supplied in a large box. On the sides there is a certain predatory animal of white color and the body itself. Thick polyethylene foam inserts securely hold the 13 kg case.
Spartan delivery set. In addition to the necessary fasteners and instructions, there is nothing superfluous, on the other hand, what else can be added? The case is pre-installed with two 230*230 mm fans, one (with white illumination) on the front panel, the second (without illumination) on the top panel of the case.
Specifications:
- Material — SECC steel 0.8/1.0 mm thick
- Dimensions — 600 * 234 * 555 (height * width * depth)
- Weight — 13.4 kg
- Color — white
- Motherboard format — micro ATX, ATX, eATX
- Hard drive bays — 6 pieces for 2.5”/3.5” drives
- Front Panel Ports – 1 * USB 3.0, 3 * USB 2.0, 1 * eSATA, 1 * HD audio
- Expansion slots — 10
- Fans — 1 * 230mm (front), 1 * 230mm (top), 1 * 200 or 4 * 120 (side cover), 1 * 120/140 (rear), 1 * 120/140 (bottom) panel).
Unlike most FullTowers, the white color allows the case to look quite compact without giving the impression of a huge black hulk. The front panel is very delicately decorated with black metal mesh inserts, which gives the case a very nice look. At the junction of the front panel and the top cover is the «control center» of the case. There you will find four USB ports — three USB 2.
0 standards and one Super Speed USB 3.0, one eSATA port, headphone and microphone jacks, and two fan speed controls, each of which can control up to three turntables. In addition, two thin strips of transparent plastic serve as an indicator of power and hard drive activity.
The top cover is made in a very original way, it consists of five plastic «flakes» that can be closed tightly or vice versa raised to improve ventilation.
On the rear panel of the case there is space for a 120 or 140 mm fan, especially for fans of water cooling systems, 4 holes for laying hoses are left. It is worth noting the lower location of the power supply, this is actually the standard in gaming cases. The plugs of the expansion slots deserve positive words — they are removable and made of high-quality metal mesh.
The side wall with a huge plexiglass window also boasts a mesh insert in the area of the hard drive cage, apparently to improve airflow and optimal storage system temperature.
The overall build quality of the case is excellent. The paint lies flat without smudges, all edges are rolled, it is simply unrealistic to cut yourself during assembly.
The interior of the Aerocool XPredator is huge and can easily accommodate the largest XL-ATX motherboards. The interior is painted white, but accessories such as hard drive carriers, 5.25” device mounts, and cable management rubber grommets are all black. This contrast is very interesting.
The hard drive cage is rotated 90 degrees relative to the chassis axis. There are a total of 6 hard drive bays in the case, each of which is equipped with a sled. On the sled, there is a mount for both classic 3.5 ”disks, and for laptop disks or 2.5” SSDs. Anti-vibration rubber pads should prevent discs from rattling in the basket. A huge fan on the front panel is located just opposite the drive cage — this is a positive moment for creating the correct temperature regime for hard drives.
The fan on the top panel is non-illuminated and is designed to push hot air out of the case up through the «flakes» on the top cover.
The bottom panel fan and power supply have removable, washable filters to keep dust out of your system.
Due to its dimensions, the case is able to make friends with cooling systems up to 190mm high, that is, with all currently mass-produced. Instead of a fan, a CBO radiator up to 360 mm long can be placed on the top panel.
Mounting accessories and installing fans and hard drives is very easy and hassle-free. All cables are easily hidden behind the tray and the appearance of the system becomes simply fantastic.
The noise level emitted by the stock fans is very low. After installing 4 more turntables, the rumble became louder, but not so serious as to block the work of two WD Raptor.
Total :
The XPredator series and especially the White Edition is a success for Aerocool. A well-thought-out air passage system, well-made fan control allow you to get high-quality cooling at a low noise level.