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The Thermaltake Level 10 GT certainly doesn't deliver the same level of bling as the first release a few years ago. The original case was a talking point for almost a year, with the enthusiast community debating not only the appearance, but the price. You have to admire ThermalTake for working with BMW in releasing something so radical, daring and different. At £500 it was out of reach to many, which is why they have revisited the design.
Without question, the Level 10 GT doesn't instantly demand your attention, gone are the intense lines and compartments. What we are left with is a more modest product which actually improves on the original concept in a few key areas.
When the Level 10 hit the market, people commented on the poor cooling. I use several myself and I have both of them modded with improved fans, and a bracket inside the motherboard compartment which is home to a 140mm fan to improve on the air flow circulation. On a cooling level it pales dramatically when compared to the exquisite Lian Li X2000.
The GT has rectified the cooling problems, by including three huge 200mm fans and a 140mm fan it creates a more practical air flow pattern inside the case. It still isn't as good as the Lian Li X2000, but it is only a couple of degrees behind.
The build quality is very good, with strong side panels and well engineered sections all fitting together in the way we expect from a quality product. The only real negative for me is the bizzare expansion slot locking mechanism which requires the fitting and removal of a seperate panel block, with thumbscrews fitted on the outside of the case. As a user who is constantly changing graphics cards, this would seriously try my patience but perhaps as a ‘fit once and forget' solution it wouldn't generate the same frustration.
Is it worth the money? If you like the appearance, then I would say yes. It is attractive enough to merit interest, and the improvements finally include a good cooling system. There are alternatives which bear attention, and if I was being totally honest I would pay the extra to get the Lian Li X2000F, but do I have very specific tastes.
Pros:
- Plenty of space inside
- Build quality is high
- Cooling system is excellent
- security locks are handy
- hot swappable drive bays
- lighting is effective
- much lighter than the original design
Cons:
- Expansion slot system is over complicated
- Doesn't have the same ‘wow' factor as original
- Costs over £200 in the UK meaning competition is high
KitGuru says: An acquired taste, but Thermaltake have improved on the cooling and lowered the price. I hope they continue with the Level 10 franchise. We hope to see a ‘Level 10 Turbo' like the original design but with improved cooling.
