Aerocool Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition Case Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging & Bundle3. Aerocool Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition (Exterior)4. Aerocool Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition (Interior)5. Testing Methodology6. Thermal Dynamics7. Acoustics Performance8. Conclusion9. View All Pages

Overall, our experience with the Aerocool Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition was a pleasant one.

The build quality is above average and feels like it can withstand a fair amount of abuse. That said, we do have some concerns about the use of snap-off covers for the expansion slots and 5.25″ drive bays. Users who sell their case after an upgrade, or to finance an upgrade, may find that the resale value of the case decreases quickly.

We would have liked to see the use of larger grommets to route cables. Having seen a number of builds where the ATX power connector fit through the grommet leads us to believe this was an isolated issue with our cable. However, in our opinion it is better to play it safe and provide larger grommets to facilitate the routing of multiple cables.

The design of the Strike-X Xtreme is bound to split opinion. We feel gamers will like the aggressive panel design, but some people may want something a little more sedate.

In terms of cooling performance the Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition is able to keep up with high-end models from competitors. The potential to replace the fans with models that produce higher airflow makes the Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition very appealing to those on a tight budget.

It was a wise design for Aerocool to include a 180 mm front in-take fan, rather than a single 140 mm fan as this helps to reduce overall noise emissions.

Retailing for £64.99 inc vat. the Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition is up against some stiff competition. However, the strong cooling and acoustics performance help it secure our Worth Buying award.

Pros:

• Strong cooling performance.
• Good acoustics performance.
• Three models to suit a variety of builds.
• Clever method of securing expansion cards from outside the case.
• Lighting effects add to, rather than distract from the design.

Cons:

• Larger grommets would make cable management more user friendly.
• Snap-off covers.

KitGuru says: The Aerocool Strike-X Xtreme Black Edition leaves it mark with strong performance and a unique design.

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