32 MAXIMUMPC OCTOBER 2006
THERMALTAKE BACH WITH MEDIA LAB
Thermaltake’s Bach case is similar to a standard desktop
enclosure, and as such it’s roomier than most HTPC cases
we’ve tested. It’s capable of swallowing a power-user
confi g (and then some), including an ATX motherboard,
up to fi ve hard drives, three optical drives, and any stan-
dard-size power supply. This Media Lab version includes
a remote control and an add-on VFD (vacuum fl uorescent
display). Although we encountered a few issues building
a system in the case, the experience was positive overall,
and the rig ran quiet.
Typically, one of the biggest problems with build-
ing inside an HTPC case is the limited clearance.
Thermaltake sidesteps this tricky issue with removable
support bars running across the top of the case. Remove
the support bars, and you can drop everything directly
into the interior—very handy. After you drop in the mobo,
you slide in the optical, install the PSU, and attach it all.
There are two hard drive cages, and both are removable,
making the build even easier.
Still, we had a few problems with our build. The main
drive cage, which holds three drives, extends out over
the main power connector on our A8N32 mobo, blocking
access to that part. Luckily, there’s a second drive cage
that hangs from the top of the chassis, near the bottom
of the mobo. The supplemental cage holds two drives, so
we used that instead. But there’s another little problem:
Because the secondary drive cage rests over the lower
portion of the mobo, it won’t work with a GeForce 7800
GTX videocard, although a 6800 GT fi t just fi ne.
This version of the Bach comes with an add-on VFD
and remote control. The screen installation could have
been a little easier, but it wasn’t particularly diffi cult. The
remote’s 10-foot interface is slick and easy to use, though
many of its buttons are way too small.There are literally dozens of cases designed for home-theater rigs, but most
aren’t worthy, and many are a pain in the ass to work in. We built full systems
in five of the best HTPC cases to find the ultimate home-theater chassis!AHANIX MCE
If you’re the conservative type who’s looking for an enclosure that
blends seamlessly with the other gear in your A/V rack, you can for-
get about the Ahanix MCE701. But if you’re geek enough—and we
certainly are—to revel in the double takes your friends and family will
surely do when they see what’s in there, boost your homeowners’
insurance: This case could cause neck injuries.
The 7-inch LCD is the star of the show, and it’s not just a pretty
face; it’s a fully functional, 1280x768 touch screen. Yep, you can con-
trol nearly every aspect of this machine with the tip of your fi nger. The
MCE701 will accommodate either ATX or MicroATX motherboards
within its all-aluminum chassis and bezel (the bottom is fabricated
from steel), and it offers plenty of room for storage and amenities. The
internal drive bay can handle up to four 3.5-inch drives, there’s an
external 5.25-inch optical-drive bay, and one 3.5-inch external media-
reader bay. Rubber grommets at every drive-fastening point soak up
any ambient noise and vibration, and a drop-down panel discretely
hides both the media reader and the front-panel FireWire, micro-
phone, headphone, and USB connections.
When we installed the 750GB Seagate Barracuda for the How-To
portion of this story, however, we discovered that the power connec-
tor on the Asus M2N32-SLI motherboard we selected blocked one of
those bays. That’s not a major problem considering the capacity of
today’s drives, but we do wish the designers had thought to include
space for a cooling fan here. While it’s true that the removable bay’s
ribbed construction behaves like a heatsink, it’s just not as effective.
Other than that, building our home-theater rig inside this case
was a breeze. We found plenty of room to maneuver components into
place, and the ATX power supply we chose slipped in like it was on
greased rails. The only tight spot we encountered was securing the
thumbscrews to the right side of our optical drive. When we slid the
fi nished product inside our entertainment center, we had about three
inches to spare all around.
If you’re searching for an HTPC case with both fl ash and sub-
stance, take a long look at the Ahanix MCE701.HOME THEATER PC HOME HOME THEATER PCTHEATER PCTHEATER PC HOME HOME THEATER PCTHEATER PC HOME HOME THEATER PCTHEATER PCTHEATER PC
CASES
The Thermaltake Bach is available in both
silver and black.8
THERMALTAKE BACH
$110 ($100 extra for Media
Lab), http://www.thermaltake.com9
AHANIX MCE
$300, http://www.ahanix.comAvailable in silver or basic black, the Ahanix MCE
strikes a pose infused with both elegance and power.