Thermaltake Element G

Testing

Methodology

Testing cases is another one of those odd "benchmarks", as the main test of any case, is what features it has, and whether its cooling options are quiet. The features are detailed in the look at the case itself, but individual ones will be looked into during the testing to highlight any problems or particularly innovations we liked.

We also have a rather unique test termed the case "strength" test. This involves yours truly standing on said case, and checking how it reacts in terms of flexing. This test is detailed more here.

Results

Strength

On the whole the case is pretty strong and rigid except for one area – the top. Constructed from just a single sheet of metal it is prone to bending under a little pressure. Thus, it’s not advisable to put anything too heavy atop the case but asides from this; it’s a pretty strong, yet lightweight case.

Cooling

The dual 200mm, 230mm side mounted and 120m rear fans make for a pretty formidable cooling setup and should be able to push through a considerable airflow as well as extracting hot air quickly. In terms of expandability, other optional fans can be fitted into the Element G but the cooling system as it stands is impressive indeed and should be able to handle any extra heat from overclocking well enough.

Noise

Although there are a number of fans included in the design, with the majority of them over 200mm in size, the impellers are able to spin at much lower rates and thus there’s less noise produced; the fans are rated at between 12 and 15 dBA which is reasonably and upon powering up the rig it was confirmed that, overall, the case fans are not loud at all.

Cable Management

A number of solutions have been put in place so as to make cable management as effective as possible from the PSU cage, to the holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray and just simple things like the inclusion of cable ties.

Whilst on the subject of cable management, behind the motherboard tray, all the cabling for the fans and f-panel connectors and so on, is impeccably routed and tied away as you can see in the pictures below.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

IT has to be said that this is one of the best cases I’ve seen for cable management solutions and I was able to tidy cables away quickly and easily.

Cost

The Thermaltake Element G is currently retailing at around the £90 mark which is a lot of money for a case but it does compete with other similar mid tower chassis’.

Cases