The Core V1 is Thermaltake’s first entry into high-performance water cooling and RGB lighting for PC hardware. This case review will discuss everything from quality to performance, including a breakdown of each feature.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of putting many of Thermaltake’s PC cases to the test, the most notable of which is the Thermaltake View 71. Thermaltake is beginning to improve the quality of their case selection, introducing a slew of new products that are well worth considering. In light of this, we decided to put one of their more minor cases to the test today to see how it performs in terms of build quality, thermals, noise levels, and assembly.
The example we’re going to look at today is basically the polar opposite of the Thermaltake View 71. Compared to the Core V1 by Thermaltake, it’s a tenth of the size and virtually as low in price. However, don’t be fooled by the fact that this is one of the oldest Mini-ITX cases remaining on the market. Due to several noteworthy design elements that we’ll discuss later, this case still has a strong presence in today’s market.
Before we get into any more depth about the Core V1, let’s look at the Specifications and some of the cooling options available.
Pros
- It’s big enough to accommodate full-length GPUs in it.
- There are a lot of design features.
- Every panel may be swapped out.
- Beautiful aesthetics
- On the front, there is a large 200mm intake fan.
Cons
- Internal space is limited.
- Only two Slots for Expansion are available.
- The construction quality may be better.
Specifications
| Case Type | Mini Case |
|---|---|
| Measurements (mm) | 316 x 276 x 260 (L x W x H) |
| Materials | SPCC |
| Colors that are available | White and black |
| Weight | 3.2 kilograms (including box) |
| I/O panel in the front | 2 USB 3.0 ports, 1 audio port, 1 microphone jack |
| Slots for Expansion | 2 |
| Bays for driving | 2 x 3.5″ 2 x 2.5″ 2 x 3.5″ 2 x 2.5″ |
| Support for motherboards | Mini-ITX |
| Front/rear cooling | 1 x 120mm, 1 x 140mm, or 1 x 200mm diameter 80mm x 2 |
| GPU’s maximum length | 285mm (inner chassis) 255mm (inner chassis) (outer chassis) |
What’s Included in the Box?
The Core V1 by Thermaltake was packaged in a tiny brown cardboard box with two styrofoam covers. The packaging didn’t have much to offer, but the case came unharmed, and that’s all that counts. We discovered the following inside:
- Core V1 by Thermaltake
- Accessory Container
- User’s Guide
Design
The Environment
So, this case doesn’t have much to offer in terms of visual appeal. In terms of design, It’s a little cube, after all. Isn’t it thrilling? I think it depends on your own preference. In tiny form factor scenarios, The main distinguishing features are the Thermaltake logo (located on the bottom of the front panel) and the transparent roof panel. The front has a mesh-like finish to enable that massive 200mm fan to pull enough air, while the sides are mostly solid steel with a tiny air-intake opening at the bottom.
The overall design of this case is simple. But, I think that you get a chance at this pricing. I’d instead prefer the manufacturer focused their efforts on improving internal features, resulting in a more straightforward build assembly. In the end, it’s not the best-looking case in the world, but it’s also not the worst.
Front
As mentioned above, the front of the Core V1 by Thermaltake is classic of the Core series from Thermaltake. The steel mesh that we’ve learned from this range is made of small holes, which helps provide ample airflow to the 200mm fan. The logo can be seen on the front panel at the bottom, and the I/O ports are located on the left-hand side. The top and bottom edges of the front panel have been rounded off in true Core style, giving it a bit of a design feature if nothing else.
Rear
In terms of panel usefulness, the back of the chassis undoubtedly has the most to offer. At the rear of the case, you’ll find all of the thumbscrews for each of the side panels. They all have a cheap feel to them, which is to be anticipated at this price range. In addition, two mounting locations for two 80mm fans are readily visible at the top of the rear panel. Extra airflow first seems to be a fantastic concept. However, unless you obtain really quiet fans, this will add to the noise level in this scenario. So keep it in mind at all times.
Underneath the fan mounts, you’ll see the cut-out for the I/O shield next to the two Slots for Expansion this case comes equipped with. Moving down, you’ll see the PSU cut-out which does play host to a standard size PSU. AWhen you consider many SFF cases, a great feature doesn’t provide this compatibility. Finally, underneath it all is a small tab that can be pulled to remove the PSU dust filter.
Side On
The I/O ports may be seen near the front of this case if you look at it from the left side. Two USB 3.0 ports, a headphone and microphone connector, and average power and rest buttons are included in one case. An incredible design detail features a huge honeycomb mesh piece in both side panels. This implies that when you install your GPU, it will have enough airflow when it is required. Except for the I/O ports, the other side panel is identical to this one and maybe swapped out if you want to play around.
The Top
The top of this case has the most elegant appearance of all of the case’s parts. When you consider the overall size of the casing, it comes with a quite big acrylic viewing pane. This is done only for aesthetic purposes, and it allows you to show off your gear if you want to. Aside from that, the top doesn’t really have anything to offer. There are no fans that can be put here, and there are no notable characteristics.
From the Inside
So, to From the Inside. Now, even though this case hasn’t got a great deal of space to work with when compared against a mid-tower case, it’s aconsidered relatively roomy compared to other small form factor cases.
Starting at the front, remove the front panel to obtain access to the 200mm fan and I/O port connection. This is accomplished by moving the top panel backwards slightly and edging the front panel away with the lip. If you want to remove the 200mm fan, you’ll have simple access once inside. Reinstalling a single 120mm or 140mm fan in its place is an option for users. Discovered that removing the 200mm fan from the front freed up a ton of space for wiring and other necessities. If you’re thinking about buying this case during installation, this is a must-read.
When looking at the Core V1 from the left side, with the front panel facing right, you may get a good idea of the case’s interior design. Thermaltake has designed a layered system in which the motherboard is stacked on top of the power supply. This is an excellent approach to arrange the components since it makes cable management much more straightforward. It also implies that you won’t have to extend too far for anyone. You’ll note that the PSU portion is incredibly cramped. It is not possible to slide the power supply in. However, you can remove the bottom panel, turn the case over, and install the PSU that way. Easy.
The back of the case offers minor features and no pre-installed exhaust fans. Having said that, it does have room to mount 2 x 80mm fans above the I/O port cut-out. The Slots for Expansion can be accessed by removing the plastic protector that clips into the back of the case. Apart from that, there is very little to report. But that’s to be expected from a mini-ITX point.
The right side panel is the case’s last side. Once the board is removed, the two tricky drive trays are exposed, which may be removed if desired. They accommodate both 3.5′′ and 2.5′′ drives and are mounted to the motherboard tray with a single thumbscrew.
Features
Let’s take a deeper look at some of the more subtle characteristics that may not stand out at first now that we’ve looked at the exterior and inside from a design standpoint.
Even while I may have downplayed the design previously, from an aesthetic standpoint, the Core V1 clearly ranks high when it comes to features in terms of build assembly. Because this is a compact case with limited space, it was helpful to be able to remove all of the panels to access the components and wiring. Also, as previously said, removing the front fan is quite useful when connecting everything to the PSU.
Furthermore, while changing the side panels, t distinct cooling element may be investigated. Some folks have discovered that relocating one of the side panels to the top improves ventilation. In what is considered a low-budget situation, this is a fantastic feature.
The fans are the next group to be discussed. You’re probably wondering to yourself, “What’s the big issue if there’s only space for three fans?” It’s a little more complicated than that. Despite the fact that the front fan is massive and provides enough ventilation, it restricts the way for a larger GPU. As a result, if you remove it and replace it with 120mm/140mm, you’ll have more area for full-length GPUs. This isn’t something you’ll find on many cases at this price bracket. You also have the extra rear fans, which will undoubtedly improve overall cooling. So the fan arrangement gets a huge thumbs up.
Conclusion
So that brings us to the end of the Thermaltake Core V1 review. This is where we address some of the most important issues about this case, such as whether it represents fair value for money. Is this case simple to put together, or should I acquire a mid-tower? Is this case worth the money I’ve invested in it?
Let’s start from the beginning. This case is now available for roughly $45 and has been since its launch in terms of price. When compared to some of the other mini-ITX issues on the market, I believe this one offers good value for money. It comes with a pre-installed 200mm intake fan, plenty of area for construction and modification, and design elements like interchangeable side panels that can be oriented in any direction. This provides excellent value for money, but it also makes constructing in this PC box a reasonably simple task – at least when compared to mini-ITX cases of this size.
On the other hand, the Core V1 has a handful of drawbacks. First, it isn’t the world’s tiniest case, which may turn some people off since size is the most crucial component in a mini-ITX case. Furthermore, the cooling choices are restricted. If you want to construct a very powerful PC in this situation, you may find it challenging to keep internal temperatures down.
Finally, if you’re looking for a mini-ITX case on a budget but still want a fun construction experience and some valuable features, I’d suggest this for your next project. It’s possible that this is precisely what you’re searching for.
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