Thermaltake Shark Aluminum Case (VA7000)

Manufacturer: Thermaltake Technology
Supplied by: Thermaltake Technology
Street Price: TBA

by Dean Barker (9/25/2004)

 

Introduction

Thermaltake has greatly expanded their case line up over the past year with new designs coming out every few months.  Their latest chassis, called “The Shark,” shifts away from Thermaltake’s standard design to adopt the basic concepts of often seen in the Chenming/Chieftec case design.  The Shark is not another clone of this popular standard but rather it incorporates this as a skeleton to be built around.  One major facet of this new design is that the Shark is set up to incorporate water cooled systems with some of its advanced features.  Today, we are fortunate enough to have a thorough look at Thermaltake’s latest box to see what’s where and why.  As always, let’s begin with the basic specs.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 540 x 205 x 500mm

• Weight: 6.8 kg

• Construction: Aluminum

• Drive Bays:  (5) 5.25”, (2) exposed 3.5”, (5) hidden 3.5”

• Expansion slots:  (7)

• M/B Type: Standard ATX and Micro ATX

• Power Supply:  Not included

• Side Mounted Access Ports: USB 2.0 (x2), Firewire port, speaker and mic jack

• Cooling: Front mounted 120mm case fan with filter; Rear mounted 120mm LED (blue) case fan

• Window: Yes but screen not acrylic

• Available Colors: Silver, Black

A look around

Immediately you can tell that the Shark is different than anything else on the market.  Available in silver or black, the Shark has a unique look that gets and keeps your attention.  The front bezel is constructed of aluminum.  There consists of two distinct raised sections breaking things up. 

  

The top section is cut so that a wave look is created.  This is further amplified by a blue LED mounted inside the upper open cavity.  The lower section has a similar layered look that gives the impression of gills.  A small silver screen whose purpose appears merely decorative, is present on the lowest left portion of the bezel.

  

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