Thermaltake Tai Chi Water Cooled Case (VB5001SNA)

Normally in our case reviews we look at the top and bottom last but with the Thermaltake’s Tai Chi case the top really shows off the convection fins and thickness of the aluminum in the case’s construction.  Also visible is an area of ventilation holes above where the power supply is to go.  I found the placement of these holes a bit odd as they will allow air to be pulled in immediately above the PSU area, into the case and then expelled out the PSU exhaust.  It seems to me that if these holes weren’t here, the PSU fans would be drawing air from the inside of the case keeping the internal temperature of the Tai Chi a bit lower.  In all fairness, with a 120mm exhaust for the case and two 120mm cooling fans on the radiator all blowing out, internal case temps don’t look to be of the slightest concern. 

Two rows of six convection fins each run lengthwise along the top of the Tai Chi.  You can also see here the two case handles.  Try telling me those handles aren’t sturdy with a straight face.  Centrally located on the top are some input/output ports; one Firewire, two USB 2.0, a mic and a speaker jack.

     

From the vantage point of the left side panel is a large vent area that rests immediately behind the Tai Chi’s oversized radiator and cooling fans mounted on the inside.  From a slightly different angle is a better view of the side panels and their convection fins that I can’t seem to get away from.  The side panel itself opens in two doors (which we’ll get to shortly) that are held in place by four finger screws for lack of a better term. 

     

Around back we see several points that sets the Tai Chi off from the majority of other cases.  At the top, the power supply area takes up far less real estate than usual because of the greater width of the case.  The four holes just below the PSU area won’t be of much use to the water cooled version but seem rather geared toward the use of an external water cooling set up like the Tt Tribe or the Tt Symphony.  One last point here on the case rear is the plate you see the expansion slots and 120mm exhaust fan set into.  This plate and the Tt Tai Chi for that matter, is designed to be BTX compatible with an add on kit.

Finishing our tour of the Tai Chi's exterior is the right side panel and its bottom.  The right side panel has two finger screws securing the fold out door that is only the first quarter of the panel.  More convections fins, you gotta love it.  The bottom of the Tai Chi shows its caster wheels (need to be installed by end user) that swivel and can be locked in place.  A twenty kilo case before installing a system needs wheels.  Don't miss the grill type vent plate there at the bottom.  This is primarily there to assist in cooling with a BTX based system installed.

  
 

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Pg 1 - Introduction
Pg 2 - A closer look
Pg 3 - A longer look
Pg 4 - Inside
Pg 5 - Water cooling goodies
Pg 6 - Operation/Performance
Pg 7 - Conclusion