Thermaltake Tsunami Aluminum Case (VA3000)

Here we see the inner bezel of the Tsunami.  On it we find four 5.25" and two 3.5" bays which should be sufficient for 99% of us.  The power, reset button as well as power and hard drive activity lamp are in their expected positions.  Just below these you can see a small raised area which is for a side mounted three position key lock that will be addressed directly.  The lower half of the exposed bezel shows two rows of air vents used to feed the hungry 120mm fan that lies just behind.  I like seeing how case manufacturers are gravitating more and more to 120mm fans that move a lot of air at a minimum of noise.  The right most pic shows a top down view of the bezel cover with the aluminum folded to create a hollow area.  Two blue LEDs are placed within this area to add to the overall unique look of the Tsunami.

Like most other Thermaltake cases, the inner bezel cover opens as well.  This is controlled by means of a three position key lock.  Position one keeps everything locked up, position two allows normal access to power and reset button as well as any exposed drives while position three allows this inner panel to be opened. 

The primary use of this is for maintenance of the 120mm fan's filter.  The filter is easily removed and is constructed of a plastic frame with a tight mesh screen present to keep dust and other undesirables out.  Access, cleaning and reinstallation of the filter can all be accomplished in under a minute.

Moving around to the left side panel we find the familiar 'Fat X' window found on many Thermaltake cases.  This unusual shape breaks the monotony of the standard square or oval windows typically seen.  Engraved on the lower center portion of the window is Thermaltake's name and company logo "Cool all your life."

Here we find a side mounted 90mm intake fan.  A large screen keeps fingers, pencils or paper out of the blades but this screen isn't going to do much at stopping dust.  It strikes me as odd that the front intake fan showed so much practical thinking with its air filtering would be contrasted as much as it is to the standard fan with mesh grill on the side.  The side panel locks in an aesthetically pleasing and functional way.  Thumb screws lock the panel in place but these are largely unneeded with the top and bottom pull clips you can see below.  The topmost clip sports a lock so you can secure your gear from sticky or curious fingers. 

The most prominent feature around back is the 120mm exhaust fan.  In addition to this fan being a low sound high air volume number it is also sports some blue LEDs that as you will see shortly put out a nice amount of light.

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