Thermaltake DH 202 VJ80011N2Z Digital Home Series HTPC Case with Built-in Media LAB LCD and Remote Controller
by Thermaltake USA Direct
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Thermaltake USA DirectModel: VJ80011N2Z
Product features:
- Stylish and unique aluminum front panel design, best choice for your home digital entertainment
- High efficiency ventilation:12cm silent fan in front & dual 6cm fan in rear
- Built-in 23 in 1 card reader
- Built-in Media LAB LCD with hot keys module: LCD capable of display multi-language, 10 buttons hot keys function, Volume
- Control Knob and remote controller
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Thermaltake DH 202 VJ80011N2Z Digital Home Series HTPC Case with Built-in Media LAB LCD and Remote Controller
Customer Review: Big & Beefy. Issues with GTX 260 install
Summary: 3 Stars
I wanted to build an Intel i7 system for my living room and I wanted to have the computer fit seamlessly into my stereo component rack. I looked all around for a full size HTPC case to accommodate a full size graphics card, namely the Nvidia GTX 260. I initially saw the Thermaltake DH101 on Amazon, but when I checked it out at the local brick and mortar store, the case looked absolutely horrible. That was when I saw the DH202. Loved the design of the faceplate, so I purchased it without looking further. Bad mistake. A week later I went to the local Fry's Electronics and saw the Zalman HD135 & HD160. The Zalmans are maded of 100% aluminum, including the faceplate & top cover, whereas the DH202 only has the faceplate being aluminum and everything else is sheet metal, which means this case is heavy compared to the Zalmans. The contruction on the DH202 was seriously lacking when compared to the Zalmans. The fit and finish just doesn't compare. On top of which, the Nvidia GTX 260 cards I purchased (also on Amazon), doesn't fit in the DH202 without taking out the hard-drive bracket that held the hard-drives in place. The soldering points of the GTX260 were actually touching the metal hard-drive bracket. So, unless I want to place my graphics card on the 2nd PCI-E slot, I'm "SOL." I am SOL because I have two GTX 260s and the 3rd PCI-E is only 4X as compared to the 16X for the first 2 PCI-E slots on my ASUS P6T motherboard. The PCI card holders were made of plastic and these holders made it very difficult to install the graphics cards in place. I actually ended up lacerating a certain part of my motherboard because of the difficulty in installing the card in place because of these plastic parts. Another bad design on the DH202 was that the faceplate was held in place by 3 metal clips, one of which broke on me the second time I tried to open it (had to re-allign the hard-drive & DVD burner). Thermaltake RMA the part, but it took over a week and a half. It just seems like the quality isn't really there when compared to the Zalman HTPCs. Although the Zalmans are a bit more expensive, if I had to do it again, I would chose Zalman over this Thermaltake
The plus side of this case is that the faceplace looks very nice with the brushed alluminum finish. The minimalistic design of the faceplate was what initially sold me but after doing further research, the Zalman would had been a better choice. Here is what is included in the system with this DH202:
- (2) NVidia GTX260 graphics cards in SLI
- ASUS P6T Motherboard
- 6GB OCZ 1600 DDR3 RAM
- Intel i7 920 quad core CPU
- Toshiba DVD/RW dual layer burner
- Seagate 1.5TB hard-drive
- Corsair HX850W power supply (excellent power supply)
- Windows Vista Business (No Media Center...bummer)
Update:
This is a response to Joveasy's comment: No, I don't consider it a dumb idea to have SLI with two GTX 260 GPUs because I want to game as well as be a media center. With both GTX 260 cards installed, the noise level is still very adequate. The included 12cm fan was noticeably noiser than the two cards combined. Please remember, this is a VERY recently implemented full ATX case, which should make accomodations to current graphics cards. I have been building computers since 1996 and would think I know a thing or two on what it is I'm talking about. If I wanted a small cramped space for an HTPC, I would have settled on a microATX design that would limit my flexibility. However, that was not the case (literally). I also physically checked out the Zalman case and it does have the necessary space to accomodate the 10.5" cards. Were you able to do so as well? So, please keep that in mind when you call out someone's idea as being "dumb." It makes you look and sound like an immature high schooler without any regard for other's opinions or for that matter, doing your own research.
Also, for the record, I purchased the Thermaltake because I was not exposed to the Zalman, which is only about 30 dollars more.
I have also updated/added the following components:
Windows 7 Professional(great augmentation to Media Center)
LG Blu Ray 8X drive
Logitech diNovo Mini USB keyboard/mouse
Zalman CNPS9500 92mm 2 bal cooling Fan with Heatsink
One of this things I noticed about this HTPC case is that it will not accomodate anything larger than the Zalman CNPS9500 Heatsink/Fan. Initially, I tried the CNPS9700 but it just was standing too tall. Remember, this is a low profile HTPC design, so it will not work with tall Heatsink/Fans.
This HTPC goes through the following components on my entertainment center:
- Sony STR-DA5300ES Amp/Receiver
- Samsung PN58A550 58" plasma display
- Sony PS3 for BluRay
Description of Thermaltake DH 202 VJ80011N2Z Digital Home Series HTPC Case with Built-in Media LAB LCD and Remote Controller
Case Type Home Theater Media PC, Material SECC, Front Bezel Material Aluminum, Color Black, Side Panel Solid, Vented, Motherboard Support. ATX, Micro ATX form factor, Motherboard Tray No, 5.25" Drive Bay 1, Ext. 3.5" Drive Bay No, Int. 3.5" Drive Bay 3, Expansion Slots 7, Front I/O Ports. USB 2.0 x 2, IEEE 1934 Firewire, HD Audio, Built-in 23-in-1 card reader, Cooling System - Front : 120 mm fan x 1, 1400 rpm, - Rear 60 mm fan x 2, 2500 rpm, Liquid Cooling Capable No, Liquid Cooling Embedded No, Power Supply Supported Standard ATX PSII, Power Supply Included No, Dimension (H*W*D) 6.57 x 16.85 x 17.3 in, 167x 428 x 440 mm, Net Weight 16.5 lbs, 7.5 kg, Security Lock No, Application, Warranty 3 Years,Digital Cameras & Photo Categories
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