Case Number C22 "Case Without Cause"
Thermaltake Versa C22 RGB Mid Tower Snow Edition
Review by: Jennifer Griffiths
Video & Testing by: Philip Griffiths
Product Unboxing and Setup Video
🔴 Thermaltake Versa C22 Snow Edition RGB Review! Star Wars Case???
Introduction :
Thermaltake are renowned for making some really stylish and practical cases. We've seen a few really nice ones here at TFT this year. I'm quite excited just by looking at the box to see what is in store for us this week. To be fair, I've been ready to do this review for weeks. It's been kind of like the countdown to Christmas.
I'll be grading it on Airflow, Cable Management, Compatibility, Style (internal and external), Neatness of Cables, and Price. I'm confident with the name Thermaltake on the box, I have not got much to worry about.
So, without further hesitation, let's get that review going. I'm doing a walk through in the testing area. You will get to read my comments as I see the case for the very first time. This is the first review I have done in this particular way.
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Main Features:
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Tt LCS Certified
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Gorgeous RGB LED Illumination
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Fully Modular Concept
Specifications:
SKUCA-1G9-00M6WN-00
P/NCA-1G9-00M6WN-00
SeriesVersa
Case TypeMid Tower
Net Weight5.7 kg / 12.6 lb
Side PanelTransparent Window
ColorExterior & Interior : Black & White
MaterialSPCC
Cooling SystemRear (exhaust) :
120 x 120 x 25 mm fan (1000rpm, 16dBA)
Expansion Slots7
Motherboards6.7” x 6.7” (Mini ITX), 9.6” x 9.6” (Micro ATX), 12” x 9.6” (ATX)
https://www.thermaltake.com/versa-c22-rgb-snow-edition.html
Manufacturer statement:
Perfectly designed for gamers, the new Versa C22 RGB Mid-Tower chassis features a sleek appearance and an extraordinary thermal performance. The light of the built-in RGB LED illumination is visible from all angles. Users can add a personal touch with 7 vibrant colors. The enlarged transparent window offers a direct view of the inner system. Additionally, the Versa C22 RGB comes with a power cover and supports up to a standard ATX motherboard. Most importantly, the spacious interior design not only provides plenty of space for cable management, but also allows users to install the latest PC hardware, AIO and DIY liquid cooling solutions.
About Thermaltake :
Building Thermaltake Technology into a cultural brand for the enjoyment of entertainment, e-Sports, technology and lifestyle is a realizable dream and a hope for an enterprise pursuing outstanding management. Although Thermaltake Group may face challenges in terms of entertainment, e-Sports, technology and lifestyle, we still seek to maximize the corporate value and are working hard to achieve the goal.
Packaging:
Just looking at the box, it's a pretty standard box you get a case in. Cardboard with a drawing of the case on it and basic info. I did not expect a glamorous box for a case of this price if I am honest.
Unboxing:
Inside, we find the case of course and the manual. I might add that they have packed it well and this case is very light in weight. I'm noticing a lot of plastic. The side window is plastic and is being held on by 5 screws. Most are held on by 4. I'm not sure why we had to have the fifth screw.
The screws are really tight that hold the sides on. You can not turn them without a screw driver and that's a bit oxymoron being they are thumb screws. But, I digress. With screw driver in hand, let's go inside and have a close look.
Sides off and out of the way the first thing I spot looking in the case from the window side is a dangling molex connector. I'm not sure what it's for, a fan perhaps? Now here is the part I have preached on in every review of a case we ever did. The USB as well as HD Audio cable have multi colour ends. There is absolutely no reason for this. It makes a nice build look bad. Moving right along we see......we see this chassis is an old one that has been used in a case that supports a DVD and Card Reader. Here's the bad thing, there are holes in the plate that you punch out for the DVD that indicate this is where I would mount a fan. If that gets pushed out, you will not be able to mount your fan. Turning the case on it's side I can see what can only be described as a bird's nest of cables coming down. How am I going to manage these in a way they will not be seen? Looking down I will mention there is a PSU shroud that goes all the way across. If you have an RGB PSU you will not see the lights with this.
Now that we've had a look, let's move on to testing.
Testing:
I found that the Molex connector is for the RGB lighting. I really thought this would be a SATA connection, hence, it through me. When we start it up, I'm seeing the "runway" of lights on top and one is not in sync with the others. This indicates that it is a dud. That's a shame as it throws the colours off. In the advertising it shows four different colours on the front. I thought you would be able to have this rainbow effect after seeing the pictures that market it. The answer is no, you have to pick one colour at a time or have it cycle through. This needs to be addressed by marketing as it can come across as false advertising to people.
And now, time for the Airflow test. Phil will light up a smoke stick and see how much air goes into the case. There is very little air being taken in. Here is why...You have all of this plastic on the front. Granted the case looks awesome. But is is not practical. If you look at the front, I am reminded of the Clone Troopers from Star Wars. I love that! The black part of the "helmet" needs to be mesh. This would allow for decent airflow. Another issue we have is because this chassis is not fit for purpose and has been dug up from somewhere, the metal disrupts the airflow as well.
I know I sound hard on this case but I was really expecting more for the RRP and the fact the Thermaltake brand is on it. Here's how to fix it: Scrap the chassis and get a more fit for purpose one that will do the outside more justice. Fix the wires to be totally black and in a way that they can be done in a tidy fashion. The rubber grips inside come out really easy so you might want to fix that as well. Never use a chassis for a PC with DVD etc for a fan mount. RGB should be connecting with SATA. Also, the shroud, it would be nice to see a hint of the top of the PSU in case of RGB power supplies and better ways to use it for cable management. Mesh the front where the lights are. Lastly, make sure that Quality Control look at the lights and ensure they work before shipping them out.
We also found that when the front was removed the test CPU max temperature went down by 6°C.
Pricing:
RRP £59.48
Conclusion:
If it was cheaper, it would probably have scored a little higher. However, considering there are far superior cases out there from Thermaltake in the same price range, its price went against it. It just feels like someone said "We have this old chassis around back, what can we do with it? The best idea wins". I mean, it really does look nice. I really do like the looks of it. It's the practicality that lets me down, as well as looking inside and seeing where a DVD drive would be screwed in, the cables not being able to be managed from the nest in the top, etc. No one really thought this through. At first I was thinking on the lines of it might be good for gaming on a budget. But now I am just left with my feathers fallen. That's just sad.
Stand out point: I like the design that reminds me of Star Wars
Pros:
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Looks nice and has that Star Wars feel to it.
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Window side
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Light weight
Cons:
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Not able to remove the dust filters easily.
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Thumb screws are on way too tight.
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HD Audio and USB show multi colour wires.
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Cable management rubber comes off easily.
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RGB connects with Molex, not SATA
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Re-purposed chassis is not fit for purpose
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Nasty nest of cables that are impossible to manage.
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If you accidentally knock out the plate for the DVD you won't be able to mount a fan.
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Air flow is appauling
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Hard to get an 8 pin connection through the whole on the back where the motherboard goes. (do it with the Motherboard out)
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PSU shroud does not provide any real use but to cover the PSU and HDD bays. Cable tidy with it is a challenge.
They got a Bronze Award for this product.