Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

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Apoptosis
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Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by Apoptosis »

The Thermaltake Armor+ MX we will be looking at today is different from the Armor cases of the past as it is not a full or super tower case, but a mid tower. THe Thermaltake Armor+ MX VH8000BWS Mid Tower Case was designed to accommodate the Thermaltake Big Water line of water cooling kits, which makes it nice for those building a DIY gaming system. Read on as we take a closer look at the Thermaltake Armor+ MX and install a water cooler in it.

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"Thermaltake has tried to cram as many features from the larger “super tower” Armor case into this standard size mid tower, and did a good job of it. You have all the classic looks, the build quality, and you can still fit everything into the case. With shrinking space comes the 'snug factor'. The Thermaltake Armor+ case has close quarters, but you can still get most full length video card in this case. "
Article Title: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case
Article URL: http://legitreviews.com/article/738/1/
Pricing at time of print: $121.99 plus shipping
Last edited by DMB2000uk on Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by Mumm »

I know I maybe the odd type but I really prefer full tower cases. I am looking at using the full tower version of this case in my next build and I think many of the issues that were seen here are improved in it. The top rear vent is actually ment for top level fans from PSUs. There is a 120\140mm fan infront of it that can be used to expell hot air. Here is what a full size case looks like when filled with parts to compare to.
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by martini161 »

im also using a full tower armor and a lot of those issues are fixed as well. ive been meaning to do a mod to route cables behind the mobo for a while now but still havent gotten around to it. when i do, the cable manage ment will be excellent
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by gwolfman »

How much heavier are cases going to get? I can't imagine how much this weighs.

Thanks for the review!
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by bubba »

This case has some heft to it for a mid tower. The Armor+ MX empty is 23.8 lbs, with the water loop and the rest of the system installed it is close to 30lbs.

The Armor+ (supertower version) is 37lbs empty, and a fair bit bigger as you can see in Mumm's pic.

As for how much heavier can they get. Well the heaviest case I have had to date is the Antec P190, its setting right about the 60lb mark.
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by FeRaL »

Great review as always.

This case would have been better served by having the PSU mount at the bottom of the case versus the top.
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by Apoptosis »

I just used one of these yesterday when building a friends system... cut my hand, the edges where you hide the wires in the back is sharp and there isn't much room to do any wire management...

so-so case if you ask me.
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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by Hap »

Bring life back to an older MSI Motherboard.
I only use the computer for CAD; PCB design, Schematics, Photoshop, Research and e-mails, I’m not a gamer and was only looking to support my Engineering needs, which is in the Aerospace field at JHU/APL.
After many weeks of reviewing what would work I came up with these items.
Note the MB is a MSI 7046, supporting a Pentium 4 Processor 530 HT 3GHz, FSB 800, Chipset 915, from a Medion Composer 5100 Model.

Starting with the Case; using a Thermaltake Armor MX VH8000BWS, which is easily upgradeable to water cooling or an AC unit, tho at the moment not needed because of the newer CPU cooler. The case comes with three fans; one very large side mounted which provides extra cooling for the Graphics Card, one in front that keeps the hard drives cool and one in the rear which vents the hot air.
Changed out the power supply to keep up with the newer graphics card current(amp) rating and other support items; Tagan BZ800 Modular, which is very nice, I don’t have to deal with that large bundle of cables anymore, I connect the cables as needed, the remainder cables are store in a nice cable pouch which comes with the supply.
Throw out the old CPU cooler for an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro; Thermal Resistance: 0.17°C/Watt, the fan only comes to life under heavy CPU loading and is very silent, CPU is now running much cooler, note also the back part of this cooler has fins which point down providing air for the DC Power Switchers as well. This is a large cooler and with the MB on its side it doesn’t appear to be a problem with the extra weight attached to the CPU fixture and MB.
Updated the cooler for the Chipset as well, it was always running hot; heatsink with no fan, now very cool with a larger heatsink with fan.
Changed out the old RAM for newer Crucial, now running 3GB, tho I am thinking of changing the OS to 64bit; running 32bit at the moment, to allow for more RAM above 4Gb. Note, more RAM does help for CAD operations.
Added an LCD; ACER P201W 20” wide screen monitor to complement the CRT ViewSonic monitor for Photoshop and CAD, love the split screen work. Spec: 5ms response time, resolution of 1,680 x 1,050, a luminance of 300cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 2,500:1.
After many yrs running the older Graphics FX card, it finally die, I blame it on the older AIRLX case with limited air flow used for the Medion Composer 5100 model, another reason to upgrade. I hoping this new card; MSINX8400GS, will handle the CAD and the Photoshop program well, if not I will have to buy the NVIDIA Quadro FX. At the moment tho, the Graphics card is working out very nicely and supports both monitors, and is fan cooled as well.


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Re: Thermaltake Armor+ MX Midtower ATX Computer Case

Post by Hap »

I am now looking to build another newer version workstation using the Thermaltake Armor VH6000 and keeping the last build just for a second puter.

I'm comparing the two Intel Motherboards to two SuperMicro Motherboards, and not just the price but
mainly the board support; Switching Pwr Phase, North and or South bridge, RAM
speed and amount, etc.

Next will be which CPU to use, study, then on to the RAM spec's

Intel BOXDX48BT2, X48 775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813121338

Supermicro MBD-C2SBX X48

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813182163

Intel BOXDX58SO, X58 1366

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813121361

Supermicro MBD-C7X58, X58 1366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813182166
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