Thermaltake Core X71 Chassis Review with Pacific DIY Cooling Installation!

Your build our core – that’s the motto for Thermaltake’s Core series that brings us to the realm of modular chassis’. The X71 specifically is what we are looking at with this review, along with a calming description of DIY loop cooling systems.

PRE-BUILD OVERVIEW

Thermaltake has been kind enough to provide us with the Core X71 along with all the necessities for our first DIY loop cooling system.

At CES 2016 we got a first hand look at some of the possibilities and amazing outcomes that come with loop cooling as you’ll see below.

We’re sure a lot of you out there are thinking this looks way too technical and complicated for the average person. Well, we are going to put those thoughts to rest with a explanation on our first DIY loop cooling build.

But first things first, let us introduce you to the gorgeous Core X71 Chassis.

PACKAGING, CONTENTS & PRICING

From your first view at the box you’ll see the extreme modular characteristics of this large chassis. The one side showing all the pieces lifted from their factory positions down to the “Core”.  The opposite side showing the exterior of the case completely intact and specifications for the chassis listed on the side panel of the box. The box is a plain cardboard with black ink, so it’s not trying to prove anything by flashing up the packaging and frankly we can’t blame them. If you’re ordering or purchasing the X71 you’re not doing it for the box.

Removing the chassis from the box it has standard packing of two Styrofoam ends and a protective plastic cover, the window also is layered with an adhesive that protects further from any scratching for the time being.  The X71 comes with three pre-installed fans. Two Blue Riing 140’s at the front as well as a 140 at the rear for exhaust. Contents of the chassis are your standard screws, mobo stand-off setter, etc. Some of the unique pieces that come with the X71 are the Low Noise cable’s for the two included Riing 140’s, fan brackets, power rubber stands for PSU installation and an 8-pin extension cable.The X71, at the time of this review, was found on Amazon for $149.99, for such a large chassis with so much to offer this price is outstanding from an initial point of view.

The X71 is a primarily steel chassis with a plastic front panel. This case for the most part is an upgraded F31 case which we reviewed near the end of Q4 2015, just larger as seen below The front panel itself is a vented mesh look giving the vision of airflow. It easily pops off with a tug from the bottom. You’ll notice that the I/O panel doesn’t come off with it, we like this. There is also a removable dust cover on the inside of the panel as well as two removable OD bay covers. You’ll notice that there are two Blue 140 Riing fans included on the front of the case. The cooling support specs are quite diverse, you can fit 3 x 120mm or 140mm fans, 2 x 200mm fans and radiator support up to 480mm ensuring that you can double your chassis as a fridge.  The top panel has a large removable magnetic dust cover. This enormous chassis allows you many cooling options in this panel which when you remove the dust cover you’ll see it houses all the way up to 2 x 200mm or 3 x 140mm fans.  The I/O panel consists of your standard set up: Start & reset buttons, 2 x USB 3.0 & 2.0, mic & headphone jack.