On the whole I've been nicely surprised by the A30. It's well built, is quite nicely thought out and provides some good features to the end user.
I do have reservations though and these specifically relate to two things - the first is the price which at over £100 I feel is a little steep for a steel MATX case. This may change as stock seems to be quite limited in the UK at the moment which may be a reason for the high price.
The other issue is the long GPU install. If you only intend to install one 'long' graphics card then there are a couple of rules that have to be followed. If (in the unlikely event) your card is a single slot design then you can use either of the first two slots closest to the CPU socket. If it's a double slot design then it can only be placed in the first slot closest to the CPU socket and if it's a very large triple slot design then you'll either have to find a new case or be prepared to cut out a portion of the 3.5" bay frame at the front of the case.
The Thermaltake Armor A30.
Besides all that and assuming you follow the guidelines above the A30 is a very serviceable case indeed. The look is perhaps verging on the marmite in my opinion but I'm one of those who actually quite likes it.
The case has some wonderful design touches and very grown up features for a case of this type. Build quality is incredibly robust with no flexing or bending of the chassis. Many aspects of the case allow fast installation through the use of the thumbscrews, clips and that removable motherboard tray. Carefully specced up I'd say you could fit a very high end system within the A30 - great stuff!!
Because of its minor GPU issue and the apparent high price I can't give the A30 our highest level awards. It is still a commendable case and with the correct motherboard installed to allow a suitable GPU to be installed the A30 with its great build quality, useful features and 3 year warranty receives the Vortez Silver award.
I do have reservations though and these specifically relate to two things - the first is the price which at over £100 I feel is a little steep for a steel MATX case. This may change as stock seems to be quite limited in the UK at the moment which may be a reason for the high price.
The other issue is the long GPU install. If you only intend to install one 'long' graphics card then there are a couple of rules that have to be followed. If (in the unlikely event) your card is a single slot design then you can use either of the first two slots closest to the CPU socket. If it's a double slot design then it can only be placed in the first slot closest to the CPU socket and if it's a very large triple slot design then you'll either have to find a new case or be prepared to cut out a portion of the 3.5" bay frame at the front of the case.
The Thermaltake Armor A30.
Besides all that and assuming you follow the guidelines above the A30 is a very serviceable case indeed. The look is perhaps verging on the marmite in my opinion but I'm one of those who actually quite likes it.
The case has some wonderful design touches and very grown up features for a case of this type. Build quality is incredibly robust with no flexing or bending of the chassis. Many aspects of the case allow fast installation through the use of the thumbscrews, clips and that removable motherboard tray. Carefully specced up I'd say you could fit a very high end system within the A30 - great stuff!!
Pros
+ An interesting and aggressive look
+ Good cooling performance
+ Largely tool-less design
+ Sturdy quality build
+ 3 year warranty
+ Nice 2.5" drive retention mechanism
+ Removable motherboard tray
+ Windowed design with attractive illuminated fans
Cons
- Standard dual slot 350mm GPU install issues in any slot other than the 1st
- Online price is somewhat steep in my opinion
+ An interesting and aggressive look
+ Good cooling performance
+ Largely tool-less design
+ Sturdy quality build
+ 3 year warranty
+ Nice 2.5" drive retention mechanism
+ Removable motherboard tray
+ Windowed design with attractive illuminated fans
Cons
- Standard dual slot 350mm GPU install issues in any slot other than the 1st
- Online price is somewhat steep in my opinion
Because of its minor GPU issue and the apparent high price I can't give the A30 our highest level awards. It is still a commendable case and with the correct motherboard installed to allow a suitable GPU to be installed the A30 with its great build quality, useful features and 3 year warranty receives the Vortez Silver award.
