Due to the massive expanse within the Colossus and the generous amounts of tool-less mechanisms inside, the installation is a breeze. The only thing you need to get a screwdriver out for is securing the PSU into place and fixing the motherboard down. Aside from that, everything is as I have said - tool-less. You will be able to tell from the below photo that I was able to keep the inside of the Colossus tidy, this is without much effort too.
With regards to graphics cards, the Colossus will entertain the biggest cards on the market. Pictured below is the HD5870, but there is an additional 8cm meaning cards as big as the HD5970 will fit inside no problem.
Installation complete, lots of space around the motherboard
Around the ATX motherboard there is massive amounts of space. So if you intend on installing a smaller form factor inside, you are certain to have even more! What I like especially about the Colossus was the ability to be able to thread the eATX 12v power behind the motherboard tray. This is made possible because there are cut-outs around the motherboard and at the top (as pictured) usually I am not able to thread this cable over the back of the motherboard but with the Colossus this is possible.
Plenty of space around the motherboard
On the reverse side - behind the motherboard tray there is again significant clearance here - the biggest I have seen on any case. Meaning you are able to hide even more cables behind the motherboard tray. I measured this clearance gap at 4cm.
Clearance behind the motherboard tray
Moving up to the CPU backplate on this side, there is ample space here to get at the backplate and easily remove it. This is the AM3 socket in the photo below.
Lots of space around the CPU backplate
Installed within the Colossus I have the Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler, this heatsink is approximately 158mm in height with 4cm of clearance between the top of the heatpipes and the side panel. So the Colossus then provides good clearance for tall heatsinks.
Good clearance for tall heatsinks
Earlier I mentioned my gripe with the HDD frames, with the drive now seated inside the frame the firmness is improved greatly. The frame slides into the bay with no worry of it falling into another bay. There is no movement at all once the drive is locked inside the bay. I still feel the materials could be improved in this area though.
The HDD installed within the frame. Attaching is very simple and requires no screws
When everything is in, don't forget to attach the cables labeled LED-L and LED-R to the side panels. This routes a connection through to the buttons on the front panel so that you can swap between colours or even turn the lights off. There is also a molex that will need a connection to the PSU in order for the lighting system to work.
LED cables must be attached for the buttons on the front panel to work
