Review ~ Mountain Mods ~ H2gO
Today I have a Mountain Mods H2gO case up for review.
There are 6 different models in the H2gO case, the one here is the Anodized black, with clear windows. (H2gOab) This case alone has 6 different options for the windows.
http://xs541.xs.to/xs541/09275/h2go.ifmu434.jpg
To start this off, a few basic stats on the case itself, as seen on their website.
Specifications:
Material - Aluminum 5052
Thickness - 1.65mm-3.25mm
Dimensions - 17 x 12.75 x 13.5 inches
Finish - Brushed, Powder Coat, or Anodized
HD Bay - One set of 120mm HD racks
Hard Drives - Holds 3 out of box (6 with additional 120mm rack set)
5.25 Devices - Holds 3
MB Tray Form Factors - mATX/ATX
Fan Mounts - 6-120mm
Empty Weight - 11 lbs.
A couple of images of their packaging.
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__0_635.jpg
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0....resized762.jpg
As you can see in these two images, the packaging was stellar. I had an image of the outside before opening, but it seems as if the camera ate it. O_o
In these next 2 pictures, it shows the wrapping used directly around the case itself. Between this and the rest of the foam and cardboard packaging, I’d say it was set up rather well for safe shipping.
http://xs940.xs.to/xs940/09272/h2g0....resized188.jpg
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__3_814.jpg
In this image, you can see the backside of the case, where there is room for the power supply and 3 x 120mm fans. Or as some of us like, radiator spaces! ^_^
The case is designed with the Thermochill rads in mind.
Beside the case, the 3.5 HD racks, motherboard stand-offs and 5.25” bay, holders? Working on figuring out how these actually hold them in place. Odds are this is just my ignorance showing. -_-
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__4_262.jpg
A front/angled view of the top, front and window side.
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__5_508.jpg
As you can see in these next 2 images, Mountain Mods has the case divided into 2 sections, as is typical of their cases. There is room on the top front for a Thermochill PA 120.2, as well as on the back, if mounted externally. They have made that rather easy to do with the holes placed on the backside for tubing up to 7/8” OD. There are several different locations on the motherboard tray to run tubing and/or wiring through. The tray is made of cast acrylic and is simply stunning in my humble opinion. The pictures just don’t do it justice.
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__6_196.jpg
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__7_130.jpg
In this image you can see the holes for the tubing, which they have covered by cast acrylic. (This is easily removed with 2 screws.) The power supply is placed directly under the motherboard on the lower half of the case. This design will prevent the use of some slightly older power supplies, that shouldn’t be a problem with any recently made.
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__8_356.jpg
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__9_725.jpg
A shot of the lower half. The power supply would be in the back left corner from this shot and the 5.25” bays in the front right.
You can see the clarity of the cast acrylic tray that divides the case as well. Did some pretty nice work on this.
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__10_979.jpg
Here you can see the top half. On the front (right) there is the spacing for the Thermochill PA 120.2 I mentioned earlier. Notice as well the 3 different holes in the cast acrylic motherboard tray/divider for running tubing and/or any wiring if/where needed.
http://xs840.xs.to/xs840/09272/h2g0.ifmu__11_124.jpg
A little note that I wanted to point out, Ben from Mountain Mods informed me of this, so I thought I should spread it as well.
“This unit has the 25mm Thermochill spacing as all H2gO’s had. Newer revisions will be 15mm as Thermochill is changing so will we. “
So a little heads up on that little detail. ^_^
I’ve been looking over this case rather thoroughly, upwards, downwards, forwards and back working over how I am going to put everything in. Well maybe how isn’t the right word, where would be better suited!
This case is well designed with plenty of different possible options for placement on nearly anything you might have. The only 3 things that are stuck as to their placement, the power supply, motherboard (obviously) and the 5.25” drives. Everything else can be positioned pretty much anywhere you might want it. Internal water-cooling, external, air cooling is not an unlikely option with this case. It being a divided case leaves it open for nice air flow. Not to mention the 6 different locations for 120mm fans.
Easy, breezy, cove… oh wait, that’s a commercial for something else… O_o
Without a doubt this is one of the best cases I’ve seen to date. The space it provides while still remaining a relatively small case is astounding. The simplicity of the layout is fabulous. The removal of 2 panels and you have all the room you might need to run anything and everything you would need.
I would like to thank Ben @ Mountain Mods for the opportunity to review and show this case off to everyone. Head over and check out their site, a great group of folk and some very nice hardware.
