Darksaber, I love your work, but allow me a general note (for all TPU reviews)
I kind'a have problems with these armature reviews also, but different stuff…
The first two stock photos while probably from Fractal Design stunk, basically took up space. Then, while sure this is about the 3000 "box", a quick overview of some of the differences would’ve been nice or at least a web-link to the web page that shows the 1000. Now if that info wasn’t / isn’t available then you could mention the other would be provided at a later date. I had to go search Fractal, and find the CORE 1000 and it's not even close to being “variant” of this case even excusing that it's a mini tower.
http://fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=61
Other things... yes I don’t need all the 7 packaging pictures, 3 would suffice. A ¾ shot of the box, a look at the foam, although those are standard and sufficient a quick comment of like
above par packing and move on. Then just
one picture of the hardware and manual is fine considering they where completly useless as you presented. Given the hardware not being the "normal bag", (am I mistaken wasn’t there some thumb screws, and I see tie-wraps in that bag don’t I?), and the fan controller. All that should have been un-bag and arrange so we can see it better. And talk about that, as that’s the stuff a review is suppose to unearth... not cardboard!
Now moving on, your camera or skill level stinks (sorry). Everything I’ve seen from
Darksaber or at least lately are
dark, lack contrast, some out of focus, and give little detail. When you do have a close-up they're useless. I will admit black cases (interiors especially) are difficult, but still it’s weak! Case in point that pic looking from case back into the PSU area... I’ll use my imagination thank you. That would've been a great shot to show the filter being removable. While good thing you said something about the water cooling holes at top of the rear panel they are almost non-existent in that picture.
Now I like the where the measurement behind the tray is provided that’s great, along with that include the measurement from the CPU-mobo installed to the case door is extremely relevant today. Just saying “a Prolimatech Super Mega fits” is lazy, and doesn't inform us what height cooler we should consider. Their website said 160mm you could sy that! While showing the HDD tray with a Samsung drive in it
very interesting! What I wanted to see was the front fan mount? You never showed the 140mm fan that it says it comes with. The picture doesn’t make it clear, while you say “Turns out the fan
(s) are not attached to the frame of the chassis, but to the front.” Where/How? While if I read that whole paragraph, is it me "or is it all over-the-place", I think you meant “top” bay. An objective Editor could help.
Something I noticed is in the second (lower) 5.25 bay you have thumb-screw there, are they holding something or are those in like threaded holes meant to hold them which would be smart instead rummaging for them later?
I question why even say,
“Turning the CORE 3000 around, all areas of the chassis are clearly visible and accessible. The white elements of the fan can clearly be seen spinning. The cooling units within the chassis are actually not too loud, thanks to the use of the mainboard running them nice and slow.” Did you need to hit the word count... while I really can bring into play that objective synopsis for the dBa output?
For $75 it’s not worth it... I could build a laundry list of things, but no eSATA and those white fan blades that will dirty but at least it would happen more than 2 weeks time, as there’s intake filters but boy you glanced over that! You really need to show those front filters in more detail and that it sat high on the feet which helps the PSU from sucking crap. Good thing I could navigate quickly through this though.
Want a better overview and pictures here’s the Fractal Design webpage.
http://fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=61
Very soon ^^
