Gigabyte Rolls Out the GZ-F2 and GZ-F5 Series Entry-level Cases

[btarunr]

Gigabyte rolled out he GZ-F2 and GZ-F5 series entry-level ATX mid-tower cases (pictured below in that order). The two feature essentially the same chassis, measure and weigh the same at 180 x 420 x 380 mm and 3.3 kg, but differ with design of their plasticy front panel. The GZ-F2, which is available in all-black and black+silver, features a smoother front than the single ridge that makes up GZ-F5. The two are made of 0.5 mm-thick SECC steel, and ABS. Featuring three 5.25-inch drive bays (one of which has an ODD cover), one external and five internal 3.5-inch bays, the cases are equipped with just the one 80 mm rear fan, and provisions for an Intel CAG 1.1-compliant side-panel fan vents. Expect the two to occupy sub-$30 price points.



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[HossHuge]

To anyone who wants to buy these you should include the cost of some band-aids because of the cheap metal.

 

[Rockfella.killswitch]

They still don't understand the importance of a bottom mounted PSU.

 

[Supercrit]

That's because if there's no extra fan, the PSU is the sole thing to move the hot air out actively.The CPU will cook itself in the big pocket of hot air unable to escape.

 

[TRWOV]

Why? Isn't the market littered with cheapo cases already? Make something like the hp Blackbird that I could buy in a store and we'll talk.

 

[johnspack]

Eh?

 

[natr0n]

reminds me of the cheap ass aspire cases from years ago.

same internals , I took a baseball bat to this case cause I hated it.

 

[Disparia]

Yup, this design has been around for at least 10 years now. Gigabyte just hopes that they have better brand recognition than any of others using it.

 

[Tazmanyak]

This is a real disapointment to see gigabyte distribute such poorly designed, engineered, built pc cases ...
Just based on their name, i suppose they'll sell thousand copies of these to overconfident customers ... really sad :/

 

[Aquinus]

They still don't understand the importance of a bottom mounted PSU.

A PSU on top is more likely to suck in warm air from the rest of the CPU. Warm air rises which leaves cooler air lower. I don't know if it, in practice, actually impacts PSU temperatures but I've usually found it easier to manage cables with the PSU on the bottom of your standard ATX chassis. All in all, I'm not convinced yet that mounting the PSU on the bottom actually changes the temperature by much, even more so if you have sufficient airflow. I guess it also makes it a little top heavy but nothing that would make the case "easy to tip over."

 

[PLAfiller]

For less than 30 bucks, you get what you pay for. Punch-out PCI brackets, no stand-offs- just small bumbs, 0.5mm SECC steal, etc. I would take one for my parent's PC IF they were mATX, seriously. 2-3 suggested cases and not one for mATX??? it requires less metal than a standard ATX case, make one pls.

 

[Melvis]

They still don't understand the importance of a bottom mounted PSU.

And what is that? worse air flow? increase heat build up inside the case? a dust collector?

 

[Th3pwn3r]

They still don't understand the importance of a bottom mounted PSU.

Please enlighten us.

reminds me of the cheap ass aspire cases from years ago.

http://alphacomputer.com/Wedpic/ATXB4KLW-BK-0_250.jpg

same internals , I took a baseball bat to this case cause I hated it.

Why would you hate that case? It's actually not bad if you know what it offers. I mean really, the damn thing even has a removable motherboard tray and what did it cost? $20-$30? I actually have a Gigabyte board and Q9450 still running in one of those cases.

A PSU on top is more likely to suck in warm air from the rest of the CPU. Warm air rises which leaves cooler air lower. I don't know if it, in practice, actually impacts PSU temperatures but I've usually found it easier to manage cables with the PSU on the bottom of your standard ATX chassis. All in all, I'm not convinced yet that mounting the PSU on the bottom actually changes the temperature by much, even more so if you have sufficient airflow. I guess it also makes it a little top heavy but nothing that would make the case "easy to tip over."

Yeah...heat rises so a bottom mounted PSU is going to give off radiant heat that will bother the rest of the internal components. Unless of course the cooling of the PSU is that good where it doesn't allow for that but I don't think that's even possible. Hell, in these smaller cases like this I'd probably even consider a passive cooled PSU.

And what is that? worse air flow? increase heat build up inside the case? a dust collector?

All of these, I don't think he really knows what he's talking about.

 

[DaMobsta]

These cases have already existed a long time ago in some of the developing markets, hence the old design. They've actually stopped selling them here, so I'm quite surprised at this article...

 

[natr0n]

@Th3pwn3r

I made a comp for my brother using it. At first it was nice and all. The mobo tray would warp and the prongs to hold it on the case would bend so after a while it was jammed and unmovable.The hard drive slots would scratch the shit out of drives too. I did do some mods to the vents cutting out the grills for better airflow. I still have the front panel and the side door.

I just associate that case with mediocrity now.

 

[joellim]

I think this press release has travelled into the future. It's actual release date was 2003.