Chieftec Announces CM-25B-OP Case from the Classic Series

[AleksandarK]

CHIEFTEC, a world-wide renowned brand for reliable PC chassis and power supplies, today announces the CM-25B-OP as a new model in the Classic Series, which has proven to be a success in the system integration market since its launch in 2019. The CM-25B-OP is based on the chassis of the BM-25B-OP, while adding an additional 5.25" ODD drive and a refreshed front panel design. Built from 0.7 mm SECC and including tool-less drive installation kits, the Classic Series is perfect for system builders who value true quality and timelessly elegant design.


View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[maxitaxi96]

the early 2000s called. They want their design back!
Who in their right mind would buy that NEW? I am really trying to come up with a reason. I mean Office PCs dont need to be that big, Workstation/Gaming PCs (imho) need better cooling capabilities...
Maybe for someone who wants to build his on NAS and uses HotSwap-Bays in the front? Else the 5,25 Bays are (also imho) totaly useless these days...

Cant wrap my head around this...

 

[watzupken]

Vintage design. Have not seen a new case like this for some time. While it is refreshing to see a different design in the sea of tempered glass and RGB cases, I do wonder if anyone will need the 5.25 bay nowadays. I still use 1 for my Bluray drive, but not sure if that many are required.

 

[bonehead123]

the early 2000s called. They want their design back ! Who in their right mind would buy that NEW? Cant wrap my head around this..

^^THIS^^

Similar to what I have been saying for the past 2 years, but even MOAR boring, lame, s.o.s.s. boxen no-effort design than most of the other so-called "NEW" cases... the only thing I do like on this is the mostly-white interior, which is a welcomed change IMHO, but even still: No C-NO buy-NO excuse

Otherwise....Yawn/snooze/yawn/snooze...

 

[TheDeeGee]

No Windows, No RGB, USB on the Front.

Someone pinch me.

 

[SamWarrick]

I have a few cases like this in the garage attic. Only difference is the lack of USB 3

 

[Flanker]

retro?

 

[Chomiq]

It's like they're stuck in the early 2000's.

 

[ZoneDymo]

sooo sexy

 

[steve360]

This will be in high demand for stragglers still running Windows XP

Would like to see Techtubers make a build using this case. Useless bay drives, spaghetti cable management and choked cooling - what a nightmare.

 

[XL-R8R]

To all the experienced commentators above this post..... you folks are aware there are more people out there building rigs than just gamers and office workers... right?


Not everyone wants OR needs RGB, tempered glass, 54 hdd/ssd mounting spaces/2x120mm rear fans + 8 other areas to mount 120/140mm fans + AIO......





Some people - like my 70 year old uncle who's been in the tech game longer than most forum goers have been breathing - do not require anything but a functional case with (in todays world) USB3's on the front...... this is that chassis.

Depending on price, I'd be willing to pick this up and I bet so will a lot of others.


Edit for extended specs:

 

[SamuelL]

To all the experienced commentators above this post..... you folks are aware there are more people out there building rigs than just gamers and office workers... right?

Not everyone wants OR needs RGB, tempered glass, 54 hdd/ssd mounting spaces/2x120mm rear fans + 8 other areas to mount 120/140mm fans + AIO......

...

Absolutely - if something like this was around at the time, I would've bought one of these a few years ago for a cheap server chassis. Instead I ended up with a terrible plastic box with a window since that was the only cheap option with a few 5.25 available.

 

[EarthDog]

This will be in high demand for stragglers still running Windows XP

I wonder if they offer it in beige... that was the main color of chassis back in the day......

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Checks calendar, NOT April 1st.

It was a poor design back then, kinda like a Pinto, and it hasn't aged well.

To all the experienced commentators above this post..... you folks are aware there are more people out there building rigs than just gamers and office workers... right?


Not everyone wants OR needs RGB, tempered glass, 54 hdd/ssd mounting spaces/2x120mm rear fans + 8 other areas to mount 120/140mm fans + AIO......





Some people - like my 70 year old uncle who's been in the tech game longer than most forum goers have been breathing - do not require anything but a functional case with (in todays world) USB3's on the front...... this is that chassis.

Depending on price, I'd be willing to pick this up and I bet so will a lot of others.

You don't seem to understand how truly poorly these things breathe. I've tried running an 1800X at stock in an Antec Solo (basically identical layout) for WCG (100% load, 24/7) and it would overheat. This thing only has the one fan mount in the front, and from what I can see, it looks like there's a lot of blockage reducing the airflow, JUST LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS. Didn't they learn anything? Did they just dig up the old stamping dies and go "That'll do"?

For those of you thinking about using this for a server box, just understand that there are some real problems with dead air zones in this case and HDD's will run hot. You'll find yourself upgrading the rear fan to one that's not very quiet. And don't use a PSU with a passive mode.

My first PC was a 386DX-25 on a DFI motherboard. If you really want one of these cases, stop by and I'll give you one of them.

The case that has surprised me the most with how well it works? The Antec 300!

Should we start a poll to see how long it is until we see the post "My PC runs too hot with a 105 watt CPU and 180 watt GPU in one of these cases?"

EDIT: THERE'S NO MOTHERBOARD CUTOUT!!!!! Basically limits you to Intel type stock coolers.

 

[freeagent]

Lol my first thought was 2003 called and they want their case back. At least we’re all on the same page here.

EDIT: THERE'S NO MOTHERBOARD CUTOUT!!!!! Basically limits you to Intel type stock coolers.

That’s not true. Alll I use are aftermarket coolers and not once have I ever used the cutout.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

That’s not true. Alll I use are aftermarket coolers and not once have I ever used the cutout.

Okay, I should have been more clear. You'll have to mount your cooler BEFORE installing the motherboard, as long as the back plate doesn't stick out too far. You can't install a cooler that uses a back plate while the motherboard is installed in the case.

 

[EarthDog]

You can't install a cooler that uses a back plate while the motherboard is installed in the case.

Sure you can. It depends on the cooler/mounting system, but many (most?) can. I can tell you the Corsair AIOs would all work, as an example. There are several mm between the motherboard and motherboard tray because of the standoffs.

That said, those cutouts are soooooooooooooo convenient.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

And I've had problems getting Intel coolers to "latch" because the tabs would hit the motherboard base plate before the tabs would clear the motherboard. Of course, installing an Intel HSF before installing the motherboard is no problem.....

 

[TechLurker]

The only thing this case needs is a 120mm fan mount on the side panel and maybe being a bit wider to accommodate the 120mm and a simple GPU.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Oh, I just saw the little asterisk. "Dremel not included"

 

[freeagent]

That said, those cutouts are soooooooooooooo convenient.

Lol I must be a dinosaur because I always mount my cooler to the board first then install it into the case. Of course when the board is mounted I can still swap coolers because both of mine use the same mounting kit. I did wonder why the cutout was there, not going to lie.. learn something new everyday lol.

 

[Fouquin]

I know somebody who runs a shop full of printers that would make use of this case's layout. 4x2TB drives for raw file storage, check. Space for a multi-card reader for those customers that refuse to send in drives and only store their files on SD card, check. Plenty of front USB for docked devices, check. ATX layout to fit their H110+7700T board and stack of PCI serial, firewire, and parallel cards, check.

Yep this case has a market. Doesn't mean it's a good case, but somebody can definitely see this as fitting their needs.

 

[XL-R8R]

You don't seem to understand how truly poorly these things breathe (and ive assumed that based on.. thin air). I've tried running an 1800X (8 core 120w+ real world wattage... a real "regular desktop" cpu) at stock in an Antec Solo (basically identical layout) for WCG (100% load, 24/7 so not regular "pc stuff" normal folks do) and it would overheat. This thing only has the one fan mount in the front, and from what I can see, it looks like there's a lot of blockage reducing the airflow, JUST LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS. Didn't they learn anything? Did they just dig up the old stamping dies and go "That'll do"?

For those of you thinking about using this for a server box, just understand that there are some real problems with dead air zones in this case and HDD's will run hot. You'll find yourself upgrading the rear fan to one that's not very quiet. And don't use a PSU with a passive mode.

My first PC was a 386DX-25 on a DFI motherboard. If you really want one of these cases, stop by and I'll give you one of them.

The case that has surprised me the most with how well it works? The Antec 300!

Should we start a poll to see how long it is until we see the post "My PC runs TOTALLY FINE too hot with a 105 65 watt CPU and 180 watt GPU integrated graphics in one of these cases?"

EDIT: THERE'S NO MOTHERBOARD CUTOUT!!!!! Basically limits you to Intel type stock coolers.

I dont think I've recently triggered someone to such a degree lol Apart from thinking (as typical) everything is or will be a 880w wall draw server or even 350w gaming build...it wasnt a bad rant so well done. I also fixed your post a bit.

I know somebody who runs a shop full of printers that would make use of this case's layout. 4x2TB drives for raw file storage, check. Space for a multi-card reader for those customers that refuse to send in drives and only store their files on SD card, check. Plenty of front USB for docked devices, check. ATX layout to fit their H110+7700T board and stack of PCI serial, firewire, and parallel cards, check.

Yep this case has a market. Doesn't mean it's a good case, but somebody can definitely see this as fitting their needs.

A perfect use-case and a true story.

 

[Chrispy_]

Excellent. I'll make a note of this for when I want to build a home-brew CD cloning rig for all those CDs I keep meaning to burn.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

@XL-R8R , my "rant" is based on 2 things, one of which you "corrected". First, my own nightmarish experiences with cases like this. Having to remove the motherboard to install a HSF, like a 212+ and then trying to get it to fit back into the case. Secondly, I have seen several people here on TPU ask the exact example that I gave.
A POS product is a POS product, even if it does work for some people.
Seriously, how much more will a Focus G cost than this thing?

A bad case is like a grumpy cat. It will bite you over and over.