A Closer Look - Outside

Looking at the Cooltek RM1, its design is pretty simple. One thing of note is the body's two-piece design. Three sides, the top-left and bottom panels, are all made out of a single bent piece of aluminum, while the front, rear, and right are separate. Those taken aside, Cooltek has gone for a very simple approach as the chassis is primarily for a potent HTPC in the living room.


The front of the chassis is made of a solid piece of aluminum and includes a single drive bay. In the rear, the unique layout of the interior becomes apparent as the RM1 flips the board upside down to make everything fit, allowing for an ATX board within a chassis of its size.


The side panel that may be taken off comes with a little strip of an air vent in front, as this is where the fan in front will draw in cool air. As the other side belongs to the big three-sided panel, there are no holes or vents there.


The bottom of the front is also completely solid, with vertical brushing. You will also find the power and reset buttons, two USB 3.0 plugs, and the audio I/O here. The single 5.25" drive bay in the top comes with an aluminum cover to go with the rest of the chassis; Cooltek also made sure to brush this part vertically.


The bottom half of the rear holds the PSU and its bracket. The PSU's position only allows for a CPU cooler with a height of 90 mm or less. While still quite alright, you will basically have to use a top-blow cooler. The six motherboard expansion slots are in the top. Even though the chassis can take a fully sized ATX board, you will not have access to the bottom-most slot. Cooltek advertises the fact that you should really use a mATX board to get the best use out of the chassis; the ability to use the ODD bay, for example, which a fully sized ATX board would make impossible.