A Closer Look - Outside

The chassis makes a good first impression. Even though it is really affordable, the overall design can be considered very detailed. The quality of the plastic front is excellent, while the metal frame - even though it is thinner than other cases - still feels sturdy enough for an enclosure of this price class.


Thermaltake has done an excellent job in giving the Commander MS-I a cool look. Straight lines in combination with metal mesh and a nicely placed logo, should make this a great choice for first time builders wanting to create a nifty looking chassis on a budget. Turning the case around, we can see that the PSU is bottom mounted and the interior of the case is all black as well.


Even though the Commander MS-I is quite cheap, both sides offer a great level of detail. With many edgy and straight lines in combination with the uniquely shaped window it looks refreshing. Thermaltake has gone the whole nine yards instead of keeping such elements isolated to the front of the chassis.


Taking a closer look at the front, the bottom utilizes metal mesh mostly, with the Thermaltake logo placed unto this material. This vent allows for fresh air to enter the front of the chassis. Above that you will find three 5.25 inch slots and a single 3.5 inch one. In-between these are the USB 2.0 & 3.0 ports and the traditional pair of audio connectivity.


In the rear, the bottom mounted PSU bay is multi-directional. This means that you may install the power supply with the fan facing up- or downward. Above that are seven standard motherboard expansion slots for an ATX case. These are protected by break-out covers, so you will not be able to reuse these once detached from the chassis, but Thermaltake goes a step further and adds two separate ones in the top and bottom bay. In the very top of the rear is the only fan within the chassis - a 120 mm, blue LED equipped one.


In the top are two openings to install two further 120 mm fans. Due to the distance between these to vents, it is not possible to install a 240 mm radiator properly. The different extrusion on the two vents for the screw holes is also a bit weird.