A Closer Look - Inside

Simply remove both thumbscrews holding each panel in place to access the Xigmatek Aquila's interior. Within the black chassis' frame are several metal elements which have been painted in the same color as the enclosure's. Remove both panels and you should readily be able to access the interior, which makes connecting all cables and plugging all components in a breeze.


There was some white residue within the Aquila chassis. Such things always make me weary as cases ship straight from factories in China. You had better wipe it down with cleaning utensils you can throw away afterward—just to make sure.

You will find two 3.5" trays with the ability to hold 2.5" drives in the front. Moving up, there is an opening for a 120/140/200 mm fan. While other case manufacturers who use the same frame do include a cooling unit here, the Aquila does not. In the very top is a 5.25" tray, even though the case frame is ready to accept a 3.5" variant as well. Xigmatek has chosen to not include this metal piece as the chassis only has a 5.25" drive bay.


The PSU bay in the rear is in the bottom, right below the motherboard tray. Little rubber standoffs are utilized to make sure the power supply does not pass any vibrations on to the frame. Xigmatek has also placed a cage for two 2.5" drives next to the PSU bay to make the most of the space available. Above that is the area for the motherboard. It includes the aforementioned 120 mm exhaust fan, which pushes hot air out the back of the chassis.


You may install two 120 mm or 140 mm fans into the ceiling. While you should also be able to install a radiator of similar size here, anything you will install into the ceiling, be it a simple fan or 280 mm radiator, will block off the 5.25" drive bay.


All cables within are of the default variety, and Xigmatek has sleeved all cables black to go with the case's all-black interior.