It is getting to the point that if you own a Hi-Def TV you need or at least want a PC connected to it, and one thing is certain you do not want a full-tower case to be parked next to that TV. So what choice do these user have, they can install their system in a Small Form Factor case and get away from the mass of metal and plastic that normal sits on our desks.
Today we checking out one of the newest additions to the AeroCool lineup that being the M40 Small Form Factor Enclosure. The unit has some features that I have never seen in other enclosure. So come on along as we cover the M40 from top to bottom and everything in between.
Specifications
| Case Type: | Cube Case |
| Material: | SECC 0.6mm |
| Motherboard: | Micro-ATX |
| Chassis Dimensions: | Depth : 348mm Width : 295mm Top half : 103mm Lower half : 130mm |
| Drive Bays: | 2 x 5.25" (External) 1 x 3.5" (External) 2 x HDD (Internal) |
| Expansion Slots: | 4-Slots |
| I/O Ports: | 4 x USB2.0 / Handphone / Mic |
Cooling System
| | Lower Deck | Rear lower deck ( Optional ) |
| Size | 1xTranslucent 120 mm fan | Can install up to 2 x 80 mm fan |
| Speed (RPM) | Speed: 1200 RPM | Rear upper deck ( Optional ) |
| Airflow (CFM) | Noise: 23.25 dB(A) | Can install up to 1x 80 mm fan |
| Noise (dba) | Air Flow: 41.8 CFM (MAX) |
Features
- Two Deck Chassis
- Heat source separation for better heat dissipation
- Ease of installation with out interference with other components
- Make cable management easier and tidier - fully meshed lower front panel for better air circulation
- LCD Dispay to show CPU temp and HDD and FAN operating status
- Tool-free drive rails for the 5.25" devices
- Adjust eject buttons on stealth drive covers
- 3 x 80mm and 1 x 120mm fan providing maximum air flow
- 4 USB2.0, Audio and speaker ports
AeroCool has done a great job of packaging their new M40 SFF case. The shipping carton has a nice picture of the M40 on the side of the carton so that anyone looking at this carton knows exactly what is inside. It has been a while since AeroCool has released any new computer cases, but with the European computer shows behind us now we can expect to see what they have hiding up their sleeves. Having visited AeroCools Taiwanese web site I was able to see a number of new cases that we can only hope will hit the American shore sometime in the very near future.
To insure the safe arrival of the M40 SFF case AeroCool packaged the case in extra thick pieces of Styrofoam and then enclosed the case itself inside a plastic containment bag to eliminate the rub marks that can be caused by direct contact with the Styrofoam.
Around the Outside
If you like cases that have flawless paint schemes then you will love AeroCool's latest addition. The M40 has has an automotive quality black surface and during our examination we found no runs, under or over spray and no signs of orange-pealing. The case is steel construction and the only plastic parts are the two piece bezel and the dual 80mm fan holders at the rear of the case.
The front of the M40 is carefully laid out to present you with an evenly proportioned appearance. You will notice that the lower portion of the front bezel has a series of opening in it to provide a place for air to drawn into the case by 120mm fan at the front of the case.
Starting at the top left corner of the case we have the LED display that will provide you with the temperature of CPU or whatever the temperature probe is attached to. It will also give you a read-out of the fan and hard drive status. Directly below the LCD display we have the oversized power button, testing this button we found that it is recessed slightly to prevent accidental cycling on or off of the power. Next to the Power button you will find the reset button, keeping things nicely arranged they have placed the power LED and the HDD activity light next to these buttons.
Moving to the right of the top bezel we have a pair of stealth drive covers for the pair of 5.25" drive bays located directly behind the doors. We will be installing a pair of DVD-RW drive in these locations. Each of these doors have adjustable eject bottoms on them to make sure everything stays as stealthy as possible.
Directly below the 5.25 drive bays is the 3.5" drive bay which is located on the lower bezel, this would be the perfect location of the card reader to be installed. Located centrally on the bottom bezel are the four USB 2.0 connectors along with the Headphone and Microphone connector ports.
The rear of the M40 has the standard opening for the power supply, you also have an opening for an 80mm fan and directly below it you can see the dual 80mm mounting bracket. There are a total of 4 I/O slot which means that you will have room for a video card a WiFi card if needed and perhaps a TV Tuner card. Lastly the opening for the I/O shield that is specific to the board you will be installing.
A Look Inside
If you remember from the beginning of the review when we stated that the AeroCool M40 has a a split bezel. If you look closely at the pictures directly below you can see where the top half of the case hinges over opening up the lower portion of the case for easy access to install the motherboard, video and accessory cards.
To release the top half of the case from the lower unit one must unscrew a thumbscrew that is centrally located in between the two latches that keep the two halves snuggly together. In the event that you wish to completely separate the two pieces from each other you can remove a single screw to remove the rod that holds the two halves together. Of all the Small Form Factor cases we have reviewed this means of separating the top from the bottom of the case is the easiest means to install all of the required components.
What you see here is the 3.5" drive bay that can be removed to make installing the power supply easier, remember the power supply must not exceed 140mm in lengths. The drive cage is held in place by a simple machine screw and then by pressing the latch the drive bay can be lifted from the side-rail of the case.
It should be noted that there are a number of opening on bottom of the case to make cable management far easer. You will be running power cable to your hard drives and optical drives along with fans we are going to add to the case. You can look at the photo on the right and see where the top half folds over.
Looking at the rear of the M40 you can see the two 80mm fan mounting points. To install the the mounting bracket has to be removed and then you add the two 80mm fan to the holder, what keeps the fans in place are the two screws you place on the back-side of each of the fan bracket. You do this to both fans and then re-attach the fan bracket to the case.
If you are like me and still install a floppy drive just for flashing BIOS, the M40 has a place for you to install it. Also you can get a nice view of the 120mm fan that resides at the front of the case.
The AeroCool has only one small quirk that one must deal with building his or her system and that is the fact that you have to be careful about which power supply you have or purchase. Other wise it will not fit correctly and then you will have issue installing your hard drives. Other than that you have a solid case that does what is asked of it and in return gives you a very arractive case for you to admire all for less than $99.00 AUD.
ref: hi-techreviews.com
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