Thermaltake Level 10 GT Preview

Thermaltake Level 10 GT Preview

Meanwhile, the Level 10 GT offers some great cable-tidying options, with the usual space behind the motherboard tray saved for hiding excess cables. It even comes with handy clips and some rubber hole coverings to try to mask it all. However, there doesn't appear to be a PSU cover, like the one offered by Cooler Master's HAF-X, although it may have just been missing from this sample.


The GT's side panel is also very clever. Firstly, it sits on hinges so it acts as a door that can either be swung open or removed entirely by simply lifting it upwards. The door also locks to provide an element of security at LAN events. In addition, it even incorporates a power connector for the side panel fan, so it automatically connects up as the door closes. That's undeniably very neat. After all, how many times have you screamed while refitting a side panel, as you try to poke an arm inside to plug in the damn fan. The case even comes pre-fitted with a grille inside, which can be adjusted to focus the airflow exactly where you need it.


Still, this arrangement doesn't stop the fact that the 200mm fan sits quite grotesquely on the outside of the case like a square pimple, while the window above looks like something designed for a space station, rather than a bedroom.


The top 200mm fan also features a grille that simply pops off with a gentle tug, and the PSU in the base has a filter that simply slides out of the back too. Just above this, you can unscrew graphics/peripheral cards from outside of the case, should you have a complicated water-cooling loop or an oversized graphics card inside, preventing you from getting your fingers into the case. After seeing a feature such as this, you have to ask: 'Why didn't anyone think of doing this before?'


In all, the Level 10 GT is impressively functional, yet questionably appealing from an aesthetic point of view. However, it's also worth noting that Cooler Master's HAF cases, and even Antec's DarkFleet cases have sold by the warehouse-load, so clearly the industrial look appeals to many.

The Level 10 GT currently costs 8,000NT in Taiwan, which is close to £180-200 in UK money, so it still won't be cheap, even if it's much more affordable than the original Level 10. Given that the HAF-X currently costs less than £140, Thermaltake is going to have to really offer something special if it wants customers to part with the extra cash, and it looks like it may have its work cut out here.