| Zalman Z9 Plus Mid-Tower Computer Case |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Written by Nate Swetland - Edited by Olin Coles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thursday, 20 January 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Zalman Z9 Plus Computer Case ReviewZalman Tech, Co. is a well known company in the enthusiast PC market. They are most widely known for their performance cooling products, but they have a large assortment of Tower, Mid-Tower, and HTPC style computer chassis. The Z9 Plus is one of Zalman's latest offerings in the Mid-ATX computer chassis market, and it is designed to look good, perform well, and be reasonably priced. Benchmark Reviews is pleased to have one of the first looks at this new chassis. Being a veteran company, Zalman is no stranger to what PC enthusiasts want in a product. The Z9 Plus computer case aims to please with attractive features at an attractive price. Zalman has included such features as a 2 channel fan controller and temperature display built into the 4 USB front I/O panel. The Z9 Plus supports up to 7 system fans, as well as up to 290mm video cards for your convenience. Will this newest Mid-Tower ATX Case, the Z9 Plus live up to the Zalman name of performance and quality?
Cases are very cosmetically orientated items, but they also must perform and function to certain standards before they can be considered worth purchasing. Items reviewed by Benchmark Reviews are rated on the following categories: Performance, Appearance, Construction, Functionality, and Value. While some of these categories can tend to be a bit more subjective than others, Benchmark Reviews strives to provide the most professional and unbiased review as possible.
Manufacturer: Zalman Tech, Co. Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Zalman. Zalman Z9 Plus Features
Z9 Plus Specifications
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Comments
I'm still not seeing any innovative ideas in case making, save the side mount drives, putting their rear ends back where the connectors are, which is good.
I also don't like the cheap look of stamped metal and injection molded plastic, but hey, it's what everyone does.
I can see why you think the case is decent looking, but for me, it might win one of the fugliest cases ever award. But I'm really nit picky when it comes to cases.
As stated before, I have a CcolerMaster Stacker 830 SE black brushed full aluminum case, and it's build quality and thick aluminum is second to none, along with its beautiful design. It's an old case and still puts to shame many of the newer ones in form and functionality. You can still by these iconic cases, but their prices haven't gone down in 5 years. They will set you back almost 300US dollars.
Here is the case in bare brushed aluminum:
##coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=16
Now THAT is a handsome case!
As far as it looking good or bad, I think we can agree that is very much a subjective category. If you don't like a particular color or material, and the case is made out of it, you will think it does not look good, but another person will praise it up and down. It is just the way it works.
Again, thanks for your comments!
Thanks Nate. Good review.
I hope more and more companies continue these trends. Having the same features as the high-end cases will require more innovation just to keep the cases in the high-end categories and justify the costs.
Thanks!
This case has some nice features, especially for this price point. I liked the two 140mm fans on top. That means your can block off the rear position and set up the forward position as an intake to feed your cpu cooler fresh air.
I liked the bottom 140mm intake - with filter.
The HD cage seems to be made with mesh, so there is better airflow past the HD's.
Finally, if you put your ODD up top, you will have three 5.25 slots available for a 120mm intake fan., which can also feed fresh air to the heatsink.
Lots of opportunities in this inexpensive case.
The bottom intake fan is a nice option. But, depending on your PSU, it may be a pretty tight fit with all the wires down there. I still don't understand why they put a fan filter there, but not one for the PSU intake.
Adding a 120mm fan in the 5.25" slots would indeed be a great way to push fresh air from the front all the way across the heatsink and out the back, or straight out the top depending on your heatsink and fan position.