| Rosewill Blackhawk-Ultra HPTX Computer Case |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases | |
| Written by David Ramsey | |
| Friday, 09 December 2011 | |
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Page 7 of 7
HPTX Super Tower Final ThoughtsRosewill calls the Blackhawk Ultra a "super tower" case, and that's as good a description as any. Its huge size means that it can accommodate virtually any build, and it's by far the least expensive case that EVGA certifies as being able to handle their SR-2 HPTX motherboard. In fact, the price of this case makes it worth your consideration if you want the space of a full tower, even if you just have an ATX motherboard. For just $20 more than many high end full tower cases, you get vastly more room and better cooling, which is something to keep in mind if you're an avid overclocker (even with all the fans going, the case is very quiet). Water cooling enthusiasts have plenty of space for reservoirs and several options for mounting large radiators.
I wish the case had better intake filtering; the only filter on the case is the unimpressive perforated plastic sheet on the bottom. Given the amount of air this case will move with its eight fans, interior dust will be a problem, especially if the case sits on the floor, which is likely given its size. The size also brings another problem: transportation. There are no handles on this large and very heavy case, and even moving the empty case is something that requires both strength and care. A fully loaded system will be very difficult for one person to move, although attaching the supplied casters will at least make it easy to move around on the floor. Rosewill Blackhawk Ultra ConclusionAlthough we strive for objectivity here at Benchmark Reviews, please remember that each author perceives these points differently, and our conclusions and recommendations will necessarily differ from others. Also, prices can fluctuate and designs change after publication, so that the product we review might not have the same price and specifications of a product that's available later. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested, which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary of each of the areas that we rate. The performance of the case was exceptional. It's delivered with eight fans, three of which are giant 230mm units, and you can mount several more. If you like water cooling, your biggest problem will be to choose which of the many possible radiator mounting options you want to use. This is one of the plainest-looking cases I've ever seen, especially in this market segment. There's not even a "Rosewill" badge-- or any other badges or branding-- anywhere on the case. While many current cases take styling to sometimes-silly extremes, the Blackhawk Ultra could use a little more visual distinction. The quality of the case was top-notch. Although Rosewill used plain painted steel for the case structure, it's well made, with all parts fitting easily and all edges rounded or smoothed so there are no sharp places to injure the unwary. This case's functionality derives mostly from the sheer space its size makes available. The fan power breakout boards are a nice touch, as are the plentiful cable routing features. My only real complaints are the lack of intake air filtration (I really can't count the "filter" at the bottom of the case) and the difficulty of moving a fully loaded system. As of December 2011 the Rosewill Blackhawk Ultra costs $199.99 at Newegg, a price that makes this computer case an excellent value, and an obvious choice for anyone actually building an HTPX or XL-ATX based system. It's really a one-trick pony, but all that space is quite a trick. Pros:
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