Inwin...or not?

rpr

Senior member
Oct 27, 1999
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Is there any way to positively identify an Inwin case? I picked up a mid tower ATX case at a show that looks like an Inwin, but I'm not sure (there was no box). It has a flip-out tray (on a hinge). All the mid tower cases on Inwin's web site have slide out trays.
 

Brig

Member
Aug 24, 2000
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Not sure if this will help you or not.

I have 2 Inwin boxes...Q500 (1.5 yrs old) and S500 (brand new). Nowhere do I see any name or logo on either of the cases that definitively identify them as being Inwin. They do, however, both have Powerman power supplies, with the midtower S500 being 250w.
Although not positive proof, since Inwin only shows slide-out and stamped motherboard trays for the midtowers on their site, if the power supply in your box isn't also a Powerman I would suspect it's not an Inwin.

I wouldn't consider this the final verdict, just more evidence for you.






 

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
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usually inwin cases, have goldish colored metal. Also the microatx one i had doesnt have a powerman. I know there are some that look very similar. The box should say shouldn't it?
 

Brig

Member
Aug 24, 2000
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Hmmm...neither of my cases has goldish colored metal anywhere. They're both the same color inside, grey.
 

Mikewarrior2

Diamond Member
Oct 20, 1999
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umm, i have never seen a mid-tower In-Win wiht gold coloring anywhere.

As far as the original topic goes, there are a lot of in-win a500 looking clones at computer shows. No, they are not genuine In-Wins. Genuine InWins tend to be heavier(they have excellent construction) and, as you said, slide out MB trays.


Mike
 

Brig

Member
Aug 24, 2000
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My previous post about the color of the metal on the inside of my cases is accurate.
Good point about Inwin cases being heavier. Mine are definitely heavier than most cases I've handled. On their site, they list the lightest midtower cases as weighing 17.7 lbs. Might make sense that if you weighed your case, and it was much lighter, that would also help provide an answer.
 

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
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81
well not gold, kinda gold green i guess (i'm colorblind partially sorry, but its not the regular gray/silver color)
 

Mikewarrior2

Diamond Member
Oct 20, 1999
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Hans007s In-Win is a micro-atx one, which may have a different color than all the A500s and s500s i've seen.


Mike
 

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
18
81
i've had an a500 and i've seen my friends q500 and s500 the inner metal is the same color, my color blindness probably makes me think its goldgreen. BTW the bezel on the v500,q500,a500,s500 is the same style. Has a rectangular button, followed by a vertical triangular groove with 2 clear plastic lights, then a reset. the groove runs down to the bottom. The a500 has a sliding mobo try, the v500 doesnt, the s500 doesnt. I dont know about the q500. Also they all have a little lock hold in the back for a cable and lock.
 

Rankor

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2000
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AFAIK, there are no Inwin cases w/flip out cases, as MikeWarrior said.

I have 3 Q500s and 1 S500. The Q500s have the slide-out mobo tray. I think the A500 does but I'm not sure. The S500 that I have doesn't have a slide-out mobo tray.

The A500 case is kinda cramped for Slot 1/A systems with its PS on the side of the mobo, whereas the S500 and Q500 have the PS on top of the mobo.

I think I've seen case you're talking about but in a full-tower model going for around $59 with a 300W PS. It was a decent case w/wheels on the bottom, but I didn't like the front intake (or lack thereof one).
 

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
13,076
1
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dont iwin case come wit hmetal strips so u can screw oonto cdroms and then slide them in on teh 5.25 bays :)
 

rpr

Senior member
Oct 27, 1999
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Thanks for all the feedback. Sounds like I do not have an Inwin case. It is definitely a pretty well constructed clone of one though. It looks identical with the exception that there are 3 clear plastic indicator lights in the triangular groove (instead of the 2 on the Inwin cases). Also, it is pretty light, and as I mentioned before, it has a hinged flip out tray (I actually like this better than the slide out tray). My only complaint is that there is no room for a standard 3" exhaust case fan, but I can probably manage something with a 2.5" fan if I can find one. Hey, for $34, I'm definitely not complaining (this was my first hint that it was not an Inwin).
 

Rankor

Golden Member
Jul 10, 2000
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Bonkers325--
"...dont iwin case come wit hmetal strips so u can screw oonto cdroms and then slide them in on teh 5.25 bays..."

The S500 has these drive brackets. I don't know about the A500 and the Q500 models that I have don't have them (wish they did).
 

Maniac9127

Senior member
Aug 28, 2000
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My Q500 has three LEDs in the front bezel, two hdd and one power. I haven't owned any other InWin cases, so I don't know if others only have two, but mines got three.

As for drive brackets, AFAIK the Q line doesn't have them, it'd be nice if they did, but this case is nice enough that you don't really need them :).
 

leiz

Member
Oct 14, 1999
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I have a q500a and a s500 and my friend has an a500. the s500 has 3 5 1/4 drive bays. the first 2 use the metal strips/rails but the bottom one doesn't use them. The two 3 1/2 external drive bays both use rails and the hard drive case is removable by taking one screw off. The card slots in the rear should be open and the case should come with 6 slot covers that you can screw in. They usually come with powerman 250w power supply but some places may sell them with different power supplies. Right below the power supply is a fan mounting spot for an 80mm fan, it only need two screws to mount a fan. On the front bottom there should be a fan cage (slightly curved design, the pc speaker is in there) It only has 2 leds on the front, one for the hd and one for power. The side covers can be taken off by unscrewing 2 screws on the back for each side. The screws for the top cover are on the front so you must take the front cover off to get to the screws. The motherboard tray is not removable at all. Oh ya, lastly, the s500 has no nasty sharp edges!