Ultra m998 Case.

[Pez D Spencer]

After hours of searching I finally found the perfect case: the Ultra m998. It's a little pricey at 169.00 but it's got everything I've been looking for such as 120mm fans, side window, NO DOOR on the front (I want a computer case NOT a refridgerator), and aluminum construction. I used to own a Lian-Li PC-65 but dispite having 5 80mm fans in the Lian-Li it was still a hot case. Not to mention noisy with 5 80mm fans running.

I was wondering if anyone owns or has seen this case in person. The Tiger Direct site says the m998 has an aluminum front bezel and that's mainly what I was wondering about. I know that GlobalWin and Asaka makes a similar case but AFAIK the Asaka and GlobalWin both have plastic bezels and no side window ventilation.

Another cool thing I noticed about the m998 is that it has a power distribution "thingy" in it that appears to let you plug your molex, PCI-E, and SATA power into it at the top near the PSU and then you use some supplied "jumpers" that run from the bottom of the power strip to your video cards, drives, etc. I'm a stickler for wire management so this really ought to help clean things up.

I tried searching Google every which way possible for reviews of this case but came up empty handed. Since it's named after a Hummer I kept getting results for that and plus it's a new case AFAIK so that doesn't help either.

Here's the case:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...o=2765147&Sku=ULT40069

Thanks.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Wow, that's an awesome feature (electrical buss strip) that this case has. I often wondered why case manufacturers didn't do something like this in the beginning.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

I have http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=3042997&CatId=1847 this case and PS, and absolutely LOVE it, although mine is black. I just need a new side pane; though, as I have utterly destroyed mine with all my cooling "mods"

 

[you2]

The m998 is a new case - it is very similar (based off of) the asaka eclipse which is based off of (can't remember - yycc something or other). Actually the m998 is based of of the yycc something or other

Anyways, it is just arriving in shops. Tigerdirect is the first to list it as available. the model is well liked in europe but globalwin was the only seller in usa (they have a tan version for $99 that lacks connectors for some of the newer devices). You can order it direct from them. It lacks the power strip which is a new addition (i presume by ultra).

There are two versions the one with and one without side window. My intention is to order the version without the side window when it is readily available.

 

[Grimal]

Just wonder If it will be able to accommodate a 3 rad water cooling set up on the bottom part of the inside of the case. To darn hot here were I live it seems to get good stable and constant OC with out water cooling.

 

[Pez D Spencer]

Got the case yesterday. Yes Grimal, you could fit a small family in this case. it's HUGE. When I was putting my parts in it I could literally stick my whole head inside to work on it. However, even though I love the looks and the power strip is great for wire management, I do have a couple issues with it. For one, I think it's WAY overpriced. I mean, it's a nice case but 100 bucks would've been more realistic. The mobo tray is stainless but the rest of the case is plain old steel. The steel parts of the case are all painted a nice gloss black but it's still steel. It's heavy too. When I looked up the tracking info after I ordered it, the tracking info said 25 LBS and some change. Loaded up with drives etc. it's well over 30 if not pushing the 40 pound mark. No wonder they named it after a humvee.

Also, the Tiger Direct site said the front bezel is aluminum. It's plastic. A 150+ dollar case shouldn't have any plastic on it. The front panel audio won't work with my EVGA NF68-A1 board either so I guess I have to buy a sound card which blows. The side window came with some faint scratches on it too but you can't really notice them unless you look hard (it still bugs me though).

Would I buy this case again? If it was around 100 bucks yes. For 169+shipping? Nope.

 

[you2]

Bit confused. You said "the rest of the case is plain steel" it should be aluminium. Is that a typo or is the case really steel ?

 

[Zepper]

Pez D,

Please edit this thread title to say something like ... m998 (Akasa Eclipse-62 twin) case. - those who don't already know, won't have any idea that they'd be interested in this thread... Thanks!

All.
The entire case is aluminum unlike the Akasa Eclipse which has the plastic bezel, but the case is big and the aluminum is thick, so you don't get much of the weight advantage that aluminum normally offers. The stainless steel mobo tray with the wide back plate to hold a 120mm fan ain't no lightweight either. Lots of folks have been waiting for this but won't like that price at all. They were hoping for all black like the Akasa with a price similar to the Global Win. I guess they don't get their wish this time...

.bh.

 

[Pez D Spencer]

I guess it is aluminum it's just hard to tell since it's painted. The interior seems to be powder coat so it is pretty scratch resistant in contrast to plain old paint. They shipped it with the front panel wires just hanging out there and all the constant shuffling during shipment caused the connectors to slide back and forth over the interior floor and did put a few faint scratches on it though.

I know some faint scratches on the window and floor of the case is a pretty trivial complaint but for 184 bucks after shipping I expect a perfect product.

The main advantage I see with this setup is the powerstrip, massive amounts of room, and decent cooling. I'll be putting in a pair of 8800GTX's so those 120mm fans will be nice. A blowhole wouldn't have been a bad idea though.

My next build which will be my file storage and P2P machine is going to use an old Apple IIe for a case. I'm sure it's been done before but I think it'll be dope. I might even install a window in the top of it so you can see inside. I chose an Apple IIe because that was my first computer.

 

[Zepper]

To edit the thread title, just edit your top post - the title lines will be there to edit as well. Unlike some other forums, you can edit your thread titles here.

.bh.

 

[you2]

Well the price is a bit less than being quoted here. Tigger direct isn't the cheapest place just the first to have it in stock. Unless the price goes up a few shops are offering it for around $145 shipped. This is only 25 dollars more than the global win shipped - not so bad


Editing but leaving in the text. Actually not sure what the other shops are going to offer. Probably best to wait till they have it in stock before one can safely determine the actual price shipped. In any event I never considered tiger direct the low cost winner - do you ?

 

[Zepper]

Ultra and TD are parts of the same company if you didn't know why they have Ultra stuff first. The reasons you are skeptical of TD are the same reasons you should be skeptical of Ultra products.

.bh.

 

[you2]

Zepper - are you saying I should be skeptical of ultra's prices? Do you recommend the globalwin case over the ultra case ?

 

[Zepper]

On the rare occasions that you find the Akasa Eclipse available here, the price they're asking for the ultra is what you'd pay for the Eclipse. So it's not out of line. About the only reason you'd be looking at either case is if you REALLY want a mobo drawer AND a 120mm rear fan. The only other way to get that is with the Silversone TJ09 or 10 at about twice the price - it's your nickel... Other than that, there are many good choices for a case. I'd probably go for the Global Win version, if any, as its price has been under $100. + sh and you still get your drawer and 120mm rear fan. I don't mind a plastic front and I can make it black if needed - I prefer a light colored bezel anyway. Makes it easier to see where things are.

In this instance, you know what you're getting in an Ultra product - all you have to decide is if it's worth the price they're asking to you. It doesn't look like you get the wheels and extra 2HDD bracket that you get with the Akasa. But wheels are cheap if you want some and most won't need to hold that many HDDs.

.bh.

 

[you2]

My understanding is the front of the ultra is also plastic. The ultra does add the new connectors in front and power strip (not sure if that is good or bad ). I'm not sure about the comments with regards to Ultra. Perhaps there is something I don't know but should (can you please provide more details?) (I.e, "you are geting an ultra product..."). I'm willing to wait a month or two to see how close the prices come unless there is another reason (other than price) to prefer the global win version. Btw wheels I could care less - the power strip sounds like it might be interesting.

 

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: Zepper
In this instance, you know what you're getting in an Ultra product - all you have to decide is if it's worth the price they're asking to you. It doesn't look like you get the wheels and extra 2HDD bracket that you get with the Akasa. But wheels are cheap if you want some and most won't need to hold that many HDDs.

.bh.

You know me & my wheels, .bh.
On the link that the OP gave for the case, down towards the bottom under "What's in the box", I believe I see 4 wheels, some cables, the manual & some other things I can't make out. But under that is a disclaimer that reads " Contents of package may vary from those pictured and stated here, due to changes in manufacturer's specifications or merchandising. Please check the product information carefully, items not included may no longer be required."
I'm curious about the powerbar thing too. Is that what the extra cables are for? Do I assume that I only run one power connector from my PSU to this & use the supplied cables from the case to plug into my components?
Pez, is that CPU duct on the side panel going to work for you & your cooler for your CPU or is it going to get in the way. Also, I see you're going the SLI route...are the side panel vents going to be a help?
I saw the vent holes on the back of the case by the expansion slots & got me to thinking...where's the "squirrel cage" fan I bought @ Radioshack on clearance a few years ago at? hehehe

 

[Zepper]

I was thinking that if you get wheels with the Ultra, they'd be prominently displayed on the case in all the pix, but they're not. I didn't bother to go that far down the page. Yeah, Tull..., you and wheels.

you2,
. I'm just trying to say that I've had a bad smell in my nose from the TD group of companies for years and the junk box PSU that Ultra came out with initially (remember the god-forsaken X-Connect?) didn't help any ($25. junk box in $100. of clap-trap.). But you know with this that you are getting a case OEMed by Global Win which will be just like the others with whatever gussying up Ultra chose to do. IOW, you don't have much to worry about with this case as Ultra couldn't have messed it up too badly.

.bh.

 

[you2]

Ok. I obviously don't know the history of this company. I am interested in this case (as you know). I wish global win had it in black. Maybe I'll just go with the baige - this one does look nice but if the group of companies is as slimy as you imply that always makes me think twice ...

 

[Tullphan]

That's a tough call on whether or not the black version + the power bar is worth the extra $70.
The Globawin is gray & white...i'm assuming the front panel is white & the case itself is gray. Like Zepper said, one can paint the front panel black (or whatever color) if one wants. I think i'd make sure I got the paint that was specifically for plastic, though.

 

[Zepper]

It does say on the TD site that the bezel is aluminum, but I'd be skeptical about that as none of the other similar cases have an aluminum bezel. Trust but verify...

.bh.

 

[you2]

I'm pretty sure the bezel is plastic though someone in this thread has one and can say for sure. I'm going to wait a bit and see what the street price is and then decide between this and the globalwin version. The other problem with the global win case is that some of the connectors on the front are out of date due to age. Really annoying how fast the set of connectors have changed the past few years (usb/firewire/...). Also I want to dig up some more information on why ultra/td are 'bad' companies.

 

[Bosconian]

The case is all aluminum (black anodized) except for the bezel which is plastic and the mobo tray that is stainless.

The case does come with wheels, although they are not installed. Rubber feet are installed from the factory if you don't want wheels (mine is up on a file cabinet so wheels would be a bad idea.)

The case is about $20 cheaper if you're willing to Froogle.

And the case it's based off of is the YCC 61F1. Globalwin used to sell it and even used YCC's part number. Akasa also sells it, primarily in the EU, as the Eclipse, but minus the power bar, the front ports behind the small door and the Eclipse (as well as the Globalwin) have an issue with large PSU's with 120MM and up intake fans because the PSU support covers a good portion of the fan.

 

[you2]

yea. But the sad thing is that they only have the version with the window. It sounds like they are not going to offer a version without the side window. Sigh.