What's the verdict on the Level 10?

[vbuggy]

I'm interested in the case obviously for the way it looks - but I'd like to know more about ease of build, use and silence potential before I seriously look to buy. Are there any authoritative reviews anywhere, or better still your personal build impressions?

Thanks

 

[faxon]

the case looks like an overpriced showpiece, and practical ease of use wise you're gonna be limited to what you can fit inside the compartmentalized mounting system. you could get plenty of other "showpiece" quality cases for less money and put the rest toward a better rig

 

[vbuggy]

Well - that people would say is overpriced aspect is predictable, and not a problem as far as I'm concerned.

I was wondering if however the showpiece aspect dominated the actual function. What is the limitation of the compartmentalised mounting system assuming a fairly standard build?

 

[one30eight]

Even if you have the money to spend, why not buy a Lian Li, Corsair, Silverstone or other high end case and customize it yourself. For the price of the level 10 you could buy a much better case, water cooling, and a nice PSU. Seems to me with the level 10 you are paying around 600 dollars for looks.

 

[vbuggy]

Even if you have the money to spend, why not buy a Lian Li, Corsair, Silverstone or other high end case and customize it yourself. For the price of the level 10 you could buy a much better case, water cooling, and a nice PSU. Seems to me with the level 10 you are paying around 600 dollars for looks.

So?

I was wondering what functional compromises (if any) were made in order for it to look the way it does, particularly in terms of ease of build and potential noise, from either an authoritative review or someone who actually has experience of building using one.

To get the obvious out of the way, Yes I know how much it costs - and to me it's a relatively trivial amount, and Yes - I am *only* interested in it because of the way it looks. And No, I am not interested in customising a Silverstone by painting flames on it.

Thanks

 

[jvroig]

If you want it, go for it. You obviously won't be able to do watercooling on it, but aside from that, it works ok.

In fact, the modular approach it has makes it easy for certain installations. For example, the motherboard tray is removable, you can install/remove most motherboard components without being cramped.

Cable management is also excellent thanks to the modular approach, and all wires go through the back and are hidden. There was a note on one article I found that said you may need a few long cables on the PSU. Even if that were the case, that could be easily remedied.

As for silence, I don't see how it would be any worse than regular branded cases.

Cliffs: Go for it. It's great. Don't settle for painting flames.

EDIT: Updated links

Hexus Preview
Hot Hardware Review
PC Perspective Review
Tom's Hardware Review
Legit Reviews Review

 

[one30eight]

I was not talking about painting flames on something. What I am saying is for that much why buy a factory custom case. The case in the link is what I think they modeled the 10 after and I also think you could build or have one built for less. If you did go with it I think you could do water cooling along the same as the case in the link. This case has always been one of my favorite and when the 10 came out it reminded me of a cheap knock off.

All said, if that is what you want, go for it.

http://www.million-dollar-pc.com/systems-2009/special/lessdegrees/pius-edelweiss.htm

 

[MagickMan]

For that much cash I'd get a WiNDy XR-1 Black Knight with side window mod, just sayin'.

 

[nyker96]

from the looks of it, the cooling performance of this case is not revolutionary. Silverstone Fortress is better. it's probably not worth the asking price but someone might get it for aesthetic values.

 

[jvroig]

someone might get it for aesthetic values.

That's exactly why he is getting it, and he just wanted to know if some necessary functionality was compromised by that case.

He wants a show piece, he made it distinctly clear. He's not looking for performance, he's not looking for "better", and he's absolutely not looking for value / "bang for the buck". Nobody buying a BMW is either, and that's exactly the situation here.

 

[Rubycon]

It's different that is for sure. Some folks like it while others hate it. Definitely an "outside of the box" design...

That said people that really want this are going to buy it. I have not seen it in person but I've seen high resolution images and videos and frankly I don't think its construction is stout enough to withstand the forces that cases sometimes endure here.

Another thing to consider is how fast it can go obsolete. Just in under a year's time we've seen the transition to larger, non standard ATX boards with the enthusiast line. (EVGA Classified 4X, SR-2, Gigabyte's new board that's overpriced as this case, etc.) If you purchase one of these boards and it this case does not accommodate them then you're left with no choice but to buy yet another case!

To each is own I suppose.

This could easily be half price or less in the not too distant future. Look at the pricey Cosmos CSX customs that were $800! Cooler Master had a sale on those a few months ago for $299.

 

[vbuggy]

It's different that is for sure. Some folks like it while others hate it. Definitely an "outside of the box" design...

That said people that really want this are going to buy it. I have not seen it in person but I've seen high resolution images and videos and frankly I don't think its construction is stout enough to withstand the forces that cases sometimes endure here.

Actually that was a concern for me on looking at it - that components of the tower could 'sag' over time (time being <2 years, see later). I've read the reviews but they don't seem to address that aspect. What's paradoxically really difficult to gauge from the photos is how well it's actually built in terms of materials, not just fit & finish at new.

Another thing to consider is how fast it can go obsolete. Just in under a year's time we've seen the transition to larger, non standard ATX boards with the enthusiast line. (EVGA Classified 4X, SR-2, Gigabyte's new board that's overpriced as this case, etc.) If you purchase one of these boards and it this case does not accommodate them then you're left with no choice but to buy yet another case!

Well - obviously the situation is different for you, but to date I've never reused a case in a new build. When building new, I like a change. And I tend to replace my any of my desktops every 2 years on the outside.

To each is own I suppose.

Yeah.

I also notice that the mobo fan seems to be in effect captive. I'd be very interested in the acoustic levels. The reviews say 'fairly quiet' or 'quiet' but once again, reviewers tend to be wildly subjective in this respect. My home office is, for want of a better word, generally deathly silent (and the more it's kept that way, the better) so what a reviewer might not notice in a noisy office, I definitely notice. Anyone have any comparisons with known factors?