External Examination:

The image below shows the review sample setup as a tower chassis. Taking a look at the front panel reveals a rather simple, refined appearance that doesn't skimp on connections. Just to the right of the single 5.25" drive bay are four USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire port, and connections for a microphone and headphones.


Other front panel features include a single 3.5" drive bay, a power button/light, hard drive activity light, and a reset button. Just above the 3.5" bay are some ventilation slots, and the odd looking notch just to the right of the front panel connections is also a series of ventilation holes.


While the BK623 Mt. Jade mATX Case is referred to as a S.F.F (Small Form Factor) Tiny Tower Chassis by In Win, it can also be used horizontally, as a desktop style chassis. There are recesses on two different faces of the case that can be used to mount the included the rubber feet, so you just need to decide which way you are going to go since there are only four feet included.


The top of the case has a ventilated area that is intended to line up with modern Intel processors, as the internal structure is specifically designed to optimize cooling to modern socket 775 systems utilizing the stock Intel cooler. The back of the case looks a bit different than a typical mATX unit, and is the first place where I am reminded of Intel's BTX form factor. The rear I/O panel is shifted all the way to the left (or the top), there are four full height expansion slots that actually fasten from the outside of the case, and then the included 300W SFX power supply is located on the right (or the bottom).

After that quick tour of the case's external features, I felt it was appropriate to put the size of this case in perspective. The image below shows it next to two other In Win mATX cases (the BT611 and the Alpha 360), where it is by far the smallest. The Alpha 360 is the closest to being a "standard" mATX size, and it can be seen that it is deeper, taller, and wider than the BK623. The BT611 is narrower since it only allows low profile expansion cards, but it makes up for being compact in that direction, by being much deeper.