Conclusion:
The
Thermaltake Mozart case offers a simple and sophisticated styling that will help your HTPC blend in nicely with your other audio/video components. The aluminum face includes the items you require for convenient operation, but the design does fairly well to disguise that this is a computer. A few people have seen the Mozart case in my entertainment center since it was installed, and none identified it as a PC (although none had a guess as to what it might be, either).
Impressive styling, along with the low noise output, adequate cooling performance, and high quality construction are all things you should expect from a Thermaltake case... And the Mozart delivers.
Despite all of the positive aspects of this case, there are a few things that I think could/should be improved. The main thing I would like to see is the typical tool-less mechanisms for drive and expansion card installation. Assembling a system is obviously quicker and easier, and if a typical tower can be tool-lees, why not an HTPC? The front door closure might also benefit from a more robust design. The door probably closes properly on the first try only 3 out of 10 tries, and to have to concentrate on something so simple tells you the design is flawed. The issue I experienced with the power LED was hopefully an isolated incident, and I would be very interested to hear from anyone else who might have had a similar issue with a Mozart case (or any other for that matter).
A search of
PriceGrabber shows that the
Thermaltake Mozart is going to set you back just over $100 (US), without including shipping. Thermaltake offers cases with a wide range of prices, and to throw the Mozart into the mix with standard tower cases, the price may seem a bit above average. But, this isn't a typical case, and compared to other HTPC style cases it is priced rather competitively. For example, the recently reviewed Cooler Master
CM Media 250 has a price tag in the same neighborhood, going for just under $100. Considering all of its positive features, the price of the Mozart is justifiable for those looking to set up a nice HTPC.
Balancing the style, quality, cooling capability, and all of the other positive features with the few items where I think the Mozart case could be improved the overall impression is still quite favorable. I could definitely recommend the
Thermaltake Mozart HTPC case to anyone looking to integrate an HTPC into their home theater, and award the case a final score of four out of five stars.
Final Rating (4 out of 5 stars):
Pros:
» Roomy interior
» Attractive styling
» Runs cool and quiet
» Well constructed
» ATX & Micro ATX board / PSU compatible
Cons:
» Front door doesn't close reliably
» Nothing tool-less except for cover
» Power LED didn't function properly
» Has 3x 5.25" and 5x 3.5" bays, but can really only hold 2 of either
Special thanks to
Thermaltake for providing the Mozart VC4000SNS HTPC Case to Bigbruin.com for review!
