Build Experience
Our build began with the installation of the motherboard. To make room, we first removed the vertical PCIe riser bracket entirely. The motherboard, already fitted with CPU, RAM, and cooler, was then installed. There is plenty of room at the top for large water coolers. Afterward, we reinstalled the riser and mounted the GPU vertically. In hindsight, it would have been easier to mount the GPU before the cooler, but reinstalling the bracket was quick regardless. The chassis does not seem ideal for vertical GPU placement when using large air coolers or AIOs with large tubes at the bottom.
We also tested a traditional installation by removing the riser completely and using the expansion slot covers. This is the setup we used for noise testing.
To install all the connectors along the bottom edge of the motherboard, it’s necessary to remove the vertical GPU assembly, as is often the case. Here you can also spot the Corsair Commander we used to control all the fans during testing.
The build came together quite cleanly, with the cable management channels proving very helpful. It was one of the easiest cases to work with, even though we had to redo almost all of the stock cable management. The rear fan cables are a bit tight, as the ARGB connectors are just long enough to reach. While the pigtail daisy-chain connectors are helpful, we’d prefer a more refined daisy-chain solution that reduces overall cabling clutter.
The finished system looks eerily similar to the unboxing shots, but trust me, everything is installed. The only giveaway is the expansion slot covers visible through the tinted glass.
ARGB Lighting and Aesthetics
Even with the lights on, the interior remains quite dark.
With the lights off, the chassis looks even more striking.
The illuminated Arctic logo adds to the aesthetic, and the fans look great as well.
