From: <¥Ñ Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 Àx¦s>
Subject:
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 15:06:48 +0800
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/related;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_005B_01C4C024.6A4F8B10";
type="text/html"
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1441
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_005B_01C4C024.6A4F8B10
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Location: http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=MyItemReview&page=1&page_num=20&select_arrange=headnum&desc=&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&keyword=&category=&no=42
=20
<=
/TD>
=20
Threads =
(33)=20
CategoryCPUMOBOCASEHDDMONITORCOOLERSFF
YY-5603 Mars=20
case review
Stephen | =
hector3000 | Class /=20
6 / Member ID =
# / 231 /=20
If computer =
systems as a=20
whole are evolving, then it is only natural that the =
case=20
should be evolving as well. There are =
several=20
factors that people consider when purchasing a case, =
and one=20
of these factors is how effectively the case manages=20
air. Since a lot of hardware can become =
extremely=20
hot with prolonged usage, it is vital to have a case =
that can=20
expel the heat, maintaining a low temperature for the =
system.=20
YYCase has been on =
the market=20
for a while, but it wasn=92t until quite recently that =
they=20
introduced a gaming case. The YY-5603, also =
known=20
as the Mars, is a steep improvement from the earlier =
members=20
of their line up, and it is obvious by its design that =
this=20
case is being aimed directly at hardware=20
enthusiasts. The most noticeable feature of =
this=20
case is that it has an air duct placed above the=20
processor. Besides that, Yeong Yang claims =
that=20
this case is a thermal advantage chassis which is =
ready for P4=20
Prescott. The new version which we have =
today also=20
seems to draw in air particularly effectively in the =
areas=20
where expansion slots have been placed, resulting in =
better=20
air circulation.
Though this case may not be =
the most=20
immediately alluring case out there, it has these and =
other=20
noticeable features which merit it for much closer=20
consideration. Let=92s take a tour of this =
case=85 a=20
magical mystery tour!
When I first received =
this=20
case, I was surprised by its weight. This =
is=20
probably one of the heaviest cases that I have ever=20
received. I remember Silverstone=92s TJ05 =
was heavy,=20
but that was a full tower case. This one =
is, as it=20
states on the package, a mid tower. Looking =
at it=20
was further proof of this. I have to say, =
it must=20
be one of the heaviest mid tower cases on the market =
at this=20
time.
The package weight was written down =
as=20
13kg. Since a lot of weight will be added =
once you=20
build a system, if you were planning on creating a =
Lanparty=20
PC, I suggest you use another case. In =
fact, legend=20
has it that a man once made a system using this case =
and took=20
it to Japan in its box. He made a makeshift =
handle=20
out of tape, so the story goes, but apparently the box =
was so=20
heavy that the tape became like a sharp blade that dug =
into=20
his hands. It became excruciating when he =
was=20
forced to run up and down staircases, carrying two =
other heavy=20
items besides, in order to make it to his train on=20
time. According to the legend, the man =
vowed never=20
to take this case on another voyage =
again. But he=20
probably will. It is hard to stay angry at =
YY-5603.=20
The case is covered with styropol as=20
usual. The actual box seemed quite unusual =
for YY=92s=20
first gaming case, and I have confirmed from YY that =
the final=20
retail version will have a different box. There are a =
couple=20
of varieties of YY-5603 case to choose =
from. The=20
Mars can be customized to have a silver face with =
black side=20
vents, or a transparent silver face with red side=20
vents. You can also go with a red face with =
silver=20
side vents.
The front of tower is =
the=20
case's truly distinctive feature, with five bays in =
the front=20
while the 3.5" drive is placed at the =
top. The side=20
panel is locked shut with a sturdy lock. A =
plastic=20
air guide is put in place to draw out CPU heat.=20
Now let us begin a =
closer=20
examination, beginning with the top of the=20
case. Unfortunately, the beauteous pig you =
see at=20
the left side of the picture is not the basic feature =
that=20
comes with the case. Indeed, I purchased =
that at=20
the dollar store. Drawing your attention =
away from=20
the pig, if you can, you will see that the front =
control=20
panel, located at the top of frontal segment as we see =
it from=20
the picture above, features a power and reset button; =
power=20
and HDD LEDs; one firewire port; two USB ports; and =
speaker=20
and microphone ports. You might have =
noticed from=20
the picture that this design makes these ports quite=20
susceptible to gathering dust, as they have no screen =
to=20
protect them. It might have been expedient =
if there=20
were a simple cover placed on top. =
The whole silver face =
of the=20
case is curved, creating the effect of its being =
wrapped=20
around the front, resembling a mask that blends in =
perfectly=20
with the case. As a mid tower case, Mars =
also=20
sports four 5.25=94 bays, and one 3.5=94=20
bay. Interestingly the 3.5=94 bay is placed =
at the=20
top, in the traditional style of bygone =
eras. Most=20
other cases being made nowadays have the 3.5=94 bay =
placed at=20
the bottom. We will demonstrate how we =
installed=20
the optical drive later, but now we will just mention =
that=20
installing an optical drive requires that the face be =
removed=20
first, and you must use a guiding =
rail. Moreover,=20
the bezels are designed to blend in perfectly with the =
design=20
of the case's face. One suggestion I would =
make to=20
Yeong Yang would be adding an optical drive=20
face. Since all the bezels have a unique =
design to=20
match the face, adding an optical drive can ruin this=20
harmonious appearance. =
The case takes in air =
from the=20
front. However, the holes that have been =
made for=20
this purpose are not visible. The design =
has been=20
well conceived, and the holes are on the sides and the =
bottom=20
of the case where they are barely noticeable and do =
little to=20
detract from its appearance. If one decides =
to add=20
a 120mm fan on the front, the case will be able to =
gather a=20
massive amount of cool air from outside. =20
To access or to =
install the=20
optical drives, the front face has to be=20
removed. Removing the face was somewhat =
confusing=20
at first, but then we discovered that opening the side =
panel=20
greatly eases the process. Once the face is =
opened=20
there is a purple fan grill, apparently put in place =
to=20
protect the user from injury. However, this =
did not=20
really seem necessary since users won=92t even access =
this part=20
of the case when the computer is turned =
on. The=20
dust filter is set up in a rather unusual =
place. It=20
is not directly attached to the fan, but the quality =
of the=20
filter is decent, and it is easy to =
clean. Because=20
this case unfortunately does not come with the front =
120mm=20
fan, it is strongly advisable to get one if you decide =
to=20
purchase it.
The back of the case =
features=20
the standard assortment. What is =
exceptional about=20
it is the steel plate, which is built very=20
cleanly. A standout feature is the huge fan =
vent=20
that accommodates the 120mm exhaust =
fan. Moreover,=20
the left panel is secured by two screws and the right =
panel is=20
secured by two thumb screws. This makes it =
very=20
easily accessible.
The case can be =
further secured=20
by the lock. Note that the case comes with =
two=20
keys. On the right panel is a circular vent that is =
located=20
off center at the top left. This is =
directly over=20
the section where the CPU is normally =
located. Best=20
of all, Yeong Yang has modified this model so that it =
now=20
sports additional air intake in the area of the =
graphic=20
card. The picture does not show this =
clearly,=20
however we will illustrate this in detail further into =
the=20
review. .
On the bottom of the =
case=20
you=92ll find the standard features. It =
comes with=20
four solid rubber stands. These stands not =
only=20
protect the case, but they make the surface secure, =
regardless=20
of where the case has been set.
The YY-5603 case can=20
accommodate four 5.25" and five 3.5" drives plus a =
floppy=20
drive. Once you open the case, the first =
thing you=20
notice is that there is a purple box. The =
box=20
contains all the necessary tools and accessories, such =
as=20
guiding rails and screws. It has three =
3.5=94 drive=20
bays. Also, if you decide to install a =
120mm fan on=20
the front, it is wise to take out the purple box, =
since it=20
will block the flow of air from the front cooler if =
not=20
removed.
Another delightful feature that one =
must=20
appreciate is that every edge inside the case is =
folded or=20
rounded over to prevent any chance of =
injury. We=20
have all felt the cruel edge of case, on a toe or =
elbow, in=20
our time. The case=92s steel panel has been =
coated=20
and the surface is very smooth, like what you=92d see =
on a=20
typical high-end chassis. The case also has =
a=20
circular screw mount which is a very convenient option =
when=20
installing a motherboard. Usually a case =
used a=20
golden screw for installing a motherboard, which can =
sometimes=20
be a pain. The Mars case doesn=92t put you =
through=20
this hassle. Unless the motherboard is a=20
non-standard type, this will definitely help save time =
when=20
installing computer parts.
This case lends =
itself=20
toward water cooling. The lower front drive =
cage=20
can easily be removed, as it is only held in place by =
a few=20
screws and rivets. The front has room for =
120mm=20
radiator, and you=92d have room for two if you take =
out the=20
floppy. There is another 120 mount in the =
back,=20
which can be used for a radiator, if the fan is =
removed.=20
Taking a look at the =
back, we=20
see that the YY-5603 also provides a fan cage like =
we=92ve seen=20
in the front, but it is equipped with a 120mm=20
fan. The fan does not produce much noise =
and the=20
amount of air that it can expel is quite=20
satisfactory. If one decides to use a water =
cooling=20
system, the fan cage and the fan are easily =
detachable.=20
Mars also features a very interesting way to =
secure=20
the expansion cards. The expansion cards are held in =
place=20
with a clip. This is one of the easiest =
ways to=20
access the expansion slot while giving a very secure =
grip to=20
the AGP/PCI cards at the same time. Best of =
all, it=20
seems to work with all cards. Each one is =
provided=20
with a steel cover, with the exception of the top =
slot.=20
Still the highlight =
of this=20
case should be the air duct that we see =
above. This=20
air duct is placed directly on top of the=20
processor. However, there wasn=92t any way =
to adjust=20
the height. If one decides to use a water =
cooling=20
solution, the air duct can also be detached from the =
side=20
panel. As I have mentioned above, the holes =
on the=20
bottom will aid in taking in fresh air through the =
expansion=20
slot, especially to the video card. =
The front Audio/USB =
and=20
Firewire pitches are very convenient, ending the =
miserable=20
days of crawling under your desk, cursing your choice =
of=20
lifestyle. These pitches are joined =
together when=20
using a standard motherboard, and separately when =
using a=20
non-standard. Finally, Thor has heard our=20
prayers! This will definitely save the time =
consumed when connecting each pin to the=20
motherboard. However, Yeong Yang did not =
mark each=20
pitch, so that you would know what it was used for =
(such as=20
firewire/USB./front audio =
cable). Nonetheless, if=20
you have had past experience building systems, =
you=92ll quickly=20
realize where each cable needs to be fitted.=20
The case does not =
require a=20
screwdriver most of the time, unless you are screwing =
the=20
motherboard. Though when installing the optical drives =
and=20
hard drive, a guiding rail is a =
necessity. Five=20
sets of high quality steel rails are provided for =
securing the=20
3.5 drives; no sleeveless screws are =
necessary. The=20
rails have rubber screw holes. These are a =
blessing=20
as they lessen noise and absorb the vibration of the =
hard=20
drive. Besides that, it comes with an I/O =
panel and=20
case manual. The case manual wasn=92t very=20
informative, admittedly, but the installation is made =
so=20
simple that you really don=92t need =
it. These are all=20
found inside the purple box.
The screws are =
threadless,=20
meaning you simply insert them through the rubber =
grommets,=20
into the drive holes. In effect, this =
separates the=20
case from the hard drives, minimizing =
vibration. I=20
personally noticed the difference. I =
believe that a=20
quiet, still computer just seems more healthy, which =
gives its=20
owner a feeling of validation.
No hand cuts were =
found after I=20
finished installing the system into the=20
case. Moreover, from my experience, this =
was the=20
most convenient case for installing hardware that I =
have ever=20
encountered. I finished installing all the =
parts=20
quicker than with any other case I=92ve used until=20
now. Also, notice in the above image that =
the air=20
duct is aligning right with the processor=20
cooler. We used a Radeon card with a Zalman =
heatpipe attached in order to make it easily =
noticeable in the=20
photograph. The air intake holes are in an =
ideal=20
place, and this will definitely be a helpful factor =
when it=20
comes to cooling the processor and video card.=20
We have compared the=20
temperature of the YY-5603 with Chenbro=92s Gaming =
Bomb and=20
Silverstonetek=92s TJ05. Chenbro=92s Gaming =
Bomb is=20
closer to resembling YY=92s Mars case. They =
are in a=20
similar price range and they both are mid sized cases. =
Even with the =
lack of front=20
120mm fan, MARS has shown the best result. The Air =
duct=20
definitely helps the case on direct cooling to the =
processor.=20
Also, we have done an interesting =
test. Since we=20
were curious how the air duct helps to reduce the =
overall=20
heat, we intentionally taped the holes shut in order =
to see=20
how the case temperature rises. The temperature of the =
processor didn=92t differed much at the initial stage =
of the=20
testing, but once the 3Dmark was ran for half an hour, =
the=20
temperature was 3 degrees higher than what we received =
from=20
previously.
There is no doubt that Air duct =
will help=20
in reducing the heat; however, I=92ve noticed that the =
dust=20
easily gets in. Especially on top of the processor =
cooler,=20
where the air duct is straightly aligned with the =
cooler.=20
The case is of =
exceptional=20
quality overall, and the designers of the case must =
have put=20
much thought into its design. Beyond that, =
the=20
overall feel of this case when operating the various =
latches,=20
releases and fasteners was good=96 it has the smooth, =
fine-tuned=20
feel. I am not sure if I am getting this =
concept=20
across, as it=92s hard to explain, but the case is =
very=20
idiosyncratic. It is very unique, =
possessing many=20
beneficial traits that you just don't see with many =
other=20
cases.
On the down side, the case should=92ve =
built=20
lighter. It seemed to be too heavy for its=20
size. It is built like a tank, making it =
very=20
durable, but we cannot deny the fact that there is a =
growing=20
trend toward light weight chassis these =
days. They=20
tend to be more portable and =
convenient. This case=20
has a retail price of 90$ (US). The YY-5603 =
was=20
decent in every area, but it is a bit more expensive =
than we=20
would have initially guessed. The case has =
numerous=20
attractive features and good craftsmanship, in any =
case, and=20
it is still a good purchase at that =
price. A case=20
of similar quality would typically cost 20 to 30 =
dollars=20
more.
Another plus is that the =
air duct=20
that comes as a standard feature. Though we =
were=20
only able to see mere 3 degrees advantage, for those =
who are=20
going extreme with an air cooling solution, this will =
be=20
noticeable help in reducing the overall =
heat. Also,=20
since the front panel stays on the top of the case, it =
is much=20
more versatile and can be conveniently placed =
underneath a=20
desk.
In conclusion, if we were on a 10 point =
scale=20
system, I would=92ve given the Mars an 8 or =
8.5. The=20
case itself is a flawless masterpiece, its =
craftsmanship is=20
obvious. However, the combination of a high =
weight=20
and price are a bit of a disadvantage.=20
i dont really think its a fashionable case design, =
though it=20
may perform descently, i still prefer the cooler =
master wave=20
master over it, even for the prce=20
increase.
2004-11-01 07:57:08 [No.1]
','
Guest CLASS-10 / =
ID#-=A1=F1
');"=20
style=3D"CURSOR: hand" onfocus=3Dthis.blur()=20
onmouseout=3Dmsghide_emb();> Han
Yeah..You have a point there aDDICT. That is why we =
weren't=20
able to reward the =
case
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/spacer.gif")
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/affiliates/jcl_silverpcs_125x125.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/skin/photo/t.gif")
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/copyright.gif")
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/spacer.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/mainmenu_topleft.gif")
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/mainmenu_topright.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/mainmenu_bottomleft.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/mainmenu_bottomright.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/announcement_left.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/announcement_right.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/announcement_bottom.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/images/t.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/bbs/images/t.gif")
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/Review/introduction.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/01.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/02.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/Review/spec.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/spec.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/03.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/04.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/ani2.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/08.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/09.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/ani1.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/11.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/13.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/Review/benchmark.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/temperature.jpg"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/Review/conclusion.gif"=20)
![](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/user/steven/yang/end.jpg"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/recommendation_left.gif"=20)
![3D""=20](3D"http://www.pcunleash.com/images/recommendation_right.gif"=20)