14 DAY TRIAL // We've seen loads of fancy cases with angular outer shells and top I/O panels that also have an HDD/SSD dock, but in the end, those wonders sell a lot less than normal cases, like the one Inter-Tech has just unveiled.
Called Starter 4, it is meant as a vessel for people setting out to put together their first custom computer. That's what we assume from the name anyway.
You see, there are many pre-configured PCs that sell through retailers and directly from computer builders. They are a real hit with people whose know-how of computers is limited.
However, making a system from individually bought parts allows for a much, much greater range of customization and is a lot cheaper as well.
Most hardcore gamers know all about what a PC is made of, and how to optimize the hardware and software configurations. Even how to overclock the CPU and GPU.
But even they started somewhere though. And as curious as it sounds, it's actually easier to make a high-end PC than a normal one.
After all, for the former you only need to hunt the highest prices, with a bit of care not to purchase incompatible CPUs and motherboards.
Making a computer with good balance between the price and performance takes a bit more knowledge and common sense though.
Inter-Tech isn't here to teach people how to do it, but it does have a way to provide guidelines, sort of: making a PC case that can house decent hardware without being overbearingly ornate or expensive.
The Starter 4 case has five 3.5-inch drive bays (for SSDs and HDDs), as well as four 5.25-inch ODD bays (optical disk drive bays). Bays that can also be used for fan controllers or water cooling reservoirs and pumps, among other things.
The I/O panel is located on the front, closer to the bottom than the top, a refreshing change after all those top-mounted panels we've seen over the years.
As for cooling, there is room for two 120 mm, 92 mm or 80 mm fans on the side panel, or one on the back panel (for exhaust). Everything fits in a black-painted package of 415 x 185 x 440 mm / 16.33 x 7.28 x 17.32 inches.
The price of the Inter-Tech Starter 4 desktop case is €36.99 / $36.99 - $48.85, and it includes a 500W power supply unit. Not sure how efficient the thing is, but it should be more than enough for a decent system configuration.
