14 DAY TRIAL // Aluminum cases are extremely rare nowadays and you could hardly get one from specialized IT stores without having pre-ordered it. These cases were really popular with PC enthusiasts, but they kind of got obsolete and replaced with customized computer cases with side panels and glittering fan lights. At the moment, aluminum cases are destined to the high-end segment of the market and come with a proportional price tag.
Aluminum is perfectly fit as case material. It is not only extremely appealing in its brushed state, but it is also very light as compared to other metallic materials, especially the plastic and steel mixtures that have invaded the specialized shops. But remember that aluminum is not cheap!
Gigabyte is extremely popular with its products, but when it comes to cases, there are other brands that ring a bell inside users' heads. Surprisingly, Gigabyte's first standalone computer chassis is quite beautiful and ready for some hardcore computing.
First of all, the Gigabyte 3D Aurora aluminum case is designed to accommodate a watercooling system. It measures 20 x 43 cm at the base and is 50.8 centimeter tall, which makes it a pretty tower that will surely take up all your desk space (not that I complain about that). Although it is pretty massive, it is lighter than an average case, due to its pure, 1-millimeter thick aluminum structure.
When powered on, the Aurora gets lit up front and casts a blue and diffuse LED light through a transparent window located at the bottom of the case. The '3D Aurora' logo gets projected on the ground, below the front panel. The case comes bundled with a special tool that allows users to create their own labels for the projector.
The blue glow is also visible through the front panel ventilation holes. The front panel that covers the external 5'25-inch drive bays can be locked, in order to block unauthorized access to them, just like in the good-old server days. More paranoid users can also lock the right side panel too, to disallow its removal.
The case is ventilated by three 120-millimeter LED-enabled fans, to go along with the watercooling system. They draw air through the front and right side air intake grills, that feature fabric and plastic grill filters, respectively.
The Gigabyte 3D Aurora has a new system of fastening the external drives, that does not involve the use of a screwdriver. All the necessary accessories are located in a black plastic toolbox that is pre-installed into a 3.5" drive bay.