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Product:
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Nikao Black KG8850 Series Case |
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Price:
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$67 (CAN) / $45 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Nikao/Tradex
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Author:
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BigDaddy
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Date:
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March 29th, 2003
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Jeffrey & Bruce from Nikao/Tradex Information Technology Incorporation
for sending the Nikao Black KG8850 Series Case for review.
Introduction:
While the market for high-end consumer cases continues to grow, the ever rising demand for more feature sets is
also having an effect on budget cases. Consumers once willing to setting for a barebones budget box are now
looking for at least a few additional features on their sub $100 cases. Nikao has been a popular provider of
economical cases for the budget-minded. In the past, we’ve seen some radical designs and interesting features
incorporated into cases whose price tag is astoundingly low. Today in the MTB Labs, we’ll be looking at one of
the latest offerings from Tradex Information Systems, with their new KG8850 Series Mid-Tower Case.
Specifications:
The KG8850 Series Cases are designed as Mid-Tower ATX chassis and are available in Black or Silver. Supporting
ATX and Micro ATX motherboards, the units have a unique front bezel design which incorporates a temperature
monitoring LCD display. Here are some specifications taken directly from the manufacturer’s website:
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Nikao Black KG8850 Series Case - Key Specifications:
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| Nikao Black KG8850 Series Case: Manufactured by Nikao |
| Motherboard Type: ATX, Micro ATX , AMD, Pentium III & IV |
| Construction: Steel with heavy chrome coating on the front panel |
| Cooling Fans: Six, extra 80mm fan (optional) |
| Input Voltage: 115/230 VAC |
| Hard Drive & Power LEDS: Included |
| Number of slots: 7 |
| Total Bays: 11 |
| External Bays Available: 4 x 5.25" and 2 x 3.5" |
| Internal (Hidden) Bays Available: 5 x 3.5" |
| Actual Dimension: 450mm x 190mm x 410mm (L x W x H) |
| Weight: 16LBS with No Power Supply |
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The Nikao Black KG8850 Series Case ships in a double-walled corrugated cardboard box. The full-length panel
displays a front product shot, while the side panels provide information on key shipping information for the
unit such as net weight, model and other pertinent details. Thankfully, the unit arrived with no obvious
shipping damage. The case is packed into the box in a protective plastic sheet and is buffered from the box
by polystyrene at the four corners of the product. After unpacking the unit, there was no damage to the case
itself during shipping, although the bezel-mounted LCD display had come loose. However, it remained wedged
between the front bezel and the front chassis and, as such, didn’t (nor shouldn’t) get scratched or otherwise
damaged.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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My initial impression of the case was to note it’s extremely lightweight. For a steel case, the unit was pretty
light weighing in at 16 pounds. As well, the side panel housed some interesting features I hadn’t seen on a case
before. The vent hole placement is rather unorthodox, with vent holes running along the side of the panel closest
to the front bezel, as opposed to the more common rear and/or bottom placement. Additionally, the side panel has
a pattern stamped into it. While most case modifications would see the bulk of the side panel removed in favour of
a window, the design should appeal to those unwilling or unable to install a window. The front bezel is a mostly-black
design, with chrome power and reset buttons and a recessed window for the LCD display framed in a blue background.
Nikao lists the product as steel construction with "heavy chrome coating on the front panel". This may refer to the
series’ alternate model, the Silver KG8850.
The rear panel of the case is standard fare with only a few minor exceptions. Unlike previous Nikao cases I have
reviewed in the past, the KG8850 does not include thumbscrews to secure the right side panel. While removing the side
panel is a relatively painless process compared to a motherboard tray, it’s still a convenience that will be missed
by some who open their cases regularly for maintenance or upgrades. Also, a feature not often found on cases as of
late is a protective hood over the expansion slots. Instead of securing the individual cards to the chassis with a
screw for each card (which is still an option), the hood clamps down across the tops of all the expansion slots,
securing any cards in place with a single screw. Users looking to paint the chassis of the case will welcome the
absence of rivets securing the top panel in place; two screws fix it to the chassis.
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