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Product:
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Nexus Breeze 400 Mid-Tower Case |
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Price:
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$240 (CAN) / $195 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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Nexus Canada
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Author:
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clsGrinder
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Date:
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July 3rd, 2005
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Rating:
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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I would like to note that the top panel does not have isolative foam, while the top of the chassis has a
limited amount of it (2 tiny rectangular pieces). The front bezel does have thick pre-formed cut-outs of
the sound absorbing foam. This allows the foam to be functional, and a PC user to remove pieces as
peripheral expansion is required.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The Nexus Breeze 400 Mid-Tower Case has a 2 function support bars running vertical across the PCI slots.
This keeps the case rigid and employs a proprietary add-on-card stabilizer system. I would venture to
guess that this stabilizer system compensates for the lack of rarely used full size expansion card
stabilizer slots, usually found at the front of the case. The Nexus Breeze uses a tool-less design to
gain access to your systems components, but the buck stops there. All 3.5" drives, 5.25" drives, and
expansion cards still require a screwdriver. While these features are outside the scope of this case,
the times are changing, and tool-less cases are becoming more and more standard.
Another thing to note is the lack of rubber grommets used to mount the 3.5" drives. This is something
I’ve come to expect from quiet case models. I assume that Nexus is confident that the foam inserts
ability to mask HDD noise is adequate enough to not need the use of rubber grommets.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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One thing I really liked about this case is the "modular" approach with the Breeze’s motherboard headers.
The Power switch, Reset switch, HDD LED, Power LED, FireWire, USB, Headphone and Microphone jacks are
not fastened to the front bezel. Beyond this, the wires that run to your motherboards FireWire, USB and
Audio headers are not fastened either. Since the test rig did not have FireWire headers, I could simply
remove the cable and not have to worry about loose wires messing up the inside of my case. It’s brilliant,
and it’s about time someone thought of this. The Nexus also uses rubber feet at the base of the case which
are like a bushing between where the case contacts your desk. This lessens the chance that your PC desk
will conduct any vibrations the Nexus Breeze might emanate, again making the Nexus Breeze experience the
quietest possible.
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