MODTHEBOX.COM - Canada's Premier Case Modding Source - Reviews

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The NMediaPC HTPC 180BA includes standard motherboard header pins for the Power, Reset, USB, Firewire, Audio, Thermal probes, HD and Power LED's. The cables are about 2ft in length and can easily reach the rear portion of the case to be connected to a mATX motherboard. Consumers should consult their motherboard manual for the proper orientation of these cables prior to use.

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Connecting the LCD module is a simple process with one header connecting to the CPU fan header on the motherboard and another to the CPU fan itself. A 4-pin Molex connector provides power to the LCD module allowing consumers to track temperature and RPM readings. I did receive an e-mail from NMedia advising that my evaluation unit had a 4-pin header wired instead of a 3-pin header. The company acknowledged this mistake and advised that this would be addressed in all future production models. Since the module was wired incorrectly and I could only get it to work partially, I decided to skip testing fan controller function until I am able to cut the wires and solder on the proper connector myself.

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Installing components into the NMediaPC HTPC 180BA Case is a straightforward process that can be completed in less than an hour. To test out this case, I assembled a series of spare components which included the following:

Micron mATX Motherboard (PC133/ATA 133)
Intel Pentium III-1.13 GHz EB FC-PGA Mhz PC133 CPU w/Foxxconn HSF Cooler
2 x 256 MB PC133 Ram Chips (512 MB in total)
1 x Seagate ST380011A 80GB ATA 133 Hard Drive
1 x Samsung SC-148 48x CDROM Drive
3COM Etherlink XL 3C900B-TPO NIC

I strongly recommend using the NMedia manuals as a reference since it systematically provides you the order of steps to proceed in order to complete the installation. While working in the case I did note that there were several sharp areas that can cause slight injury to fingers if caution is not execised.

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Once the system was powered, the first thing that you will notice is the blue illumination coming from the LCD module. The LCD module does a decent job at providing temperature statistics on CPU and RPM readings from the CPU fan. Once I fix the LCD module wiring problem, I will test this function more thoroughly. Accessing the optical drive is as easy as pushing the Open/Close button, the only issue consumers have to worry about is lining up the optical drive properly in the external 5.25" drive bay.

Conclusion:
The NMediaPC HTPC 180BA Case represents a natural progression for a young company looking to establish itself in the existing HTPC market. The overall design is good for consumers utilizing Micro ATX motherboards and allows for simple installation of system components. While a decision was made to fabricate a brushed aluminum front panel, I would love to see the company move from a steel based chassis design to aluminum with support for a full size ATX motherboard and PSU. The front port extensions and All-in-1 Card Reader are a nice touch for consumers who frequently use add-on external devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, head phones or flash cards. The addition of the front mounted LCD display is a great feature add-on, providing existing temperature readings and RPM fan levels. Due to the size of the NMediaPC HTPC 180BA, expansion options are quite limited, so selecting the right amount of components for this case is a key decision. Air circulation is decent but could be improved since the case is limited to one single 60mm cooling fan and air duct. Finally, with previous NMedia System Inc's HTPC designs the HTPC 180BA suffers the same fate in terms of power requirements. The problem is the use of a proprietary PSU that is only capable of handling 300 watts. This type of configuration will isolate hardcore HTPC enthusiasts who may wish to load up this system with more power hungry components. Overall, I was pleased with the NMediaPC HTPC 180BA Case and award a final rating of 8 out of 10. I still feel the company needs to improve the product line a little more in order to compete with the likes of Antec, Cooler Master, Thermaltake and SilverStone. If you have any questions regarding this review, be sure to visit the NMedia System Inc website for more information or discuss them in our forums.

Pros:

Small foot print and aesthetically pleasing design
Removable drive bays
Front port extensions
Built-in All-in-1 Card Reader
Front mounted LCD display module
Adjustable fan speed rheostat
Brushed aluminum front bezel mirrors stereo component look and feel

Cons:

Overall cooling options could be improved
Proprietary PSU limited to only 300 watts
Sharp edges noted in chassis design
Top panel feels cheap and flimsy
No support for PCI-Express