BIOS: Technology Means Business

Should you build or buy your own PC? It’s something that we as IT professionals get asked by peers and by family members all the time. We’re from the build mindset, generally, mainly because we like to tinker and frequently upgrade. That being said, we have been know to buy cheap Dell machines for our kids and other family members (tech support would be a nightmare!) What about you? Are you a build or buy kind of PC user?

If you are a home or SOHO PC user have you ever seriously considered building, upgrading, maintaining and repairing your own desktop PCs? Most people believe that it is just too difficult and beyond their skills, or just not worth the effort. A few years ago it was much more of a challenge than it is today. With a few minor exceptions pretty much all connections/components are standardised and ‘idiot’ proof. Is it worth learning the skills? Can you save any money? If you know how to choose the components, time it right and shop around for the best prices then you might save 10 to 15%.

When you buy from a name brand manufacturer, unless it specifically state ‘exactly’ what it used to build the PC, you don’t really know what’s in the box. Margins are very tight in the PC world and therefore sourcing components on a large scale can be the difference between acceptable profits or possibly a loss. This is further complicated by the rapid changes in technology. To keep costs down name brand manufacturers typically buy OEM (original equipment manufacturer) components. They are made to the same specs as components purchased direct from a name brand supplier but are often considerably cheaper. Ever heard the saying, ‘you get what you pay for’? Quality is therefore an issue.

If you do decide to build a PC from scratch yourself, picking the ‘right’ chassis is imperative - do you want a desktop, tower, server, HTPC etc…? We are sure that you are familiar with the name Johnathan ‘Fatal1ty’ Wendel. If you aren’t, he is one of the most recognised gamers on the planet. His name and face are stuck on products ranging from heat sinks to motherboards and he has companies from A to Z making him a household name - well, a gamer’s household anyway. In this case that Z stands for Zalman. Zalman has marketed several coolers for processors and video cards under his name. But today, we have the company’s first non-cooling product in for review.

The Fatal1ty FC-ZE1 (£212 ex. VAT) represents the ideals of one of the ultimate gamers. Trimmed and fitted in 5mm thick anodised black aluminium with laser-white etchings (no cheap silk screen printing here!), the case asks to be paid attention to. Unlike typical cases that only incorporate a thin aluminium facade front cover, the entire FC-ZE1 (480x220x 430mm, 12.5kg) enclosure incorporates firm 4- to 5mm thick anodised pure aluminium panels that prevent system vibration, reinforce system cooling by dissipating internal heat, and provide the highest in aesthetic quality. These features, as well as the presence of a healthy number of drive bays and cooling fans, lead to a very stylish case that should certainly be considered by performance enthusiasts and gamers alike.

The FC-ZE1 is designed to maintain optimum internal temperature at all times, incorporating two 92mm red LED front intake fans and a 120mm red LED rear exhaust fan. Not only do the fans facilitate high volume airflow through the system at low fan RPM for high performance cooling with quiet operation, but they look awesome when powered. Another feature we love is the removable right side panel that allows you to access and secure the ODDs/5.25-inch bays, as well as manage your cables. The only downside is that you need to unscrew no less than six screws (allen key supplied) to remove the panel. Opening the hinged (and partially clear) left side panel is a lot quicker, requiring the easy removal of just two thumbscrews and push of a sliding latch, but it doesn’t remove completely - annoying when laying the case flat on its side.

The aluminium power and reset buttons at the front of the enclosure sport matching red LED accents, and the front I/O port further includes sockets for speakers (headphones), microphone, two USB devices, and a FireWire device for convenient system access. Audio sockets support HD Audio (Azalia) and AC’97 specifications. The nickel plating of the rear expansion slot panel heightens the aesthetic quality and prevents corrosion for long term use, but the cheap twist-off blanking plates are a serious disappointment (Zalman doesn’t even ship any spare plates). In terms of compatibility, the FC-ZE1 supports ATX and microATX motherboards/PSUs, four 5.25-inch drives (exposed), one 3.5-inch drive (exposed), and seven expansion cards. As we’ve already mentioned, there are three cooling components (hidden): one rear 120mm and two 92mm front red LED fans.

There is no doubt that Zalman’s Fatal1ty FC-ZE1 is a unique enclosure. While it’s likely to be enthusiasts who purchase the product, even casual users will admire the quality of its engineering. The enclosure is built to survive a nuclear attack, and the black/red colour scheme shouts ‘look at me’. The etched graphics soon become pleasing to eye (they’re initially a little overwhelming), and the clear plastic window offers plenty of opportunity to admire your component choice and cabling skills. But the performance of the chassis was ordinary, and beyond the amazingly practical HDD mounting solution (anchored spinning bars with cylindrical rubber wheels) and easy-access main door there is very little that makes the Fatal1ty FC-ZE1 stand out from a vast crowd. Having said that, it’s easy to work with and its finish is exceptional, so is definitely worth considering. [8]

[Best Chassis Pricing UK]
[Best Chassis Pricing US]