Thermaltake VC2000 Series Mambo Review - Screwless Drive Installation
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The case also features a unique screwless drive installation method. A large number of cases feature this to varying degrees, using either detachable drive rails or pressure clips that hold your optical drive in place. This case features a plastic track set into the outside of the drive bays, through which you push a metal pin to secure the drive. The plastic track is fitted with five holes to accommodate any size drive that may be inserted into the drive cage. The 3.5 inch drive cage also features this on the top two bays where you would normally install a floppy drive or fan control unit, but not on the rest of the descending bays. Looking closely it is clear to see why this was done and why the screwless drive installation is not all that it is cracked up to be.
The screwless drive installation tracks only secure the drive from one side, not two. This leaves your optical drive attached to the drive cage on only one side, which can result in more noise and possibly drive damage over time as it rattles against the cage. Personally, I would still install the screws on the other side of the case to secure my drives, so the addition of these screwless clips is rather redundant. Clearly I'm not alone; their lack of presence on the descending hard drive cage will still require you to install the drives with screws on both sides to properly secure them. Screwless mounting systems always amaze me because if a main feature of the case is the ability to install and uninstall optical drives without a screw driver, why do you still need one on nearly every other component in the system (especially those that are more likely to be upgraded or need replacing like expansion cards)?
Deja Vu?
Looking inside the case it is clear to see that this chassis has been used on other designs, or at least parts of it have been. There is clearly the presence of both the perforated steel and the mounting holes for another 120 mm on the lower portion of the front of the chassis. Regrettably installing a front intake fan on this case would prove incredibly ineffectual as a) the front of the case is solid plastic and b) even the tiny opening on the bottom of the bezel is only .5 inches x 3 inches and is only raised off the surface of the table by less than quarter of an inch. The airflow available for this front intake fan would be so negligible it would in no way justify the cost of the fan.
The other side panel has a grated opening at the bottom of the panel. I am completely uncertain as to its purpose. The opening is positioned to be blocked almost completely by the motherboard tray, so in no way is this meant to provide any means of ventilation. Its lack of purpose confounds me and its presence is completely unnecessary and superfluous.
This case would have earned higher marks had it also included a Thermaltake Power Supply. At its price, you can buy other cases of similar design that include a power supply unit. It may be a generic one, but at least it's included.
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