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Comparison Aerocool P7-C1 black vs Corsair Carbide SPEC-ALPHA black

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Aerocool P7-C1 black
Corsair Carbide SPEC-ALPHA black
Aerocool P7-C1 blackCorsair Carbide SPEC-ALPHA black
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Main
It differs from the P7-C1 Big Glass model in a side wall with a viewing window.
Featuresgaminggaming
Form factorMidi TowerMidi Tower
Mountverticalvertical
Motherboard support
ATX /micro-ATX, mini-ITX/
ATX
PSU form factorATX (regular)ATX (regular)
Computer case
Dimensions (HxWxD)550x245x446 mm474x220x518 mm
Graphics card max lenght375 mm380 mm
Fan max height165 mm156 mm
Weight5.7 kg
Materialsteelsteel
Sidewall thickness0.5 mm
Rubber feet
Lighting typecomputer Casebacklit fan
Side panelremovableremovable
Storage
PSU
PSU mountbottombottom
3.5" bays23
internal 2.5" compartments44
Expansion slots77
Screwless
Cooling
Fans total13
Fans (back)1x120мм1x120мм
Fans (front)
2x140мм /3x120мм/
2x120мм
Fans (top)2x120мм2x120мм
Fan mounts total55
Dust filter++
Liquid cooling support
Liquid cooling system
Liquid cooling (rear)120mm
Liquid cooling (front)360mm
Liquid cooling (top)240mm
Liquid cooling mounts3
Connectors and functions
Placementon top of the caseon the front
Fan controler
USB 2.02
USB 3.2 gen122
Audio (microphone/headphones)
Card reader
More features
Front panellattice
Side panel window++
More features
removable HDD cage
 
CPU cooling mount window
 
hidden wiring
CPU cooling mount window
Color
Added to E-Catalognovember 2016september 2016

Graphics card max lenght

The maximum length of a graphics card that can be installed in this case.

Modern mid-range and top-end video cards with high performance often differ in considerable length, which is why such a card can not fit into any case. So before collecting components, it is worth evaluating the length of the proposed graphics card and choosing a case in which it is guaranteed to fit. This forethought is useful anyway, but it's especially true if you're building a system that requires a powerful graphics adapter, such as a high-end gaming PC or 3D design workstation.

Fan max height

The highest cooler height allowed for this case.

In this case, we mean a cooler used to cool the processor — such a component is found in the vast majority of modern PCs. Height is measured relative to the motherboard.

Sidewall thickness

The thickness of the side walls used in the case. When choosing a thickness, manufacturers have to compromise between several points at once. On the one hand, thin walls are inexpensive and heat dissipates faster through them, which has a positive effect on cooling efficiency. On the other hand, powerful systems inevitably require thick walls, otherwise the case may simply not withstand the weight of advanced high-performance components. Thirdly, steel is a fairly durable material even with a relatively small thickness. In light of all this, in most models this indicator does not exceed 0.70.8 mm, and more often it is about 0.50.6 mm.

Rubber feet

The presence of rubberized legs in the design of the case.

These feet absorb vibrations generated during operation of the computer (mainly due to the operation of fans and optical drives), thereby reducing noise levels and providing additional comfort. Rubberized feet are especially desirable if the computer is placed on a table (on a tabletop or in a dedicated compartment on a table) or on a hard floor.

Lighting type

The type of illumination provided in the body design.

The backlight plays mainly a decorative role, it gives the computer an original appearance, which is appreciated by fans of external tuning. Lighting can be mounted separately, but it is easier to purchase a case where it was originally provided. The types of illumination can be as follows:

— Illuminated fan. One or more coolers are illuminated, facing the side or top surface of the case.

Cases with backlight. Separate parts of the body are illuminated, usually from the inside, in such a way that the illumination can be seen through a transparent window / windows or a lattice surface. Sometimes external lighting can be provided.

There are cases in which both types of illumination are provided simultaneously. And for office needs , cases without backlight are suitable.

3.5" bays

The number of internal 3.5" form factor bays provided in the design of the case. Such bays, in accordance with the name, are intended for internal components, mainly hard drives and some SSD modules; to access them, the case must be disassembled.

Theoretically, the number of bays corresponds to the maximum number of drives that can be installed in the chassis. However, in fact, the best option is to install drives through a single slot to ensure efficient cooling. Accordingly, it is best to select a case in such a way that the number of internal 3.5" bays is twice the expected number of hard drives.

Fans total

The more fans provided in the design, other things being equal, the more intense the cooling will be and the more powerful (and, accordingly, “hot”) hardware can be placed in the case without the risk of overheating. For everyday tasks, a case with one, two or three factory fans is enough. At the same time, when comparing, it is worth considering not only the number, but also the performance characteristics of the fans (diameter, speed). Also note that there are cases without fans on the market with free space for fans, which allows, if necessary, to supplement the cooling system and improve its performance.

Fans (front)

The number of fan slots on the front of the case, and the size of the fans these slots are designed for. The presence of the fans themselves in the kit should be specified separately.

The larger the fan, the more advanced it is considered: a large diameter allows you to work efficiently at relatively low speeds, which reduces the noise level and energy consumption. Case fans are available in several standard diameters; specifically for the front panel, the size up to 92 mm is considered relatively small, 120 mm — medium, 140 mm — large, and in the most advanced solutions, fans of 180 mm or even more can be installed.

Also note that most often the holes for installing fans are designed for one specific size, however, there are also “multi-size” seats, for 2-3 options. Moreover, these options may differ both in diameter and in quantity: for example, it may be possible to install two 140 mm fans or three 120 mm fans.

Liquid cooling (rear)

The size of the seat for the water cooling system provided on the back of the case.

In cases with CBO support, water cooling radiators are installed in the same slots as traditional fans. In other words, either a fan (fans) or a CBO radiator can be installed on the same seat. The size of the seat under the CBO is indicated by one number — the length (on the larger side); the width can be determined based on these data. The fact is that modern CBO radiators usually use fans of one of the standard sizes — 120 mm or 140 mm; and if there are several such fans, they are arranged in a row. As a result, the length of the radiator turns out to be a multiple, and the width is equal to one of these numbers: for example, 280 mm is 2x140 mm with a width of 140 mm, and 360 mm is 3x120 mm with a width of 120 mm.

Note that in this case, the same nuances are relevant as for air cooling: a larger fan takes up more space and costs more, but it is considered more advanced, as it can work efficiently at a lower speed — and this reduces the level of noise and vibration.
Aerocool P7-C1 often compared
Corsair Carbide SPEC-ALPHA often compared