Sansun SN-C001 BAT

Written by Michael Larabel in Enclosures on 23 October 2005 at 01:00 PM EDT. Page 3 of 3. Add A Comment.

Performance:

To test the assembly and functionality of the Sansun chassis, we loaded it up with some older components, which are listed below.

Hardware Components
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2500+
Motherboard: Abit NF7-S2
Memory: 512MB Corsair XMS PC4400
Graphics Card: eVGA FX5200 PCI
Hard Drives: Maxtor 13.7GB IDE
Optical Drives: USB External DVD
Power Supply: Logisys Pitbull 500W
Software Components
Operating System: FedoraCore4

Although the installation process was quite smooth for the most part, there were a few hiccups along the way. When it came time to install the ATX power supply, using the ThermalTake PurePower with its 120mm fan, the fan grill had partially obstructed one of the PSU mounts, which prevented the PSU from properly being installed. To correct this mounting issue, we simply bent the power supply mounts to allow for some additional room but we later ended up going with a Logisys 500W PSU instead. Another one of the conflicts we've already noted is the airflow, or there the lack of, with the fan slots restricting much of the airflow. In our tests, the airflow was blocked in some areas by upwards of 50%. Finally, for the enthusiasts, the lack of cable management/concealment possibilities and small number of tool-less items may ravel the likings of some consumers.

Conclusion:

Coming out of this review, we had mixed feelings about the Sansun SN-C001 BAT. In most aspects, its appearance is quite innovative and unique but this only applies to a small portion of PC enthusiasts such as young computer users who are fascinated by Batman or others who are great fans of DC Comics. When it comes to functionality, the SN-C001 is missing in action. A majority of the intake and exhaust slots for the case fans are quite restrictive when it comes to airflow, the cable management possibilities are poor (especially with the front panel ports and switches leading into the 5.25" bays), and the overall functional features are simply left out. In addition, the attention to finer details such as including screws for the side panels and using heavy-duty hinges for the front panel door simply weren't to be found. However, Sansun Group does deserve credit for actually basing this case theme off a fictional character rather than designing a case with no apparent relations. When purchasing a computer case, if appearance is more important to you then functionality, the BAT case may be perfect for you with its plastic molding and attractive paint finish, but for enthusiasts or hobbyists looking at pure performance, this is not the chassis for you.

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Michael Larabel

Michael Larabel is the principal author of Phoronix.com and founded the site in 2004 with a focus on enriching the Linux hardware experience. Michael has written more than 20,000 articles covering the state of Linux hardware support, Linux performance, graphics drivers, and other topics. Michael is also the lead developer of the Phoronix Test Suite, Phoromatic, and OpenBenchmarking.org automated benchmarking software. He can be followed via Twitter, LinkedIn, or contacted via MichaelLarabel.com.