Thermaltake Urban T81 Case Review
Overview
Hardware: Cases & PSUWHAT WE LIKED:
Price, Spacious, Modular HDD cage, Large Window, Solid Door to cover bays, Huge included fans, Water Cooling Support, Cable ManagementWHAT WE DISLIKED:
no noise dampening material
Introduction
Thermaltake shook up the market a few years ago with the release of the Level 10 chassis. It took everything we knew about what a computer case was supposed to look like, and tossed it out a window. It won Thermaltake (sometimes referred to as TT) many accolades and awards for design and innovation. The down side to this was the Level 10 set a high level of expectation that Thermaltake could not live up too with follow up cases. It is hard to please everyone and even harder to please the most hard core enthusiast as they set the tone for what makes for a great case.
When faced with such a monumental task as this, it is good to take a step back and reset. The Urban series of chassis is exactly that, a reset of Thermaltake’s design team. The days of boisterous designs are being replaced with sleeker lines and more modern curves. This is an effort to attract gamers, water cooling and overclocking enthusiasts with this new Urban series of chassis. The flagship model, the Urban T81, will be put to the test in this review. We will attempt a build that should please all three segments.
About ThermalTake
The brand personality of Unique, Aggressive, Vivid, and Stylish makes Thermaltake an expert in creating Exciting things and Fascinating environment for gamers and enthusiasts, also Keep them Constantly High physically and mentally. Moreover, Thermaltake Technology get close to consumers and observe lead users’ behavior and requirement, to design aesthetic and high quality products which will greatly improve system performance and bring the user to the up most potential. With innovative design and unique style, Thermaltake products spread rapidly among the enthusiasts in DIY market and soon become the number one choice for PC DIY enthusiasts worldwide.
Specs
| Model | Urban T81 |
| P/N | CA-1B7-00F1WN-00 |
| Case Type | Full Towe |
| Dimension (H x W x D) | 585 x 235 x 602 mm (23 x 9.3 x 23.7 inch) |
| Net Weight | 13.8 Kg / 30.4 lb |
| Side Panel | Transparent Window |
| Color | Exterior & Interior : Black |
| Material | SECC |
| Cooling System | Front (intake) :200 x 200 x 30 mm fan (600~800rpm, 13~15dBA) x 2 Rear (exhaust) :140 x 140 x 25 mm Turbo fan (1000rpm, 16dBA) Top (exhaust) : 200 x 200 x 30 mm fan (600~800rpm, 13~15dBA) |
| Drive Bays | -Accessible : 2 x 5.25″,1 x 3.5″ (Converted from one 5.25″ drive bay) -Hidden : 8 x 3.5″ or 8 x 2.5″ |
| Expansion Slots | 8 |
| Motherboards | 9.6″ x 9.6″ (Micro ATX), 12″ x 9.6” (ATX), 12″ x 13″ (Extend ATX) |
| I/O Ports | USB 3.0 x 2,USB 2.0 x 4, HD Audio x 1, Fan Speed Control |
| PSU | Standard PS2 PSU (optional) |
| LCS Upgradable | Supports 1/2”, 3/8”, 1/4” water tube |
| Fan Support | Front: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 120mm or 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm or 2 x 140mm 1 x 200mm or 2 x 200mm Top: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 120mm or 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm or 2 x 140mm 1 x 200mm or 2 x 200mm Rear: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 140mm Bottom: 1 x 120mm or 2 x 120mm 1 x 140mm or 2 x 140mm |
| Radiator Support | Front: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 240mm or 1 x 360mm 1 x 140mm or 1 x 280mm or 1 x 420mm Top: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 240mm or 1 x 360mm 1 x 140mm or 1 x 280mm or 1 x 420mm Rear: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 140mm Bottom: 1 x 120mm or 1 x 240mm 1 x 140mm or 1 x 280mm |
| Other | CPU cooler height limitation: 180mm VGA length limitation: 360mm(with HDD rack) 400mm(without HDD rack) |
Did you do 140mm push/pull or did you leave the 200mm stock fans in the front of the case? Would 3x140s fit in front? Documentation seems to indcate 3×120 or 2×140, but that’s slightly less than ideal.
There were 3 140mm fans install on the “inside” part of the 420mm Rad. The 200mm fans were removed. If you are not using the top 5.25″ drive bays you will be able to install 3 140mm on the outside of the rad under the front Bezel. There is more than enough clearance. TT also pre-drilled a good amount of screw holes in the front. I will verify mounting 3 140mm on the outer side of the rad under the bezel for you tonight when I get in front of the system.
Awesome, thanks!
Sorry for the delay. The mounting rails on the outside of the case stop right as it gets to the 5.25 bays. So without some modification you will only be able to mount 2 140mm fans on the front intake. Unless you only use 2 screws and some other method to hold the top section of the 3rd fan in place. Using 2 on the outside and 3 on the inside isn’t that big of an issue. At least not to me as it will be covered and will go unnoticed by anyone that sees your system
Cool. Seems like I could still use the mounting holes on the rad at that point with the addition of some type of thin silicone washer or similar to make up the space+reduce vibration for those last two screws on the top then. Thanks for the info, exactly what I needed to know.
Good Idea. If you are not a member of the forum please register so you can share this when you install the fans and rad. I would love to see how it comes out. I love this case and still using it as it was shown in the review.