Thermaltake are a big player in the PC chassis game. All of the big players offer big, full tower, cases. Thermaltake themselves boast the flagship Armor+ range accompanied by products such as the classic Xaser, innovative Tai Chi, and the aggressive looking Shark.

These full tower cases are fantastic, offering oodles of space for large graphics cards, coolers, multiple 5.25” and 3.5” drives, whilst producing high air flow to keep operating temperatures to a minimum. A lot of time is invested in making these cases aesthetically pleasing, and their oft stylishly outrageous designs are bound to impress the girl next door.

However, the full tower case does not suit everybody. The first factor that thwarts the full tower chassis is portability. For users who frequently unplug and shove their PC in the backseat, a full tower case can be a nightmare. Carrying a bare Thermaltake Armor+ could be considered an awkward anaerobic workout, so try loading it up with a power supply, 4 hard drives, your 9800GTX, motherboard, and cooling and suddenly you have a 25kg metal suitcase on your hands, not to mention a sore back to go with it. Not ideal for the frequent LANer.

Price is also a mitigating factor. With most quality full tower cases in excess of $200, and some around the $300-$400 mark, purchasing a case can become quite the investment, and simply unaffordable for some.

This is where a mid tower case begins to look quite attractive. A stylish and functional mid-size ATX case can be obtained for under and around the $100 mark, making mid-sized cases a very cost effective option. People will always want the best bang for their buck, and with a PC chassis it is certainly no different.

The most important aspects in my opinion for a chassis are functionality, looks, noise levels, weight, and cooling. The makings of a great case involve excelling in all of these areas, whilst maintaining a low price. Appealing to the individual user is obviously the last factor and is equally important, but different cases will appeal to different people for different reasons, and this is why Thermaltake and the like have around 40 different cases on offer, each targeted at a different audience.

A new case surging to achieve greatness is the Thermaltake M9D VI4000BNS. There are two types of case buyers – window and non-window, and Thermaltake has adhered to this with the M9D line. Sister to the M9D VI4000BWS, the VI4000BNS is the same case without a window on the side panel. Being a non-windower myself, I am pleased to be reviewing the BNS.