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What do you get when you
cross a server rack company with the resources to go into niche
market that they want? If you really want to know its pretty obvious
with all the shiny pictures and descriptions, but its actually quite
interesting to see enclosure accents from mainframe servers that you
probably work on everyday on a nice gaming case like the Storm S-9.
After a few looks
at this case it looks and feels like a lightweight tank, and sure
enough it really is. Having a case like this at a LAN party is
more or less saying that what is inside is a secret that you really
want to know about. From what I can see so far, IStar has hit the
nail on the head, well almost...
Features -
Model Number S-9-H34
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Top Access I/O Panel
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Aluminum Dash Plate
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4 Hot-Swappable SATA II Drive Bay
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Meet CAG1.1 Intel Thermal Standard
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Optional iStarUSA Mini Redundant Power Supply
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Easy Assembling Drives
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Easy Assembling Expansion Slots
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Metal Mesh Bezel with Air Filter
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Tool-less Thumb Screws
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4xSATA Hot-swap Drive
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1x3.5" Drive
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4x3.5" Drive (internal)
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2x5.25" Drive
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Cooling Fan [Option] [2x120mm] Mainboard Size (inch) 12 x 10
Front Connector 2xUSB 2.0
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1xIEEE1394
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1xLine out
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1xMicrophone Indicators LEDs for Power ON/OFF, HDD Switches
Power ON/OFF, System Reset Speaker 0.4W Built-In Material of Front Bezel
Aluminum Material of Main Chassis 0.8/0.6 SECC/SGCC Color of Front
Bezel Black Color of Main Chassis Black Dimensions (W x H x D) 8.2 x
17.8 x 20.2 inch
IStar Quote:
“IStarUSA introduces a new modern, tool-less assembly design S-9-H34
Mid-Tower ATX chassis. It provides innovative features such as
aluminum top mount USB2.0, Audio, Firewire 1394 for easy access,
metal mesh bezel with air filter for great cooling, excellent
thermal solution meets CAG 1.1 standard. S-9-H34 supports iStarUSA
redundant power supply that keep system running without any
interruptions. With a 4-Bay hot-swappable SATA converter cage, it is
best suited for storage server applications.”
To put it simply, The Storm S9 comes across as
kind of a wanna-be case. It wants to be a case that people will take
seriously with its dark black color, and functional design that
allows for decent cooling for top-end workstation use. Of course
this can also be a case that people can modify fairly significant
since it is very inexpensive, has loads of room, and is multiple HD
friendly. I personally prefer higher-end cases for my own use, but
this case does have some assets that make it ideal for the kind of
case you would use for builds.
This is what I mean about functionality. One the
very top of the case is this opening that allows you to turn your
system on, plug in your iPod, Firewire for your camcorder, a set of
headphones and microphone. I honestly can say that IStar did a real
good job placing these on the very top, and they even angled it just
so you can easily plug in or access your system easier than any
other case in the history that I've reviewed cases.
The Storm S9 that we are reviewing came with no
PSU, it should also be mentioned that IStar decided to ship the
Storm S9 with its 4-bay RAID cage. A quick glance at IStar's website
reveals more then one product that is modular with its whole line-up
of enclosures. From it's intriguing mini-redundant PSU, to a full
line-up of hot-swap RAID cages like the one that came already
installed in our S9 Case, IStar does have some impressive stuff.
IStar's RAID "cage", PN# BPU-340-SA. This hot swap
bay comes with a lot of features that highlight IStar's
strongpoint's, mainly lots of function for value, not excluding
esthetics. It's pretty huh.. :)
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