Thermaltake Element G – a great case for gamers!

Exploring the Element G

Here we see the Thermaltake Element G with the left side panel off. The inside of the case is very nicely painted black. Not painting the case’s interior is a major cost-saving feature for the manufacturer and it often differentiates a midrange case from a high-end one. Inside the Thermaltake Element G is sufficient room for two over-sized video cards like ten and one-half inch reference HD 5870 and large CPU coolers.  Here we see the case as we unpack it for our build and we notice the parts inside. 

Generally, one mid-tower case is generally not more “roomy” than another; it depends on how well everything is arranged that makes a build easy – or not.  In this specific instance, the Element G is larger than the average mid-tower, 20.9 (L) x 9.1 (W) x 18.9 (H). The Element G is one of the easiest and most trouble-free builds that this editor has ever put together.

The front has dust filters over the optical drive bays and over the intake fan. At the top of the case and at the back, there are no dust filters as the 200 mm top fan and 120 mm back fan are for exhaust.  Here we see the metal mesh of the drive bay and the plastic foam behind it which does a superb job of trapping dust.  Even the metal mesh by itself, helps to keep your case interior dust-free.

We also see the Thermaltake Element G comes with the standard internal connectors which are USB, headphone/microphone inputs, and LED and switch connectors. The instructions come inside the box and the accessories are also packaged in a plastic bag. You will also get the necessary screws and zip ties. It is mostly a “tool free” build although a Philips screw driver is always useful.  Here is the bag of goodies including two fan protectors for easily adding two additional (optional, not included) 120 mm fans for the front of the case to replace the single included 200 mm fan, especially if you have to cool a lot of hard drives:

You will also get an instruction manual which is quite generic and also printed in several languages.

Here is the Thermaltake Element G from the right. The motherboard tray is not removable – a cost saving feature – but the clever cutout makes it completely unnecessary for many situations. You can easily remove and replace a CPU in just a few minutes – without the irritating need to remove the motherboard, just to remove a heatsink or to replace a CPU. There are also several cutouts for cable management.

The back panel is visible from this shot:

The Thermaltake Element G case is usually air-cooled but also has cutouts for water cooling tubes to pass through at the bottom next to the PSU grill. We also see spaces for two optional 60 mm fans for more extreme cooling needs. To the left of the 120 mm fan is where the standard motherboard I/O shield plate is installed.

Below that are the standard six expansion slots. Both left and right side panels are secured with three black thumb screws each. They are installed into both of the panels in the above image.

The front is constructed of plastic and metal mesh. With the hard drive cage removed, one can see through the front drive bays all the way to the back of the chassis. The metal mesh covers even act somewhat as dust filters and the drive bay grills are further covered inside with soft plastic mesh similar to that found in air conditioners.

Here is the front of the Thermaltake Element G:

We see the front I/O panel with 4 USB ports along with the headphone and microphone jacks. Also on this panel, you will find the on/off button for the system’s power and reset button. There is also a power LED and a hard disk drive activity LED. The bottom mesh mostly acts as a dust filter and allows for cool air to be pulled in through it using the 200 mm fan.

Here is the front panel removed from the chassis.  There are a couple of clips you press and it will pop off easily.

Here is the other side of the front panel.  Note the double protection from dust.

The front 200 mm fan is easily replaced with two tool less fan protectors that hold 120 mm fans.  This would be useful if your hard drive cage is filled with hard drives and you need more cooling than a single fan can provide.

Here is the close-up of the I/O panel.  You get a multi-purpose knob that adjusts the four built-in fans’ speed and is also used to adjust the LEDs.  One press gives you blue, the second is green, another brings red, the fourth and fifth press bring a variable LED light show and the sixth, turns it off.    This is well thought-out but the next feature is not and it is the only nit-pick of an otherwise nearly perfect oversized mid-tower.  The power button is much too easy to depress and you may find yourself shutting down your PC inadvertently while you are perhaps reaching to adjust the fan’s RPMs or the LEDs.  You also get four USB ports, and two LEDs for HD activity and power on, all of which are very useful and the front panel is even angled a bit so that USB cables do not get in the way of the optical drives opening and closing!

Here is the Thermaltake Element G with the left side panel installed. The huge 230 mm fan will bring in a rush of fresh cool air while still remaining quiet!  The fan’s speed can also be adjusted for “performance” when you are gaming and will never notice the extra noise (over your video card, anyway).  The right side panel is completely plain with no opening whatsoever.

Here is a feature that this editor is absolutely in love with.  The side panel’s fan connects to the PSU through a junction in the door – no more plugging in and unplugging a cable when you remove  your side panel!

Above is a closeup of the connector that handles the power to the fan and the LEDs; the socket is in the case proper and you never have to pay attention to it – just put on your side panel and it automatically connects perfectly.