DeepCool NEW ARK 90 Tower Chassis review

PC Cases and Modding 235 Page 4 of 13 Published by

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Product Showcase - Interior

 

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Once we strip away the side panels, we can have a better look at the interior. You will notice that the design is a bit different from what we are used to with that bottom compartment HDD tray location and see-through design. You can install/ access SSD/HDDs in the backside. There are enough reach and space to access the motherboard and you can fit pretty big components. The chassis supports graphics cards up to 310 mm, the CPU 186mm, but heck you got a cooler included. Speaking of which, you can spot the 280mm rad here, with three 140mm fans. Sounds weird, yes but for good reason, the lower fan extends over the radiator and then cools the HDDs, it's pretty simple, yet clever. You can mount three HDDs or SSDs there, then another three SSDs can be installed throughout the chassis.

 

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When we move the camera top side we can see more room and space for radiators or say three fans. Again, the front side mounted one is already installed for you. The fans connect to a supplied fan HUB, and from that HUB one wire leads towards a motherboard FAN controller, preferably the one labeled CPU FAN so you can actively control PWM control from the system BIOS and thus regulate RPM relative to noise levels. 

 

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Once we remove the water-block from its protective packaging we'll see that very recognizable Captain series water block with the pump embedded in it. We'll need to mount a back-plate and some screws to the motherboard to keep this puppy in place. It just is a terrific block to watch (once mounted). 
 

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It is a proper block as well, we see a nice flat copper finish, sure not exactly a mirror wash finish but that will definitely get the job done with that 280mm rad. We'll test this setup at an overclocked stage and voltages as well. More on that later in the article though.
 

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In the rear we spot one more 140 mm fan, this will function as extra airflow exhaust that draws heat from your motherboard VRM area. Airflow is rather optimal with this chassis. Cable routing, (though not perfect) should not a problem with this chassis either. Mind you that the front-panel USB 3.1 connectors must be connected to the proprietary USB 3.1 header on your motherboard. We see 8+2 PCI card slots and all the way at the bottom space for a PSU.  

 

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The two extra PCI card slots (top side of photo) can be used to mount your gfx-card horizontally at a 90-degree angle, e.g. the cooler would be pointing towards you. This requires an extra kit with PCI-Express riser cable and is unfortunately not included yet sold as optional.  

  

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The one remark, a compartment to hide and house your PSU, and then they've placed a small see-through window in there. Hhmmmm, that was unnecessary I guess.

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