Review on Thermaltake Core P3 ATX Tempered Glass Gaming Computer Case Chassis: Open Frame, Wall-Mounted, Riser Cable Included - Black Edition by Bryan Fisher

This case is larger but otherwise similar to the smallest Core P3 and P5 in between. However, there are some significant differences that can be taken as clarifications. For example, there are now steel plates under the glass top and bottom for mounting a fan or heatsink, and the front panel has been expanded to include a USB Type-C port along with 4 USB Type-A ports - 2 USB 3 ports each - expanded. x and 2.0 and headphone/microphone audio jacks. The tempered glass panels have been slightly reduced from 5mm to 4mm on the smaller models, although they still feel solid and quite heavy. The case comes fully assembled and I'm surprised it arrived intact. Although I bought it new and apparently shipped directly from Thermaltake, the packaging looked like a Revain stock item that has been shipped multiple times. It was quite badly dented, it looks like new taped and partially crumpled on one side. Each end is covered with a piece of styrofoam, but otherwise that's about it - no further padding or packaging for the other sides. This is how traditional boxes are usually packed, but there is a lot of glass here. But no matter how bad the box looked, none of the glass broke or shattered. As with the other two models, Thermaltake advertises this as an open case, however here the remaining glass panels have had to "close" the case for a more traditional look. There's very little plastic throughout and it's certainly heavier than the case. Fit and finish are excellent. There are still many intentional gaps and places for ventilation, so I'm not yet sure how dust will be a factor over time. Hopefully, proper fan configuration, particularly positive pressure, will help mitigate dust build-up issues. Of course, another potential factor with a semi-open case is noise, so be mindful of gaps and spaces if you plan to place noisy components inside. The side with the most free space is the back. Blackboard. It feels more refined than its previous models, although it doesn't have the same finished look as a traditional chassis. This is obviously a conscious design choice on the part of Thermaltake to maximize configuration possibilities, particularly the rotating card slot cover. If you choose a vertical graphics card configuration, a 16-way vertical cable is included. The motherboard and PSU bracket is recessed about 1-2 inches on the back. Functionally, of course, this doesn't seem to be a problem. Keep in mind that if you're using an old motherboard with a standard I/O shield that typically wedges between the rear connectors and a standard ATX case, it just won't work here. You will need to remove the I/O shield or find alternative ways to attach it. No big deal really. The rear cable management/hard drive compartment appears to be well designed and is approximately 45mm deep. The kit includes three drive mounting plates, each capable of holding one 3.5" or two 2.5" drives. There are attachment points for additional drive pulleys (sold separately). The removable VESA block is heavy and rigid. It should provide a solid base if you're looking to hang the P8 on a wall or TV. There are three high-quality magnetic dust filters in total - one each for the top and bottom, which are interchangeable but slightly wider than the third filter, which can be located either on the front of the case or over the perforated hole in the rear side panel. A fourth filter would have been a nice addition, although I suspect it was left out as a typical setup would still have at least one point pushing air out. I especially like the size. In person, it's impressively large and will certainly make a statement on a shelf or desk. I won't go into detail about the various mounting options for fans and heat sinks here, as these can be found elsewhere. The fact that the case can hold so much gear with ease is a testament to the great design. However, I am a little disappointed that there is no more space above the mainboard to install a heatsink with built-in fans. From the top edge of my motherboard to the plate where the heatsink and fans mount, 60mm. Fans are typically 25mm. This leaves only 35 mm for the cooler, which is not much. A reasonably thin heatsink will do, except the 8-pin CPU harness may get in the way. Some boards require two of these cables, and when sleeved they can be too stiff to slide far enough back and out of the way (see image). maybe better because it still looks closed and complete - best of both worlds. Plus, the glass shade looks just right. It gives all LEDs a great glow when viewed from almost any angle, especially in a dark or dimly lit room where the case really shines. Light fingerprints and dust on glass simply disappear in all but the brightest rooms. In terms of aesthetics and display, there's probably no better option on the market right now if you can handle the size. It seems like a lot of thought went into the design and I imagine Thermaltake will be selling a lot of these once the pro reviews start rolling in. This is excellent value for money compared to competitors in the enthusiast and high-end case segment. Good job Thermaltake. Highly recommended!