Raidmax Hyperion Micro-ATX Case Review
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Raidmax Hyperion Micro-ATX Case Review
By Julian Duque
Manufacturer: Raidmax Co.
Product Name: Hyperion Micro-ATX Case
Model Number: MATX-102WBU
EAN: 0854190102002
Price As Tested: $69.99 (Newegg)
Product Name: Hyperion Micro-ATX Case
Model Number: MATX-102WBU
EAN: 0854190102002
Price As Tested: $69.99 (Newegg)
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Raidmax.
Raidmax is one of those companies that many enthusiasts are not aware has been around since 1988. However, must of us know them as a second tier brand which provides builders with budget oriented cases, power supplies, and fans. Most of the time, their current chassis line-up constitutes of mid or full towers, but recently a shy amount of small form factor cases has made way to introduce Raidmax into this growing market. Among these cases is the Raidmax Atomic, and it�s bigger brother, the Hyperion which is the case being reviewed in this article.
Like many other popular Micro-ATX cases, Raidmax has opted for a dual chamber design. However, note that this is not as wide as others like the Fractal Design Node 804, but still manages to fit plenty of fans, 3.5? and 2.5? drives, and they even added a 5.25? bay. The case is not exactly eye candy, however many HTPC users will find that the overall design is not flashy, but rather elegant and simple. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Raidmax Hyperion Micro-ATX computer case.
The Features & Specifications were easily found on Raidmax�s website. In here you will also find the vast amount of configurations that you can install inside the Raidmax Hyperion, as well as any product compatibility. You can also see that the Raidmax Hyperion comes in four colors, white, pink, titanium and black which is the one featured in this review.
Features & Specifications
Courtesy of Raidmax.com
image: http://www.raidmax.com/images/spechyperion.jpg
Raidmax Hyperion Case Overview
As usual, the first thing to be discussed is the exterior of the case. Due to it�s low price, I did not expect this case to have aluminum side panels and a glass window, but rather to have the industry standard steel chassis with bits of plastic here and there. Of course, if the design proves to be worthy it would be really interesting to see Raidmax offer a premium version of the Hyperion, but given Raidmax always targets the budget market, I am doubtful this would ever happen.
Along the top of the case we find a decorative blue line which forms part of the plastic top panel; it also marks the end of the front panel which does not have the typical aggressive look from Raidmax, but a very elegant and minimalistic front panel which is only disturbed by a 5.25? drive bay. The plastic front panel curves at both sides, making it part away even farther than the aggressive looking cases that we normally expect from Raidmax.
The top cover has a pretty big opening to allow air to be exhausted into the case. Unfortunately I would not use the top as intake mainly due to the top cover having small gaps that allow dust to settle. Aesthetically I wouldn�t say that this is the ugliest top panel, but Raidmax could have done a lot better as this panel looks like it is missing something on top. Given that the rest of the case features a more simple design, a flat surface would have been more adequate for the Hyperion.
.The reason why the Raidmax Hyperion is slimer than other cases, is due to the unique power supply placement which has it�s intake coming from the side panel. On the other side of the case, the PCI Slots are held together by a metal piece which is tightened held down by a thumb screw.This is the same mechanism found in many budget cases, but that doesn�t mean it is bad, and it is an obvious upgrade from the PCI slot covers from most OEM cases which are known to cut your fingers. At the bottom you also find two dust filters and four rubber feet that keep the case from scratching your table.
Both side panels are held by thumb screws at the back. Unfortunately they are the type which latch on to little holes found on the top and bottom of the case, but due to the Hyperion having plenty of space for cable management you will not have any trouble closing them. Behind the side panel there is also two dedicated dust filters, which can be easily removed to be cleaned.
Raidmax Hyperion Case Exterior Details
Like most cases there are also small details that usually go unnoticed in most cases. In this section we will take a look at them, as well as removing both the front and the top panels from the Raidmax Hyperion.
Below the top cover we find the two included 120 mm fans, which are illuminated by blue LEDs. We also find slots to mount one 140 mm fans, or one 200 mm fan which is fairly impressive for a case this small. One thing to note is that the I/O panel is attached to the top panel, so removing the top panel means having to unplug all the front I/O connectors. If you are a case modder you could easily remove the top panel and simply add a radiator shroud, this would greatly improve many of the issues I have encountered thus far with the Raidmax Hyperion.
Another issue with the top panel is the dust filter. Yes, it is nice they even included one, but it could have been a lot better. The filter itself is also glued onto the panel, so while cleaning it you have to be careful not to spill water onto the I/O panel. There also seemed to be areas in which the filter was poorly threaded, allowing dust inside the case. Using the same type of filters found at the bottom of the case would have been a much better option.
One very interesting design choice is the addition of a steel frame to the side panels, which makes them more rigid. Even the side panel with the window did not flex as much as I expected and this is very innovative approach to a very common problem in many cases. In the picture above you will also notice that both dust filters simply fit into the small latches in both openings of the case, which is alright considering the price of the case.
Taking the front cover off is relatively easy, just push it out from the bottom to gain access to the various fan mount locations, as well as to some cable routing options. In the front you have the option to mount two 120 mm, two 140 mm fans or radiators. Unfortunately there is no dust filter, which would have been ideal to have as the front cover is heavily restrictive and air comes in through a bottom opening between the body and the cover.
Raidmax Hyperion Case Interior Features
The exterior of the case had some flaws when we looked at it in detail, however it was very well constructed and had some very compelling features. Let�s now open the case, and see what other hidden gems or flaws we can find in the Raidmax Hyperion.
Inside it is very pleasing to see that everything is coated in the same black finish as the side panels. You also get plenty of cable managing options, with big rubber grommets on the sides, as well as a small opening at the bottom for your front I/O. There is also enough clearance for two dual slot graphics cards with up to 325 mm of length. Surprisingly the motherboard standoffs are not installed, but I think they made the right choice since there are still many micro-ATX motherboards that use the third lower-right screw.
Fortunately, Raidmax did include a Philips socket that can be used to install the motherboard standoffs. You also get an instruction manual, some zip ties, a motherboard speaker, and enough screws to completely fill the Raidmax hyperion. All the screws are black, which is nice considering the price. The manual does mention how to correctly disassemble things such as the 5.25? bay to add extra space for radiators, and gives you a pretty good overview of the case.
At the back we find a pretty crowded space, that is with both the fan bracket and the drive cage in place. You do get clearance for 190 mm power supply with the drive cage installed, or up to 300 mm without the drive cage. I do suggest you get a modular power supply if you decide to leave the drive cage, as there is barely any space to do messy cable management.
Although both the cage and bracket add expansion options to the Raidmax Hyperion, I decided to remove them to see how much space can be gained to do better cable management. At the top you may notice a big gap between the top panel and the motherboard tray, which is used to mount fans at the top of the case. Along the back you also get plenty of cable tow down points.
System Building with Raidmax Hyperion
Probably the most problematic issue case manufacturers have with making Micro-ATX chassis is making a space efficient case that is small, but at the same time it does not sacrifice ease of use. Being this Raidmax first time building a small chassis, it was somewhat worrying to build a system on this case, but I was a bit surprised as you will see in this section.
My only complain when building the system, came with installing a 5.25? optical drive. It is extremely short, and it might be fine with things like fan controllers. But with a Blue-Ray in place, this piece wobbled unlike anything else in the case. This shouldn�t not be a big issue, as I admire that Raidmax still give users a chance to install a 5,25? drive and not remove it like everyone else in the industry.
Cable management is handled extremely well, even with our non-modular power supply. I did remove both the fan brackets and the hard drive cages as routing cables was almost impossible, but with a modular power supply, this process can be a lot less messy, and you will probably have more than enough space to fit both the drive cage and the fan bracket. Mounted on the rear of the case, is a 3.5? drive which is natively supported by the Raidmax Hyperion.
One peculiar thing is the inclusion of rubber washers located at the bottom of the case to mount both two 120 mm fans, or two 3.5? drives. In case you decide to mount both fans it is necessary you remove the hard drive grommets as they will hit the fan�s blades. There is no support for radiators as the spacing between both fan mounts is too wide, although you could probably fit one into place if needed.
Surprisingly, the build looks far beyond my initial expectations. There is more than enough space inside the Raidmax Hyperion to build an enthusiast system without too much of a hassle.
Micro-ATX Case Final Thoughts
Although Raidmax did a lot of good choices with the Hyperion�s design there are still a few things that should be corrected in order to give the Hyperion total appraisal. For example, the whole top panel should be solid as the current panel is like a dust fortress. The front I/O should not be attached to any panel, specially if that panel has a glued dust filter which can only be cleaned by water. Asides from that, the build quality is great, and the design is unique, elegant, and probably one of my favourites among the Micro-ATX market.
Raidmax Hyperion Micro-ATX
Case Conclusion
Being so small probably means that you won�t be able to fit a lot of stuff in it right? Not exactly� The Raidmax Hyperion is able to mount plenty of hard drives, fans, and even radiators if you decide to. There is also plenty of space for hard drives, 5 expansion slots, and even a 5.25? bay which I thought had completely disappeared from the Micro-ATX market.
Raidmax currently sells four distinct colors of the Hyperion. The black version which was reviewed in this article looked not as flashy as other Raidmax cases, but elegant. They did include a side panel window, and two LED fans which might attract some users, but probably the most notorious feature of the Raidmax Hyperion is how small and compact it is as compared to other micro-ATX cases with two chambers.
Construction of the Hyperion is exceptional, until you look at the top panel. Both side panels are not thick, but they have a small metallic frame that prevents them from flexing. The paint finish does not scratch as easily, and there is not a single thing inside the Raidmax Hyperion that is a potential finger cutter, but the top panel just screams laziness. The front I/O is attached to it, as well as the very flimsy dust filter which can only be cleaned if you decide to unplug all the front I/O cables. There is also no dust filter at the front, leaving the only potential intake at the bottom of the case.
Functionality is peculiar with this case. The 3.5? drive cages will probably need to be removed unless you have a modular power supply, unless you are really good at tucking cables away. The 5.25? bay can only be used if there is no fans or radiators installed at the top, and similarly the bottom does not support radiators due to spacing between both fan mount locations. Also, installing fans at the bottom will not allow you to use the bottom PCI slot, leaving you only with four. Although all these things affect the Raidmax Hyperion�s functionality, they are completely minimal to what you are able to install if done correctly within this case.
A complete departure from the traditional Raidmax philosophy of aggressive looking Mid-Towers will cost you $69.99 (Newegg). They do offer a lot in terms of a value case, including three fans and a case constructed with ease of mind as a priority. As compared to other cases around this price point, you do get a fairly unique design with a wide amount of support for fans and drives but there are still a few minor things to be corrected, specially concerning the top panel, and for this reason it deserves the Silver Tachometer Award.
Pros:
+ Extensive cooling support
+ Elegant and unique design
+ 3 fans included
+ Efficient interior layout
+ Elegant and unique design
+ 3 fans included
+ Efficient interior layout
Cons:
� Top panel looks aesthetically incomplete
� Poor dust filter quality
� Poor dust filter quality
Ratings:
- Performance: 9.5
- Appearance: 9.0
- Construction: 7.5
- Functionality: 9.0
- Value: 9.5
Final Score: 8.95 out of 10.
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