Introduction:

It's been a while since I've reviewed a full tower case. One might think that their popularity is waning with the advent of combo optical drives and large HDDs. On the contrary, the full tower market is still strong. While I've since switched to a mid-tower for my main system there are many situations where a full tower is the only option. Full tower cases also provide for maximum growth and in general are the best option for ease-of-use and installation, something greatly desired by tweakers and modders.

Apevia (formerly Aspire) is probably best known for their Q-Pack and X-Qpack2 MicroATX cases. These were a big hit since in addition to the small form factor, they allowed the use of standard-sized ATX PSUs, something most other MicroATX cases did not. Apevia has since expanded their line up to include big as well as small cases. The X-Jupiter series of cases would fall into the "big" category. These aluminum full tower cases sport a variety of features and loads of drive bays and are targeted towards the enthusiast community. Today, we'll look at the X-Jupiter G Type Full Tower to see if it lives up to Apevia's former accolades.

Specifications:

The X-Jupiter series comes in two styles and a variety of colours. The S-Type does not have a window but instead a solid side panel with a gigantic 250 mm fan. The G-type, which we review here today, has a more typical window and 120 mm LED fan. All of the cases in the series are made of aluminum, making them very light. How light? Well, the shipping weight is stated to be 20 lbs, but I'd wager that the empty case weighs a bit less than that - this is very light weight, considering steel mid towers can weigh more than 20 lbs, and full towers > 30 lbs.

• Full Specifications

Some other important points: The X-Jupiter has 5x5.25" bays, 2x3.5" external bays and 6x3.5" HDD internal bays. This is more than enough for any system. Some other nice features include two built-in fan controllers with full speed control, an LCD for monitoring two temperatures with the included temperature probes. Additionally, four 120mm fans are included with the case. Overall, it's a pretty great package for a full tower.

The X-Jupiter comes in a package that may initially cause confusion as to whether you got the windowed or non-windowed version, as one side displays the G-Type and the other the S-Type. However, the type is clearly marked on the case with a checkmark. Opening it up, you'll find a fairly well-packaged case. Our first impression was just how light weight this case was; it's safe to say that if you've been dealing with steel cases all of your life, you'll find that moving the X-Jupiter around is child's play.

Packaged.

Well protected.

The X-Jupiter.

As you can see, the version we reviewed was dark blue, certainly not a traditional case colour. However, it goes well with the black peripherals that seem to dominate the market currently and if you don't think so, the front door nicely hides any offending colour mismatches. Looking at the exterior, the left side has a fairly typical window along with a 120mm LED fan for intake; it's roughly positioned over the expansion/video card area. Additionally, the side panel has a handle/latch that can be locked. If you've ever owned one of the Antec cases, you'll notice the similarity. The window is nicely protected with plastic film to protect from scratches during shipping.

Right side view.

Front door open.

Front USB, LCD and fan controllers.

Looking at the right side, you'll notice that the front door can also be locked from this side. These two locks add a nice level of deterrence for any prying hands. The door is actually very well-constructed. Unlike most doors, it's made out of aluminum, not plastic (though the front panel is plastic) and the latch is also metal. This should make it fairly durable and assuage any worries of breakage. Behind the door, you'll find the power and reset buttons. Just below the door are two USB ports, the LCD for monitoring temperatures and two fan control knobs. The fan control knobs are a straightforward way of manually controlling your fan's speeds. At the bottom front are the vents for the intake 120mm LED fan.

Metal door latch.

Top fan position.

Back view.

On top you'll find another fan position, though no fan is included in this spot. It can go with either a 120mm or 80mm fan and the vent holes can be opened or closed via a sliding switch on the side. However, the vent holes seem a little restrictive. You'll also notice some additional ports on top: There are two more USB ports, Firewire and Audio ports on a panel here and the panel is slightly tilted forwards. The audio ports are HD-Audio only, so you'll want to make sure your motherboard or sound card supports this and not just the older AC'97 standard. The power and HDD LEDs are also on top here.

Two 120mm exhaust fans.

Side view.

Looking at the rear, you'll see that no PSU is included; this is fairly normal for cases nowadays as it gives more choice to the end user. You can also see the use of thumb screws to secure the side panels. There are also two 120mm rear exhaust fans here, which should provide more than enough airflow out the back. It's nice to see all of the cooling options provided. Taking a closer look at the side panel, you'll notice the 120mm fan has a nice grill over it that should keep out larger dirt/debris, but you'll have to clean it regularly to prevent it from clogging.

Door handle.

Bottom.

The bottom of the case features feet that swing out for added stability on surfaces like carpet. This is a nice feature that's been seen on full tower cases before and it has the added bonus of propping the case up off the floor for better intake for the front fan. Overall, the X-Jupiter is a fairly slick-looking case and with the use of aluminum on the front panel it is as durable as it is attractive. While some may not like the bold blue colour, it's a nice change from all of the black cases currently on the market. Apevia really has made the design of this case nice.

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