Sponsor | Nexus
Article Author | Mason "HigHTecHReDNecK" Quiqnon
Editor | Dave "reflux" Robertson
Nexus Caterpillar
Nexustek was started in 2000 by a group of people with the intention of making quality products that reduce heat and noise, two of the main concerns of people like myself when it comes to building a new pc or upgrading and old one. The "Silent Solution" products Nexustek makes range from cpu coolers to sound absorption material. Today however I'll be taking a look at their latest foray into the PC case market with the Caterpillar, a mid-tower ATX/Micro-ATX case with some very unique features.
Packaging
My local postal driver dropped off the package, and I do mean DROPPED, and I signed for it with a bit of apprehension because when I say dropped, I mean he literally let it fall out of his truck and hit the pavement while I was standing there. After a few choice words to the postman I got it inside and unpacked and was relieved to see the case didn't have a dent or scratch on it. The Box that the case comes in is give you a good idea of what's inside without being flashy or obnoxious like a lot of packaging on today's shelves. Looking around the box you'll find the features and specifications . In the upper right corner on both front and back you'll also find a web address STOP THE NOISE.COM, which I of course just had to check out, and it brings you to the Nexustek site.
What Nexus says about the Caterpillar
Going to the StopTheNoise web site, here's what they say about this case:
- "The Nexus Caterpillar Silent System PC Case is an optimal office or home pc case to create your ultimate silent system. The Caterpillar case is equipped with two Real Silent 120mm case fans (black/white model) to create great airflow inside the case. Plus these case fans have been mounted inside the case with rubber fan mounts to prevent resonance. Further more the inside of the case is fully covered with wave-foam noise absorption material to absorb any unwanted noise coming from your systems components."
The Nexus Caterpillar case front is made from the metal mesh which is often use in the audio industry. This gives the case the rugged, strong but clean look.
Check out all the great features of this silent pc case.
SPECIFACATIONS
| Size | 43.7x19.7x52.9cm (Height x Width x Depth) |
| Motherboard size | ATX/M-ATX |
| PSU | Not supplied |
| Case fans | 2 x 120mm Real Silent fan (black/White) |
| Front Ports | Fire Wire port, 2x USB2.0, Mic and Speaker |
| 5.25" bays | 3x front accessible |
| 3.5" bays | 1x front accessible + 1 not accessible through front |
| HDD bays | 4 ventilated HDD bays in bottom of the case |
| Case size | 43.7x19.7x52.9cm (Height x Width x Depth) |
| Box size | 50,6 x 59x8 x 25x7 cm |
| Box weight | 8.4 kg |
Lets take a look and see if its everything they say it is, shall we.
Contents & Case
The case has a subtle design style and is very sedate in appearance, with a perforated front panel and satin black finish. The upper part of the front panel slides down as apposed to swinging open. Sliding the panel down to the bottom of its travel locks it in place and a simple push inward and upward allows it to then close automatically. Only one side panel, the right as you face the case, is removable and the top and left side are made of one piece of sheet metal and riveted onto the frame with none of the now quite common vents or fan holes. As I looked at the back of the case I immediately noticed that the power supply was not in the normal " top of the Case" location and also the motherboard would be upside down by where the cutout was placed for the I/O shield. The right side panel is held in place with two clear plastic slide locks instead of the normal screws or thumb screws, which I think is a great idea as it prevents the accidental loss of the screws. The latches seem very sturdy and worked really well to keep the removable panel tight to the frame. On the top front of the case hidden behind a push latch flip up door you'll find the front audio jacks, two USB ports and one fire wire port. The power button is centered on the top front of the case while the reset button is located inside the door at the bottom right.
Once I opened the case I found the "Bag-o-Screws" that all cases come with, and nothing else. Searching thorough the case and the box it came in, I couldn't find directions or a manual anywhere, ok it must be just another case build, but still for a first time builder, this is definitely NOT something I would advise leaving out.
I then turned my attention to the parts bag, and that's where I realized **start sarcasm** how nice, parts I haven't seen before, and nothing to tell me what to do with them, WEEEEEE **end sarcasm**. Included in the bag are the typical screws, a zip tie, and standoffs, but there's also three black long thumb screws and four metal brackets and I had no idea what they were for until going to the web site and looking at their product description. I'll clue you in later as to what they're for.
