Page 1:
Earlier this year we reviewed Zalman's FZ-CE1 Fatal1ty case. Although we loved the build quality and design, having "Fatal1ty" etched on every flat surface really soured us on an otherwise stellar case. Zalman listened, and has introduced the Z-Machine GT1000, an enthusiast-level chassis that will continue to be cool long after "Fatal1ty" is a creepy, balding, unemployed 40-year-old.
| Model |
|
| Case Type |
|
| Dimensions |
|
| Drive Bays |
|
| Expansion Slots |
|
| Net Weight |
|
| Cooling |
|
| Material |
|
| Motherboard Compatibility |
|
| PSU Compatibility |
|
| Front I/O Connectivity |
|
| Special Features |
|
| Color |
|
| Price |
The accessory kit includes everything you need to get started, including an Allen wrench for removing the side panels should you need to access the back side of the chassis. You also get plenty of screws, all divided by their type and use (motherboard standoff, drives, etc), and two cable management loops, which can be secured to the side of the case by sticky pads affixed to the bottom. You also get a 3-pin to 4-pin power adapter for the two front 92mm fans.
The Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 is simply an upgrade to the popular FC-ZE1 enclosure we reviewed awhile back. While we really loved the build quality of that case, it was a little over the top with the "Fatal1ty" branding (and by little, we mean a lot). Zalman took an already solid design and made some small modifications that make the Z-Machine GT1000 a better overall case.....changes we'll touch on later.
As Zalman uses 4-5mm anodized aluminum for almost the entire chassis, its durability should make it an attractive option gfor those needing a long term case. The ultra thick metal structure also makes for an incredibly heavy chassis (27.5 pounds).
The right side of the case is secured by Allen screws (hence the included Allen wrench). Removing these screws allows you to remove the motherboard tray (located underneath the side panel), or swing out the front portion to assist in cable management duties.
The rear of the case features a single 120mm exhaust fan with a non-stamped out grille. The 120mm exhaust fan features an LED which matches the color of the front pair of 92mm intake fans. Moving on, we see that the PCI slots are made of thick aluminum which prevents them from being bent when installing add-in cards.
Overall, the exterior of the Z-Machine GT1000 is almost flawless. We still could have done without some of the excessive branding, and we'd like to have seen a little better quality on the side panel window; it seemed to be a bit on the flimsy side. Other than that, there is little to complain about.
The left side of the case has two doors that are secured by four thumb screws: two each, one on top and one on the bottom. The front door covers the drive bays, while the rear door, featuring a plexi-glass panel, covers the motherboard area. This allows you to show off your sweet system in all its glory, including those intent on building an LED light show more colorfully animated than Fantasia. We like the door system much better on the Z-Machine GT1000 than the previous version the Fatal1ty FC-ZE1 which used a latch system to secure the door.
One thing we found bothersome was that the thumb screws quickly marred the screw holes used to secure the doors. To combat this, (and in order for those of you who tinker with their systems frequently), you can simply not use the thumb screws, as the doors also include a small magnet which keep them closed.
The Z-Machine GT-1000 features a simple interior layout with a couple of really nice features that other case manufacturers should take note of. However, not all is peaches and cream, as there were a couple of features that we had some issues with.
During set up, the installation of the PSU was a bit of a pain, as there is nothing to hold it in place while securing it to the enclosure. Also, take note that there is no motherboard tray, so cable management, while not really a problem, will require some creativity on your part. Many people hate cases that use "Tool-Less" PCI slot locks, as they are typically made of plastic and break easily, or are more of a pain to work with than necessary. The Z-Machine GT1000 uses good old fashioned thumb screws to secure your cards with. One problem we did encounter was a stripped out screw hole, but even still, the thumb screw did its job well enough so that it wasn't much of an issue.
Next up on the cool meter are the 5.25" drive bays, which include large thumb screws secured to the case. Simply slide your drive in, twist the thumb screw until it is tight, and you're ready to go - neato! The top two drive bays feature these screws, while the bottom two require you to use screws from the accessory pouch to secure the drives with. Although not pictured (we couldn't get a clear image), the external 3.5" drive was a tedious pain in the rump to work with, and was the only glaring imperfection in an otherwise excellent enclosure.
The installation of components in this enclosure went relatively smooth, save for the motherboard mounting holes not matching up perfectly on our standard ATX motherboard. 6-9 would line up perfectly in any given configuration, 3-6 others wouldn't line up well. To get the board to sit correctly, we had to loosen the hex screws on the back panel, allowing the board standoff s to match up with the motherboard's holes perfectly. With the HDD rack mounted sideways, cable management was a snap; we simply zip tied all the cables off and stowed them behind the external 3.5" drive bay and HDD rack.
When it came to performance, the Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 performed pretty well. We found the cooling to be about average with the two 92mm intake fans and 120mm exhaust fan. The noise generated by the fans was minimal, and as long as the LED fans don't bother you, the performance is perfectly fine for the gamer or casual user.
| Section | Grade | Comments |
| Build Quality (Durability & Construction) | 20/20 |
|
| Aesthetics / Appearance | 18/20 |
|
| Internal Layout & Installation | 17/20 |
|
| Performance (Sound & Cooling) | 8/10 |
|
| Bundle | 10/10 |
|
| Warranty & Support | 10/10 |
|
| Price / Value | 6/10 |
|
Our Recommendation
The Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 is one of the best cases to cross the HL test bench. From the incredible solid construction to the use of large, easy to work with thumb screws, the Z-Machine GT1000 is a great choice for the user who demands quality. The case is exceptionally beautiful, the LED fans accent the design, and the side panel window is perfectly placed to show off you monster rig. Installation is pretty simple, with a few exceptions, and Zalman gets extra geek points for keeping things easy, especially when installing add-in cards, HDD's, and optical drives.
The drawbacks of this enclosure are few, but noticeable. First, the design of the external 3.5" drive bay is awful. The entire installation took about 40 minutes, and 15 of that was spent cursing the designer who thought it up. Why in the world would you not make the 3.5" drive bay as easy to work with as the 5.25" drive bays? We did have some issues lining up the motherboard with the rear I/O cover and motherboard standoffs in the case, and to make sure it wasn't the motherboard causing the problem, we tried three different boards, all with the same result. With a little patience, some wiggling, and a bit of voodoo magic, we were able to get everything lined up, but it should have definitely been easier to install than it was. Lastly, for a case running well over $300, we expected a better quality side panel window, as the one Zalman included was one step up from wax paper. We're not asking for real glass, but something that matches the excellent quality found throughout the Z-Machine GT1000.
Overall, the Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 is a fantastic enclosure. Almost eight months ago we reviewed the FC-ZE1 "Fatal1ty" case, and with a few exceptions, thought it was a fantastic chassis. Although the price keeps it out of reach of most casual system builders, Zalman's cases to date have proven to be among the best made. The Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 is a great case for those who want the best of the best, price be damned.
Other Reviews of Note
It’s always nice to have more than one opinion on a component before you spend your hard earned money. For one, we may see something others missed, or vice versa. As with all reviews published at HardwareLogic, we'll not only give you our recommendation, but also point out reviews from some other great sites around the web.
Techgage
Bit-Tech
Benchmark Reviews
Pro-Clockers
Hardware Secrets