Like its predecessor, from which the new product does not differ much in design, the Zalman Z11 Neo is made in the Mid Tower format. It allows you to install motherboards of form factor up to ATX inclusive and up to eight drives. One of the main advantages of this case promises to be the cooling system: the Z11 Neo can accommodate eight fans, five of which are already installed by the manufacturer. The latter looks especially generous.
Finally, let's study the noise level of the Zalman Z11 Neo. A comparison will be made with the noise characteristics of an open stand (Open Stand on the graphs). Metering sound pressure was carried out using all five standard fans in the case at their nominal speeds (~1200 rpm). The CPU cooler spinner was spinning at the standard 1200 rpm, the video card fans were spinning at ~750 rpm (17%), and HDD functioned without load.
Sound pressure was measured with a Becool BC-8922 digital sound level meter. The background noise level in the testing room was ~25 dB. Sound pressure measurements were taken from a distance of 1 m from system unit, since it is at this distance from the computer that the user is most often located. The sound level meter was located in front of the system unit, offset to the left by 45 degrees.
The sound level meter used (model 8922) guarantees an error of no more than half a decibel, but only in the range of 30 dB. So the values produced by them below this mark should be treated only as indicative.
You can see the test results in the graph below.
In terms of noise, the Zalman Z11 Neo showed an average result. The case cannot be called quiet - the five standard fans still make their presence felt. But you can’t call it noisy either - being a meter away from the system unit is quite comfortable, but it is still advisable to reduce the rotation speed of the case fans. It's a pity that the Z11 Neo is not initially equipped with a reo-bass.
When actively moving the heads hard drive There is no low-frequency rumble - only typical crackling is heard. Vibration transfer to the supporting surface is present, but not strong.
Let's summarize. Without exaggeration, the Zalman Z11 Neo case deserves praise: it pleased us with the cooling efficiency, especially of the video card, which is one of the important factors for a gaming PC. Significant advantages also include two separate removable hard drive cages with the ability to rearrange them. And of course, one cannot ignore the good cooling system of the case, the presence of five fans as standard, as well as the ability to place a thick radiator on the top panel.
As for the shortcomings, no significant disadvantages were found in the Zalman Z11 Neo. One could find fault with little things like disposable plugs for expansion slots, but this is a trifle, especially considering the not too high cost of the Zalman Z11 Neo - about 4,500 rubles in Moscow retail at the time of publication of the article (December 2015).
Many manufacturers in the world of the IT industry have sunk into oblivion, most of them simply could not withstand the competition. They were absorbed by other larger and stronger firms or simply went bankrupt. Old-timers remember names that many may have never even heard of, for example, Epox and Abit. Eh, there were times then, but I think it’s time to finish with the memories of the fallen and move on to the current names, those who are still alive. One such company that has outlived many is Zalman. Despite numerous rumors of bankruptcy, the company is alive and doing very well, judging by latest news and because it releases new products. And today we will get acquainted with one of these new products - this will be the case Zalman Z11 Neo.
Packaging and equipment
The case is supplied in a large cardboard box with a black image of the case itself and red inserts. The front and back sides are identical, there is a description on them and the sides technical characteristics Zalman Z11 Neo.
The case is protected from damage by foam blocks and packed in a bag.
The delivery kit contains everything you need to assemble the system in the Z11 Neo case: screws, clamps and a 4+4Pin processor power extension cable.
Appearance
The case has a striking appearance, and perhaps this is one of the few Zalman products that the designers really put effort into creating. Although in fact the Zalman Z11 Neo is one of the modifications of the Zalman Z11.
What makes the case unusual is the front panel with extensions in the form of air intakes. It is made of plastic with a metal surface. On top there is a compartment for an external 5.25" device.
On the reverse side, everything is quite familiar: the power supply is located at the bottom, a 120mm fan is responsible for blowing out hot air, there are two slots for LSS hoses, seven expansion slots for PCI-e devices and a slot for the rear panel motherboard.
The case extensions from the front panel extend to the side walls in the form of plastic inserts. On the left side there is also a convex large darkened window through which the interior of the case can be seen. I would also like to note that the front panel is made at a slight angle, making the design more aggressive.
The top and bezel make the case really stand out. The top cover is made of plastic. It contains power and reset buttons, audio outputs, a pair of USB 2.0 and a pair of USB 3.0 in two lines between which there is a recess with a glossy surface.
The top cover has a very interesting “blown” design; it has special ventilation slots made of translucent dark plastic.
At the bottom of the case there are four feet with a rubber surface, and there are also removable dust filters there.
On the side covers, in extensions on both sides, there is an 80x80x15mm fan, which is connected via a standard MOLEX. These fans are silent and serve to cool the hard drive cage.
Having removed the covers, we are presented with the internal space of the case, which is not much different from ordinary modern ATX cases.
The panels are made of good plastic, there are no complaints about its quality. They are quite easy to remove special effort no need, they are attached with latches.
Having removed the plastic panels, we see a completely ordinary case, although by ordinary I mean a well-thought-out cooling system, cable management and removable baskets.
On the reverse side there are places for power supply cables, protrusions for zip ties to lay everything out neatly and there is a seat for a 2.5” drive.
A removable plastic dust filter is installed on the front panel.
Below, under the power supply, there are rubber feet, and in the base for the motherboard, in the lower part, there is a hole into which the wires from the power supply are removed.
The storage baskets are removable. Each can accommodate three 3.5”/2.5” drives, but in special plastic slides.
Behind the drive cages there is space for two 120mm fans. One of them is already preinstalled, it is marked ZA1226CSL and has a blue backlight; power is connected to it via a MOLEX connector.
A pair of 120/140mm fans can be installed on the top wall; the fan mount itself is raised slightly upward, this is done to install the radiator. From the factory, one 120mm fan with backlight is pre-installed on the top wall, which is connected via a 3-pin connector, its marking is ZA1226CSL SL.
On the back wall there is another ZA1226CSL fan, but this time without a backlight.
If you look closely, you can find a pleasant surprise in the form of additional places for installing 3.5”/2.5” drives, they are hidden in two internal 5.25” bays.
The wires for connecting the front panel are long and can easily be reached to the connection point.
System assembly
It is difficult to find any special differences from the assembly in other ATX cases; we can say that the arrangement of the holes in the motherboard tray is made conveniently, the wires are easy to thread. Assembly in Zalman Z11 Neo is quite pleasant. You can install a long power supply up to 220mm. The length of the video card, taking into account the installed basket, is 285mm, without it up to 400mm. The CPU cooler can be installed up to 175mm in height. All edges of the metal structure are well processed. The plastic slides are easy to slide in and out.
From the reverse side, you can carefully thread all the wires through, securing them with the clamps included in the kit for neatness.
Testing
Test stand:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 [email protected] 1.2v;
- CPU Cooling: NoctuaNH-C14S;
- Motherboard: ASUS Rampage IV Gene, LGA 2011, X79;
- Video card: GTX 66 0;
- RAM: 4Gb Kingston HiperX Predator 2666Mhz;
- Hard drive: Western Digital WD3200YS
- Power supply: Corsair AX760i 760W.
Testing methodology
We will heat the system for 10 minutes using LiNX 0.6.5. and Furmark in windowed mode at 1920x1080p resolution. Temperature environment equal to 27 degrees.
Monitoring was carried out using programs: RealTemp 3.70, GPU-Z, HWMonitor.
The noise level was measured using a digital sound level meter with a measurement range of 30-130 dB from a distance of 10 cm. The noise level in the room is 30-31.5 dB.
The fan installed on the processor cooler operated at a speed of 700 rpm. The video card fans did not spin up above 2400 rpm. The CPU and video card cooling systems themselves worked very quietly.
The fans installed in the case operated at speeds of 1200 rpm (120mm) and 1600 rpm (80mm). Two of the 120mm ones could be adjusted via the motherboard, but the front fan was connected via MOLEX, and its adjustment was not possible. Therefore, it was decided to conduct testing in the mode maximum performance cooling systems.
Conclusion
Zalman Z11 Neo turned out to be beautiful, quite high quality and with good expansion capabilities for the cooling system. This case can accommodate 8 pieces of 3.5/2.5” drives, and there is also a separate place for one 2.5” drive. It is possible to install a long video card.
For your money - 3500-5000 rubles, Zalman Z11 Neo is a completely worthy candidate for purchase. The only disappointment is that the fan is noisy and doesn't adjust automatically, but that's not a problem.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Good expansion options for the cooling system
- The quality level is at a good level
- Nice appearance
In this review we will talk about the case, which will be an interesting solution for both gamers and modding enthusiasts. The history of this device dates back to 2012, because it was then that its predecessors, ZALMAN Z11 and Z11 Plus, were born. They had an aggressive design that clearly distinguished them from other gaming models. The new products offered excellent opportunities for organizing effective cooling of the internal space (including the possibility of installing dual-fan air coolers), and the presence of blue backlighting and an acrylic window on the side panel made it possible to enjoy the view of the components in the dark. The difference between them was the presence on the interface panel of the ZALMAN Z11 Plus model of two pairs of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports instead of four standard 2.0 connectors in the ZALMAN Z11.
Another co-platform model is ZALMAN Z11 Plus HF1. In fact, it is a solution from ZALMAN Z11 Plus, but instead of blue backlighting, the manufacturer used red LEDs. So there is no need to talk about any really fundamental differences between the above three models.
But a few years later, ZALMAN revised its vision of an aggressive body by introducing the . She got rid of the ventilation grille at the bottom of the front panel, and its shape became smoother. Nevertheless, this did not deprive the case of its attractiveness, and from the point of view of practicality for the user, it can boast a number of positive changes. For example, unlike its predecessors, which allow the installation of video cards up to 290 mm in length, the new product can accommodate solutions over 400 mm in length. At the same time, the body itself has become even somewhat more compact. We will definitely talk about what other changes befell the ZALMAN Z11 gaming line with the advent of the model with the “NEO” prefix in the current review.
Specification
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Manufacturer and model |
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Case size |
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Supported motherboard form factors |
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1 x 5.25” (external) 8 x 3.5”/2.5” (internal) 1 x 2.5” (internal, behind tray) |
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Expansion card slots |
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Maximum video card length |
With baskets installed |
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Without baskets (according to our measurements) |
400 mm (430 mm) |
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Maximum CPU cooler height (according to our measurements, taking into account the convexity of the acrylic window) |
175 mm (185 mm) |
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Maximum power supply length |
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2 x audio outputs (headphones, microphone) |
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Pre-installed fans |
On the front panel |
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On the back panel |
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On the top panel |
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On the side panels |
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Possibility to install fans |
On the front panel |
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On the back panel |
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On the top panel |
2 x 140 mm / 2 x 120 mm |
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On the sidebar |
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On the bottom panel |
1 x 140 mm / 1 x 120 mm |
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power unit |
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Materials |
Front and top panels, side panels |
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Steel 0.73 mm thick |
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Side panels |
Steel 0.65 mm thick |
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Case dimensions |
515 x 205 x 465 mm |
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Net weight) |
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Products webpage |
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Packaging and delivery
The new product comes in a cardboard box, which provides quite a lot of information about the device placed inside, despite the simplicity of the design. Thus, the front side in black and white colors demonstrates the appearance of the case, listing its most important advantages in English. Already in eight languages (including Russian), this information is duplicated on one of the sidewalls, while the second provides a fairly detailed specification of the device.
Inside the box, the case is fixed with foam inserts, and a plastic bag protects the new product from moisture. The kit also comes with a number of components that will be useful during system assembly. In total, the ZALMAN Z11 NEO package includes the following components:
- a set of screws and stands for installing the motherboard;
- a set of screws for fixing the power supply and drives;
- expansion slot plug;
- extension cable to supply additional power to the CPU;
- 5 cable ties;
- manual.
Such a large number of supplied screws should be enough to install all the necessary components, including many drives. And convenient cable ties will allow you to collect the used cables into groups for more accurate installation.
Appearance
ZALMAN Z11 NEO is an extraordinary solution, distinguished by many interesting exterior elements, which we will introduce you to in detail below. Gamers, who are the main target audience of the new product, will definitely like this design.
Unlike the ZALMAN Z11 Plus, where the bottom of the front panel was decorated with a ventilation grille, the new product received a more austere appearance thanks to the use of plastic with a metal finish. Thus, practicality was sacrificed for design.
But the intake of cool air from the front is still carried out using nozzles, which also play a significant role in giving the body an aggressive look, while somewhat increasing its width.
The air supply is provided by a 120 mm ZALMAN ZA1225CSL fan with blue LED backlighting. It is based on sleeve bearings. The turntable is powered via a 3-pin cable and produces less than 2W of power (12V at 0.16A). The rotation speed of the blades turned out to be at the level of 1130 rpm, which is a quite comfortable indicator in terms of noise generated.
You can also install another 120 mm turntable here, and a removable dust filter is responsible for cleaning the forced air.
Despite its very large dimensions, the ZALMAN Z11 NEO case is equipped with only one external compartment for 5.25-inch devices, which effectively opens when the spring-loaded lid is moved down. There are no external bays for 3.5-inch devices at all.
The back side of the new product has a familiar layout. The lower location of the power supply, seven expansion slots (with disposable plugs), two holes for CBO hoses and a 120 mm turntable - everything is made in the good traditions of gaming cases. But here, too, the solution from ZALMAN can be recognized by the very specific shape of the top panel.
The fan on the rear panel is represented by a 120 mm model ZALMAN ZA1225CSL, the originality of which is ensured by the use of a white impeller. Its characteristics are similar to the solution used on the front wall of the case, but it is made of opaque plastic and lacks LED backlighting. According to the measurement results, it rotated slightly faster - at a speed of 1330 rpm.
The bottom of the ZALMAN Z11 NEO case is distinguished by the presence of two dust filters, which can and should be removed for regular cleaning. One of them is designed to clean the air entering the power supply through a perforated area measuring 10 x 8 cm. The second is useful when installing an additional 140- or 120-mm turntable on the bottom.
When using a long power supply (in our case, a 193 mm long model), it will no longer be possible to mount the turntable here. But the good news is that the new product can accommodate even the largest power supplies up to 250 mm in length.
Along the edges of the bottom panel there are plastic legs 20 mm high with a rubber base 3 mm thick, which prevents the case from sliding and scratching the surface on which the system unit is placed.
One of the most interesting features of the new product is the top panel. It is made of plastic and has an original shape inherited from its predecessors. Closer to the back there is a perforated grille and plastic ribs. The latter are placed at an angle. On the one hand, this allows them to collect dust falling on the body, and on the other hand, it does not interfere with the flow of cool air inside.
Also mounted under the ribs is a 120 mm turntable ZALMAN ZA1225CSL, which is completely similar to the model located on the front panel. However, if you wish, you can install here another similar fan, two 140 mm solutions, or a CBO radiator up to 280 mm long.
The top panel itself can be removed and disassembled without much difficulty, which makes cleaning it much easier.
Closer to the front panel of the ZALMAN Z11 NEO there is a glossy area designed to place a smartphone or portable storage device. On both sides there are controls and interface panel components, represented by a reset button, two pairs of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports, as well as two 3.5 mm audio jacks.
In the center, directly above the front panel, there is a power button. It has a pleasant blue glow, which you can appreciate a little further in the corresponding subsection.
For fans of modding, there is an acrylic window measuring 31 x 30.5 cm on the left side panel, through which it is convenient to observe the operation of components. Therefore, when selecting them, you can look for more interesting solutions, capable of creating a proper ensemble that will not be embarrassing to show off to friends and family.
The sides themselves are fastened with screws with curly heads, and for their convenient removal there are vertical protrusions in the rear part. The plastic top and front panels are fixed using standard latches.
The side nozzles, which also have practical benefits, give the new product a very impressive look. Thus, low-profile 80-mm ZALMAN ZA0815ASL fans (12 V; 0.08 A) 15 mm thick are hidden under plastic covers. Unlike the other three turntables in use, which use a 3-pin connector, these solutions are powered by a 4-pin peripheral interface (Molex). Thus, three connectors on the motherboard and one PATA connector on the power supply should be enough to connect all the pre-installed elements of the ZALMAN Z11 NEO cooling system.
Internal organization
The chassis and all metal elements on it are coated with matte black paint, so they blend perfectly with the plastic parts. The internal space is visually divided into the left part, intended for installing the motherboard and power supply, and the right part, which contains compartments for drives and other devices.
Two baskets are designed for installing drives, each of which can accommodate three devices. Fastening 3.5-inch solutions in them is carried out using screwdriverless clamps, while 2.5-inch media will have to be secured using the supplied screws. The baskets themselves cannot boast of good rigidity (when installing the drive, this feature becomes less noticeable), and there is a slight play when attaching them.
Therefore, if you are not going to create inside ZALMAN Z11 NEO file storage, then one or even both baskets can be removed. In this case, you can use the metal brackets located in the two lower 5.25-inch bays, which are designed to accommodate 3.5- and 2.5-inch media. However, here they are secured exclusively with screws. And the absence of baskets will allow you to install video cards up to 430 mm long (in the original layout given value limited to 270 mm).
On the bottom, where the power supply is installed, there are four raised areas with gaskets attached to the top, which reduce vibrations transmitted to the body.
The set of wires for connecting the front panel includes an HD Audio connector, connectors for connecting power/reset buttons and LED indicators, a 4-pin peripheral connector, as well as cables for connecting USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports.
On the tray you can see a small perforation, which is located exactly where the 2.5-inch drive is mounted. As you can see, in total, the new product allows you to install three media without the use of baskets, albeit with the help of the supplied screws.
Assembling the system inside the ZALMAN Z11 NEO occurs without any particular difficulties and complications, which is facilitated by the presence of free space for laying wires behind the housing tray. And the cutout in the latter allows you to install and remove large cooling systems without dismantling the motherboard.
The design itself has sufficient rigidity, all parts fit well, and there are no gaps or backlashes. The considerable dimensions of the case allow you to install both large video cards up to 430 mm long and large processor coolers up to 175 mm high (185 mm taking into account the convexity of the acrylic window). So almost all components available on the market should fit inside the new product without any problems.
LED backlight
At night, the tested case pleases the eye with a pleasant blue glow emanating from two turntables (top and front). The power of the luminous flux is quite enough to illuminate the components placed inside, so the acrylic window can also fulfill its role in the evening. The blue riot is diluted only by a small red indicator under the top of the front panel, informing about the activity of the hard drive.
Testing
During testing, a Stand for testing Cases was used
Choose what you want to compare ZALMAN Z11 NEO with
We tested the new product with all pre-installed turntables. The operating speed of the top and front fans is 1130 rpm, the rear fan is 1330 rpm, and the side fans are 1000 rpm.
The presence of five turntables, as we expected, had a good effect on the temperature of the components used. The interesting design of the top panel also played a role, which does not at all interfere with the exhaust of heated air. Therefore, in general, the new product demonstrated low temperature indicators of its components. First of all, we note a slight heating of the hard drive, which is explained by the close location of the front turntable. But the most interesting thing is the temperature indicator of the video card - even with full load it did not heat up above 71°C, whereas inside many cases of the same size this figure ranges from 72 to 80°C. Therefore, ZALMAN Z11 NEO is a good candidate even for installing a bunch of several video cards, not to mention a single adapter.
conclusions
The idea of creating a gaming case with an aggressive appearance was embodied in the ZALMAN Z11 / Z11 Plus / Z11 Plus HF1 models several years ago, and now, with noticeable changes, it has found its application in the solution we tested. What has changed in the manufacturer's approach during this time? Let's get a look.
The first thing that catches your eye is the very noticeable difference in the appearance of the new product when compared with its predecessors. The body tested can still be called aggressive to a certain extent, but where previously these were daring muscle cars, now we are looking at something more similar to the Nissan GT-R. Yes, some features are recognizable, and continuity can be determined from them. These include side “nozzles”, an upper ribbed panel, a side wall with a transparent window, and a pleasant blue LED glow. But there are also a lot of changes. Gone from the front panel is the grille at the bottom, as well as the vast majority of the external compartments. The wall itself received a “metal” stylization, although it remained plastic. And inside the structure, the stationary rack for drives has been replaced by two removable baskets, thanks to which the case can accommodate video adapters with a length of more than 400 mm.
The cooling system of the review hero consists of five pre-installed fans that provide good cooling of the internal components. Therefore, even when installing powerful components, you are unlikely to have to fork out for additional turntables. Although there are enough places to install the latter. And the top panel allows you, if desired, to install even a water heater with a radiator up to 280 mm long. So a high-performance gaming system will feel quite comfortable here.
We did not find any obvious shortcomings in the ZALMAN Z11 NEO. Its design is made with high quality, without unnecessary gaps or sharp edges, and also has good rigidity. The only features worth paying attention to are the insufficiently rigid storage baskets. But, as we have already written, most users will be able to do without them, since the case offers three more slots for media. Therefore, for the average gamer or modding enthusiast, the tested new product will be good decision to assemble a beautiful system that will please the eye even in the dark.
Advantages:
- original design;
- good cooling of components;
- high-quality chassis assembly, panel edge processing and body painting;
- good body rigidity;
- the ability to install long video cards (up to 270 mm by default or up to 430 mm with the drive cage removed) and high processor cards (up to 175-185 mm);
- presence of a transparent window on the side panel;
- the presence of blue LED backlighting of two turntables;
- the presence of five pre-installed fans;
- the ability to install additional fans and a radiator with a length of up to 280 mm;
- presence of dust filters on the front and bottom panels;
- the ability to install up to 9 drives;
- possibility of removing storage baskets;
- the presence of screwdriverless fasteners in trays for 3.5-inch drives;
- the presence of two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 connectors on the front panel; Sea Sonic Electronics for provided for test bench equipment.
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We bought two of these for work and were very pleasantly surprised. low level noise, considering that there are five of its own fans, and we also shoved hefty wind blowers in there for percent and video. There was no need to install a separate air vent on the screws; they are already well ventilated there.
There were no problems with assembly, nor with operation. Definitely worth the money.
Advantages:
Quiet
-stylish
-excellently ventilated
Flaws:
The front panel is very inconvenient to remove, but this is a problem for many people
Period of use:
a few months
33 0Svyatov Alexander
- December 7, 2013I am very pleased with the case. Someone says that it is noisy, I don’t know, I probably haven’t seen quiet buildings. There were 4 computers, this one was the fifth. The ones that were there before were louder, and then there were a maximum of 3 fans. This one has 4 of them + CPU cooler + power supply, and it’s really quiet :)
The most important thing is to keep your wife away during assembly so that you don’t tear off the protective films from it, but you want to do it yourself :)
Some write that the top tray gets scratched quickly. I have a universal film for phones and tablets, I just cut it out and pasted it inside, the main thing is matte :) Looks mm.
Overall, I'm very pleased with it. I looked at the reviews for a long time and thought about whether to take it or choose another one. Glad I made the right decision :)
Advantages:
1) Price. For this price, I couldn't find anything better :)
2) Appearance. Not for everyone, but everyone who saw it liked it. Even grandma praised him :) My wife also said that he was ugly and looked like Darth Vader. I bought it, turned it on, she fell in love with it :)
3) Illumination from the front and top. Not too bright, not too dim, moderate :)
4) Everything inside is as easy to place as two fingers. There is a cutout on the back, under the processor, it’s convenient to install and remove the cooler, now you don’t have to remove it along with the motherboard :) All wiring can be done behind the mother, so all the wires are hidden :) It’s spacious in itself.
Does not vibrate from the hard drive, they are placed on elastic bands and a latch, convenient :)
5) Not a bad set :)
6) There are filters everywhere until there is a hint of dust inside :)
Flaws:
1) My case seems to be newer. USB 3.0, not like before, had to be connected from behind to the mother, but it was already tailored to the connector on it inside. But it wasn’t done very well and the first time I bent the contact on my mother, I straightened it. It fits into her a little tight. These wires are made of oak, I thought the connector would completely rip off, but no, it turned out fine :) The kit comes with a plug, just for those USBs that go to your mother, with cutouts, ugh, it would be better if they put a simple plug and ok, there would be 2 pieces :)
But this is most likely not a drawback, since you can still connect, the main thing is to be careful :)
2) Bulky, it won’t fit into everyone’s desk, it’s better to compare the dimensions with the desk in advance. :) And again, it can be considered a disadvantage.
3) The gloss quickly collects dust, but again, not such a terrible drawback :)
Period of use:
less than a month
47 1vivaldiv
- October 19, 2012I recommend. Efficient in terms of cooling, the air from the bottom and front flows up and back. Thick 2TB&3TB hard disks do not rise above 26C. The CPU heatsink is always cold. The air is quickly carried upward from the video card by two 120 mm fans.
The front cover is quite easy to remove. Use pliers to squeeze out the clips, squeezing them lightly. At first I didn’t know how to remove the lid - it was very tight. And then I thought of it.
Advantages:
(subjective - what was important to me)
1. Roomy and big
2. Excellent internal cooling, lots of fans
3. presence of usb 3.0
4. Interesting place SSD mounts - behind the motherboard and anti-vibration HDD mounts
Flaws:
1. USB 3.0 - they “guessed” to make it in the form of an extension cable
2. The noise level of the built-in fans is disappointing
3. Turned off the strange fans for the HDD in the “cheeks” of the case
Period of use:
a few months
19 0jujubee
- April 8, 2013An excellent case for an average gaming computer. The OCZ550FTY unit looks great.
For office work, such a garland is unnecessary, serious gamers will find a better thread, but this option is also very good.
Advantages:
Beautiful! glows - even with a glowing power supply - the light is dim and does not hit the eyes. The built-in fans work perfectly - I installed another one so that the + video + percent noise does not disappear at the level of the DVD drive in idle mode. in short, I expected it to be much louder, it doesn’t interfere at all
large, comfortable, practical - if not a super gaming computer (not all video cards will fit in length), everything is assembled in a simple way. The instructions are detailed, the kit includes bolts and screws for all occasions and with a large margin. USB3 connections on the panel
and for all this happiness the price is just a gift - I took it for 2.3
screws with rubber bands for hdd - do not make noise and are easy to install
Flaws:
Considering the advantages and price - there are none. except that the shortcomings of the body could have been made longer - for large videos. Considering that he is already not small, 5 cm would not make a difference. DVD-ROM in the upper compartment - hidden under the visor - it is not visible - just to the touch. It’s not very clear why you should make USB3 connections in this way - through the inside they come out and connect them to the back wall of the uterus, and the plugs themselves are large..... well... glossy plastic on the facade and a pocket on top attract dust, a high-quality matte one would look better . The power supply is from below, you can place it with the nozzle down (there are slots there, but not many) - if the nozzle is up like mine, there is a risk of dropping something there. Well, these are all minimal shortcomings.
the case is designed to stand on the floor, the USB wires stick out like horns on top) and the case itself is not small
Period of use:
less than a month
16 0Zmeyara96
- February 6, 2013It’s depressing that there’s no reo-bass like on model 9, at least, but these are toys :)
the case is beautiful, the material is steel 0.8 for that kind of money is rare now, it’s massive, it won’t vibrate, of course putting it on the table is too much, but that’s why the choice fell on it, I wanted a steel one and with exits from the top not on the face, and this is the ideal option.
although I had to tinker with the assembly once
Bottom line: for 2800 I got a good and easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use case
Advantages:
Material steel
Price
Spacious
Beautiful
Convenient HDD installation
HDD with anti-vibration bolts pleased
Flaws:
I assembled 3 computers in Z11, including myself, no shortcomings were identified
Period of use:
a few months
14 0Merinov Oleg
- May 21, 2013This is my first system unit with a start button and main inputs USB microphone headphones are located on top. Let me tell you this is very convenient.
Works quietly. I didn’t overclock anything, the hardware is powerful, there’s no need for it. Therefore, I cannot fully evaluate how the cooling system works. The only thing I can say about the ventilation is that it works quietly.
Advantages:
Stylish. Comfortable. Quiet. Chill.
Flaws:
Except that USB connection 3.0 through the "back".
Period of use:
more than a year
13 0Daedric89
- November 4, 2012Collected new computer, I didn’t think that the asus hd 7950 would be so long, in the end I replaced the Zalman z9 with this one, I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before, it’s much nicer IMHO.
Vidyukha fit right in, rested against the basket, but didn’t have to bend anything. The Scythe Mugen 3 cooler fit in without any problems, although due to the memory radiators it was possible to install only one cooler on it, for exhaust. I’m very pleased with the case, it’s almost inaudible, beautiful blue lighting, conveniently located USB connectors!
Advantages:
Quiet
Spacious
Beautiful
Stylish
Inexpensive
Flaws:
The HDD basket could be removable, although for the money this is not such a big drawback.
Period of use:
less than a month
18 1Anonymously
- February 24, 2012At full load, the gtx570 does not heat above 70 degrees. In the previous case (inwin), under many hours of load, it warmed up to 88.
There is a 4-pin connector (Molex) on the rear and side coolers.
I won’t say that the case is quiet, but taking into account the fact that the coolers are running at full speed, it is quiet.
Advantages:
Thoughtful housing with good cooling and cable management.
There are 5 fans in the case. 1 at the back, 1 at the front, 1 at the top, and 2 at the sides. The top and front glow blue.
Flaws:
The metal is a little thin, but now almost all new cases are like that.
Period of use:
less than a month
67 8popaukropa
- January 28, 2013For anyone who cares about ventilating the system unit, this is it. You can also connect 2 fans, it will be a hurricane.
Advantages:
The main advantage is 5 built-in fans, which work very quietly.
Then the price
Well, an important detail is its size - the Radeon HD 7950 fits with a margin.
The 750 W unit also fit into my home.
Lots of bolts and rubber gaskets for hard drives, with the help of which you can easily stick in and pull out these tough ones, and don’t worry about the retaining bolts.
Flaws:
One of the disadvantages is the location of the USB ports - they are located on the panel at the top, because of this the wire at the gamepad bends. and Some strange USB3 connection - two cords are pulled out of the case through a special one. holes and are pushed into the back panel - as I understand it, these are adapters.
Period of use:
a few months
10 0taxikoman
- June 18, 2012It ventilates well, after 6 months of use, there is minimal dust inside, good equipment, the standard coolers are not as noisy as I thought, I didn’t even have to change them. I was pleasantly pleased with the protruding side window, thanks to it the V8 cooler fit in
Advantages:
Price (bought for 2600)
Quality
Pretty cool
Appearance
Flaws:
too small
USB 3.0 output is quite clumsy, I didn’t like it
Period of use:
a few months
21 2avari3v
- November 2, 2013Optimal choice housings in the category up to 75 cu. I recommend
Advantages:
Hi all! I bought the Z11 Plus after reading your reviews. Thank you!
The latest information is this: (it looks like they have already fixed the jambs)
1) 5 fans are already installed!!!
2) USB 3.0 is plugged into the mother!!!
3) Power button - yes, it is connected separately - this is in the instructions. Doesn't bother you
4) Quiet
5) Cold, i5-3570k 25-30 degrees
6) Big
7) Comic appearance - but this is very good for fans
8) Screws for Plextor M5s are suitable (there are also 3 types of screws)
9) Anti-vibration-noise gaskets for screws
10) The size is good - a little larger than the standard Midik
10) Funny money - there is no one close for 2200 (the closest one is for 4k)
Flaws:
The instructions incorrectly show how to insert the HDD - I had to think for 15 minutes))
Period of use:
less than a month
14 1Noyt
- August 23, 2012I bought this case today and I couldn’t be happier with it, it took me almost an hour to assemble it, lay out the wires (fortunately there’s a lot of space), most importantly it has original, quiet coolers, which made me happy, I’m 100% happy with the purchase, I recommend it.
Advantages:
Price
-view
-quality
-cooling
-I note that the coolers in it are very quiet, --- pleasant sound of air flow
Flaws:
Period of use:
less than a month
27 3Soft Ali
- July 7, 2013I bought it a year ago and I’m still happy with the purchase.
Very comfortable and well thought out case. After a year of use, there is almost no dust inside. Everything gets caught in the dust filters.
Not a body, just a pleasure. I recommend to everyone!
Advantages:
A beautiful, bright, ergonomic and inexpensive case with everything you need.
Flaws:
Micro problem with USB 3.0, which is described in the review below. It can be treated by purchasing a “braid” for 200 rubles.
Period of use:
more than a year
8 0Anonymously
- June 9, 2012I bought it for 2400, came home and immediately started assembling it, transferring everything from one system unit to a new one. It all took about 30 minutes.
I was pleased with the purchase. Fits perfectly into the style of the monitor and speakers :)
Advantages:
Design
- Cooling system
- Brand :)
- Possibility to hide wires in a compartment behind the motherboard.
- Availability of USB 3.0 on the front panel.
- Cool fastening of hard drives (first time I became acquainted with this principle of fastening)
Flaws:
I don’t know what disadvantages an iron box might have, perhaps its dimensions.
I have it in a compartment in my desk, it fits right in :)
Period of use:
less than a month
26 4dambas7
- August 7, 2015I have been the owner for more than half a year. What prompted me to suddenly write a review: I decided to clean the insides, because... in the previous building (Thermaltake Mambo), cleaning once every six months was strictly mandatory - everything was covered in dust, slag and tar. I opened the Z11, expecting the same thing, but no - everything is pristinely clean, sparkling with copper and light bulbs. The first time is such a miracle. I washed the filters (lower and front), that's all for cleaning.
Advantages:
Volume, everything fits without problems. The cooler (I don’t remember exactly which one, but not small, twice the volume of the boxed one) stood up, there was room for all video devices, HDD (3 pieces) for the eyes.
- separate mounts for SSD - turned out to be extremely convenient
- silent operation of standard “propellers”
- convenient to remove wires
Flaws:
are missing.
Period of use:
a few months
9 0IBURZUMI
- April 10, 2012"Zalman Z11 Plus" This is a case that truly deserves attention; for its price you cannot buy anything more adequate.
Advantages:
This product has 5 most important advantages at once: ergonomic appearance, price, quiet operation, excellent ventilation of the system and ease of use. I was also pleased with its mounting system for 3.5-inch devices, namely the ease of installation.
Flaws:
I know only one drawback of this case: the easily scratched glossy surface has not yet been discovered
Period of use:
less than a month
52 11Petrov Alexander
- September 21, 2013Great box! I didn't expect to find something worthwhile for that price. The only drawback was that the power button did not work; to activate it, you have to remove the front part of the box and insert the contacts. An incomprehensible solution in my opinion... At least it was possible to insert it right away, otherwise I killed my whole brain) Although, maybe this is written in the instructions)
In conclusion, I want to say that this is, if not the most, then one of best options for its Price/Quality indicator! I recommend it to everyone!
Advantages:
Quiet
-Beautiful (neon lighting)
-Excellent potential for improving your computer
Flaws:
For me personally, the power supply located at the bottom became a drawback, because my unit does not reach the motherboard: D
If we take modern power supplies, then everything is ok)
Period of use:
a few months
13 2Shumkin Ivan
- May 5, 2014Judging by the reviews, many have a problem with removing the front part of the case. After reading the instructions and doing everything as written there, everything can be easily and simply removed. We press a little from above, grab it from below, then give a sharp jerk and everything comes off easily, nothing breaks.
Advantages:
Cable management
Excellent cooling
Convenient HDD installation
Nothing rumbles, nothing resonates
Flaws:
It is not possible to connect the connector to the motherboard power supply if the motherboard is already installed
Period of use:
less than a month
5 0VandaXyi
- February 24, 2013It is beautiful and very roomy. Take it, you won't regret it.
Advantages:
Beautiful. Spacious.
Flaws:
My vidyukha fit into the butt, but if you look at the size of the vidyukha, it’s the other way around. My video card is a powercolor radeon hd 7990 (if anyone is interested, you can look at its dimensions)
Period of use:
less than a month
8 1Anonymously
- February 6, 2013The HDD temperature does not rise above 28 degrees.
Advantages:
Big
Beautiful
Good cooling and fairly quiet
Flaws:
Didn't notice
Period of use:
less than a month
7 1mel-u
- March 21, 2013In general, for its price it’s simply not possible to find a better one (IMHO) and the front cover is difficult to unfasten, but it doesn’t bother me, I’m obviously not going to take it off every day. The Coler Master V6, which is tall, fit right in! 165mm!! I’ll also consider this a PLUS, although I had to file the window leg a little, but it took 3 minutes with a file =) In general, I advise you to take it, there’s nothing to think about.
Advantages:
Price
-Quality
-Design
-3 standard propellers =)
-Fit 165MM Coler Master V6
-Convenience of cable channel
-Dust filter on the bottom
Flaws:
Standard bolts did not fit into the SSD adapter from OCZ; I had to finish it by hand.
-Front USB 3.0 connects to the rear panel, not directly to the MP.
Period of use:
less than a month
4 0Kurashov Vladislav
- May 4, 2015Overall, a good model for 3000 rubles. Original coolers are immediately discarded.
Advantages:
1. Wires behind the motherboard
2. A huge 29cm video card fits in
3. Easy access to 3.5" turntables
4. Darth Vader
5. Bottom location of the power supply
6. SSDs fit perfectly on one side at 5.25"
7. Mesh
8. And of course the price
Flaws:
1. Disgusting coolers included, it would be better not to include them and make the price lower.
2. Visor. You can't put anything in the top 5.25" slot; the visor will get in the way.
3. The 170mm radiator did not fit. Moreover, if the window were 1 cm higher, then everything would be perfect.
Period of use:
less than a month
4 0kdcorp
- March 2, 2014Overall I liked the case. I bought it for 2500. The price/quality ratio is excellent. The truth in Lately it went up in price by almost a thousand rubles. There are no major shortcomings, there are minor flaws.
Many people have a problem with removing the front panel, I also struggled with it at the beginning, you have to push down on it and pull it towards yourself, then it can be easily removed. The cable for powering the processor must be laid before installing the motherboard, then this will be problematic. The Zalman company found the rear cooler in a trash heap, and it was sent there; it’s not clear why the side fans are needed.
The DVD drive fits perfectly into the top compartment, the visor does not interfere.
Advantages:
Price.
Design.
Spacious.
Dust filters.
Bottom power supply.
USB 3.0-2.0 connectors on the top cover.
HDD fastening via rubber gaskets.
Possibility of installing up to 7 fans and water cooling.
The convex transparent side wall allows you to install a large processor cooler.
Bath on top for external HDD.
Soft blue illumination from two silent fans.
Flaws:
USB 3.0 is connected with two thick cords to the back wall of the motherboard! Well, we need to come up with something like this in a modern building. But judging by the reviews, there seem to be cases with normal connections. Noisy rear fan.
Period of use:
a few months
7 1Chukhrov Zhenyok
- August 26, 2014Very good body, beautiful, comfortable!
Advantages:
Very beautiful lighting, 2 usb 2.0 and 2 usb 3.0 on the front panel, glass on the side wall, 5 coolers included (very quiet)
Flaws:
Period of use:
less than a month
4 0Anonymously
- November 12, 2014My version, hf1, with red backlighting gives the body an even more aggressive and menacing look, thanks to which (and the powerful filling) it was nicknamed the Devil (demon, etc.) by friends.
Calmly (3-4 cm margin) I placed the 970th gtx from msi. The illuminated msi emblem is clearly visible through the window).
It turned out to be impossible to remove the basket for hard drives and other things, because of this it was a little inconvenient to route the wires, but this is not at all critical.
About the top panel - in my case, all the connectors on it are connected directly to the motherboard. And the space between the ports is great for putting a flash drive or phone there.
Advantages:
Spacious.
- Beautiful, very menacing design.
- Convenient top panel.
- 5 fans.
- Window.
- Backlight.
- Rich equipment (lots of bolts, rubber bands, clamps).
- A lot of space for hard drives and other things (it turned out to be unnecessary for me).
Flaws:
Fixed basket for hard drives, discs, etc.
- Removing the front panel is a bit problematic.
- A bit heavy.
Period of use:
less than a month
5 0Gabdrakhimov Marat
- June 25, 2014I bought the case due to the inability of the old one to cope with cooling. I wanted to build a medium-power computer for video editing. And at the same time small in size. After purchasing a video card, without which I simply could not cope with my nerves during editing, it turned out that my small case was not able to provide cooling for either the processor or, especially, the video card. Productive capacity and the small dimensions did not stick together for me and I had to buy Zalman Z11.
Overall, I'm happy with the body. He copes with his task perfectly. I'll give you just one number. My processor temperature dropped by 5-7!!! degrees. Everything is ventilated perfectly.
In short - a good case.
Advantages:
1) Big.
2) Cold.
3) Looks very menacing and stylish.
4) Well thought out air circulation.
5) Lots of slots for hard drives.
6) The fact that the power supply is on the bottom is certainly more convenient than on the top.
7) The price is very good compared to others.
Flaws:
1) The only thing that is cracking is the rear fan. I'm thinking about changing it.
2) Front fan with 3-pin connector. The rest of the fans are Molex connectors, invented before the birth of Christ.
3) I suffered with the front panel. It was scary to break. Down and on yourself... :)
4) The side fans look so cheap that I didn’t want to connect them. But they don't seem to make any noise.
5) In the kit, according to the instructions, large “star-shaped” bolts for fastening hard drives were stated. I never found them. I secured it with what I had on hand.
6) The body itself is quite large. Check to see if it fits where it needs to be.
7) After the first opening, I found some debris inside the case. Definitely not from the body - I examined everything carefully. Why weren't they removed? However, this did not affect the assembly in any way.
Period of use:
less than a month
9 2caermorhen90
- March 10, 2013Wow... Wow... and what a beauty... Those were my words when I assembled it. He has no equal in price category up to 3.5 thousand rubles
Advantages:
Cheap, high quality, COLD.
Flaws:
I wouldn’t find any shortcomings, even if it cost twice as much, there simply aren’t any!
Period of use:
a few months
5 1Anonymously
- November 12, 2012Quiet, roomy, excellent cooling (fx4170 4.6 works with a standard (!) cooler), its design is beautiful. It doesn't look like a bloated toy, but rather a solid contraption under the table))
The front panel is a bit difficult to remove. More precisely, it's scary. It feels like I’m about to break it, but no, I removed it and installed it twice and there are no problems.
IMHO the best for this price.
Advantages:
Quiet, roomy, excellent cooling, design, price.
Flaws:
Lack of a speaker (although maybe there should be one on the mother...
Period of use:
less than a month
7 2Semiletov Alexander
- December 16, 2013I took this case so as not to have problems with really bad cases from a number of “creepy” companies, the names of which I will not list, so as not to create anti-advertising. I also took a power supply unit from Zalman for this case, so that all the equipment was from the same company.
Advantages:
quite large and roomy, equipped with a lot of coolers, well-ventilated, the appearance doesn’t bother me, but I want to note the funny design and lighting, several options for mounting the Power Supply, if you assemble a home PC without much sophistication, then everything you need will fit into this monster and you won’t need any additional blowers , because it already has 5 pieces of knobs (80 and 120 mm), the ATX format motherboard fits there like a toy, lost in space
Flaws:
as such, I cannot note that avid hardcore gamers will swear at supporting only those graphics cards that do not exceed 290mm in length
Period of use:
less than a month
6 2Anonymously
- April 5, 2013very happy with the purchase.
Advantages:
excellent build quality
beautiful stock coolers that also work great
Convenient cable routing behind the side wall
Flaws:
I didn’t find it, except that if you installed the motherboard and then wanted to connect the 8-pin connector, you’ll have to remove it again, because. the head will not fit between the motherboard and the case. one of the reviews wrote about this.
Period of use:
less than a month
2 0Prochkailo Alexey
- February 8, 2015I've wanted this case for a long time. And then the moment came when I bought it for myself. Assembling the system for me personally was a pleasure. Everything is intuitive, the front panel can be removed quite easily. In one rather serious review I read that the rubber bands for the HDD are not the right size and do not fit into the slide, they say you have to bend the HDD basket. Nonsense. Reviewers screwed the rubber bands on with the wrong side (the wide side of the rubber band should be towards the HDD)
I immediately upgraded and bought myself three 140mm backlit turntables from CoolerMaster, and sold the standard noisy fans. Now it's quiet and cold. The size of the case is quite large; it may not fit into some baskets in your tables. Take it into account when choosing. I placed my modem on the upper scales, now the escaping air blows through it too. By the way, my system is not hot, so the air does not reach extreme temperatures.
Advantages:
Price, appearance, cable management system, anthers
Flaws:
Well, if only the included fans (those with backlighting) and size (but not for me). Perhaps small holes for air intake by the power supply.
Period of use:
a few months
2 1Anonymously
- June 11, 2015The best case, very high quality materials, good fans, good air circulation, very roomy, full ATX.
There is a USB 3.0 interface on the front side
I spent a long time choosing a case, finally found this one and fell in love!
A video card 680 gtx, radeon r9 280x fits, and there is also a large tower on the processor, no problems!!!
When laying wires, go online and see how to do it correctly! After which the picture inside the power supply and the temperature change) In general, it’s worth the money, more advanced users may find mistakes, but personally I’m happy with it. When overclocked, the case fans get quite noisy.
The system turned out to be very quiet! The on/off difference cannot be discerned in a quiet room (unless you turn on the front blade..)
The following equipment was assembled:
Perc I7-6700k
+Noctua NH-U tower (very quiet!)
+PSU Corsair RM550 (fan only works under load)
+Video MSI GTX970 100ME (fans do not work without load)
Advantages:
Beautiful design(did not disappoint)
+Air circulation
+Possibility of installing additional fans
+USB 3.0 ports on the front panel (connect to the motherboard!!! And not to the rear inputs, as some users write!)
+The window provides additional width for installing a cooler (Noctua NH-U14s 165mm included!!!)
+Additional quiet side air injection fans (for disks)
+Potential for SVO (but not for any model!)
+Filter for air intake from dust
+Quiet system
Flaws:
Given their size, they could have added +5 mm so that 165mm coolers would fit in with even more confidence!
- the frontal fan is quite noisy. Suitable ATX, mATX motherboards;
Period of use:
a few months
0 0Odyakov Alex
- March 3, 2018I'm here for those who are wondering, "But...
Flaws:
The body is too bulky in width. These bulges on the front are superfluous for fans. As are the valves themselves. But the taste and color. Due to the width, it may not fit into your computer desk. If you have it.
Manufactured by Zalman, and now we present another sample from this line - the case Zalman Z11 Plus. The chassis of both models is the same, and the differences mainly concern external design: The Z11 is clearly aimed at those who prefer unusual shapes, and the Z9 looks modest in comparison. Like the previous model, the Z11 comes in two versions that differ in equipment - the “top” version contains the word Plus in the designation. But there are changes here too: the Z11 Plus lost a fan controller (the Z9 Plus had one, albeit a simple one) and a temperature sensor with a digital indicator, but acquired two USB port 3.0, which the Z9 did not have. The number of fans has also changed: 5 standard ones instead of 4.
The Z11 variant differs from the Z11 Plus in the absence of USB 3.0 ports - instead there is another pair of USB 2.0, and one of the fans (top) is also missing.
Like the Z9, the Z11 cases should be classified as budget ones, but this did not affect the equipment: we saw many more expensive models from other manufacturers that were poorly equipped.
The case is supplied in a box made of ordinary cardboard with a three-color design. Although the gross weight is low, there are cutouts on the sides for hand gripping.
Layout
Frame Zalman Z11 Plus is a single-volume miditower with a bottom-mounted power supply, which is purchased separately. There is only one color available - black.
There are five slots for 5.25-inch devices, all with front panel access. You can install a 3.5-inch device in one of the slots, also with an external outlet: there is a corresponding adapter and a plug with a slot.
Hard drives are installed in a transverse cage that has five slots for 3.5-inch devices. One 2.5-inch HDD or SSD can be installed in the included 5-inch bay adapter and on the right side of the motherboard substrate.
The case can accommodate ATX motherboards and increasingly compact variants. The choice of video cards is limited to models up to 290 mm in length, including an additional power connector if it is located at the end of the board.
The set of accessories is quite rich: a considerable quantity of fasteners sorted into bags, replaceable plugs for expansion slots, five disposable cable ties and a power adapter for the processor. And, of course, the instructions - however, we received them without translation into Russian. All this is packed into a convenient case with a clasp.
Design
Case dimensions 498×260×530 mm (H×W×D), including protruding parts, i.e. slightly more than Z9, but only due to additional external elements registration The weight of the case itself is 7.4 kg, the weight of the packaged set is 9.0 kg.
According to our measurements, 0.6 mm thick steel is used for the chassis, the removable side walls are slightly thicker - 0.7 mm. In the left wall there is a window covered with a lid made of transparent but slightly tinted plastic, and this lid is not just a flat piece of plexiglass, but has a complex three-dimensional shape that can allow the installation of a larger cooler for the processor. Both the left and right side walls at the front bottom have plastic covers that cover the fan installation sites; their shape is also quite complex.
The legs of the case are made in the form of plastic rectangles with rubber inserts, which should provide good shock-absorbing ability.
Talking about the plastic front and top panels of the case, we must use the words “complex shape” for the third time: it’s difficult to describe it, it’s best to just look at the photo. The designers clearly gave free rein to their imagination (of course, within the established budget), and this applies not only to the shape, but even to the coloring: the lattice parts of the panels covering the illuminated fans are made translucent, and all the rest do not allow light to pass through. The majority of the surfaces are matte, but, as in the Z9, there are glossy elements, and again those are the ones that will be touched more often by your hands.
The 5-inch slot covers are made of metal mesh with small holes.
The Power button is located “on the forehead” of the case (the slightly sloping upper part of the front panel), so it will be visible and easily accessible no matter where the case is located - be it on a table or under a table. It also has a blue indicator built into it.
The rest of the controls and switching are located in the front third of the top plastic panel. Moreover, in the middle there is a shallow niche measuring 10x12.5 cm, into which you can put devices connected with USB cables. To the right of it, closer to the front panel, there are two USB 3.0 connectors (in the Z11 without Plus there are two USB 2.0 ports instead), then a Reset button and a red disk activity indicator. On the left, in the same row, there are two USB 2.0 connectors and a pair of audio ports. The relatively small height of the case when placed on a desktop will allow you to use USB ports without getting up. But the HDD indicator will not be visible, and it is doubtful that it can be seen if the computer is under the table.
Unfortunately, the presence of four USB ports in this arrangement does not guarantee the ability to connect four devices with a noticeable width: the gap between the connectors in pairs is 13 mm.
It is unlikely that you will be able to press the Reset button by accident, but the same cannot be said about Power: it has practically no free movement, and you can turn off the computer with a light touch.
Ventilation system
The Z11 Plus case has as many as five fans manufactured by Zalman.
The front and top ones, measuring 120x120 mm, have a non-switchable blue backlight and are connected via 3-pin connectors to the system board (there is no built-in controller, like in the Z9 Plus). Instead, you can install 140mm fans.
The third fan, on the rear wall of the chassis, is also 120 mm, but without backlight and connected to the power supply using a Molex peripheral connector (double, male+female).
Two more small 80mm fans are installed on the side walls near the disk basket. They work for exhaust, and on the outside there are plastic linings that play not only a decorative role, but also act as air ducts, directing the air flow from the side fans back, parallel to the side wall. Due to this, the case can be placed close to the wall (relatively close, of course: the linings on the left and right are quite wide). Power is also supplied to these fans via Molex male+female connectors.
Possibilities for upgrading the ventilation system include installing two more 120 or 140 mm fans: on the bottom of the chassis and a second one at the top.
There are standard filters on the front and bottom. To access the front filter, you will have to remove the front panel - this is not a very labor-intensive operation, but this filter cannot be called quick-release. It is made of fine-mesh nylon mesh on a plastic frame, and exactly the same protects the space for the optional lower fan from dust. But the holes in the bottom of the chassis under the power supply are covered by a filter of a slightly different design: it is a sheet of thin plastic with small holes. Both lower filters can be easily removed from the outside, without opening the housing.
The upper fans have no filters. Although this is illogical, taking into account the cost of the case, it is a forgivable decision. As for the rear and side fans, they work for exhaust, and therefore the absence of filters is quite understandable.
We also note that the mesh plugs for the 5-inch slots are equipped with foam inserts.
Of course, it is possible to install liquid cooling systems. Where would we be without this...
Additional ventilation holes, in addition to those available in the 5.25-inch slot plugs, include a vertical perforated strip in the rear wall of the chassis and slots in the expansion slot plugs.
Assembling the system unit
The side covers are attached with the usual system of grooves and combs, and are fixed with pairs of screws with plastic thumb heads. The rear ends of the covers have stamped protrusions for gripping with your fingers, and this is a great help when removing: the covers sit in place very tightly.
Some of the hexagonal stands for the motherboard are already installed, but for some reason there are only four, and another five are included in the accessory kit. The slots for expansion cards will have to be cleared by breaking out the disposable plugs. There are plugs in 4 of the 5 five-inch slots, two of them are secured with screws, and two need to be broken out.
Fastening optical drives the most simple thing is with screws on both sides, but 3.5-inch HDD/SSDs are installed more cunningly: first, with long screws, you need to secure four rubber shock absorbers with a T-shaped section on the sides of the drive so that you can slide it into the grooves in the side walls baskets. Fixing is done with a plastic latch; no additional fastening with screws is provided, and this is hardly necessary: the drive is held quite tightly.
Of course, such shock absorbers will reduce vibrations from disk drives to a certain extent, but there is no heat dissipation from the disk housings to the chassis. True, if there are as many as three fans servicing the disk cage, this is not so critical.
Drives, as in the Z9, are inserted from the left, but the interface connectors can only face to the right, where there is not much space left to the side wall, and SATA cables with L-shaped connectors should be used.
As already mentioned, 2.5-inch drives are not forgotten: one can be installed on the back side of the motherboard substrate, secured with four screws to the existing ears with holes, for the second there is a place on the adapter of a five-inch slot into which you can install or 2.5 -, or 3.5-inch HDD/SSD, or 3.5-inch device with front panel output.
There is a large window in the motherboard substrate that will allow you to install or remove the processor cooler without removing the board itself. The convex shape of the decorative plastic cover covering the window in the left side wall will allow you to choose a processor cooling system with increased dimensions.
Cables from external USB 2.0 and HD Audio connectors are shielded and connected to the internal connectors of the system board using solid connectors. But the chosen method for connecting USB 3.0 connectors is strange: to external ports of the motherboard. This decision could have been welcomed several years ago, when not all motherboards had internal 19-pin USB 3.0 connectors, and external USB 3.0 ports were not so common, but today this can be explained either by the desire to please the owners of motherboards from previous years of production, or the desire to give the opportunity to connect external connectors of the case as to USB ports 2.0 and USB 3.0, but do not include the corresponding adapter in the case.
As a consolation, the manufacturer included in the kit a cover for the expansion slot with a slot closed with a rubber seal through which cables from the USB 3.0 connectors can be routed out.
The front panel is secured with six plastic latches and can be removed without much difficulty. The wires going to the button and indicator located on it are equipped with intermediate connectors, so they will not interfere with removing the panel.
The top panel is also secured with latches; You will have to remove it only for some manipulations with the fans, but at the same time you will have to “overcome” the thick bundle of cables suitable for it.
Naturally, the cables can be routed behind the motherboard substrate, for which there are large holes in it. True, there are no rubber plugs for them; the developers decided to limit themselves to rolling the edges of the holes. Other edges that could injure the assembler are also rolled.
The power supply can also be installed after the motherboard, with its fan facing up or down. The power supply is attached directly to the rear panel, without any additional frames, and on the bottom of the case there are protrusions with rubber shock-absorbing pads for it.
Noise level measurement
The noise level is measured in accordance with our methodology using an Octava 110A-Eco sound level meter in a soundproofed room with a typical noise level of 20 dBA. During the measurement, all electrical appliances in the room are turned off.
An autonomous controlled converter was used to regulate the fan supply voltage.
When all fans are powered at 5 volts, the noise is at a low level and is barely audible in a typical living room during the daytime. If the case is placed on the floor or on a cabinet under the table, the noise level will decrease slightly, and in this case the cooling system of the case can be considered conditionally silent.
When the fans are powered from 7 volts, the noise of the case cooling system can be assessed as reduced relative to the typical noise level for a living room during the day, provided that the case is placed on a desktop and the user is placed in the near field from it. If the case is placed on the floor or on a cabinet under the table, the noise level will decrease somewhat, and in this case the cooling system of the case can be considered quite quiet.
When the fans are powered from 8.5–10 volts, the noise of the case cooling system can be assessed as average for a living space during the daytime. A source with a similar noise level will not particularly stand out in a residential, much less an office space. Likewise, with a floor-mounted installation, such noise can be considered reduced.
With a further increase in the fan supply voltage, the noise comes close to the ergonomic limit of 40 dBA. Noise of this level is already clearly noticeable in a residential building at a distance of 2-3 meters from the source and is assessed as quite noticeable for a residential premises during the daytime, although for an office premises a similar level may be quite typical when several computers, air conditioning, lighting, etc. are operating equipment. When the measuring microphone is positioned in accordance with the typical placement of the user's head relative to the system unit when the latter is placed on the floor, the noise is noticeably reduced. Accordingly, with a floor-mounted housing, the noise can be considered average for a living space during the day, which is confirmed by the measurement results. The recorded noise level under these conditions was 34 dBA with the housing positioned on either side of the microphone (and the user).
Due to the fact that of the four connectors intended for powering fans, only two can be normally connected to the motherboard in order to control the fan rotation speed, and the remaining two connectors are connected directly to the power supply without the possibility of any adjustment, the user of this case There may be some inconvenience if you want to reduce the noise level standard system cooling relative to nominal.
The case has side walls with small openings, but there are large ventilation openings on the top and front. In this regard, from the front there is no attenuation of the noise arising in the internal volume of the housing. But in the case of emulating floor placement with a shift from the central axis, a slight weakening of the noise level is recorded, and with right side the case weakens a little more. However, you should not count on a significant noise insulation effect.
The acoustic ergonomics of this model are at an average level. For lovers of silence, the case is not suitable due to the relatively noisy nominal cooling system and the inability to adjust all fans as standard. On the other hand, against the backdrop of powerful components with a stock cooling system, the case will not be the leading element in terms of noise level, requiring immediate optimization or replacement.
Positioning and conclusions
The conclusions for the Zalman Z11 cases will be approximately the same as for the Z9: the price-to-equipment ratio is quite interesting, and the appearance of USB 3.0 ports in the Z11 Plus model makes it even more interesting. True, the appearance of the case has become more “amateur”, and if the modest Z9 is quite suitable as a case for an office or multi-purpose home computer(provided that the owner puts up with the blue backlight or is ready to turn it off along with the fans), then the Z11 clearly claims to be more. It’s difficult to say how justified it is without discussing the subjectivity of the perception of design, so let’s just estimate the balance of changes in comparison with the Z9 in the price dimension.
The number of fans can again be called excessive: the effectiveness of the side fans is questionable, and you have to pay for them in both the Z11 and Z11 Plus versions. It’s unlikely that anyone will regret the lack of a controller, to which only two fans could be connected in the Z9 Plus, and a thermometer, which serves a more decorative function, but the increase in price compared to the Z9 Plus is worthy of regret: minus the controller and thermometer, minus one large fan and plus two small ones, replacing two USB 2.0 ports with 3.0 and changing the design resulted in an extra $12–14 in retail price, which is quite a lot for a budget case. There is, of course, a non-Plus version of the Z11, which saves $8-$10, but at the cost of giving up USB 3.0 ports - one of the most useful differences from the Z9 model. In addition, the Z11 at the time of writing the review was on average, although slightly, more expensive than not only the Z9, but also the Z9 Plus. Of course, all these arguments are correct only at the time of writing the review: perhaps in the future the price balance will change somewhat.
The Zalman Z11 Plus case was provided for testing by the manufacturer
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