The Korean company Zalman, since its founding (1999), has been manufacturing and developing all kinds of cooling systems for PCs, and the priority of designers remains silent and convenient devices.
Until recently, the brand did not develop its presence in the computer case market, but nevertheless, this did not prevent the company from developing a new direction in a relatively short time. Although the assortment of Zalman cannot boast a wide selection of models, all of them without exception deserve close attention.
By launching the TNN series heavyweight with passive cooling of the insides, the company has proven that it is truly able to replenish the segment with unique and quiet enclosures. The subsequent representatives in the person of the Z-Machine series for a long time held the leading positions of various ratings and were considered the standard of a solid gaming case.
The hero of today's article is the Zalman Z9 U3 case: an overview of the characteristics, advantages, advantages and disadvantages of the model. The decisive opinion is formed by analyzing the feedback of both specialists and ordinary users.
Dimensions
The design of the Zalman Z9 U3 is characterized as an ATX Middle Tower form factor and looks like a typical middle “tower”. The dimensions of the model are appropriate: length - 504 mm, width - 207 mm, height 464 mm with a weight of 7.2 kg. The case for its dimensions weighs very impressive (analogues do not exceed the 6.0 kg mark), but this fact can only be attributed to the pluses of the line, since the large mass allows you to absorb more vibration.
Appearance
Externally, the Z9 looks voluminous and not as angular as the year before last model. The chassis of the line is made of 0.8 mm thick steel, the same can be said about the side panels. All edges of the case are carefully rolled, which virtually eliminates cuts and injuries during the assembly of computer components. The top and front panels are decorated with high-quality and fairly durable plastic with a recognizable brand design.
Zalman Z9 U3 black comes exclusively in one color scheme - deep black. The outer walls of the body are painted with a matte paint, pleasant and rough to the touch. The coating does not allow fingerprints, dust and dirt to be collected.
Design
The Z9 U3 model differs from the rest of the line in that it has a transparent slightly curved window on the main body wall. There is also a ventilation grill almost along the entire perimeter of the wall. The diameter of the ventilation holes is very impressive - 5.5 mm, so the problem of dust accumulation is traced in the reviews of many users. This issue is solved by blowing the system unit and daily ventilation of the room where the computer is installed.
The other side of the case is completely deaf and does not differ from the general style of the model. Both wings are secured by special grooves located in the chassis and screws on the rear panel of the Zalman Z9 U3. The instruction provides for the simple dismantling of the side covers due to the recess, where the fasteners with a plastic knurled head are located in the rear of the case.
The front panel of the Z9 is almost completely perforated, and its main attribute is the device bays: 5.25 inches - 4 pcs. and one 3.5 inches.
The upper part of the Zalman Z9 U3 is reserved for the control panel. It is poured into the case and functions as a unit with it, so only three 5.25-inch devices can be used in the model.
Control Panel
On the left side of the panel you can see a digital display with a temperature sensor and a wheel for controlling the speed of rotation of the cooling screws. Manufacturers heeded user reviews about the lack of USB outputs and equipped the panel with four type 2.0 ports. The YUSB 3.0 version is absent in the model as a class, which is very upsetting, therefore it is necessary to carry out an additional upgrade of the case in order to avoid synergy problems with connected gadgets and especially with external hard drives.
The middle part of the control panel is reserved for microphone and headphone outputs. The board supports world standards such as AC`97 and HAD. On the right side are the sensors of the hard drive and the button "sleep" / restart the computer. All control indicators, buttons and ports are signed, so it is rather difficult to make mistakes and miss.
Front Panel
At the top of the Zalman Z9 U3 there is a power button in the style characteristic of the brand - a 45-degree bend and nice diode sensors that light up with a bluish glow when the computer is turned on.
The lower part of the front panel is made in a defiant style and resembles the letter Z in its appearance. Here you can also see the compartment for 3.5-inch devices with a dummy identical to the case. In the lower part there is a fan with a standard size 120x120x25 mm, coupled with a low-key LED backlight. In addition, the fan is protected by a removable dust filter, for cleaning which you will need to remove the front panel of the Zalman Z9 U3 black case. The rear panel overview is similar to the entire Z9 line.
Back panel
The lower part is reserved for the installation of the power supply, there is a cutout for I / O plug and a landing compartment for a 120 mm fan. Perforated plugs cover seven expansion card slots. It is sad that the plugs require breaking out and are disposable, therefore, if a discrete device is removed from the system unit, there is nothing to replace them with. User reviews have repeatedly focused the company on this issue. Next to the plugs is a ventilation grill running along the entire length of the slots.
I am glad that Zalman did not forget about the liquid cooling system, providing for holes for the output of hoses. They, as it should be for such systems, are under the fan in the amount of two pieces, closed with special inserts in the form of rubber petals. The diameter of the cooling holes assumes a hose of no more than 18 mm in diameter, but it can be increased to 20 mm by removing the rubber insert.
The Zalman Z9 U3 case stands on four plastic legs, where at the ends you can see rubber inserts that do not allow the system unit to crawl over the surface and additionally dampen vibration.
Internal structure
The color of the inside of the model is identical to the outside - black in a matte style. The layout, although standard, is well thought out and time-tested. The lower part is reserved for the power supply, above is the place for the motherboard, which is attached to the pallet using the screws from the kit and hexagonal racks, and it is worth mentioning separately that the pallet itself cannot be dismantled and poured into the case.
In the front there are 5.25-inch bays and, as mentioned above, only three of the four are free. Winchesters are placed in a special fixed basket below. Hard drives are installed without screws, using local latches. The maximum number of HDDs is up to five in 3.5-inch format.
Zalman Z9 U3 has an advanced cable management system, which provides the pulling of wires behind the motherboard, which largely allows you to free up space inside the case and, as a result, provide more efficient blowing from dust and other polluting factors. Positive user reviews suggest that the system justifies itself at 100%.
Cooling system
Zalman engineers once again earned all sorts of praise, providing the Z9 with a powerful and quiet cooling system. Its main components are branded fans, which are "scattered" around the entire perimeter of the Zalman Z9 U3. The review and installation of regular fans is best done in conjunction with the cooling systems of the video card and processor, because because of the specifics of these elements, the retraction or exhaust properties of each blower individually will be configured. That is, taking into account the active or passive cooling of each peripheral device, you can set the "blowing" or "blowing" of the blades.
Summarizing
Undoubtedly, the Z9 U3 model can be attributed to the segment of gaming cases. The existing cooling system will cope even with several powerful video accelerators. Fans of modding will like the block thanks to blue LEDs scattered around the case and fans, and overclockers will appreciate the model for its thoughtful layout and all the same impeccable cooling system.
Pros:
- refined and eye-pleasing design;
- build quality and materials at a high level;
- built-in thermometer and reobas;
- the ability to install additional fans and another housing upgrade;
- there are anti-dust filters on all inlets;
- Winchester mounts are equipped with good anti-vibration pads.
Minuses:
- fan illumination can only be turned off in a "crude" way (dismantling diodes);
- rotation speed is regulated by reobas only in two of all fans.
The average price of a Zalman Z9 U3 case at Yandex Market is 5,000 rubles.