THE AOPEN HX45 MID-TOWER COMPUTER
CASE
Last updated: 2/3/98
 I
use the AOpen HX45 ATX form-factor, mid-tower computer case for most of
the computers I build. It is an excellent choice for those who are
going to build their own computer. The case looks good, is furnished with
an ample assortment of hardware, is easy to work with, and, owing to a
sturdy shipping carton and packing, consistently arrives here in unblemished
condition. Now for the other features...
 Bent
metal. The case is made from 1 mm steel. The edges
are bent in to strengthen it and reduce the possibility of cuts during
assembly. The cover easily slides on from the back and is secured
at the back with three screws.
Plastic. The
front panel has an attractive appearance. Gone are the useless turbo
LED and switch and the keylock--good riddance! The panel is quite securely
fastened to the chassis with solid plastic tabs which makes it easy to snap
on and off. The speaker is inserted in a molded expansion card
guide assembly which is conveniently already snapped into the front of the
metal chassis. A muffin fan can also be mounted in the guide. The
plastic is solid stuff. A nit-pick: I would prefer that the 1" square
indentation for the manufacture's label were higher on the case so it isn't
partially obscured by the keyboard.
Drive
bays. The case has six drive bays: two exposed and one hidden
3 1/2" bays and three exposed 5 1/4" bays. The three 3
1/2" bays are in a removable cage which is secured with two screws. This
makes it a snap to install and service, all-at-once, a hard disk, Zip or
LS-120 drive, and a floppy drive. All of the exposed bays come with
snap-on dust covers. Drives are easily installed without rails.
Expansion
board slots. The case has seven slots. It will accommodate
motherboards with 3 ISA, 3 PCI, one shared ISA/PCI, and one AGP expansion
board connectors, or other combinations thereof. All of the slots
come equipped with removable slot covers (not those annoying knock-outs
found in some cases).
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