May 282016
 

Intro



Review and Build inside the ThermalTake Core X31 PC Case

Review Summary:

Every one pretty much knows what a small case can handle, but you are all wrong. The ThermalTake Core X31 packs a lot in its tiny frame, intelligent design is defined here at a great price as well. Come check out what I mean.

It’s hard to know what a good case is by a simple picture, and so many cases may look nice but once you get them it’s nothing like what you had imagined.  I have reviewed quite a few cases, and even one from ThermalTake in the past and I was pleased when I had the opportunity to review this one, the ThermalTake Core X31.

Let’s first take a look at the features and spec’s of this one.

ThermalTake Core X31

  • Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX (but actually it will support a little larger, stay tuned to find out what I mean)
  • Mid Tower
  • Maximum GPU Length without HDD Cage: 16.5 inches / 420mm
  • Maximum GPU Length with HDD Cage: 10.9 inches / 278mm
  • Maximum PSU Length without bottom fan: 8.66 inches / 220mm
  • Maximum PSU Length with one bottom Fan: 7.09 inches / 180mm
  • Windowed Side panel
  • 8 Expansion slots
  • Drive Bays:
    • 3 x 3.5in or 2.5in HD Cage
    • 3 x 3.5in or 2.5in behind motherboard tray
    • 2 x 2.5in on Power Supply Cover
    • 2 x 5.25in
      • 25in drive bays can be used for 2 x SSD’s each bay or 1 additional 3.5in drive in each bay
    • External Connections
      • 2 x USB 3.0
      • 2 x USB 2.0
      • 1 x Headphone Port
      • 1 x Microphone Port
    • Fan Mount Location and Sizes
      • Front:
        • 1 x 200mm or 2 x 140mm (1 x Included) or 2 x 120mm
      • Top:
        • 3 x 140mm or 3 x 120mm or 2 x 200mm
      • Rear:
        • 1 x 140mm (Included) or 2 x 120mm
      • Bottom:
        • 2 x 120mm or 2 x 240mm
      • Radiator Support
        • Front:
          • 1 x 360mm or 1 x 280mm
        • Top:
          • 360mm or 1 x 280mm
        • Rear:
          • 1 x 140mm or 1 x 120mm
        • Bottom:
          • 1 x 140mm or 1 x 120mm
        • 3 Year Warranty
        • Weight: 18.70lbs
        • Dimensions: H:20.10″ x W:9.80″ x D:19.50″

OK, enough with those, they might be a good reference to come back to later, but let’s see what comes inside of the box.

It has tons of options for HD’s, fans and radiators and I will go into that a little later in the review.  Let’s explore what was in the box to make sure it has everything you need for a build.

To start off with, it does come with the user’s manual which goes over what is included in the box, warranty information and some basics on how to build a PC with it, very basic of course.

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And the warranty policy, which of course goes over the warranty.

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Aside from those, came a bag that contained all of screws and accessories, I will break them down individually as well.

3

22 x Motherboard or 2.5”HDD screws

4

2 x Stand-Offs and 1 x Nut Setter.  The Nut Setter is such a great little tool and I will explain a little later on what it does and how handy it is.

5

Adhesive rubber washers for mechanical hard drives (noise reduction)

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5 x Cable Ties

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4 x Case fan screws

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12 x 3.5HDD Screws

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4 x Power Supply screws

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1 x PC Speaker

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That’s about it for the included accessories; now let’s get to the case itself.

Every one pretty much knows what a small case can handle, but you are all wrong. The ThermalTake Core X31 packs a lot in its tiny frame, intelligent design is defined here at a great price as well. Come check out what I mean.
Iggy Castillo
I have spent many years in the PC boutique name space as Product Development Engineer for Alienware and Dell through their acquisition and finally Velocity Micro. During these years I spent my time developing new configurations, products and technologies with companies such as Microsoft, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Asus and more. The Arts, Gaming and New & Old technologies drive my interests and passion.
Iggy Castillo

@zangza

I love the arts and technology. CRM/CTI Specialist by day at http://t.co/uNoMzVfAkN and Reviewer by night at http://t.co/eYqx0uJofz
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Iggy Castillo
  • Jason Powell

    Wow, that case has a lot of potential for a small case. Can’t say that I’m too surprised though after using my Core V71. These cases are awesome if you have a liquid cooling build going in, the vast options you have for where radiators can go opens up a whole new world for you to build in.

    • Iggy

      it really does, I was a little scared when it was being sent to me that things wouldn’t fit, but it really surprised me.

  • SimondsUnchaind

    Super nervous about fitting an E-ATX motherboard in this case. The EVGA mobo seems alright but its pretty small compared to some E-ATX mobos. Great build, Great video. Thanks for sharing.

    • Iggy

      Thank you SimondsUnchaind, and I apologize for not replying sooner, I never got a notification. I was a little nervous as well, but as long as you keep dimensions in mind you should be fine, you can use this review as a point of reference. You can go slightly longer too….. but I would be even more nervous ;). Thank you so much for stopping by and taking time out to comment, it means so much to me and thank you for the compliment.