Thermaltake CTE E600MX Case Review

I am often reminded that casemodding has gone mainstream.  Now, while that statement may seem to be outdated and self-describing it also speaks to the current understanding of what a casemod is vs. what actually created the term.  For instance, on a modern chassis the current trend is to find the design you want and then apply every bolt-on you can find.  This has been a common trend in the automotive world for years and is still a popular way to customize your “stuff”

In contrast, the term casemodding originated when PC and System builders would make modifications to a computer case to either improve cooling, improve visibility, improve overall design or change things completely.  The general idea is that casemodders were restyling the chassis to fit their design ideas and build.  Given that computer cases of the generation were inflexible and bland ment that a case modder would be breaking out the power tools to make most of these modifications.  Once case makers caught on to this there was a massive land rush to create designs that not only looked good but, could make the modification process easier or, remove it completely.

For this review we will be looking at the ThermalTake CTE E600MX.  The CTE form factor is something we explored in our review of the CTE C750 TG ARGB case and stands for Centralized Thermal Efficiency which describes not only a change in chassis orientation but, an improvement in how our computer components are cooled.

P/N: CA-1Y3-00M1WN-00
Series: CTE
Case Type: Mid Tower
Dimension (H x W x D): 558.5 x 270 x 513mm / (21.99 x 10.63 x 20.2 inch)
Net Weight: 16 kg / 35.27 lbs.
Panel: 4mm Tempered Glass x 2
Color: Black
Material: SPCC
Drive Bays: 2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2.5”
Expansion Slots: 7
Motherboards

• 6.7” x 6.7” (Mini ITX), 9.6” x 9.6” (Micro ATX),
• 12” x 9.6” (ATX), 12” x 10.5” (E-ATX)

I/O Port: USB 3.0 x 2, Type-c x1, HD Audio x 1
PSU: Standard PS2 PSU (optional)
Fan Support

• Front: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 120mm, 1 x 120mm / 3 x 140mm ,2x 140mm, 1 x 140mm
• Top: 2 x 120mm, 1 x 120mm
• Right (M/B Side): 3 x 120mm, 2 x 120mm, 1 x 120mm / 3 x 140mm ,2x 140mm, 1 x 140mm
• Rear: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 120mm, 1 x 120mm / 3 x 140mm ,2x 140mm, 1 x 140mm
• Bottom: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 120mm, 1 x 120mm / 3 x 140mm ,2x 140mm, 1 x 140mm

Radiator Support

• Front: 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm, 1 x 120mm / 1 x 420mm, 1 x 280mm, 1 x 140mm
• Top: 1 x 240mm, 1 x 120mm
• Right (M/B Side): 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm, 1 x 120mm / 1 x 420mm, 1 x 280mm, 1 x 140mm
• Rear: 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm, 1 x 120mm / 1 x 420mm, 1 x 280mm, 1 x 140mm
• Bottom (DIY only): 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm, 1 x 120mm / 1 x 420mm, 1 x 280mm, 1 x 140mm

Clearance

• CPU cooler max height: 166mm
• VGA max length: 415mm (with radiator) / 443.8mm (without radiator)
• PSU max length: 220mm