By: Hai Wang
June 15, 2018
The other day, I was talking to my colleague about cars. He said he really wanted to buy a 2008 Acura TSX with manual transmission. I was quite surprised, since I knew he drove a manual Honda Accord with K24 engine. If he really wanted a car just to enjoy the driving experience, why not considered buying a totally different car? You know, the 2004 to 2008 model years Acura TSX with a manual transmission was equipped with a K24 engine as well. In my opinion, the two cars are really similar. The TSX is only a little bit more exciting than the Accord thanks to a different chassis. However, that was the “a little bit” of extra excitement really made my friend wanted to own a TSX. I think it is the same thing for us when we decide to buy a new computer case. It is neither because our old computer case is obsolete, nor the new case is dramatically different from our old one. The reason we want that new case may simply because it is just a little bit more exciting, and we believe the new product can make us really happy. However, as the competition in the computer case market is becoming more and more intense, it seems all new products are pretty exciting nowadays. It is hard to find a computer case that can stand out. For today’s review unit, the In Win 305, is it an exciting product that can draw customers’ attention, or it is just another run-of-the-mill computer case? Let us read on and find out!
Today’s review unit was shipped from the City of Industry, California, USA to us here in Calgary, AB, Canada. City of Industry is also In Win’s headquarters in North America. Although you may see some small scratches and dents on the parcel, there was actually no sign of unacceptable damages on the shipping box itself that can make you nervous about the safety of the glass panel after thousands miles of transportation. Well done, FedEx. The box was rather big and heavy, which I felt pretty excited about, since I knew it was made of some serious steel.
Usually, a good retail package design can draw people’s attention and make the product itself stand out among hundreds of other products on the shelf. However, the reign of computer case is different. Most of the time, the dealer will either directly put sample cases on the shelf or just demonstrate some fully built computers using those chassis. Therefore, it is mostly unnecessary to have a fancy retail package for a computer tower. At least for me, I would not buy a computer case just because it looks great in photos. The retail package of In Win 305, which is also the shipping package, is simply a brown cardboard box. It shows no picture of the product itself; not even a sketch of the product. The company’s name and logo are presented on the box, as you can see from the shipping box picture. Critical information such as the color of the case, product features, and handling instructions are also provided on a sticker. The clean look of the retail package may suggest the product itself will be compact and clean as well.
Upon open the box, you will see the case is wrapped inside a big black synthetic bag instead of plastic bag. The synthetic bag is thick enough to prevent the relatively fragile part of the In Win 305, the tempered glass panels, from being damaged, and it can also be reused if you want to take your computer to some other places or just keep it from dust when not used. Since the whole chassis is supported by eight pieces of foam brackets at the corners, there is no direct contact from the shipping package, thereby no damage is found on the case. All the accessories, including hardware and zip ties, are contained by a plastic bag with a zipper on it.
For you to know the In Win 305 a little bit more, the specifications of the mid-tower from its official website is listed below:
Specifications:
-Model: 305
-Color: Black, White
-Case Type: Mid Tower
-Case Material: SECC, Tempered Glass
-Motherboard Compatibility: 12" x 10.7" ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
-Expansion Slots: PCI-E x 7
-Maximum Compatibility: VGA Card Length: 350mm, CPU Heatsink Height: 160mm
-Front Ports: USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 2, HID Audio
-Internal Drive Bays: 3.5" x 2, 2.5" x 2, 2 Pre-installed (Max. up to 3 bays)
-Thermal Solution Compatibility: 120mm Rear Fan / Radiator x 1, 120mm Top Fan x 3 / 360mm Radiator, 120mm Bottom Fan x 3
-Power Supply Compatibility: PSII ATX 12V (length up to 200mm)
-Product Dimension (H x W x D): 500mm x 248mm x 484mm
-Product Dimension (H x W x D with screw & handle height): 335mm x 610mm x 572mm
-Package Dimension (H x W x D) 335mm x 610mm x 572mm
-Net Weight: 11.53kg / 25lb
-Gross Weight: 13.42kg / 29lb
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
