Wire Management:

The wire management of the Element V looked promising from the start. The bottom section gives you direct access to the back wall, allowing for easy cable routing behind the motherboard tray. The pre-cut wire management holes along the side of the motherboard tray should help clean up wire runs during installation. As always, we’ll reserve our final opinion until after installation is complete.

The enormous size of the of the Element V allows it to swallow all of the components we installed easily. We practically wanted to start yodeling just to hear the echo inside this thing. With the pre-cut wire management solutions in place, the Element V creates a very clean installation without a lot of wires draped across the ample spaces inside the case. With such a clean install, it will also free up air to move more freely inside the case, allowing for lower temperatures for your hardware.

Installation:

Test System:

• Abit IP35 Pro
• WD 500GB
• Zumax 750w PSU
• Nvidia GTX 590
• ASUS CD ROM

Installing your motherboard in the Element V is just like every other installation we have had in a full tower. First, you will need to install the motherboard spacers in the correct positions, then get your screwdriver and screws to secure the motherboard to the tray.

The PCI expansion card area is not tool-free, so you will need a screwdriver and the included screws to secure it into place.

For your 3.5″ installation, you will need to slide your HDD in any of the three slots this iCage provides. Once that is done, as seems to be the norm with this case, you will need your screwdriver and screws to secure your HDDs to the iCage.

For installing the 2.5″ SSDs, you will need to line up the screw holes with the mounds.  Once you do that, get the ol’ screwdriver and screws out again and secure it to the bottom of the Element V. For as much use as this case has for a screwdriver to install various components, it made us seriously look around for some vodka and orange juice.

To install your 5.25″ drives, you will need to pop out the Tt locking mechanism, like we did on the bottom two in the photo. To do this, just squeeze the two clips inward to release the prongs so you can slide your device in. Once in, line up the screw holes accordingly and replace the Tt locking mechanism to secure the drive in place. Our screwdriver felt suspiciously neglected by this.

Dust Filtration:

The 5.25″ bay covers have been installed with a mesh dust filter to help keep dirt from entering the the Element V from the front intake fans.

The bottom PSU intake area also has a mesh screen in place to help keep dust from clogging up your PSU.

The one location where there is no dust protection installed is the 230mm side panel fan. This comes with zero dust filtering solutions, and this is the major area that brings in fresh air to the case. On the one hand, aesthetically, it’s hard to make a good-looking dust filter (especially with the LED effects offered by the fan); on the other, this fan is huge, and looks capable of sucking unwary pets and small children into your case, so giving it something more effective than the metal grate covering it to keep out unwanted dust, dirt, and hair seems reasonable.

Next: Air Flow, LED Lighting, and Conclusion

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