Anyone own A Xigmatek Aquila? [OPINION]

[monstarmadness]

Hey guy...does anyone here own a Xigmatek Aquila? What is your opinion of it? Any tips for optimal setup? 

I have ordered the parts in my sig for my build and was hoping for some info on the case....Thanks!

[iruixos]

IIRC Tek Syndicate did a build in one of those...

 

EDIT: found a vid

 

As for personal experience, no sorry

[monstarmadness]

IIRC Tek Syndicate did a build in one of those...

 

EDIT: found a vid

 

As for personal experience, no sorry

Thanks for the link and nice rig setup!

Kinda hard to  find opinion on the case...guess not many people own one....

[Koffehh]

I own one in white, aesthetically looks great and it gets a good look from guests where the my old black rectangular box didnt any interest. I found it easy to build in for my basic rig (see sig), and the stock case fans are almost inaudible unless your press your ear right to the case. Case is solid, mainly due to the handles I think and easy to wipe clean.

You ask about optimal set up, I presume you mean air flow? I cant comment as I built my rig for editing photos and light gaming, the criteria for the case was something quiet, small, and is pleasant to look at which it achieves.

When I was looking for a case very few commented on the Aquila, so was a bit nevous when I went ahead and bought it, personally now I have one, I dont know why its not more popular.

[monstarmadness]

I own one in white, aesthetically looks great and it gets a good look from guests where the my old black rectangular box didnt any interest. I found it easy to build in for my basic rig (see sig), and the stock case fans are almost inaudible unless your press your ear right to the case. Case is solid, mainly due to the handles I think and easy to wipe clean.

You ask about optimal set up, I presume you mean air flow? I cant comment as I built my rig for editing photos and light gaming, the criteria for the case was something quiet, small, and is pleasant to look at which it achieves.

When I was looking for a case very few commented on the Aquila, so was a bit nevous when I went ahead and bought it, personally now I have one, I dont know why its not more popular.

This clears a lot of my issues...My main problem was air flow....I am using an AIO closed loop cooler (H100i) for my processor so I need good airflow for my graphic card and other components...I read that the intake fan is a massive 200mm!!...so i guess the airflow shouldn't be an issue....thanks for sharing!!

[Koffehh]

This clears a lot of my issues...My main problem was air flow....I am using an AIO closed loop cooler (H100i) for my processor so I need good airflow for my graphic card and other components...I read that the intake fan is a massive 200mm!!...so i guess the airflow shouldn't be an issue....thanks for sharing!!

No problem. I haven't gone for anything fancy in my build, however learning from my build i can see how coolers and other stuff fit now. If I'm not mistaken the H100i i would fit in the top tray which is a removable, it looks like it would be easy to do but cant say for sure.

As for you graphics card it looks like it should fit (but @ 280mm it looks tight as I'm messing around with a measure), however you an remove the 3.5" bays to fit a GPU of 330mm but your going to fit a HDD (so unsure of where else u could fit this).

Yes the intake fan is a massive 200mm (in orange) also quiet, i was looking at getting some fan speed controllers however it runs they way i intended so never followed it up.

Note: This was my first build so don't take anything in this post as concrete, but for me the case is what wanted/expected. I understand a lot more on the case now and can figure out future upgrades now if need be, but modding cases would be a whole new ball game.

[monstarmadness]

If I don't find that I am able to fit the hard drive into the case I have an external USB3.0 hot swappable hard drive system... I can put it there and use it to its full potential... However do you think my two ssds will fit? I want to raid them... So I want them inside the case..

[Koffehh]

If I don't find that I am able to fit the hard drive into the case I have an external USB3.0 hot swappable hard drive system... I can put it there and use it to its full potential... However do you think my two ssds will fit? I want to raid them... So I want them inside the case..

Yes they will fit they use a separate mounting from the 3.5"bays.

[monstarmadness]

Yes they will fit they use a separate mounting from the 3.5"bays.

Oh alright...thanks a lot!

BTW do you mind showing me a picture of your rig with the internals and how cooling has been setup. Only if you don't mind....I would greatly appreciate it!!

[TheFalseHuman]

Bump

 

Also looking at this case, but not many notable reviews of this case other than Tek Syndicate and OC3D

Any other comments/feedback on this case?

[monstarmadness]

Bump

 

Also looking at this case, but not many notable reviews of this case other than Tek Syndicate and OC3D

Any other comments/feedback on this case?

I received the case some time ago and built my computer in it....It's a solid case....strong and had good amount of room for my components.

It's also good at noise levels because of the 200mm fan and even at higher loads the noise isn't unpleasant and sounds somewhat like a wind tunnel (which i like).

My components are functioning quite cool and there seems to be good airflow....

It's also pretty easy to pick up and move because of the handles..

 

I did have a couple of issues though...

1) My power supply was a very tight fit so i'd suggest against using larger power supplies

2) If using Closed loop cooling for CPU, make sure you connect the cooler to the CPU first and then put the radiator to the top because there isn't much space to fit a screw driver in once the radiator is put on the top....so it will be extremely hard screwing the cooler onto the processor.

3) my graphics card (STRIX 970) which is taller than usual, was quite hard to put in because the heads of the power cables were touching my radiator mounted on the top....

 

OVERALL

I'd whole-heartedly recommend the case because of it's aesthetics, mobility and performance...but I give it 7/10 for ease of building....

[TheFalseHuman]

@monstarmadness

 

Thanks for the additional comments on this case!

 

A couple questions...

1) Is your PSU modular?

2) As mentioned by Koffehh, how is the clearance for a 280mm rad at top for the tubing and such? For example, would something massive like the H240-X (rad: 290mm in length + tubing) fit comfortably? According to the specifications, the case is 390mm in length and obviously some of the space is taken up by the front panel piece.

3) Which color case do you have?

 

Thanks

[Koffehh]

@monstarmadness

 

Thanks for the additional comments on this case!

 

A couple questions...

1) Is your PSU modular?

2) As mentioned by Koffehh, how is the clearance for a 280mm rad at top for the tubing and such? For example, would something massive like the H240-X (rad: 290mm in length + tubing) fit comfortably? According to the specifications, the case is 390mm in length and obviously some of the space is taken up by the front panel piece.

3) Which color case do you have?

 

Thanks

1- semi modular - I had no issues fitting mine.

2- I can't answer this as I'm not sure how to fit a rad into this case. My system is basic as all I wanted to use it for was PS and LR. But I can say I can see how you would fit one, but for dimensions I wont comment as I could get it completely wrong.

3- White of course, IMO far more appealing than a black box it also gets looks/comments when guests visit, (which never happened before with black boxes of old).

[monstarmadness]

@monstarmadness

Thanks for the additional comments on this case!

A couple questions...

1) Is your PSU modular?

2) As mentioned by Koffehh, how is the clearance for a 280mm rad at top for the tubing and such? For example, would something massive like the H240-X (rad: 290mm in length + tubing) fit comfortably? According to the specifications, the case is 390mm in length and obviously some of the space is taken up by the front panel piece.

3) Which color case do you have?

Thanks

1) Yes my PSU is fully modular. It's made by seasonic and is not that big. In this case I'd suggest go for a partially modular psu as it would be easier routing some cables that are important without having to worry about them coming off.

2) I have a H100i in there and it fits alright...I had to bend the tube a bit from the side so make sure it is quite flexible.... I think a 280mm rad would be too much... Personally I'd recommend a 240mm... Although you could fit that 280mm too. I don't know why you would need a 280mm rad though. I have a 4960X overclocked to 4.7 Ghz and have good temp...

3) i have the black case and it looks awesome!

[Koffehh]

3) i have the black case and it looks awesome!

White is slightly more awesome :-)

[TheFalseHuman]

White is slightly more awesome :-)

 

Thanks for all your feedback! I really appreciate it!

 

From the Xigmatek website, it shows the white version having a shine, yet other images/videos online doesn't really show that "shine." Does the white version really have that shine or are the images on their website slightly retouched?

 

Thanks

[iruixos]

This thread bump actually contributed more information that was relevant to my interests. I've taken another look at this case but wasn't sure about the handles, but thanks for your post monstarmadness!

[monstarmadness]

White is slightly more awesome :-)

LOL! I guess to one his own....love the design generally though!

[monstarmadness]

This thread bump actually contributed more information that was relevant to my interests. I've taken another look at this case but wasn't sure about the handles, but thanks for your post monstarmadness!

No worries mate...happy to help! I would strongly recommend this case just for the aesthetics and ability to fit in pretty good components.

Feel free to ask me anything more that you'd like to know about. 

[monstarmadness]

This thread bump actually contributed more information that was relevant to my interests. I've taken another look at this case but wasn't sure about the handles, but thanks for your post monstarmadness!

 

 

Thanks for all your feedback! I really appreciate it!

 

From the Xigmatek website, it shows the white version having a shine, yet other images/videos online doesn't really show that "shine." Does the white version really have that shine or are the images on their website slightly retouched?

 

Thanks

 

 

White is slightly more awesome :-)

 

Would you guys like me to write a review of this case?

I'd be happy to touch upon topics like noise, cooling, expandability, aesthetics, build quality, etc.

[iruixos]

Would you guys like me to write a review of this case?

I'd be happy to touch upon topics like noise, cooling, expandability, aesthetics, build quality, etc.

 

That'd be great. I've been thinking of this case as my current one (650D) isn't the easiest to transport from LAN parties every weekend... =/

[monstarmadness]

That'd be great. I've been thinking of this case as my current one (650D) isn't the easiest to transport from LAN parties every weekend... =/

 

Alright...I'll try and write a review by the weekend...I have my university finals coming up so I'll need the time.

[iruixos]

Alright...I'll try and write a review by the weekend...I have my university finals coming up so I'll need the time.

 

Don't rush it, focus on your uni finals. They're much more important than a case review

[Koffehh]

Thanks for all your feedback! I really appreciate it!

 

From the Xigmatek website, it shows the white version having a shine, yet other images/videos online doesn't really show that "shine." Does the white version really have that shine or are the images on their website slightly retouched?

 

Thanks

The "shine" you speak of appears on the ximatak website, in RL it more of a matte finish but in very bright daylight there is a "slight sheen" to the finish.

[Keyboy]

Hey guy...does anyone here own a Xigmatek Aquila? What is your opinion of it? Any tips for optimal setup? 

I have ordered the parts in my sig for my build and was hoping for some info on the case....Thanks!

 

 

I own one in white, aesthetically looks great and it gets a good look from guests where the my old black rectangular box didnt any interest. I found it easy to build in for my basic rig (see sig), and the stock case fans are almost inaudible unless your press your ear right to the case. Case is solid, mainly due to the handles I think and easy to wipe clean.

You ask about optimal set up, I presume you mean air flow? I cant comment as I built my rig for editing photos and light gaming, the criteria for the case was something quiet, small, and is pleasant to look at which it achieves.

When I was looking for a case very few commented on the Aquila, so was a bit nevous when I went ahead and bought it, personally now I have one, I dont know why its not more popular.

 

 

 

Very useful post, thank you all!

 

I have a question though, will the case be compatible with the Bitfenix Spectre Pro 230mm. You might be thinking "what is this crazy guy writing about?" But the fan metioned earlier has 200mm mounts

And also will it improve anything?

 

Dang it: The white Aquila is 16$ more expensive