[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The Hoplite ST, also known as “ECA3260 series,” is the latest mid-tower case from Enermax, featuring an external docking bay and a three-speed fan controller. Let’s see if the Hoplite ST deserves our recommendation.
The reviewed case is available in two color options: black (ECA3261-B) or white (ECA3261-W). We reviewed the white model.
Figure 1: Enermax Hoplite ST case
Figure 2: Enermax Hoplite ST case
The case has a transparent window on its left panel, supporting the installation of two 80 mm, 120 mm or 140 mm fans. No air filter for these optional fans is available.
Figure 3: Left panel
[nextpage title=”The Front and Top Panels”]
The Enermax Hoplite ST has four external 5.25” bays, all protected by meshed covers with air filters. The front panel comes with a 120 mm fan installed. This fan has a three-pin standard fan power connector, and glows in white when turned on. No technical specifications for this fan are provided. You can install this fan to the three-speed fan controller available. There is an air filter for this fan.
Figure 4: Front panel
The top panel of the Enermax Hoplite ST case is meshed and has an air filter, supporting the installation of one 120 mm or 140 mm fan.
Figure 5: Top panel
On the front part of the top panel you will find two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, the three-speed fan controller, and the traditional audio jacks. The USB 3.0 port uses an internal connector. The three-speed fan controller supports up to four fans. One of the highlights of this case is the presence of an external docking bay for SATA devices on its top panel. The connectors are covered by a lid.
Figure 6: Buttons, connectors, and the docking bay
Figure 7: Buttons, connectors, and the docking bay
[nextpage title=”The Bottom and Rear Panels”]
The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan. The rear panel and the interior of the Enermax Hoplite ST case are painted with the same color as the exterior – white, in our case.
Figure 8: Bottom panel
The case has seven expansion slots, using vented covers.
The rear panel comes with a 120 mm fan, which uses a standard three-pin fan power connector. No technical specifications for this fan are provided.
On the Enermax Hoplite ST case, the power supply goes on the bottom part of the case.
There are four holes, protected with rubber covers, for hoses of liquid cooling solutions. The two at the top are 0.7” (17 mm) in diameter, while the other two are 1” (25 mm) in diameter.
Figure 9: Rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the Enermax Hoplite ST case.
[nextpage title=”Inside the Enermax Hoplite ST Case”]
Both side panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The left panel has a plastic handle that makes it easier to open the case. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case, a few holes protected with rubber covers for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables behind the motherboard tray using cable ties.
Figure 10: Overall look
Figure 11: A view behind the motherboard tray
Figure 12 gives you another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using black thumbscrews. On its default configuration, the Enermax Hoplite ST case supports video cards up to 11” (280 mm) long. By removing the top hard drive cage, you can fit video cards up to 16.1” (410 mm) long. The Enermax Hoplite ST supports CPU coolers up to 6.6” (167 mm) tall.
Figure 12: Overall look
As already explained, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. Note that it can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already shown, there is an air filter for the power supply fan. The case supports the installation of power supplies up to 11.4” (290 mm) long. There is no support for fans on the bottom panel.
Figure 13: Power supply compar
tment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The Enermax Hoplite ST case has four 5.25” external bays, six 3.5”/2.5” internal bays in two cages, and one 3.5”/2.5” external docking bay. All devices can be installed without the use of tools or screws, except for 2.5” units.
Figure 14: Disk drive bays
As already explained, you can remove the top hard drive cage to fit video cards longer than 11” (280 mm), up to 16.1” (410 mm) long.
Figure 15: Top hard drive cage removed
Each 3.5”/2.5” bay is a small drawer that comes with pads to reduce the vibration and noise produced by 3.5” hard drives.
Figure 16: One of the 3.5”/2.5” bays
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Enermax Hoplite ST case include:
- Style: Mid-tower
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors
- Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
- Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
- Available colors: Black or white
- Side panel: Transparent
- Dimensions: 19.2 x 7.9 x 19.5 inches (487 x 200 x 496 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 15.5 Lbs (7 kg)
- Gross weight: 18 Lbs (8.2 kg)
- Bays: Four external 5.25” bays, six internal 3.5”/2.5” bays, and one external 3.5”/2.5” docking bay
- Expansion slots: Seven
- Maximum video card length: 11” (280 mm) or 16.1” (410 mm) if the top hard drive cage is removed
- Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.6” (167 mm)
- Fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel (white LEDs) and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel
- Optional fans: One 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the top panel and two 80 mm, 120 mm or 140 mm fans on the left panel
- Extra Features: None
- More Information: https://www.enermax.com.tw
- MSRP in the U.S.: USD 63 for the black version and USD 70 for the white version
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The Enermax Hoplite ST is a good mainstream case. Some competing products, such as the Cougar Challenger, offer more places for installing fans, but the Hoplite ST’s advantage is its three-speed fan controller. Its plastic parts could be of a better quality, but at this price range, we can’t complain.
Strong Points
- Excellent cost/benefit ratio
- Vented covers with air filters for the external 5.25” bays
- Air filters for the front, top, and power supply fans
- Vented slot covers
- Three-speed fan controller supporting four fans
- External 3.5”/2.5” docking bay
- Supports a total of seven 3.5”/2.5” storage devices
- A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes protected with rubber covers for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
- Clips for fastening cables behind the motherboard tray
Weak Points
- No air filter for the optional left fans
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