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[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
Costing only USD 60, the LuxuRay from Enermax is a very affordable case, bringing nice options for a case in this price range. Let’s take a look at this new release.
The LuxuRay is available in three versions, ECA3190-BS, ECA3191-BS, and ECA3192-BS. The ECA3192-BS is the “complete” model, being the version sold in the USA. The other two versions are offered in different markets, and they don’t come with the top 120 mm fan, and the ECA3191-BS isn’t painted black inside.
In Figures 1 and 2, you have an overall look at the case.
Figure 1: Enermax LuxuRay case
Figure 2: Enermax LuxuRay case
You can install up to two 120 mm fans on the mesh available on the left panel.
The front panel of the LuxuRay can be seen in Figure 3. It is made with a really shiny black plastic, making it impossible for you to not leave finger prints all over the front panel.
This case has five 5.25” bays, all using regular covers (i.e., not vented and without air filters). The top-most bay comes without a metallic part “closing” it, but if you want to use any of the other bays you will have to break a metallic part that is present behind the front cover.
Figure 3: Front panel
At the bottom part of the front panel the LuxuRay comes with a 120 mm “VEGAS” fan. This fan uses a three-pin connector, so you can install it on your motherboard in order to monitor its speed, or you can install it on a peripheral power connector, using the included adapter.
Through a button labeled “fan” present on the front panel you can not only change the color of the fan (red, green, or blue) but also its blinking pattern, for a total of 14 different possibilities (including turning all LEDs off). This fan is similar to the one present on the front panel of the Enermax Volcanus – on the Volcanus, however, the fan size is 140 mm. Although the plastic part present on the front panel looks solid, it is actually transparent, and you can see the fan in action in the video below.
Figure 4: Front fan
[nextpage title=”Introduction (Cont’d)”]
Between the 5.25” bays and the front fan, the LuxuRay has two USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port, the traditional audio jacks, and the power, reset, and fan buttons.
Figure 5: Buttons and connectors
The top panel of the LuxuRay can be seen in Figure 6. It features one 120 mm fan that glows blue when turned on, using a standard peripheral power connector, so you can’t monitor its speed. No technical details about them were provided. This fan can be replaced with a 140 mm model.
Figure 6: Top panel
The bottom panel (Figure 7), features a removable air filter for the power supply fan.
Figure 7: Bottom panel
In Figure 8, you can see the rear panel of the LuxuRay. It comes with a 120 mm fan identical to the one present on the top panel. The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case, and the rear panel and the interior of the case are painted black, features usually found only on more expensive products. The LuxuRay has seven expansion slots, all featuring meshed slot covers. The case also has two holes with rubber covers for you to pass hoses of liquid cooling solutions.
Figure 8: Rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the LuxuRay.
[nextpage title=”Inside the LuxuRay”]
Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews, which is nice to see on a case from this price range. The motherboard tray has a huge hole around the area where the CPU is installed, so you can replace the backplate of the CPU cooler without the need to remove your motherboard. You can route cables behind the motherboard tray, thanks to the presence of four holes on the motherboard tray and eight metallic clips for you to fasten cable ties.
Figure 9: Overall look
Figure 10: A view behind the motherboard tray
The LuxuRay supports video cards up to 12.2” (310 mm) long and CPU coolers up to 6.7” (169.2 mm), if you don’t install fans on the case left panel, or up to 5.7” (144.2 mm), if you install extra fans.
Expansion cards are fastened using black thumbscrews, a really nice feature to see in a budget case.
In the LuxuRay you can install the power supply with its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you will have to decide if you want the power supply to be pulling cool air from outside the case (fan facing down) or hot air from inside the case (fan facing up). The case comes with a removable air filter for the power supply fan on its bottom panel, as shown before.
Figure 12: Power supply compartment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The LuxuRay comes with five 5.25” external bays, five internal 3.5” bays, and one internal 2.5” bay. There is no support for external 3.5” devices.
Figure 13: Disk drive bays
With the exception of the 2.5” bay – which is targeted to laptop hard drives and SSDs –, all drive bays make use of tool-less installation mechanisms. For installing hard disk drives you need to install two rulers, one at each side of the drive, and slide the drive in the bay you want use.
The 2.5” bay is located at the bottom part of the case, below the hard drive cage. You need to use regular screws coming from the bottom panel to fasten your hard drive or SSD.
Figure 14: Internal 3.5” bays
In Figure 15, you can see the accessories that come with the product.
Figure 15: Accessories
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specs for the Enermax LuxuRay case include:
- Style: Mid-tower
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors derived from this one
- Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
- Available colors: Black
- Material: Steel
- Side panel: Meshed
- Dimensions: 17.5 x 7.9 x 18.5 inches (445 x 200 x 470 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 13.5 lbs (6.0 kg)
- Gross weight: 15 lbs (6.4 kg)
- Bays: Five external 5.25” bays, five internal 3.5” bays, and one internal 2.5” bay
- Expansion slots: Seven
- Maximum video card length: 12.2” (310 mm)
- Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.7” (169.2 mm), if you don’t install fans on the left panel, or up to 5.7” (144.2 mm), if you do
- Fans: One 120 mm VEGAS fan on the front panel, one 120 mm fan on the top panel (glows blue when turned on), and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel (glows blue when turned on)
- Optional fans: Two 120 mm fans on the left panel, one 140 mm on the top panel (if the 120 mm fan is removed)
- More Information: https://www.enermax.com.tw
- Average price in the US*: USD 60.00
* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The LuxuRay is a terrific option if you are on budget and want a nice-looking case with several options usually only seen on more expensive models. If you don’t like your computer looking like a nightclub, you may simple turn off the LEDs of the front fan using the available button – or pick a different product. For its terrific cost/benefit ratio, we are giving it our Golden Award.
Strong Points
- Price
- Air filter for the power supply
- Tool-less mechanisms for installing optical and 3.5” hard drives
- Five 3.5” hard drive bays
- Supports one 2.5” hard drive or SSD
- Meshed slot covers
- Black thumbscrews for fastening expansion cards
- A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes and clips for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
- eSATA port
- Fancy “VEGAS” fan
- Rear panel and interior are painted black
- No sharp edges where you could cut yourself while building your computer
Weak Points
- No air filter for the front fan