In Win Track Case Review

[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

In Win will be releasing their latest mid-tower case, the Track, in 2011, but we had the privilege to receive a sample before its release. Let’s see what you can expect from this forthcoming product.

In Figures 1 and 2, you have an overall look at the case.

Figure 1: In Win Track case

Figure 2: In Win Track case

The first thing you will note on the Track is the huge mesh available on its left panel, which comes with a huge 220 mm fan attached (no further technical information is provided). This fan glows blue when turned on, but you can turn off the LEDs through a switch available. This fan uses a regular peripheral power connector, so you can’t install it on your motherboard in order to monitor its speed. You can, if you want, replace this huge fan with two 120 mm models. One of the main drawbacks of this case is the absence of an air filter on its left panel.

Figure 3: Left panel

[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]

The front panel of the Track can be seen in Figure 4, and it has a very aggressive looks. This case has three 5.25” bays, with the bottom one coming with a 5.25”-to-3.5” adapter for installing external 3.5” devices such as floppy disk drives and memory card readers. The bay covers are meshed featuring air filters.

Figure 4: Front panel

At the bottom of the front panel there are two meshed covers also with air filters that hide the front 120 mm fan. This fan uses a three-pin power connector, so you can install it on your motherboard to monitor its speed. No technical details about this fan were provided.

Figure 5: Front fan

At the top of the front panel we have the on/off switch – we found it very cool that In Win put the power LED literally inside the power button –, two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, and the audio jacks.

Figure 6: Buttons and connectors

[nextpage title=”The Top and Rear Panels”]

The top panel of the Track can be seen in Figure 7. It features one 120 mm fan identical to the one available on the front panel.

Figure 7: Top panel

The rear panel features another 120 mm fan identical to the ones used on the front and top panels. As you can see in Figure 8, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case, and the Track follows the standard ATX design with seven expansion slots, and the slot covers aren’t vented (the first slot comes without a cover installed, but this cover is available in the accessories bag that comes with the product). There is a hole protected with a rubber cover at the top part of the rear panel for you to route the cable of the front USB 3.0 port, since this cable must be installed at the motherboard rear panel. The rear panel and the interior of the reviewed case are painted black, giving it a very professional looks.

Figure 8: Rear panel

Let’s now take a look inside the Track.

[nextpage title=”Inside the Track”]

Both side panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews, so opening the Track doesn’t require tools. 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. There are two holes for you to route cables behind the motherboard tray, plus the motherboard tray doesn’t go all the way to the front panel, so there is an open space behind the hard drive bays for you to route and hide cables.

Figure 9: Overall look

Figure 10: A view behind the motherboard tray

The case comes with individual plastic mechanisms for holding expansion cards.

Figure 11: Overall look

Even though the Track is a small case, it supports three video cards up to 12.6” (320 mm) in length each, thanks to its reduced number of disk drive bays.

In the Track 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. The Track supports power supplies up to 10.5” (270 mm) in length.

Figure 12: Power supply compartment

[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]

The In Win Track comes with three 5.25” external bays, three internal 3.5” bays, and one 2.5” bay, all but the 2.5” featuring tool-less installation mechanisms. The bottom 5.25” bay comes with a 5.25”-to-3.5” adapter if you need to install an external 3.5” device such
as a floppy disk drive, a memory card reader, or a fan controller.

Figure 13: Disk drive bays

Figure 14: The 2.5” bay

The number of disk drive bays may seem reduced compared to other mid-tower cases, but keep in mind that this was done in order for this case to be able to support up to three very long video cards.

The top-most 3.5” hard drive bay features hot-swap connectors.

Figure 15: Hot-swap connectors

Each 3.5” bay is actually a small drawer, as you can see in Figure 16.

Figure 16: Drawer

[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]

The main specs for the In Win Track 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: 18 x 7.9 x 19.7 inches (456 x 200 x 500 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 15.5 lbs (7 kg)
• Gross weight: 19 lbs (8.6 kg)
• Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, one external 3.5” bay converted from one 5.25” bay, three internal 3.5” bays, and one internal 2.5” bay
• Expansion slots: Seven
• Maximum video card length: 12.6” (320 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
• Fans: One 220 mm fan on the left panel, one 120 mm fan on the front panel, one 120 mm fan on the top panel, and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel
• Optional fans: Two 120 mm fans on the left panel, if the 220 mm fan is removed
• More Information: https://www.inwin-style.com/
• Average Price in the US: This case wasn’t released yet on the day we published this review

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

The In Win Track is clearly targeted to users that want a small case for building a very powerful gaming PC with up to three very long (up to 12.6” or 320 mm each) video cards. We think In Win hit bull’s eye with this case, especially because they are forecasting that it will arrive on the market for less than USD 80.

Strong Points

• Supports up to three long video cards (up to 12.6” or 320 mm each)
• 220 mm fan on the left panel
• Air filter for the front fan
• Air filter for the power supply
• Meshed 5.25” bay covers with air filters
• Tool-less mechanisms on all disk drive bays except the 2.5”
• Individual tool-less mechanisms for holding expansion cards
• Supports 2.5” hard drives or SSDs
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes on the motherboard tray for routing and hiding cables behind the tray
• USB 3.0 port
• Hot-swap connectors for the first 3.5” hard drive
• No sharp edges where you could cut yourself while building your computer

Weak Points

• No air filter on the left panel
• No fan speed controller
• No eSATA port
• Reduced number of 5.25” and 3.5” bays (a trade-off for supporting long video cards)