Is Asus Supporting VT-d Officially on Z Mobos Now?

Despite earlier statements in user forums to the contrary, check out what is now available on some recent Z chipset BIOS updates...

Z87-A BIOS 2103

And nestled slightly deep in the bosom of the 2103 UEFI, you find this...

What do you guys think, nice huh? 

Fractal Design Node 804 mATX Case

Fractal Design

"Designed and Engineered in Sweden
All Fractal Design products have been carefully designed and tested in our Swedish headquarters. The well-known elements of Scandinavian design can be found throughout all of our product lines; a minimalistic, elegant and simple design, embracing the motto of 'less is more'."

The FD NODE Series 

"The NODE series of cases offers a stylish way to integrate the computer into your home. With the flexibility to serve as an HTPC, fileserver or media and gaming station, the Node series delivers endless possibilities to combine design and entertainment."

FD Node 804 Case

Official Page

"The Node 804 is a micro ATX chassis which focuses on cooling performance and maximum configurability, all packed in an interesting new form factor with Scandinavian elegant design.

The dual chamber layout separates hot running components from the cooler ones and allows for unrestricted airflow over the motherboard, processor and graphics card."

Key Features

• Highly effective dual chamber case layout for best possible cooling.
• Minimalistic design with an elegant brushed aluminum front panel
• Unique hard drive mounting system, fitting up to 8 x 3.5″, 4 x 2.5” or up to 10 x 3.5”, 2 x 2.5″ drives HDD/SSD
• Three Fractal Design Silent Series R2 fans included with the case and space for an additional 7 fans.
• Excellent water cooling support with space for up to 4 radiators simultaneously.
• All intakes feature removable dust filters providing a dust-free interior.
• Featuring a window side panel to show off your set up in style.
• Additional space in the front to mount a slim slot-in ODD, optical bay drive, and 2 x 2.5″ drives.
• Fan controller included.
• Five expansion slots that allows for multiple GPU setups.

The Maximums

Maximum discrete card length 320mm

Maximum CPU cooler height 160mm

Maximum power supply length 260mm 

Maximum 10 x 3.5” devices

Maximum number of fans 10 possible positions

Maximum radiator configuration: 1x240mm,1x280mm and 2x120mm radiators simultaneously

Packaging

Sensible & effective packaging with proper finger holes for easy lugging around

Proudly sweet Swede originals!

OK, OK... here's the correct Swede proof on paper...

Unboxing

Yes, the FD designers label even the styrofoam blocks if you ever need to rebox the case

The Case

Arrived pristinely unscratched with its protective packaging, a slim manual is also included as can be seen

Front

Showing the exquisitely fine brushed Aluminium bezel with subtle branding & LED at one corner and the bottom ventilation grille

Top

Showing the plastic panel and its thick dust/sound mesh up close and against the noon sunlight

Right

Showing the sole windowed panel

Close up of the panel catches and window mounting, note the protective plastic film applied on both sides of the case window

Left

Showing the USB3 ports, power button, audio jacks and subtle slim ODD opening with the solid side panel 

Close up of the ODD slot as well as demonstrating panel fit and paint finish

Back

Showing 2 of the 3 bundled 120mm Silent Series R2 fans and reusable fenestrated expansion slot plates in its distinctive white finish. Each removable panel is secured by 2 thumbscrews as shown.

Close up of the 3 speed fan controller

Bottom

Showing the easily removable slotted dust meshes x 2, note also the 2 Velcro bands meant for cable management purposes in the PSU chamber

Close up of the high quality plasticized non-skid case feet

Interiors

The front panel holds nicely tight but pops off easily with a little effort demonstrating good fit. This reveals the 2 x removable dust meshes and storage options for 1 x slim ODD and 2 x SSDs.

Close up of the dust mesh and its mounting to its plastic frame

Mobo Chamber

Close up of the fan markings

Storage/PSU Chamber

Note the 2 x 3.5" HDD cages done in white and the little brown accessories box. The PSU mounting is dampened with rubber rests and with a sufficently short PSU, you can optionally shift a HDD cage  over onto the case floor.

Little Brown Accessories Box

Measuring Up

Featuring the Asus Maximus VI Gene mATX mobo

Initial Impressions

Likes

• Scandinavian minimalist looks
• Beautiful finish - exquisitely fine brushed aluminium front panel
• Dual chamber design
• Good panel fitting - neither too tight nor too loose
• Superb space utilisation with much potential for high end components and abundant storage
• Flexible water cooling support for a compact cube design
• Good ventilation support for numerous fans with easily removable dust meshes

Can be improved...

• Not tool-free
• Mild tendency of front bezel in showing finger print marks due to its fine brushed finish
• Low & side positioned USB ports limits this case to a desktop location placed strictly to your left
• No reset button

To be continued...