Today I'd like to share my insights about building a rig with a very interesting SilentiumPC low/mid-end case. As the title of this review says - I want to share a few words about Gladius M35.
Exteriors
M35 dimensions are as follows: 486×502×200mm, in mATX/ATX standard. The front panel holds only two 5,25" bays and dust filter mesh. Behind that mesh a space for two 120 or 140mm fans can be found. The case comes with one Sigma Pro 120mm fan (1200rpm). Side panels are smooth and feels quite rigid for a case in this price target. SilentiumPC claims that they used SECC steel, and it really shows. Panels are about 0,7mm thick.
Top side of the case holds the front interface, from the left side: a power button with white LED, small reset button, HDD activity LED, headphones and microphone jacks, two USB2.0 and two USB3.0 and two three-levels fan controllers. A small but appreciated detail are rubber cover caps for all those connectors (not shown in the picture), which will prevent the dust from gathering in them.
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| Front interface |
Behind the front interface we can find a top dust filter made of flexible mesh attached with magnetic strips. Under the filter is mounting space that could hold 240/280 rads and/or 120/140 fans.
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| Top side dust filter |
The back of the case is rather straightforward. There is a lot of perforation to improve airflow. Back fan is also a Sigma Pro 120mm. In theory you could also mount a 120mm rad in there too. Unfortunately there isn't a 140mm fan option in here. Luckily , SilentiumPC decided not to include holes and grommits for external radiators. Side panels are screwed with toolless screws that aren't so much toolless in the end. Included screws are made of metal, but are put in plastic handles, and you will have to use a screwdriver to screw them tighter.
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| Back of the case |
Let's look under the case. You can find a standard low-end dust filter here, same as other cheaper SilentiumPC cases or Zalman ones use. Plastic feet have pieces of rubber glued on them, which will stop vibration and protect the surface from being scrached.
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| Under the case |
Interiors
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| Interior of Gladius M35 |
The interior of Gladius M35 can be quite a shock if you look at the price of this thing. The first thing that catches the eye is a shroud covering the PSU and two 3,5" drives. Additionaly you can find two 5,25" bays, but unfortunately you can't mount an optical drive in the top one, as front panel cables will block it, so reserve it for some other hardware. In M35 you can also mount three 2,5" drives - two near the front side panel and one in the back of motherboard tray.
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| Front side interiors |
Back side slot covers are screwed in with the same screws as side panels. The case is equipped with two fan controllers. Each of those will need a molex power plug, and can accommodate up to three 3pin fans each. There's a lot of space behind the motherboard tray, enough to route a 24pin ATX power cable, but you can forget about putting one cable over another. Luckily there are a lot of points where you can ziptie your cables to the tray. The front side can accommodate 120/140, 240/280 and 360mm rads, but to mount a 360 one, you will have to remove 5,25" cage. You won't be able to put a thick rad in there too, same as on the top side.
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| Behind the motherboard tray |
The PSU shroud is smooth and well built. Unfortunately it's riveted to the case floor, so you won't be able to remove it easily.
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| Space under the PSU shroud |
Space under the shroud is a bit limited. I was able to put a fully modular OCZ ZT Series PSU, but just barely, and it's rather a standard sized one (150 x 86 x 175mm). I'd suggest you to plug all your cables to the PSU and mount it afterwards. Also, mounting is not a breeze with that shroud in the way. PSU is isolated from the case floor with rubberized feet, but nothing stands between the PSU and back side of the case.
Summary
Gladius M35 is a borderline low/mid-end case. For it's price it's hard to find other case that will have as many perks as this one: steel panels, PSU shroud, two fan controllers, enough space to mount 5 drives and possibly enough space to mount two 240mm rads or reattachable back side slot covers. There are a few details that are clearly there to save SilentiumPC some money in production costs - those toolless screws and riveted PSU shroud to name only two. There still are ways to improve, but when you consider the price of this case, it makes very popular and just slightly cheaper Zalman Z3 Plus case really pale. If you're in the market for a cheap case, then SilentiumPC Gladius M35 is definately something to be considered :)
Honestly I can rate Gladius M35 with a strong 4+ in 5 points scale.
The case used for this review was made available by a reader I built a rig for.
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| A rig built for one of my readers :) |
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