Product Showcase
'It's... it's a box.' And he's mint in the box, never been opened. Those of you who know what film I took that dialogue from, well done. Anyway, the box the Omega comes in is now entirely standard. Brown cardboard, with a representation of the case on one side, and some basic specifications on the chassis on another.
The case still sits between two big polystyrene supports and comes well wrapped. If anything, unboxing this case made me appreciate how well the far cheaper 275R was treated, though I suspect using thinner poly or foregoing the wrapping isn't ever going to be that high on the 'saving pennies' list of things? Some who read my previous review of the 275R (available here) will be pleased to know that this case had a much nicer journey to my home. In a taxi, and not the District Line at rush hour. Initially, I was a little sad at not receiving the white version of my case, as my preferred build aesthetic is to do a bright chassis with a majority dark interior. That sadness quickly went away, however. Despite my general dislike of gaudy or overly flashy cases, I developed a pretty major soft spot for the Omega within seconds of seeing it in the flesh.
I like plain or understated cases. I think I've said that before, and it also explains why I have a place in my heart for both the 275R that acts as my main PC's chassis, as well as products that come out of Fractal Design, as well as NZXT's cases. Always been a fan. That said, despite my general attraction to the somewhat more austere side of the chassis market, I really like the initial looks of the Omega RGB. Personally, I think it's a real looker. It's certainly a bit of a striker, as evidenced by the fairly angular nature of the design. Even the front of the case is angled forward, as though it wants to run off with your components. I couldn't call it 'pretty', by any stretch of my imagination, but the Omega certainly gets the wow factor award. Well, at least as far as I am concerned.
Shall we talk airflow? I have my concerns, here, it has to be said. Whilst Corsair advertises the case as having the 'Direct Airflow Path', a quick look at the front reveals something concerning. A near totally solid front panel. The only space for airflow at the front is through a small cutout (with mesh) at the bottom. I am always worried when I see this, as it generally means that front-facing fans have very little room to breathe. My concerns are, however, somewhat alleviated by the fans being fairly far recessed from the front, to the tune of 2-2.5'' or so.
The top of the case, featuring space for up to a 280mm radiator, also mirrors the front of the case, though without the LED strip. Again, I'll raise my airflow concerns here. Airflow is a trend the industry seems to be returning to, but I don't really see the sense in having a mesh panel and then blocking off about 45-50% of it with a solid frame? Naturally, fans do not have to have direct access to air, but any sharp turns the air does have to make will reduce the pressure at which the air flows, which could be detrimental to fan performance, especially if the air then has to pass through objects like mesh or radiators.
