Xigmatek Utgard Review
Conclusion
Published: 1st April 2010 | Source: Case King | Price: £65.74 |
Conclusion
First things first. Let's remember we are looking at a case that costs £65, so we shouldnt expect much right? Well in the case of the Utgard you would be wrong. Very wrong. The features it carries are not unusual but to have this many and still keep the price this low is.
A 2 channel - 6 fan controller for one saves any prospective buyer at least £20. Add the supplied Xigmatec fans and you've saved another £20. The budget for the internal powdercoat, all the cable management holes and the CPU heatsink cut out we are well past the point I would be saying "bargain".
The icing on the cake has to be the water cooling support. A dual fan radiator in the roof is perfect for even the hottest CPU loop, with the optical bays all down the front of the case you could fit another 240mm radiator. With two 240mm radiators this would mean that you could have a fully watercooled system, without any mods all housed in a case you only paid £65 for!
The Utgard is not just perfect for watercooling, but it works very well with an air system too. There is great airflow thanks to the Xigmatek fans and the immense mesh real estate the case has to aid its airflow. This all adds up to a case that is trading blows with cases way out of its price bracket.
Budget home rig, or decent sized LAN rig, this case is perfect for both, the price, performance. The extensive features all add up to what has to be the best value case we have ever featured on OC3D. Value normally means corners have been cut to keep the price down, but not with the Utgard you get much more than you pay for which is why we are happy to award not only the Value award, but also the Gold "Best in Class" award.
Cutting to the chase. If you have £100 to spend on a midtower case and need to fit a water loop, save some money and buy the Utgard. It ticks all the boxes you need, plus all the boxes you want as well. I'd have to say this is THE BEST featured and performing case that I have seen in the sub £100 price bracket. The fact the Utgard come in more than £30 under that £100 marker is nothing short of amazing. If Xigmatek made a full tower version in the same design then I think they would have the market cornered.
Good
- Fan Control for up to 6 fans
- All Black Interior
- Plenty of cable management
- Comes with Xigmatek Orange blade fans
- Internal water cooling support
- Amazing Value
Mediocre
- Not a sausage
Bad
- Did you read the review? It's almost perfect!
Thanks to Case King and Xigmatek for the sample today, discuss our findings in the forums.
Most Recent Comments
I've always liked Xigmatek. They make some quality products, and the Utgard is just another great product from Xigmatek!
We have recently brought home a Xigmatek and I tell you it is fabulous comprising of such excellent features and giving commendable results.
Tom, you just made my next purchase!
bye bye antec 1200.
the midgards a great case and this looks to trump it in every way very hard decision what to choose for my next case!
truly shocked by this case, a step in the right direction and of course another brilliant review from ttl
that is a really nice case.
Ordered this from KustomPCs earlier today, should be here tomorrow! Will post piccars..
I have just received this case and am having trouble fitting in a Asus P6X58D-E mobo ... it seems that the protusions on the motherboard (on the rear side) do not match the cut out on the case. Or is it me? I am a complete novice. Can anyone help?
do the motherboard standoffs match the holes on the mobo?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='Fat Tony'
I have just received this case and am having trouble fitting in a Asus P6X58D-E mobo ... it seems that the protusions on the motherboard (on the rear side) do not match the cut out on the case. Or is it me? I am a complete novice. Can anyone help?
|
OK, please ignore me - new user error! I forgot to add the spacer screws!
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
hope it boots ok
A really good case, Iv'e got the standard version with two side fans installed, should mention that the HDD drive caddy is fixed with two small black screws to the rear that are fairly well hidden, I spent 20 minutes trying to pull the damn thing out before I noticed lol, no mention of them in the manual, Hi to all btw 
I've had this case for a while now, and what really annoys me, is that the front audio jack has reversed R/L channels. Whatever I do, I can not make it work properly. I found a temporary solution, though
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/7416/dsc00051xg.jpg
However, I am going to receive some new goodies for my PC tomorrow, so I am going to have another look into it.
It's not the soundcard (Xonar DX), because it worked in another two cases just fine.
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/7416/dsc00051xg.jpg
However, I am going to receive some new goodies for my PC tomorrow, so I am going to have another look into it.
It's not the soundcard (Xonar DX), because it worked in another two cases just fine.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by J0s3e
I've had this case for a while now, and what really annoys me, is that the front audio jack has reversed R/L channels. Whatever I do, I can not make it work properly. I found a temporary solution, though However, I am going to receive some new goodies for my PC tomorrow, so I am going to have another look into it. It's not the soundcard (Xonar DX), because it worked in another two cases just fine. |
Get the solder iron out.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by AlienALX
Get the solder iron out. |
Just ordered one for testing some fluids out. 
£63.00 from http://specialtech.co.uk mind you im all so getting them to add a window as well which will save me some time.
when i get the time im gonna mod the hell out of it.
£63.00 from http://specialtech.co.uk mind you im all so getting them to add a window as well which will save me some time.when i get the time im gonna mod the hell out of it.
They make a windowed version
the window is £25 (inc Vat) from the cheapest shops but i got it hand made for £18.00 instead and its larger. Not in a x shape. .
.£65/£63 is crazy cheap.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Rastalovich
£65/£63 is crazy cheap. |
on the top section on mine 3 stand off broke with in seconds. The metal is fairly thin on the side panels, how ever these are all minor things to be honest. Another problem though is the Fan spacing on the top for were you fit a rad are not correct they are not 15mm but 17mm how ever you can mess around a little and make it work quite well.
You need to be careful when moving it about as the plastics are a little on the flimsy side but alas what do u expect for the money.
I personally dont like the fans it came with as i found them to be quite low cfm with to much noise so i chucked in a couple of NZXT's which do the job better. How ever its not a complaint in any way cause getting 3 fans at this price is a bonus.
Didnt get a gold award from me for nothing!
so can u justt fit 1 rad in it
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by AMDFTW
so can u justt fit 1 rad in it |
The reason why only 1 rad is fitted in atm is to check the efficiency of the fluid. As its not only cooling as over clocked CPU quite well but its all so a over clocked chip set and on-board GPU and that double rad with the fluid is handling it easily with out any problems. All so the fans are only running at 1/2 speed though out the whole system so its close to virtually quiet.
This pretty much proves that the case air flow is working very well with its windows side panel but with the 4 x 120mm side panel it would run even cooler.
as for the over clock on a £45 MB , CPU and Ram (thks to stephy for that) well this is it ->
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=1470565
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by mayhem
No if i played i could get a 2 x 120mm in the top, a 3 x 120mm in the front , 1 x 120mm in the bottom and 1 x 120mm on the back. |
Also that wont be getting hot...... Its an AMD matey.
the review states that the xigmatek is the best sub 100 quid case available. Surely its not better than the cm 690 II advanced?? you can fit 2 liquid rads in that and its only 73 quid
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Jujumonkey
the review states that the xigmatek is the best sub 100 quid case available. Surely its not better than the cm 690 II advanced?? you can fit 2 liquid rads in that and its only 73 quid |
Wasn't there supposed to be a full tower coming from xigmatek sometime soon? Any news on that? But the utgard surely is a great case
Does it fit a D14? Really considering buying one now 
so is the advanced 2 better than the utgard?
I think a D14 should fit although I never tested it with one it was so long ago.
Thanks, mate. Will compare the sizes of the V8 used and the NH-D14. Your gran getting better?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Todd
I know it's probably asking too much but could you test-fit one for me if you've still got the Utgard around?  |
2 slow granddad, I edited it already Didn't mean to sound like an arse but now you've quoted me.. 
I sure hope it fits. Would CCL be willing for me to return it if it doesn't?
Didn't mean to sound like an arse but now you've quoted me.. I sure hope it fits. Would CCL be willing for me to return it if it doesn't?Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Todd
2 slow granddad, I edited it already Didn't mean to sound like an arse but now you've quoted me.. I sure hope it fits. Would CCL be willing for me to return it if it doesn't? |
It should be fine mate.Thanks. You're too awesome 
I've got one.. what do you need to know?
Does an NH-D14 fit inside. Size is 160 x 140 x 158mm ( H x W x D) .
I should have this case in the next week or so for £65 
and the fact it has those fans included and the fan controllers sold it for me, I also think it's a good looking case getting the standard non windowed vers (may get the windowed side panel in the coming months). This is for my first pc build ever, making the jump to pc gaming (first ever gaming pc ) I can't wait to start the build rather excited. Anyway that is all oh and thanks for the review.
and the fact it has those fans included and the fan controllers sold it for me, I also think it's a good looking case getting the standard non windowed vers (may get the windowed side panel in the coming months). This is for my first pc build ever, making the jump to pc gaming (first ever gaming pc ) I can't wait to start the build rather excited. Anyway that is all oh and thanks for the review.Sounds like a good case. I had thought I found the case for me (The cooler master haf 932 black edition)
But I can not find it on any site. Any body help?
So possible the Xigmatek UTGARD (Window version) or the Cooler Master Haf-X will have to do.
But another good review TTL
But I can not find it on any site. Any body help?
So possible the Xigmatek UTGARD (Window version) or the Cooler Master Haf-X will have to do.
But another good review TTL
One more thought, when buying a new case should a USB3 be considered Vital/Necessary/nice to have?
One more thought, when buying a new case should a USB3 (in the front panel)be considered Vital/Necessary/nice to have?
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by CSB30
One more thought, when buying a new case should a USB3 (in the front panel)be considered Vital/Necessary/nice to have? |
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by CSB30
One more thought, when buying a new case should a USB3 (in the front panel)be considered Vital/Necessary/nice to have? |
I bought one of these a couple of weeks ago for my new build. Can't wait to get my rig setup in there, it looks like a great case for the money.
Possible build so far...
Case: Xiggy Utgard
Motherboard: Intel P55
CPU: i5 750 (possibly)
Cooler: Xiggy Thor's Hammer (Thanks Tom!)
GPU: HIS 5770 1gb (Again, cheers Tom!)
HDD: Samsung F3 1TB
PSU: Possibly a Corsair TX650
RAM: 4GB Mushkin RAM
I'm going for a nice black and orange theme to go with the inside of the case. I've got some orange SATA cables and I'm looking at some Xigmatek Orange Fans too, possibly some Orange LED's to set it off a little.
Should be nice.
Thanks again, TTL!
Possible build so far...
Case: Xiggy Utgard
Motherboard: Intel P55
CPU: i5 750 (possibly)
Cooler: Xiggy Thor's Hammer (Thanks Tom!)
GPU: HIS 5770 1gb (Again, cheers Tom!)
HDD: Samsung F3 1TB
PSU: Possibly a Corsair TX650
RAM: 4GB Mushkin RAM
I'm going for a nice black and orange theme to go with the inside of the case. I've got some orange SATA cables and I'm looking at some Xigmatek Orange Fans too, possibly some Orange LED's to set it off a little.
Should be nice.
Thanks again, TTL!
I've got mine sitting in my bedroom, and I ordered this aria bundle friday on a special offer couldn't resist I was gonna go amd but this being pre built is nice, knabbed my hdd and optical drive while I was there aswell. It's for my first build so it's nice knowing it's been tested and it's all working, I'll be getting the rest over the next 2-3 weeks then hopefully It will be smooth sailing when it's all set up.
i was looking at that case last year then i won it over at specialtech and used it for a bit not a bad lil case for the money. i recommend it
strangley enough i never used the fan controller lol
strangley enough i never used the fan controller lol
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Aurus_OC
I would say nice to have. There aren't that many USB3 devices out there yet. So if you don't own one that you are going to carry with you and plug in and out of your computer daily, I wouldn't say it is necessary. Also remember most cases do not have the USB3 header as a connection, just a regular plug that you route to the back of your IO. |
Thanks Guy’s your views are appreciated.
One thing I have noticed that lot of manufactures are stating/indicating size of motherboards-GPU’s the case will take. Note Xigmatek haven’t done that.
One thing I have noticed that lot of manufactures are stating/indicating size of motherboards-GPU’s the case will take. Note Xigmatek haven’t done that.
CSS Valid
Continue Reading