Urban T81 Overview
For a full video overview of the Urban T81 be sure to check out our video below.
The Urban T81 sure is a large case, the official dimensions are 585 x 235 x 602 mm
(23 x 9.3 x 23.7 inch) and it weighs in at just over 30 lbs. If you are familiar with Thermaltake’s Urban Series you can see that this case keeps that same sleek design. The case is all black and that is currently the only color available right now.
At the front of the case you will find a large door. It has a brushed aluminum design to keep the front of your case looking sleek. The door opens to the left to reveal two 5.25-inch drive bays, the bottom bay also have a 3.5-inch adapter. Below that are two very large ventilated sections, Thermaltake has pre-installed two 200 mm intake fans here. There are two fan filters that easy are removed for cleaning.
Moving up to the top of the case, this is where you are going to find all of your buttons and connections. There are power and reset buttons, high and low buttons for the included fan controller, audio connections, four USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports.
The rest of the top of the case has a mesh design to allow for ventilation and cooling. If you press down on the top of this mesh section it pops up and can be removed for cleaning. As you can see it also is a large filter. Thermaltake has installed a 200 mm up top, you can add another 200 mm fan up there if you like.
The side panel of the case features a pretty large window that will allow you to show off most of your installed hardware. The side panel has a dual-swing door design and can actually be locked.
On the back of the case you will find three large watercooling holes, a 140 mm exhaust fan, all of your expansion slots and power supply mounting at the bottom. Also on the bottom of the case is a large removable filter that runs along the entire bottom of the case.
Also on the bottom of the case you have four large feet that lift the system off the ground for proper ventilation. You will also notice a button on the bottom of the case, it will release the doors on the side panel.
I’ve said it before (on other review sites), and I’ll say it again; while it’s very informative – and welcomed – to see the maximum size radiator that will fit inside a particular chassis, it would be even more helpful if manufacturers would state the maximum thickness a radiator could be in a chassis.
For example; this chassis can have a 420 mm (3 x 140 mm) radiator in the roof or in the front, but what is the thickest radiator that can be installed above the motherboard. If the thickest radiator that will fit is going to be a slim rad (like the AIO’s), then I’ll be looking somewhere else; but if this chassis will house a standard 64 mm radiator (e.g. EKWB XTX series, or XSPC RX series, Alphacool’s UT60 series), then I might consider it.
Secondly; what is the clearance like behind the motherboard, is there enough room for the 24 pin power cable without having to force the back panel on (forcing the panel to bulge).
Little things like these can make or break a deal for me, and is why they’re questions that need answers.
Brechan thanks for your comments. This case will infact fit a 64mm radiator up top. Here is a detailed diagram for watercooling in the top of the case: http://bit.ly/UELaA8.
When it comes to the back of the motherboard tray if you use the metal cable organizers you will have no problem closing the back side panel at all. Hope that helps!