Anidees AI Crystal XL Review

Up close:  Exterior

Have I mentioned that the Crystal XL AR is big?  I think I might have mentioned it, but just in case, let me tell you that this case is probably the single biggest case we’ve had to review here at OC3D towers.  How big is it?  How does 620x235x595mm grab you?  It might not seem that much more than the average case, but as the bishop said the actress, “those extra inches make all the difference”.  And if you’re wondering why the lighting is a bit “iify” on the Photos, the reason is simple.  The XL is so large that it pretty much exceeds my photographic area, and the limits of my lighting.

 

 

Colloquialisms aside, and getting down to  business, the XL AR is a case of prodigious dimensions and weight, and at 20ish KG you’re going to want some help getting it out of its very well protected shipping case.  Having seen the pictures, you’ve probably already guessed that aside from the large steel chassis, a great deal of the weight is derived from all the major panels being made from 5mm thick Tempered glass.  

  

 

The roof of the case is spared the glass treatment, but is none the less very sleek and elegant in its presentation of a blended mesh panel.  This panal is magnetically attached to the chassis and is easily removed.

  

 

Removing the mesh panel reveals something that can only get a case builder and water cooling enthusiasts juices flowing.  If you don’t know what we mean, you’re on the wrong site.  Best you leave now so as not to further embarrass yourself.

 

The front I/O is fairly standard with a pair of USB 2s and 3s as well as Audio in and outs.  There is though a fan controller which as we will see later can be complimented by the addition of a remote control. 

   

 

Back to the more mundane and we have the rear of the case which has an integral 120mm fan with slotted spacing for 120 and 140mm units.

  

 

There are in fact no less than 10 expansion ports, with and additional 2 vertical ones for those that wish to show off their GPUs (and who doesn’t)

  

 

The base of the case looks quite uninteresting aside form the four sturdy feet, the slide out filter and the absolute plethora of screws that indicate the ability to reformat the internal HDD cage configuration.