Assembly:

Each bag labeled

and numbered

Corner blocks

Threaded plugs

   Well, this is a first: I need to go over the assembly of a case before we can over the internal and external layout. Before removing anything from the foam sheets and risking scratches or other damage, grab the parts list and assembly instructions. Familiarize yourself with all the parts on the list first. Then find a large enough area, cover that area with a towel or sheet, and lay out the parts in the order needed for assembly, leaving the foam sheets on the parts.

    After you check to make sure you have all the parts for assembly, it's time to grab the tools needed for building the UFO Cube, which are a simple Philip screwdriver and a nut driver for the motherboard standoffs.

Step #1	Step #2	Step #3
Mobo standoff	Step #4-5	Step #6
Step #7	Step #8	Built cube

    OK, it's now time to build the UFO Acrylic Cube case. This is done in a simple 10 step process. I'm not going to go through each step of the building process in the review since clear instructions are given; instead, I will point out any difficulties or areas of concern while building the case. While looking at the pieces on the table, I noticed that any area that accepts a screw has a threaded brass plug put in the holes. This will prevent the acrylic from cracking. Follow the instructions and use the included cotton gloves to keep finger prints off the panels, and the building process will go easily.

    Assembly took about 30 minutes, and I was taking my time. The only issue I encountered was at Steps 4 and 5. Step 4 is the HDD rack, and in the instructions it says to place the HDD rack sides in the panel sides. This can be done, but you need 3 hands, because Step 5 is the next panel that actually screws in the HDD rack to make it stable. So skip Step 4, and in Step 5 loosely mount the HDD rack panels to the front panel with the thumbscrews. By doing this, you take away the unstableness and the need for another set of hands. Fortunately, this was the only minor issue I encountered during the building process of the UFO Acrylic Cube.

Exterior:

Front panel I/O

120mm Fan

Rear panel I/O

    The exterior of the UFO Acrylic case is, well, clear... clear of just about everything. The only things on the outside of the case are the front panel connections and the 120mm fan grill intake and output on the case. Two external 5.25" bay openings are also present.

Interior:

    The interior is just as simple and clutter free as the exterior. The interior layout is different than a normal case, with the inside having two levels. The upper level houses the motherboard and has one 120mm fan blowing across the motherboard, while a second 120mm fan sucks out the hot air. The lower level houses the drive bays, along with the power supply. The internal drive rack has a total of four bays: two external and two internal; now, if only one optical drive is used, then three hard drives can be used. Since all the bays are 5.25", adapters are included to convert that space to 3.5".

Installation:

HDD Adapter	Attached	HDD Installed
Optical installed	PSU installed	Mob Installed
Side View	PSU View	Front view

    This is about one of the easiest cases to install gear into. I would suggest installing the gear into the lower level first: this will allow an unobstructed view in the case.  As I stated, the lower level houses the drives and power supply. The opening for the power supply is on the left side of the case. After the gear is installed to the lower level, push the wires to the upper level. It's now time to pop the top on the upper level. Remove the four thumbscrews for the top panel and set it aside. Grab the motherboard of your choice and place it into the upper level, make all proper connections, and then replace the lid. Installation is done.

Conclusion:

    The UFO Acrylic case may not be from another world, but it does have some far out features. The way the components are laid out in the case is different from the typical case. With the motherboard laying on its side, it forces the expansion card to the front of the case. This layout offers a better viewing angle for the expansion card, along with the 120mm fan blowing right onto them. With the case being 100% clear, I would suggest adding a hard drive enclosure, and maybe even painting the metal case of the optical drive to match those hard drive enclosures - just to give everything a clean, finished look.

    Since this is a cube-style case, this design leaves some room at the bottom of the case for watercooling gear. There is plenty of room for a pump and tank on the lower level, as well as an external radiator on the back by the 120mm exhaust fan. Aside from having to build the case yourself, the Sunbeam Tech UFO Acrylic case was a nice little unit to work on and very easy to build. All the threaded brass plugs held in the acrylic panels securely. Everything lined up nicely and fit together perfectly. Just be careful and use the included gloves to handle all the pieces. If you are into clear cases or just like showing off the gear in your computer, then give the UFO Acrylic case a try. I would like to thank the people over at Sunbeam Tech for sending out this item for VH to review.