Sunbeam Quarterback

Introduction:

I can still recall the days when the only choice we had in computer cases were the beige, steel sub-compact tanks. They were filled with, well, nothing! Everything screwed in permanently without any tooless features or any decent ventilation what so ever. You got a beige ammo box it seemed. Thank the designers who came along and replaced these boxes with some cases that had something of a decent alternative to offer.

Sunbeam which started in 2000, originally began selling CCFL or cold cathode lighting. Eventually, they spread in to other lighting products, cooling fans, and peripherals like keyboards and mice. Since then, Sunbeam has a lot more than just peripherals and lights. You can now get cases, enclosures, and specialty products to really dress up your system.

Everyone loves a case that makes a statement, looks cool or professional, and has many extra features. Sitting here looking at the Sunbeam Quarterback, I realized that it takes effort to design a bad case these days. Features are plentiful, or case at least look different in some aspect. So, let's open up the Quarterback.

Features:
 

Closer Look:

The Quarterback case is actually jet black with a plastic silver bezel that sort of creates a recessed facade within the bezel. The case has an acrylic side window integrated in to the panel which has round vent holes. Mounted to the window is a clear acrylic 120mm silent Sunbeam 1000 rpm fan which should be very silent at that speed.

Front

Right Side

Left Side

Bezel Door Open

The front bezel has the power and reset buttons at the lower most compartment. Instead of integrating the USB and audio jacks in to the front or top, Sunbeam chose to put them on the lower most point on the right side of the chassis. They are pretty inconspicuous in that location and should remove wires from trailing across your typing area or work space.

Left Side

USB, Audio, Optional 1394 Ports

The back of the chassis reveals another clear acrylic 120mm Sunbeam 1000 rpm fan. Thumbscrews hold on the window side panel which is a plus. The PCI slots have white clips which indicate that they are tooless. There are total of seven slots that should fit any motherboard configuration around.

Angle Back

Tooless PCI

PCI Close Up

Opening the side panel, the first thing you notice is an inside rail of sorts that holds yet another two 120mm Sunbeam fans that are intended to keep air moving across the drives and components. The fans have 3-pin connectors with a 4-pin adapter which is another bonus. This is often an overlooked part when case makers integrate them. The rail can come out with the removal of one top screw and two screws underneath the case. A tooless idea or a quick release screw of sorts would make this rail a bit more manageable.

Opened

Inside

Front

Back

The drive bays are not removable as far as the top ones go. The bottom one can be taken out by removing more screws against the back wall and bottom of the case. This can be a hassle if you really need to pull out the lower bay. Otherwise, with the bundled tooless hard drive rails you shouldn't need to. The top bays are tooless as far as installing any drives in to go. This is pretty much a set standard these days unless you happen to find an older style case.

Accessories

Lower HDD Bay

Tooless Glides

Inside Tooless PCI

To the right of the lower hard drive bay, there is a place for an optional 120mm fan. Luckily, you want have to remove the hard drive bay to mount the fan. It just slides in if you find it necessary to add one later on. With a total of four 120mm inside the chassis, heat shouldn't be an issue unless you have one very hot system and many hard drives.