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Aerocool has a pair of twin hulls in its range. They are called AirHawk and NightHawk. Available in regular and Duo versions, with 200mm backlit fans. And the only difference between these chassis is that the AirHawk has a slatted front panel for better ventilation, while the NightHawk has a transparent and acrylic front (don’t ask me why). We asked for an AirHawk Duo variant for review and, apart from the differences in ventilation, the information in this article will be relevant for other models.
Characteristics
| Model | Aerocool AirHawk Duo |
|---|---|
| Product page | aerocool.io |
| Type of shell | Midi-Tower |
| Dimensions, mm | 480 (H) x 219 (W) x 485 (D) |
| Material | Steel (0.6 mm), ABS plastic, glass (3 mm) |
| Weight, kg | 6,5 |
| Color | Black |
| Form Factor | E-ATX, ATX, MicroATX, Mini-ITX |
| 5.25″ devices | – |
| Devices 3.5″ external | – |
| Devices 3.5″ / 2.5″ internal | 2 / 2+2 (two 2.5″ drives can be installed instead of 3.5″) |
| Supported number of expansion slots | 7 |
| Fans | front – 3 x 120 / 140 mm or 2 x 200 mm (installed) upper – 2 x 120 / 140 mm rear – 1 x 120 mm (installed) |
| Interface connectors | 2 x USB 3.0, two 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks |
| Other | Tempered glass side panel, front and top magnetic dust filters, PSU dust filter, controller for 6 ARGB fans and LED strips, 3 ARGB fans included. |
| Average cost, $ | 100 |
Packing and scope of delivery
The packaging of the case looks budgetary, but it has all the necessary information and technical specifications, carrying handles are cut out on the sides, and soft dampers protect the chassis from damage.
The package contains only the most necessary parts for assembling the system. Among them:
- assembly instructions;
- five disposable plastic cable ties;
- reusable ventilated cover for PCI slots;
- three brass motherboard standoffs;
- two plastic knurled screws for fixing hard drive cages;
- eight long screws for fixing fans;
- six case screws for the power supply and PCI expansion cards;
- 20 small screws for 2.5″ drives and motherboard;
- four screws for 3.5″ hard drives.
Appearance
The case itself looks like a smooth, well-shaped metal box, and the most prominent part of it is the front panel. The rim of the slip is plastic, with a narrowed top and a massive “chin” at the bottom (on which the logo is pasted). On the inside of it, there is even a texture stylized as carbon. The rest of the space on the sides and front is occupied by a metal grill with large cells in the form of trapezoids and hexagons. Two 200mm fans with white blades and backlight are visible behind the grille.
External ports and buttons are located at the front of the top panel. There is a large round PC start button, two dot indicators for drive activity and system power, a small round button for controlling the backlight or rebooting the system (depending on how you connect it), two 3.5mm microphone and headphone jacks, and two USB 3.0 connectors.
The left side panel is glass. It is held, like a regular door, on two screws with a knurled metal head, has a handle to facilitate dismantling.
The tempered glass is transparent, 3 mm thick. Plastic pads with fasteners are glued on the side faces.
The right side panel is metal and solid. It is held on by two plastic knurled screws and has a handle on the back.
The door has a guillotine-type opening, the main stiffener is in front and simultaneously performs the function of fastening. Two more small ribs are made at the top and bottom.
A significant part of the top panel is occupied by a ventilation grill, covered with a magnetic dust filter.
The cells on the lattice are large and hexagonal. There are several sets of mounting holes, offset towards the transparent panel, where you can attach two 120- or 140-mm fans. Or a narrow 240 mm CBO radiator.
The back panel looks very standard. Exhaust fan grille with oblong mounting holes, behind which a pre-installed 120mm propeller is hidden. Seven PCI slots are covered with disposable ventilated plugs. The decorative strip to the right of the slots leans to the side and also looks like a lattice. The place for the power supply is located at the bottom and you can only install it with the fan down.
At the base of the case, the air intake of the power supply is closed from dust by a metal mesh at the back. In the central part of the bottom there are screws and holes for fixing the storage basket in two positions. Ahead there is a slot for dismantling the front panel.
The plastic legs are 18 mm high and are equipped with soft stickers on the bottom.
Let’s look at the internal structure of the case.
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