A compact gaming case that will not destroy your budget
If you are planning a new build or giving your current rig a fresh home, the Thermaltake S100 TG is a budget PC case that is very hard to ignore right now. It has dropped to around thirty pounds in the UK, which is a serious steal for anyone putting together a Micro ATX gaming system.
The S100 TG is a compact case that supports Micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboards only. That means no full sized ATX boards, so this is aimed at smaller and cleaner builds. You can pick it up in either black or white. The reviewer tested the white version and came away surprisingly impressed for the price.
In fact, it has been recommended as one of the best compact budget PC cases, mainly because it keeps the cost low without sacrificing the features that actually matter for gaming.
What you get for the money
The Thermaltake S100 TG keeps things simple, but smart. Instead of loading the case with flashy extras, it focuses on the stuff you really feel once the PC is built.
- Tempered glass side panel: You get a clear glass side that lets you show off your GPU, RGB fans, and cable work. This instantly makes the case feel more premium than its price suggests.
- Clean and consistent colour: On budget white cases, it is common to see slightly different shades on the metal, plastic, and front panel. The S100 TG is a uniform white all over, which looks clean and modern on a desk.
- Included fan: There is a single 120 millimetre Thermaltake fan pre installed in the rear. It is basic but perfectly fine for exhaust duty in a budget build.
- Radiator support: The case can handle a 240 or 280 millimetre radiator if you want to run an all in one liquid cooler. A 360 millimetre radiator will not fit because there simply is not enough room at the front for fans and a larger rad.
- Compact footprint: Since it is built around Micro ATX, the S100 TG takes up less space on or under your desk. If you want a setup that feels less bulky, this case fits the bill.
The stand out value trick is how well this case works when you add your own fans. The front of the chassis has room for up to three 120 millimetre fans. The article suggests something like Arctic P12s, which are very affordable but perform well. Two or three of those plus the included rear fan give you a solid airflow setup for not much extra cash.
Do the maths and it works out nicely. Even if you buy the case at its usual full price once you add two or three cheap fans, you are still landing a cooling setup that looks and performs far above what you would expect from this budget level.
What builders should know before buying
For the price, the S100 TG is not perfect. It trims costs in places that more experienced builders will notice, but they are annoyances rather than deal breakers.
- No reusable expansion slot covers: The metal covers on the rear PCIe slots are the type you snap out and cannot reinstall. This is very common on low cost cases, but it means once they are gone, they are gone. It is fine if you install a GPU and leave it there, just do not expect to move those covers around later.
- Basic cable management: Around the back of the motherboard tray, there is not a lot of shaped channels or fancy Velcro straps to guide your cables. You will want a handful of zip ties and a bit of patience to keep everything neat. With careful routing, it is still possible to get a clean looking build, especially since the glass panel is only on one side.
- Front radiator limitations: You can mount a 240 or 280 millimetre radiator, but there is no way to squeeze in a 360 millimetre unit. If you are dreaming of an over the top custom loop, this is not the right case. For a mainstream gaming CPU with a standard all in one or tower air cooler though, it is absolutely fine.
The flip side is that the core layout and space inside are very usable. There is enough clearance for a decent air cooler if you prefer that over liquid, plus space for a modern graphics card and a normal power supply. Once you add a few good front fans, airflow is more than adequate for a gaming build.
Visually the case nails the compact showcase look. The glass window, the consistent colour, and the small footprint combine into something that will not look cheap on your desk even though the price tag firmly sits in the budget bracket.
This deal is tied to early Black Friday offers, and it sits alongside a pile of other PC gaming discounts. But what makes the Thermaltake S100 TG stand out is how easy it is to recommend to beginners. If you are putting together your first Micro ATX gaming PC and want something that is affordable, decent to build in, and looks good once it is on, this case hits that sweet spot.
As long as you are happy using a Micro ATX motherboard and you are fine adding a couple of front fans yourself, the S100 TG is a great foundation for a compact and stylish rig that leaves more of your budget free for the fun bits like the GPU and CPU.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/pc-cases/i-was-surprised-just-how-good-this-compact-pc-case-is-considering-its-low-price-and-now-its-only-gbp30-for-black-friday/
