DiabloTek is a company that is perhaps best recognized in the power supply industry, but their product extends into video, hard drives, optical drives, and as we'll see today, cases. Thus far the company has focused on manufacturing mid-tower ATX towers, and recently released the Legend ATX chassis. Today we take a look at the fifth entry to DiabloTek's case line-up.
Product Name: Legend
Review Sample Provided by: DiabloTek
Review by: Adam
Pictures by: Adam
Specifications
| Type | ATX Mid Tower |
| Model | CPA-0390 |
| UPC | 843636004598 |
| Color | Black |
| Dimension | 16.85" X 7.09" X 16.06" |
| Weight | 10.6lbs |
| Power Supply Mounted | Bottom |
| With Power Supply | No |
| Motherboard Compatibility | Micro ATX, ATX |
| With Side Panel Window | No |
| External 5.25" Drive Bay | 3 |
| External 3.5" Drive Bay | 1 |
| Internal 3.5" Drive Bay | 2 |
| Expansion Slot | 7 |
| SDD Plank | No |
| Front Panel Ports | 2 X USB2.0 Ports AUDIO IN/OUT (HD AUDIO) |
| Optional Fan Expansion | 1 X FRONT 120MM FAN 2 X SIDE 80/90/120 MM FAN 1 X REAR 120MM FAN 1 X BOTTOM 120MM FAN |
| Side Air Duct | No |
Packaging
One may suspect DiabloTek's goal of cost-efficiency with the Legend as early as seeing it on the shelf. Retail shelves are surely saturated with boxes that are covered in glossy, high resolution photos of the case inside or perhaps the inspiration behind its design. The Legend, however, is majorly that plain, brown cardboard background with a few stripes of black and green to off-set pictures and logos. A black outline art rendition of the chassis is on the front, accompanied by a few of the major features. Along each side is a list of features and specifications.
Though I will admit that I'm a sucker for an attractive package, DiabloTek is being smart by keeping the cost down wherever they can. This box is also likely to stick out amongst other flashier options, which is the goal of packaging in the first place, so in a way mission accomplished. DiabloTek hasn't entirely neglected the glossy print though, as you'll find a high-definition decal picture of the mid tower on the side of the box.
The front of the Legend will greet you as you open the package, cushioned securely between the typical foam inserts and wrapped plastic. The included accessories bag is twist-tied to the hard-drive bay inside the Legend. You will find the six tool-less mechanisms for the internal 3.5" bay as well as a speaker connection and a smaller bag of motherboard risers and screws. The tool-less mechanisms for the 5.25" bays should be installed already.
Exterior
The mold of the Legend is a straight-edge 16.85" X 7.09" X 16.06" rectangle, completed with the plastic faceplate which features a few slopes to keep the front of the expansion bays flush with the rest of the case. The lower half of the front features a removable mesh placeholder (featuring the DiabloTek logo) which can be used for mounting external 3.5" devices. The I/O panel rests at the top of the front face featuring two USB 2.0 ports as well as audio/microphone ports. The panel is completed with a power and reset button, as well as a blue LED line to indicate power.
The entirety of the front faceplate is made of mesh, with only a little surface area dedicated to the frame that holds all the placeholders together. Otherwise, all the pieces can be removed for expansion devices, or to clean of dust and debris. This also aids in the overall airflow of the case, keeping the components inside cooler.
The left side panel features a rectangle mesh section which allows for any combination of 80mm, 90mm, or 120mm fans to be mounted. The rest of the panel is a solid piece with a small handle positioned at the end to help while removing and replacing the side panel. The right side panel (against the motherboard tray) is identical to the reverse side but does not feature any mesh screening. Both side panels are secured to the chassis with two included thumbscrews.
The back of the Legend shows support for water cooling with two grommit holes atop the rear 120mm exhaust fan area. The motherboard I/O area is a standard cut-out, with seven PCI slots underneath. Though the interior features tool-less mechanisms, securing PCI devices on the Legend uses Phillips screws as well as a bracket secured with screws, and is on the outside of the case. The back of the chassis is finished with a power supply cut-out at the bottom.
Flipping the Legend over, we can see the PSU mounting area supported with a removable mesh screen, as well as a screen for an additional internal 120mm fan. Four feet on the corners of the case raise the Legend from any surface, allowing the bottom-mounted PSU to be installed upside down if need be.
Interior
The fact that the Legend features a painted interior is pretty incredible. The chassis is unquestionably a budget option, with an MSRP of $39.99. DiabloTek has included a few other enthusiast features as well, such as the CPU cutout on the motherboard tray, expandable cooling options (including water cooling), and tool-less ODD and HDD bays. We have seen many other budget cases in the past retail for more and not include such features.
The top of the chassis is a solid piece with no fans options, which affects our cooling options as you will read in the performance section. On the right side we can see four tool-less mechanisms for mounting drives, though only the top three are external given the front faceplate's design. That faceplate reveals a placeholder for a 3.5" external drive, while our frame shows an additional 3.5" slot for an internal drive.
The bay underneath can hold five 3.5" drives, operating on the same tool-less system but with a smaller mechanism.
The bottom of the Legend consists of two fan grills, one for the power supply and one for an optional 120mm fan. The PSU grill allows for units to be mounted fan side down while being able to breathe out from underneath the case thanks to feet that lifts the chassis of any surface.
The rear of the case is interesting in that most of the activity will be seen on the exterior side. The seven PCI expansion slots do not function on an entirely tool-less design. Instead of a screw securing directly to the PCI bracket of the card, a removable plate is used to add another layer in between. This means instead of securing each of up to seven devices with screws, you can place a screw in just the right place to keep pressure on the plate, therefore keeping the card in place. If you need to remove an expansion card however, you should be aware that using this method will loosen all of them.
Performance
As a mid-tower, the Legend is a great candidate for a LAN rig build. The chassis is made from SGCC Steel Case Material weighing in at 10.6lbs, a little less than a pound over an aluminum mid-tower. With support for a Micro ATX and ATX boards, the Legend supports enough expansion options that you're likely to be limited by your motherboard.
Speaking of which, while the drive bays function on a tool-less system, if you fully utilize all the bays you won't have enough mechanisms to keep screws out of the case. The Legend comes with six mechanisms for the 5.25" drive bay: three installed on both sides of the chassis. This leaves the fourth drive bay relying on you and Mr. Philips to secure. The same is the case for the internal 3.5" drives, with ten available rails but only six tool-less mechanisms.
The external/internal 3.5" drive bays in between have no tool-less option whatsoever. DiabloTek has at least included some black mounting screws to match the rest of the interior of the case, should you have to secure drives with your muscles. Depending on how many PCI devices you have, you may find yourself coming up short however.
A light-weight construction may also create concern as to how sturdy the case is, but in reality the only part that seemed 'flimsy' to me was the front mesh pieces. The placeholders for the expansion bays fall out with even the slightest bit of pressure, which is likely to happen when transporting the Legend. The plastic snaps that are supposed to hold them in place also show stretching easily, and give me the impression that they may break off if used too rough.
Though DiabloTek has exceeded our expectations with a finished interior and tool-less convenience, it begins to look more so of a budget case when you consider there are no pre-installed fans. Mentioned previously, the Legend also has no top fan options, which means you'll be relying on a front/rear intake and exhaust system , as well as two side fans at 80/90/120mm options and a bottom 120mm. The front fan is a strict 120mm, while the rear exhaust can be 80/90/120mm as well.
The airflow of the Legend breaks down in two ways, depending on your video cards and/or PCI devices. If they are passively cooled or have cooling shroud that expel hot air out of the case, the side fans can act as intakes to bring in some additional cool air. However if the devices produce hot air into the case, the side panel fans are better off to act as an exhaust for them. The front intake will of course bring in cool air, which will naturally rise and since there are no top fans or grills for air to escape, the hot air will spread mostly be sucked out of the rear exhaust but some may continue to circulate. If you don't have a full bay of drives installed, the all mesh front will help for some of the air to escape as well.
Overall
I said it before, but it is worth saying again: the Legend is a great candidate for a LAN-party rig. The price-point makes it an excellent choice for beginner's, though if this is your first budget build, be aware that you're being spoiled. A finished interior and tool-less mechanisms are not what you find every day when companies are trying to reduce costs, but you will have to chip in some extra funds to get even the most basic fan expansions for cooling.
