Blackbird 002
Home : Hardware : Reviews : Blackbird 002
On to the real toys. The case itself is a marvel, as mentioned before. It is made of a hardened-aluminum casing that is super strong. It can take lots of rough-housing, not that a desktop should expect much. It is meant to be able to withstand serious shipping endeavours, so you don't ever have to worry about using someone else's rig.
The case is also made to be easily customizable, both on the inside and out. On the right side there’s a place to put any additions on the case, which I cannot fathom what. Regardless, it’s non-intrusive and nice to know that should a cool case mod come up, that it can be easily attached.
Inside the Blackbird is just as sleek. The case actually keeps everything organized in an exquisitely elegant way, cutting the inside into pieces by simple sheets of plastic or having parts closed off. It’s all easily accessible; just pull out the plastic or open the bay door. Even the case’s side panels come off without a hitch and without the need of any tools.
In fact, almost everything requires no screwdriver. Every part of the case is simply snapped into place or held tightly by hinges. The 8800 Ultra was held in tightly by a metal sheet screwed into both the case and the GPU, but it was unnecessary and isn’t required. It's there to ensure no damage during shipping.
The top section is where the northbridge is, meaning the CPU and RAM mainly. The CPU is cooled with HP/Voodoo’s liquid cooling design, which keeps the case quiet. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell how well it can overclock the CPU because it’s a proprietary cooling system. Perhaps later we’ll test their cooling system, but for now know that it keeps the CPU OC’d at a dead-stable 3.3GHz.
Down below is a closed panel, behind which lay the videocards and any additional PCI cards that can be put in place. What’s neat is the panel actually holds the cards, or at least the GPU’s, in place when closed.
Underneath that is the power supply, which sits at the bottom instead of the top of the case. This may seem odd considering the hard drive bays to the right because of airflow, but this was a great design choice because the case does not sit on the ground. It’s actually a few inches above it, using a lever-like sheet of metal to hold it up and look as if it’s floating. So it sucks the air from under the case and out the back.
The GPU’s personal fan, that’s the only place where air exits from the back of the case. Air is actually sucked from the bottom up and out through the top, which is an interesting design choice that genuinely may cause problems for potential buyers. For those like myself who keep their desktop computers under a desk, other than the fact that the case may simply be too large to fit in that space, it may not have adequate room to dispel the air from the top vent, whereas the standard case would simply shoot it out the back.
The hard drive rack is awesome, with five slots for easy loading and unloading of hard drives. Just snap the holding lever and pull it out. Simple as that. Putting it back is just sliding it in place and voila.
The case as a whole is perhaps the greatest PC case to ever grace this planet. It’s so strong that your heaviest friend could stand on it and it wouldn’t budge. It comes apart faster and easier than any case we’ve seen so far and is incredibly sturdy. The only recognizable flaws depend on user, as in where they keep the computer. But if you’re willing to dolly up the money for this machine, you should make sure you can keep it comfortable.
Home : Hardware : Reviews : Blackbird 002
Presentation
Unboxing is great, detailed by HP here for those interested. We'll just say that nothing in the video is off in the slightest.
Inside the box are the real goodies, of course. Other than the typical paperwork, extra cabling and OS disc, HP throws in a few nice touches. Free Orange Box on disc; a choice of keyboard and mouse, which in this case was the Razer Tarantula and Deathadder, both with the Voodoo logo on it; a free T-shirt, and finally, a free USB card. 
The 2GB USB flash drive, it's solid, small, fits every keychain and looks like it belongs alongside the medals of a decorated soldier.
On to the real toys. The case itself is a marvel, as mentioned before. It is made of a hardened-aluminum casing that is super strong. It can take lots of rough-housing, not that a desktop should expect much. It is meant to be able to withstand serious shipping endeavours, so you don't ever have to worry about using someone else's rig.
With 2 USB ports, firewire, media card reader, microphone and speakers, this tuck-away console is by far the sleekest we've ever seen.
The case is also made to be easily customizable, both on the inside and out. On the right side there’s a place to put any additions on the case, which I cannot fathom what. Regardless, it’s non-intrusive and nice to know that should a cool case mod come up, that it can be easily attached.
The only place you'll need a screwdriver with the case is right here, for custom case-mods.
Inside the Blackbird is just as sleek. The case actually keeps everything organized in an exquisitely elegant way, cutting the inside into pieces by simple sheets of plastic or having parts closed off. It’s all easily accessible; just pull out the plastic or open the bay door. Even the case’s side panels come off without a hitch and without the need of any tools.
In fact, almost everything requires no screwdriver. Every part of the case is simply snapped into place or held tightly by hinges. The 8800 Ultra was held in tightly by a metal sheet screwed into both the case and the GPU, but it was unnecessary and isn’t required. It's there to ensure no damage during shipping.
First with the protective sheets...
And without them!
The top section is where the northbridge is, meaning the CPU and RAM mainly. The CPU is cooled with HP/Voodoo’s liquid cooling design, which keeps the case quiet. Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell how well it can overclock the CPU because it’s a proprietary cooling system. Perhaps later we’ll test their cooling system, but for now know that it keeps the CPU OC’d at a dead-stable 3.3GHz.
The Northbridge, led by Voodoo's liquid-cooling apparatus with their signature on the chrome finish.
Down below is a closed panel, behind which lay the videocards and any additional PCI cards that can be put in place. What’s neat is the panel actually holds the cards, or at least the GPU’s, in place when closed.
It may be pretty empty there now, but add another video card or two and it'll be bustling with action!
Underneath that is the power supply, which sits at the bottom instead of the top of the case. This may seem odd considering the hard drive bays to the right because of airflow, but this was a great design choice because the case does not sit on the ground. It’s actually a few inches above it, using a lever-like sheet of metal to hold it up and look as if it’s floating. So it sucks the air from under the case and out the back.
The GPU’s personal fan, that’s the only place where air exits from the back of the case. Air is actually sucked from the bottom up and out through the top, which is an interesting design choice that genuinely may cause problems for potential buyers. For those like myself who keep their desktop computers under a desk, other than the fact that the case may simply be too large to fit in that space, it may not have adequate room to dispel the air from the top vent, whereas the standard case would simply shoot it out the back.
As if more proof were needed, fans on the top of the case push air out through the roof.
The hard drive rack is awesome, with five slots for easy loading and unloading of hard drives. Just snap the holding lever and pull it out. Simple as that. Putting it back is just sliding it in place and voila.
The hard drive rack, another new design concept that works beautifully. No messy cables to deal with, just plug in, click, and go.
The case as a whole is perhaps the greatest PC case to ever grace this planet. It’s so strong that your heaviest friend could stand on it and it wouldn’t budge. It comes apart faster and easier than any case we’ve seen so far and is incredibly sturdy. The only recognizable flaws depend on user, as in where they keep the computer. But if you’re willing to dolly up the money for this machine, you should make sure you can keep it comfortable.
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