5 things you'll hate about the Thermaltake Core P5 case
We really like Thermaltake's Core series of PC cases, particularly the P5, as they allow for a great level of customization and custom water cooling. That said, there are a few things that we don't like about the case.
1. Pesky PCIe riser cable
Installing your graphics card as you normally would in a PC case means you won't encounter this issue, but for those who wish to use the supporting bracket and riser ribbon cable you come across a common problem. The riser cable bundled with the Core P5 sucks, as do the replacements offered by Thermaltake.
I'm not sure if it's an inherent issue with its cabling, or simply a rather large bad batch, but there are numerous reports online about how unreliable it is, some even going as far as to says it's completely unusable with specific cards such as the GTX 1080.
2. Daily rep machine
The Core P5 is heavy — very heavy. Throw in all your PC insides and a 420mm radiator, and you're looking at a case that will test your strength when attending LAN events. However, being heavy also means it's well built, consists of solid materials and won't fall apart.
3. Bring your own pump
The bracket and mounting options for pumps do not support all options available for purchase. You'll need to do some measuring and a spot of research to ensure you're able to secure a motor for the loop. The best bet is to purchase one of Thermaltake's own pumps that will fit just fine.
4. This isn't the glass you're looking for
There's a single window panel that separates your components from everything else in your office or room. An issue with this panel is that it's plastic and not tempered glass. The case is $120 but you'll need to fork out more than $200 for tempered glass in the Snow Edition. This special version of the P5 offers two more panels for both the front and top of the unit, to force more air to be pulled through the dust filter behind the radiator mount.
5. Not for all AIO coolers
You likely won't be able to use this case with an all-in-one (AIO) cooler, unless the tubes are long enough and everything matches up. Just be sure to do a little measuring beforehand.
Plan ahead
The thing you need to remember about the Core series — and any case that shares a similar design — is to plan ahead before making the purchase, to check if your current setup is compatible. Thermaltake expects you to install a complete water cooling loop in the Core P5, which will become apparent if you opt for air cooling and notice that half the case looks rather bare. In other words, that's more of a project than a simple PC case.
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Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.