USB 2.0 x 2 / IEEE 1394 x 1 / HD-AC97 audio x 1 set
Packaging
The carton the 3D Mercury arrived in was perhaps the largest carton of any case we have ever reviewed. The exact measurements on it were 29" x 28" x 15" which makes it about 8" larger on two sides than a normal case carton. The main reason for the oversized carton is the fact that the case itself is carefully packed in between two large pieces of Styrofoam and those pieces of Styrofoam each have holes carved out of them to store parts the water cooling components.
Look at the outside Pt. 1
Looking at the Gigabyte 3d Mercury for the first time I was struck by how tall the case was having expected an average size case to be sent you can image the surprise when I received one that measured 24" tall and measured 21" front to back. This size of case bodes well when it comes time to install a motherboard simple because there will be more than enough room to work once inside. From this side-angle picture you can see the window that is placed in the side-panel, this opening measures 11.5" x12.5" and it can also be swapped out for a mess covering whereby the view is restricted and a bit more air is allowed into the case. The mesh covering is supplied with the case.
The front of the 3D Mercury is broken down into separate areas, starting at the bottom and working our way up we having the opening that will allow cool outside air to enter into the case and the it will pass over the motherbpard. Located behind that opening is a 120mm fan that will aid in the cooling process, working our way up the case we find a pair of 3.5" drive bays which will come in handy if you are like me and still use a floppy drive for flashing BIO with or perhaps you wish to add a small card reader to the case.
Next we have four 5.25" drive bays, there actually should have been six but the need to sacrifice came about due to the fact that the reservoir uses to bays. So the top two drive bays are used for the reservoir with the built-in level indicator.
