When building a LAN party gaming system, the choice of the case is a cru- cial decision, as it plays a large part in determining the type and size of com- ponents you can install. Our primary goal was to maximize the system por- tability without severely restricting our component selection. And because we intended to use components with some oomph, we also needed a case that pro- vided plenty of airflow. Ready, Set, H2gO In the Mountain Mods H2gO, we found a perfect solution for our needs. It sup- ports both ATX and microATX moth- erboards; can be fitted with six 120mm fans; and can handle graphics cards up to 13 inches long. Another distinctive aspect of the H2gO is that its interior is split into two chambers, one above the other. The top chamber is where is where you’ll install the motherboard, while the bottom chamber holds the power supply and storage devices. The fans create an air chamber effect, because the three front panel fans (two on top chamber, one on bottom) work as intake while the three rear panel fans exhaust the hot air from each chamber. Mountain Attractions For CPU System Workshop builds, we are concerned with design quality as much as we are with performance. The H2gO we ordered came with an eye-catching black wrinkle powder coat, and Mountain Mods added CPU’s logo and the QuakeCon 2012 logo (where we’ll be giving this system away) to the clear window panels on either side of the handle at the top of the case. The case has another clear window panel running along the top left side of the case. All of these clear panels make cable manage- ment even more important, so we were glad to see that Mountain Mods laser- cuts holes into the acrylic motherboard tray to make it easy to elegantly route cables from the devices in the lower chamber to the appropriate connectors on the motherboard. The H2gO meets all our needs, and we couldn’t be happier. It travels well, provides ample space for high-end components, and has a look that is sure to get noticed. ¦ H2gO $254.99 Mountain Mods www.mountainmods.com Specs: Dimensions: 12.75 x 13.5 x 17 inches (HxWxD); Motherboard support: mATX and ATX; Bays: three 5.25-inch external, three 3.5-inch internal; Fans: three optional 120mm front, three optional 120mm rear 42 June 2012 / www.computerpoweruser.com