Heavy Gear

Heavy Gear February 2009 • Vol.9 Issue 2 Page(s) 28 in print issue
Mountain Mods Ascension CYO

Ascension CYO
$369.99
Mountain Mods
www.mountainmods.com
CPU Rating: 4

Specs: Dimensions: 18 x 24 x 18 inches (HxWxD); Material: Aluminum; Form factors: up to eATX; Bays: removable 5.25-inch cage holds up to five devices; HDD Bays: 2 120mm HD brackets (holds three HDs each)

Clear a space on your worktable, grab a screwdriver, and prepare yourself for an exciting new building experience with one of Mountain Mods’ Ascension CYO (Choose Your Own) computer cases. Mountain Mods calls Ascension “hyper modular,” meaning you can choose the pieces of your case and assemble them into almost any configuration imaginable, making the Ascension perfect for those of us who want a customized case and also want to build it.

When you order an Ascension case, you can choose your preferred side, top, and back panels; acrylic window color; and surface finish. I chose the Anodized Black finish, which, along with UV green acrylic windows and lighted fans, gave the case a sleek and stylish look. For added customization, you can send an image to be etched into one of the acrylic windows. I chose to get an etching of the CPU logo; the work was flawless and added a personal touch to the system.

Assembling the case panels was relatively easy, even without following the online directions. At a massive 2 feet tall and 18 inches wide, the Ascension gives you plenty of room to work with, whether you need space for several hard drives or watercooling equipment. One feature I found useful was the design for mounting hard drives. Instead of a traditional hard drive cage, hard drive brackets are included that let you attach up to three drives to any 120mm fan in the case, offering arrangement options, as well as cooling.

The Ascension had only a couple minor drawbacks. First, I ended up with more than one scratch from the sharp edges of the case. Second, the case comes with 5.25-inch drive cages (one or two, depending on the panels you choose), hard drive brackets, motherboard tray, and necessary screws; however, you’ll have to purchase bay covers, fans, and other accessories separately, which can add up quickly.

Overall, the Ascension is a refreshing option for ultimate case customization and well worth the money you’ll spend.

by Kris Glaser