Hiper is a name that used to be synonymous with high end modular PSUs. However they were not content to leave it there and have branched out to many other facets of performance gear. One of their recent products is the Anubis high-performance PC Enclosure. This is a Mid-Tower design with an interesting twist in looks and cooling. We took a good long look at the Anubis to see if the design, looks and performance are worth your hard earned money.
Product: Hiper Anubis Aluminum ATX HTC-1K614-A1
Author: Sean Kalinich
Category: Enthusiast
Reviewed on: December 14th 2008
Product cost: $149.99
Manufacturer: Hiper
Spelling and Grammatical Editors: Planetx64 Staff
{mospagebreak title=Packaging and Accessories}
Packaging and Accessories:
The box the Anubis ships in is not bad looking as case packaging goes it has the required half transparent images and large logos to catch the eye. The back of the box even includes and exploded view of the Anubis to show off the features in store for anyone that garbs one. The case itself is well protected in the usual cocoon of Styrofoam and plastic. The sample we received looked like it was pretty badly beat up (from the outside of the box) yet the Anubis inside was not damaged at all.
Hiper has done a nice job on the goodies thrown in, they packed all of the screws and needed accessories into a purple and black mesh bag. All of the mounting hardware is separated into their own little bags for easy identification during your build. Hiper has also thrown in a couple of nice extras, a brush for cleaning the vents in the case and a heavy keychain with the Anubis logo on one side and a number on the other.
{mospagebreak title=Construction and Features}
Construction and Features:
The Hiper Anubis is designed with the feel of a custom built limited edition model. Each case is numbered and as mentioned above you receive a large key chain with the corresponding number on it.
Hiper has put some good thought into the design of the Anubis. This is a solid case it does not creek or feel flimsy when you pick it up. In fact the only noise I was able to get out of it was a slight metallic clang from the front door (which is metal).
Making a quick walk around the Anubis has many nice features to show off.
One of the first features you might notice is the large window on the left side of the case. This is not a completely clear window and it covered by a metal grill that partially conceals what is inside but allows for any lighted accessories to be visible. The sides themselves are designed for easy removal; all you need to do is push down on the metal latches and the side opens out from the top. Unlike many other case Hiper is using spring loaded metal �clips� to hold the bottom portion of the side in. This means no more lining everything up just right to get the case side on.
Moving from the sides to the front we come to one of my only complaints with the Anubis; the front door. This is made of the same metal as the rest of the Anubis and is held closed by two magnets. The problem is that it is not solid; Hiper has left the bottom clear for air flow and has lined the upper portion I vertical bars giving it the look of a cage. This combination takes away from the looks and also makes the front door rather clunky.
The top of the Anubis is the most unusual, not in a bad way but very interesting to look at. Hiper has done the entire top like the fins of a heatsink. In amongst the fins are the controls and front panel headers as well as a single 120mm fan �blow-hole�. I am not sure how well this will help cooling but it gives the Hiper Anubis a very eye catching look.
Finishing off with a look at the back we find the Anubis looks like almost any other mid-tower case when viewed from behind. The only exception might be the two large ports for external water cooling.
Taking the sides off we get a good look at the interior. Hiper has used all Thumbscrews instead of the more usual Philips head style. This does make it much easier for installation and removal of devices with one exception. When installing you Add-In cards these small thumbscrews are awkward to get lined up and in place especially if you have large hands or thick fingers. The lower HDD cage is also completely removable and can be fitted with a 120mm fan to help keep any drives you install cool. Hiper Has also made the task of stand-off placement for different board types easier by coding the holes on the back plane.
{mospagebreak title=Aesthetics}
Aesthetics:
As usual I have shown the Anubis off to a few people to give you a better grasp in its appearance.
My two questions are:
Rate the case based on Looks (1-5)
Rate the case based on �cool factor� (1-5)
Cool Factor is the ability of the object to grab your attention and make you look longer. In much the same way an Exotic Car driving by does.
| Looks | |
| 4 | |
| 3.9 | |
| 4.25 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 3.25 | |
| 3.8 | |
| 3.25 | |
| Total | 3.81 |
| Cool Factor | |
| 3 | |
| 3.25 | |
| 3.5 | |
| 3.25 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 4.1 | |
| 4.25 | |
| Total | 3.54 |
I also asked for a one word description of the Anbuis.
| Black | Small | Odd | Cool | Interesting | Different | Cramped | Nice |
Personal Opinion:
When I first looked at the Anubis I was reminded of the way mainframe computers always looked in old comics. They were always depicted as towering structures with rounded tops and many fins. This struck a chord with me as I used to love those sci-fi comics (go figure). The black coloring is perfect for this style of case. I am also becoming fonder of the way the side window was done. It does not obscure too much but is not a magnet for dust and fingerprints now either. With a lighted interior you would have an excellent view into the internal workings of your system. The front �cage� door, although clunky, gives is an interesting feel. It is still something that I cannot quite put my finger on I just know that I do not like it.
{mospagebreak title=Ease of Build}
Ease of Build:
The Anubis was pretty easy to work with. Hiper�s choice to label all of the screws and place them into individual bags will make a build with the Anubis simple for even a beginner. Installing drives (HDD and DVD/CD-ROM is a snap while the easy labeling of the mainboard mounting plate will help speed up installing the stand offs for your particular board.
As mentioned above the only real installation issue was with installing the Add-boards but if you are careful you should be able to get that done without too much trouble.
For my build I decided to use a full i7 system with a fairly high-end GPU.
The components were as follows:
Intel Core i7 920 (with stock cooler)
Intel DX58S0 Mainboard
Qimonda Triple Channel DDR3 1066 memory
XFX Black Edition GTX 260 (216 Cores)
2x 80GB HDDs
CoolerMaster Silent Pro 500
I mentioned above the heat-sink looking top of the case, well it would appear that this does have an effect on cooling. The components in the Anubis seemed to remain cooler even under load.
{mospagebreak title=Value}
Value:
The Hiper Anubis will set you back a steep $149.99. I am not entirely sure that the Anubis warrants that high of a price. It is a great case the aluminum construction makes it light while not compromising sturdiness, and will help to keep your system cool. The issue is in size inside, there is not much room for water cooling or even for a high end air cooler. If the Anubis was a little wider I would feel better with the pricing.
{mospagebreak title=Conclusion}
Conclusion:
I am sort of up in the air about the Hiper Anubis. It is certainly a great case with some great and well thought out features. However I think that it might have a price tag that is a little too big for its size and over all offerings. When performing the build in the Anubis I found my hands cramped in many places and wondered how it would deal with log cards like the 4850 X2. The thermal design is amazing and the appearance of the Anubis is certainly eye catching but again these are not enough to make the $150 price tag make sense. In short I think the Anubis is a great case that is in need of a price cut before it will really make a hit on the market.
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