INTRODUCTION

   Due to me hurting my arm a while back (needless to say i had to avoid lifting heavy objects) and not many of you asking for specific PC case/tower reviews (always compared to the number of requests i receive for other components) has seriously pushed back that section so for the past 2 months or so I’ve been gathering all the requests i did get in order to try and deliver. Looking at the list i may not be actually able to deliver reviews for every single PC case/tower in it (primarily because some are limited special editions which are no longer available) but I’ve already received quite a few interesting ones aimed mostly towards enthusiasts and gamers. So today i begin covering that list with no other than the REV300 ATX PC Case by Sharkoon.

   Since 2003, Sharkoon has been developing “Designed in Germany” gaming products, which are popular in the worldwide gaming community due to an exceptional combination of high-performance and affordability. Stylish PC cases, precision keyboards or mice and comfortable gaming chairs – all these represent an elegant blend of high-quality design and modern technology. Numerous awards from the international trade press underscore the performance and quality of the Sharkoon brand.

   The REV300 has five strong selling points, excellent airflow levels and looks thanks to a total of 7 pre-installed ARGB fans (4x120mm/3x140mm - fully compatible with ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, GIGABYTE Fusion and ASRock Polychrome), vertical motherboard installation (90 degree rotation), right side system installation (for people who want the case located on the left of their systems) and a magnetically closed right side tempered glass panel (hinge design). Other features include top and front magnetic air-filters, removable bottom air-filter, dual-chamber design and an 8-port ARGB controller with a total of 20 available lighting modes. Of course, the Sharkoon REV300 does very well in terms of available space since it has enough room for five 2.5" and/or four 3.5" drives, two 240/280/360/420mm radiators, 177mm tall CPU coolers, 345mm long graphics cards and up to 270mm long power supply units. So, the time has come for me to get close and personal with the REV300 by Sharkoon.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The REV300 arrived inside a white cardboard box that has a product drawing at the front and rear alongside the product name, main features an of course the company logo.

Sharkoon has printed the main product specifications on both sides of the box in 14 languages.

As you can all see the case is wrapped inside a synthetic cover and placed between two thick foam spacers.

In a small cardboard box located inside the horizontal drive cage you will find the user manual, motherboard speaker, 10 cable ties, two y-fan splitters, 5 plastic bags filled with screws and standoffs, warning paper and the user manual.

THE REV300 EXTERIOR

Measuring 550mm in height, 501mm in depth and 238mm in width the Sharkoon REV300 is a rather large mid-tower.

Sharkoon has used a mesh fascia which should allow for lots of air to enter the case.

Once you remove the fascia you will come across a magnetic air filter and the three front 140mm ARGB fans (unfortunately the fascia in my sample was stuck so to avoid breaking any of its clips i decided to use a marketing picture instead).

The I/O is located at the top of the fascia and includes the power on/off button, power activity LEDs, reset button, two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0/1 ports, USB 3.2 Gen2 type-C port and the usual headphones and microphone 3.5mm ports.

Most of the top area is covered by a magnetic air-filter beneath which is an 120mm exhaust fan and the 8 PCI expansion slots.

Unlike most PC cases the REV300 has its tempered glass panel on the right side meaning it can be placed on the left side of your desk.

Its tempered glass panel is placed on two hinges and is secured in place via a magnet (so you only need to pull this piece of fabric to open it).

Moving at the rear of the case we find three more 120mm ARGB fans and the PSU area.

Most of the base is covered by a removable air-filter.

THE REV300 INTERIOR

In terms of interior space, the REV300 seems to be doing very well (the lack of rubber grommets however does stand out).

Past the three front 140mm ARGB fans you can mount an 240/280/360/420mm radiator (32mm thickness for the 420mm radiator - no limit for the other sizes).

You can also use an 240/280/360mm radiator at the rear of the REV300 (thickness will depend on your motherboard components and of course the top fan).

Even though the REV300 features a dual chamber design since it's perforated it's mostly to cover cables coming from the PSU (the far left plastic piece can be removed to mount an 420mm radiator).

As mentioned earlier the lack of rubber grommets on the mainboard tray stands out but since you can fit even E-ATX models here i have no complaints really.

All 8 PCI expansion slots are kept in place with typical screws.

Turning the REV300 around we find three vertical drive trays and the 8-port ARGB controller.

All 3 vertical drive trays are made out of aluminum (the small ones can accommodate 2.5" drives whereas the large one can accommodate either 2x2.5" or 2x3.5" drives).

There's also a small drive cage right next to the PSU area which has room for 1x2.5" and 1x3.5" drives.

BUILDING THE SYSTEM

As always, the purpose of this section is not to build a functional system but rather to showcase what you can expect from the case at hand in terms of interior space.

With enough room for up to 270mm long power supply units you should be able to use even the largest models out there.

Since the REV300 is compatible with up to E-ATX sized mainboards there's plenty of room inside after mounting one.

If you decide to use a regular air cooler 177mm in height means you should be able to use most models in the market today.

As mentioned earlier you can mount an 240/280/360/420mm radiator at the front (here I’ve mounted an 360mm one).

At the rear you can mount an 240/280/360mm radiator (thickness up to 50mm should be fine - i mounted an 27mm thick 240mm one).

The good news with vertical motherboard positioning is that you don't have to worry about your graphics card weight stressing your PCIe slot and that you have a fixed area which in this case is for up to 345mm long models.

NOISE LEVEL TEST

After giving it much thought, we decided on performing noise tests with each PC Case we receive by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically on top of each case to measure the noise levels emanating from the pre-installed fans at both 50% and 100% with the help of a fan controller (if the case doesn't have one, i use my very own).

CONCLUSION

   The REV300 ATX PC Case by Sharkoon may not be their top model but it’s actually one of the most interesting models I’ve reviewed to date. Not only does it look great and features excellent airflow levels thanks to its 7 pre-installed ARGB fans but the vertical motherboard installation (90-degree rotation) means that you need not worry about your graphics card(s) being heavy and it gives you much easier access to the motherboard’s rear I/O. The ability to use an 420mm radiator is also something we rarely see with mid-towers as is the ability to use another 360mm one. The tempered glass side panel sitting on two hinges is also something i consider to be a very good addition especially since i recently dropped one while adding hardware in one of my test rigs (fell from just 10cm height and broke to 1000 pieces). On the other hand, room for up to five 2.5” drives and/or four 3.5” drives may not sound great to some people but it’s on par with what we see lately by mid-towers.

   Retailing for 149.90Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) the REV300 ATX PC Case by Sharkoon is priced just about right especially if you take into account that the 7 pre-installed ARGB fans alone retail for roughly half that price. Unfortunately, I was unable to track the REV300 inside the USA (not on any of the large e-tailers) and that’s pretty much its sole serious drawback. Overall, the REV300 ATX PC Case by Sharkoon delivers on everything most consumers and even professionals could ever ask for and for that it gets the Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Looks (7 ARGB Fans / Tempered Glass Side Panel)
- Airflow Levels (3x140mm ARGB Fans / 4x120mm ARGB Fans)
- 90 Degree Motherboard Installation
- 2 Radiator Mounts (240/280/360/420mm)
- Space For 177mm Tall CPU Coolers, 345mm Long Graphics Cards & 270mm Long Power Supply Units
- 8 Port ARGB Controller
- Easy to Open Tempered Glass Side Panel (Magnetic / Hinge Design)
- Top, Front & Bottom Removable Air Filters

CONS

- Availability Outside The EU