INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   When all of us here started our journey in the amazing world of computers PC cases had but one purpose and that was to have sufficient internal space to accommodate all hardware components. Gradually that changed so manufacturers started adding more features not only to improve their looks (plexi panels/aluminum construction/tube lights) but also their functionality (fan hubs/front USB and 3.5mm ports/liquid cooling compatibility). Today although the majority of PC cases has nothing really new to offer in terms of design and features (that we haven't seen numerous times in the past that is) there are some which thanks to the rather new addition of tempered glass panels and RGB LEDs are considered by many to be works of art and one of them is the brand new Project 7 P7-C0 Pro Mid-Tower by AeroCool which is here with us today.

   AeroCool Advanced Technologies (AAT) was founded in 2001. At the earlier stage of operation we were committed to share our technical expertise and innovative design in providing total-solution for thermal management in industrial and personal computers. Aerocool is one of the market leaders in the "Gaming Market". Our strong brand and product image are well received by gamers and enthusiasts world-wide. We offer a full line of performance products including gaming cases, gaming PSUs, gaming mouse, gaming headsets, gaming keyboard, gaming headsets, Multi-functional panels and fans. Aerocool will continue to innovate and deliver the best user experience to gamers world-wide.

   The P7-C0 Pro was launched after the very successful release of the P7-C1 model (review here) which won not only gamers but also enthusiasts with its tempered glass side panel and an RGB LED strip around its fascia. At first glance the P7-C0 Pro seems to be somewhat more compact compared to the P7-C1 but size aside it looks more robust and thanks to using dark tempered glass for both side panels, three 120mm RGB fans at the front and a similar RGB LED strip around its front it also looks equally stunning. Aerocool however didn't stop there since the color and effects (4 in total) of the front 120mm RGB fans and the RGB LED strip is software controlled with the help of a bundled RGB fan hub/controller. Other features include a dual chamber design for the PSU and enough interior space for two 2.5" and two 3.5" drives, front 280/360mm radiator, two 120/140mm fans at the top, 175mm long CPU coolers and 389.7mm long graphics cards (414.7mm without front fans). So the time has come for us to take a closer look at the Project 7 PC7-C0 Pro by our friends over at AeroCool.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Project 7 logo is placed at the front of the box in which the P7-C0 Pro gets shipped.

 

 

AeroCool has printed the specifications and features of the P7-C0 Pro on the two sides of the box.

 

 

A few words about the product and its features are placed at the rear of the box right next to two drawings.

 

 

Typically the tower is wrapped inside a plastic bag and placed between two thick foam spacers.

 

 

Two small cardboard boxes inside the tower contain the RGB fan hub/controller, double side tape, 10 cable ties, user manuals (for both the case and the hub), screwdriver standoff adapter and 4 small plastic bags with screws.

 

 

THE P7-C0 PRO EXTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The P7-C0 Pro may be a compact mid-tower that measures just 468mm in height, 451mm in width and 214.4mm in depth but thanks to its tempered glass side panels and many corners it's certainly impressive.

 

 

AeroCool chose dark tempered glass panels for the P7-C0 Pro which are typically held in place with short thumbscrews.

 

 

Aside the RGB LED strip that surrounds the fascia AeroCool has placed 3 RGB LED fans as well.

 

 

A large magnetic air-filter is placed in front of the 3 RGB LED fans.

 

 

You can always mount a 360mm radiator on the 3 already preinstalled fans or replace them with two 140mm ones and mount a 280mm radiator instead.

 

 

The I/O is placed at the top and it includes the power on/off button with its LED, reset button, drive activity LED, two USB 3.0 ports and the usual headphones and microphone 3.5mm ports.

 

 

A 2nd magnetic air-filter is placed at the top and here as you can see there's enough room for two 120/140mm fans (there are some clearance issues with the mainboard so you can't easily mount a radiator here but it can be done).

 

 

Moving at the rear we find a 120mm fan (can be replaced with an 140mm one), 7 PCI expansion slots and the PSU area.

 

 

The right side panel is identical to the left one so nothing really new here (although there aren't many PC cases out there with two tempered side panels).

 

 

A removable air-filter is placed at the base of the tower right beneath the PSU area.

 

 

THE P7-C0 PRO INTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In terms of interior space the P7-C0 Pro offers much more than expected.

 

 

Aside mounting a radiator at the front AeroCool has also placed mounting holes for tube reservoirs.

 

 

Unfortunately because of the dual chamber design you don't have much room for a front radiator (36mm thick tops).

 

 

AeroCool has placed a single hole for cable management purposes on the mainboard tray and two on the dual chamber cover.

 

 

All 7 PCI expansion slots are kept in place with regular screws.

 

 

Turning the case around we see two vertical 2.5" drive trays, two 3.5" horizontal drive trays and the PSU area.

 

 

The drive trays are made out of aluminum and are very sturdy.

 

 

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.

ATX mainboards are pretty much the largest form factor you can place in the P7-C0 Pro.

 

 

You can easily mount a 280/360mm radiator at the front (up to 36mm in thickness) but at the top we recommend something at around 27mm (and with low-profile fans).

 

 

With enough space for graphics cards up to 389.7mm in length you may also be able to squeeze a tube reservoir inside the tower.

 

 

The PSU area has just enough space for AeroCool’s new Project 7 850W model.

 

 

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 ontop 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 we use our own).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The original Project 7 P7-C1 Mid-Tower impressed gamers and enthusiasts with both its design and features so it was just a matter of time really before AeroCool followed through with another model and they did not with just the P7-C0 Pro which we have here but also with the P7-C1 Pro and the P7-C0. With that out of the way the P7-C0 Pro is one of the best looking mid-towers we’ve seen to date again not only because of its two tempered glass side panels but also because of its front RGB LED fans and strip. We would of course had preferred it more had the P7-C0 Pro come with a built-in fan hub/controller but mounting the bundled one doesn’t really take time. Still it’s good to see that AeroCool listened to us and replaced the fixed air-filters of the C1 with removable ones in the C0 Pro. Also having enough room for just 4 drives (two 2.5” and two 3.5”) may not seem as much but it should be more than sufficient for the majority of consumers. As for its water cooling potential with enough space for a 280/360mm radiator at the front and even a 240-280mm radiator at the top the P7-C0 Pro has very little to be jealous from larger towers.

   Although we couldn’t find the Project 7 P7-C0 Pro Mid-Tower by AeroCool anywhere inside the USA it’s currently available inside the EU for a price of 139.90Euros (Caseking.de). That price places the P7-C0 Pro in the lead compared to other similar models with tempered glass side panels and RGB illumination so that’s a good thing. That being said however at the end of the day the P7-C0 Pro doesn’t have the most spacious interior among mid-towers so potential buyers should take this into consideration. All said and done AeroCool has released yet another great looking mid-tower worthy of your attention and our Golden Award.

PROS

- Good Build Quality (Tempered Glass Side Panels)
- Design (Tempered Glass / Front LED Fans / Fascia LED Strip)
- RGB Illumination With 4 Effects
- Space For Up To Six 120/140mm Fans and/or Three 120/240/280/360mm Radiators
- 4 Pre-Installed Fans
- Spacious Interior (For Its Size)
- 4 Drive Mounts (Aluminum Trays)
- Bundled Fan Hub / Controller
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Limited Radiator Thickness
- Limited PSU Space
- Current Availability