Core Series P5 Green Edition Open Frame Review

Thermaltake Core P5 TG V2 Black Edition Open-Frame Chassis Review

Thermaltake's Core P5 TG V2 Black Edition Open-Frame Chassis gets fully examined.

Published Wed, Oct 2 2019 v:l PM CDT | Updated Tue, Nov 3 2020 6:57 PM CST

Rating: 96% Manufacturer: Thermaltake (CA-1E7-00M1WN-05)

Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

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Thermaltake is a brand that has been in the PC scene for 20 years; since the early days when biscuit boxes were all you lot could get. Thermaltake started with a cooler, the Golden Orb, and from there they moved into several other avenues of the PC realm. Thermaltake made some first-class cases in its early years, but as the 2010 era came around, they had been relegated to cheaper cases made for budget customers. With the introduction of the 'cadre series,' Thermaltake took a huge step upward into the world of open-loop cooling support and fitment for larger radiators and modularity. This was but the starting steps into what has at present pushed Thermaltake in new directions in the industry with the past seven years or so showing a marked improvement in chassis quality and enthusiasts adoption

While the cadre series started with the Core V Series, the Cadre series set itself autonomously with the first Core P5 chassis. The Core P5 was initially conceptualized every bit a flat blank slate where users can make the trending (at the time) wall mountain PC that many famous modders were pulling off but on a canvas that can gratuitous stand and does not require a bunch of custom work to create. This is what nosotros have today, the Cadre P5 TG V2 Black Edition. The Cadre P5 model we have today is an improvement in many ways over the initial Cadre P5 we looked at almost 4 years ago to the solar day on Oct 1st, 2015.

Some central improvements to the original Core P5 design include several things which nosotros will list below.

• 5mm tempered drinking glass panel
• Motherboard tray offering alternating build orientation
• Loftier speed I/O on the front panel

The 5mm Tempered glass is no joke, this panel is non only thick, just it is heavy. The motherboard tray I would say is ane of the most significant changes equally it allows the motherboard to rotate 90 degrees to mount in a chimney manner orientation. The Cadre P5 over the years have offered several pattern options, including larger and smaller models to accommodate dissimilar build needs for users. The Cadre P5 we have today even has another model aslope it which encases all of the components with panels on all sides surrounding information technology, merely that's a unit of measurement we may check out at a later engagement.

The proper name of the chassis we noted earlier and it is quite the mouthful. The total title is Core P5 TG V2 Blackness Edition. The Core P5 we accept today is stated to be a 'mid-tower' which I tin can only assume is a mistake as this thing stands over 600mm tall or 60cm which is far above what is commonly seen as a mid-tower. The common agreement has full-tower chassis standing at 56cm (560mm) or 22" and up. While there is no standard for this in the industry, this is tantamount to calling a Zenith Farthermost Blastoff a mATX motherboard. Not but is it larger than ATX at EATX, but it is a far weep from a smaller model. The model number for this version of the Core P5 is CA-1E7-00M1WN-05, and this is important to note as the Core P5 showing has gotten pretty crowded with new releases showing upwards regularly. All Core P5 models listed below.

• Core P5 (original) - Color: Black - CA-1E7-00M1WN-00
• Core P5 (original) - Color: Green - CA-1E7-00M8WN-00
• Core P5 Tempered Drinking glass (surround drinking glass) - Color: White - CA-1E7-00M6WN-01
• Core P5 Tempered Glass (surround glass) - Colour: Black - CA-1E7-00M1WN-03
• Core P5 TG Ti - Color: Black - CA-1E7-00M9WN-00
• Core P5 TG V2 Black Edition - Colour: Black - CA-1E7-00M1WN-05 (What we have today)

Equally you tin can run across, at that place are several just in the Core P5 range, and this is not including the Core P3, Cadre P90, Cadre P1 and Core P7 which are all different size and way/configuration elements of the same core blueprint.

The motherboard fitment for the Core P5 is from ITX up to ATX. Being this is a pretty open up frame setup, you can realistically fit consumer EATX (enthusiasts ATX) motherboards without much issue. HDD/SSD fitment is impressive as this modular chassis uses a variation of plastic drive trays mounted in the dorsum and optional upfront to private trays included in the chassis which allow you to install HDD and SSD on the radiator mounting upfront. Total stated fitment is up to 1x 3.5" or two.5" in the HDD tray while the two previously mentioned brackets can also be mounted up front for dual iii.5" or 2.5" drives or whatsoever combination of those two. Lastly, in the cable management rear chamber, there are triple drive trays mounted which can support a ii.5" or 3.5" drive per tray. PSU'due south at that place is stated support up to 200mm which will fit almost any consumer PSU.

Cooling fitment is only limited past the space on the apartment panel. The radiator main bracket can fit up to 480mm or 420mm so quad 120mm or triple 140mm. CPU air cooler should you opt for this would be 180mm, so basically any air cooler should fit here. There are no fans included with the Core P5 which being an open-air or open frame chassis, makes sense. In that location should be little to no component fitment issues as unlike most chassis the Core P5 is a unique design where all devices, cooling and other are installed on a flat plane and therefore no radiators in the roof of the chassis that may hit board components or memory here.

The Cost on the Core P5 TG V2 Black Edition is $189.99 at the time of writing from Amazon. This is non a horrible price point for a unique chassis... and to be fair there are not many options out there to compete in this exact style of class factor, there are some that are like, and we volition also lump in a few standard chassis I feel are worthy competitors at the cost betoken. First of all, for like or similar-ish chassis we have the semi-open-air nature of the Raidmax X08 or the Lian Li PC011 series which still hover in this price range. The issue with comparing chassis like the Core P5 or even the mATX Paean is that it is hard to find chassis to compare, so we have to include some less open-air chassis to consider naturally.

Shannon'southward Chassis Exam System Specifications

• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XI Hero (Wi-Fi) Z390 (buy from Amazon)
• CPU: Intel Cadre i7 8700K (buy from Amazon)
• Cooler: Corsair H100i Pro RGB (buy from Amazon)
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro RGB CMW32GX4M4C3000C15 (buy from Amazon)
• Video Card: MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Gaming Z (buy from Amazon)
• Storage: SanDisk M.ii 256GB
• Power Supply: SilverStone Strider Platinum 1000W (purchase from Amazon)
• Os: Microsoft Windows ten Home 64-bit (buy from Amazon)

Thermaltake Cadre P5 TG V2 Black Edition Open-Frame Chassis

	Today	Yesterday	7 days agone	30 days ago
	$199.99	$199.99	$199.99	$199.99	Buy
* Prices terminal scanned on iv/17/2022 at 4:41 pm CDT - prices may not be accurate, click links above for the latest price. We may earn an affiliate commission.

Packaging

The packaging for the Core P5 TG V2 is flat pack similar we have seen on all previous Core P5 variations. The box flaps state there is tempered drinking glass inside. This does not seem like any sort of breakage warning and more of an informational mark.

Here we have the box class the side and you can encounter what I hateful by it is flat packed. This side is very thin with a few specs listed in several languages on the side.

The next of the thinner sides of the box shoes the name forth with a V2 decal to prove it's a V2. Here is the commencement sign we become that this could be fragile every bit its listed equally handle with intendance. There is no note of what part is fragile but I assume this has to do with being careful with tempered glass.

The next of the thinner sides of the box covers the spec table every bit we listed on the opening page of this review. There are also some UPC and other certification and safety marks here which unfortunately we cannot see very well due to the manner the aircraft labels were placed.

Here nosotros have our standard shot of the chassis yet in its wrapping removed from the box. As y'all tin encounter the optional motherboard tray sits in the soft polystyrene beat. It is plastic bagged and has its mounting screws within this as well to ensure no mix up of screws.

The opposite side of the wrapped chassis and parts shows the foam embrace over the tinted tempered drinking glass panel.

Removing the layer of soft polystyrene foam we now find the principal chassis components held in place in harder Styrofoam shells which encapsulate the Core P5 main chassis and ancillary components.

Cadre P5 TG V2 Black Edition Open-Frame Chassis

Hither we take the front of the Core P5 TG V2 and it looks like a apartment slate. For those of you who are not in the know or have never seen a Core P series chassis from Thermaltake, well here is what the base chassis looks like. Thermaltake has finally adopted the new Logo which debut near four to five years agone and I recollect it creates a jiff of fresh air for the brand with a modern feel. This base chassis is where all of your components will mount so hither you tin can too see the I/O.

Now we zoom in a fleck on the front I/O to check out what Thermaltake is offering upfront. The forepart I/O listed from top to bottom:

• Ability and HDD LED
• Ability button
• 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (included adapter can feed USB 3.two Gen ii to the Type-A port)
• Headphone and microphone three.5mm jacks
• Reset button

Here we get the main chassis front side. This is the area where all hardware will mount except for the dorsum chamber which tin can install iii.five" and 2.five" drives and cablevision management. This view is absent of the add together on motherboard tray which offers a xc-caste rotation of the motherboard for a chimney manner orientation. Below the motherboard area is the PSU mounting. The space to the right is devoted to radiator and fan fitment forth with other goodies such as reservoir and different mountings. The pockets around the motherboard area are plentiful and offer user-friendly pass-through regions for cablevision management and mitigation of mess.

Hither is the rear of the chassis panel and y'all can run across that the standard large Goggle box-style wall mounting hardware is all however here to back up wall mounting of the Core P5 should you feel so compelled to display your PC on the wall vs. on the floor or desk. This is, of grade, beyond the standard layout which is continuing with feet, or even modest condom feet where the Cadre P5 can be laid down on its back like a test bench. To the left you tin come across the filtered pass through mesh opening which allows airflow from installed radiators to pass through or even ingest air depending on your fan airflow orientation. The outer edges are each showing three thumb screws which retain the console to the chief chassis and ensure information technology cannot slide off.

Here we have removed the console and now you become a view inside the chamber for drive mounting and cablevision management. You will run into that 2 accessory boxes are found here along with the thick frame area in the center which is threaded to support the weight of a built system if you use a Tv set wall mountain to mountain your chassis.

Looking upwardly peak at the drive trays, yous can see at that place are three spots in the rear section capable of fitting 3.5" or two.5" storage options. Each tray has tabs which are inserted into the bracket you see flanking the lesser edge of the trays while each tray has a single thumbscrew securing it to the chassis body upwardly to where the cables are tucked.

Here we take a closer look at the wall mounting plate. This piece is some seriously heavy gauge steel which I'thousand sure was put in place to ensure that no matter how crazy yous go, the wall mount you use will let become earlier this subclass will.

The front console I/O cabling are as follows (left to right):

• Power/Reset/Power LED & HDD LED connectors
• Dual USB 3.1 Gen ane 20-pivot connector
• Hard disk Audio connector

As you tin run into both sets of Blazon-A ports are fed past 20-pin headers which are traditionally USB 3.2 Gen 1. However, Thermaltake includes an adapter which we sill show in the coming pages that allows connection to a USB 3.2 Gen ii header making one of the ports capable of up to USB 3.2 Gen two 10GBps speeds vs the Gen i 5Gbps speed rating.

Hardware & Documentation

The master tempered glass panel is lined with film to protect it during transport. Here we encounter information technology also has a small blue square warning to handle the tempered glass with care. I wish I could explicate but how thick and heavy this smoked console is, but I experience like information technology'south one of those situations where you have to have it in hand to sympathise. Having a tempered glass panel in this instance is a significant upgrade for the Core P5 series in full general equally the original window was a cool introduction. The initial implementation was a large acrylic window which, when cleaning can scratch or show a mess of tiny hairline or more meaning scratches. This is all remedied past the behemoth windows we accept here today.

First gear up of parts we go out of the box (From left to right, top to bottom:

• 2x iii.5"/2.v" mounts to fit in Radiator mounting area
• Pump/Reservoir long mounting bracket (to mountain in front end of radiator)
• Expansion slot bracket (used for both vertical and std. layout)
• Pump/Reservoir short bracket (to mount next to radiator area)

The next set of parts from the packaging is as follows (From left to right, peak to bottom):

• Vertical GPU bracket tray
• 2x Vertical GPU riser cable brackets
• PSU rear mounting subclass
• PSU support bracket

Adjacent up in the ancillary parts category is the motherboard tray. This is for when you choose to mount the motherboard in a 90 degree rotated orientation. This will create a chimney style orientation for the motherboard and installed GPUs.

The chassis feet will need to exist installed if the Core P5 TG V2 is going to exist standing upright in a normal belfry chassis manner configuration.

The window panel whether it be the original or the new tempered glass variant. They use these large metallic standoffs that extend the window away from the components. The standoffs allows for a smashing component view through and effectually the console, while as well not hindering performance or components access to cooling airflow.

Here we have even more, and we're not shut to being done even so. Here nosotros have these parts listed (from left to correct):

• PCIe vertical GPU ribbon
• HDD Tray for front mounting
• Adapter cable for front USB Type-A ports

The Cadre P5 TG V2 comes with a standard style fabric-covered ribbon riser cable. This riser is only specified for PCIe gen 3 spec and most probable will not piece of work very well with PCIe 4.0 devices which just arrived on the scene. Continue that in mind if you are thinking of going with a PCIe 4.0 GPU (there are only AMD 5700 serial as of the time of writing) but it is all the same worth noting. The plastic tray y'all come across hither is for 2.5 or 3.half dozen" HDD mounting same as the ones nosotros looked at in the rear cable management section. This one tin can be inserted in the front of the chassis between the radiator and motherboard mounting. The cable to the far correct is the adapter I mentioned earlier which tin can allow for two of the forepart panel USB ports to be alternately routed where one will be USB iii.two Gen 2 and one would be USB 2.0.

Here nosotros take some of support related bits. (listed from left to right):

• 2x plastic support legs for tempered drinking glass panel
• 4x safety feet for chassis laying on its back console in testbench fashion
• 4x screws to secure prophylactic anxiety
• Warranty and user manuals

Here we have a large mass of parts we will list below. (listed from left to correct, tiptop to bottom)

• 10x zilch ties for cable management
• 16x two.5" HDD screws
• 4x tempered glass rubber mounts
• 1x vertical GPU subclass support with applicative screws
• 16x HDD rubber washers on sheet
• PC mail service beep speaker
• 16x flat-topped two.v" drive mounting screws
• 4x flat rubber washers for tempered glass on a sheet
• 45x screws for brackets, PSU and 3.5" drive mounting
• 10x motherboard standoffs with installation tool

Example Build & Finished Production

For testing we volition exist installing the motherboard in the standard orientation. Before moving to testing we wanted to test out the alternate mounting and run across how the board fits and any observed bug. The motherboard tray uses eight screws to mount in this alternating orientation. Probably the biggest problem I see with this alternating mounting is that the cablevision direction pockets are all covered for the nigh part. This could brand for a unique looking setup in an open-loop build where there will be many bits to show off, and it closes the gap between the motherboard and the radiator.

Here we meet the motherboard in the alternate mounting method along with our standard ATX testbench libation. The H100i shows that with the alternating motherboard mounting the AIO reached easily, and unfortunately with standard mounting, it'south not and so favorable.

Here we at present take the motherboard in its tested orientation. The standard orientation has the board upright like information technology would be in a standard ATX chassis. You will observe we have not fit anxiety or PSU to the chassis yet. The AIO tubes are a bit more strained equally you lot can see here just still workable in the standard motherboard layout. I would non recommend running the AIO similar this long term and would advise users pick upwardly Core P5 AIO brackets by Thermaltake bachelor at Amazon should you choose a Core P5 with an AIO setup. If you happen to have a 3D printer, you lot can also print upwards your own brackets albeit a fleck thicker than the retail units, and possibly more than costly depending on your filament costs.

And with that Lt Dan, err the Core P5 TG V2 has legs. The anxiety are fastened with four screws per foot assembly and thread into a strengthened two bottom corners of the chassis body to ensure the chassis stands firm with minimal wobble. As you can see here, everything is coming together with the P5 edging closer to being a consummate arrangement. You will likewise notice we employed the vertical subclass here to show what your rig tin can wait like as the vertical GPU covers the normally empty slots.

Here we now have removed all the vertical GPU bits and installed all parts in their standard orientation. Besides, discover that the PSU is now in and I must say our SilverStone ST1000-PTS 140mm looks tiny mounted on this massive slate. You may too annotation that the tiny H100i barely covers half of the radiator mounting, showing that those who want to build a monster open-loop setup have all the room they need for a massive 480mm radiator.

Now that everything is congenital into our system lets take a look at that rear I/O side. Outset affair you will notice is that you volition want a motherboard with a fixed I/O shield or mock up a way to affix your I/O shield. The naked I/O shield feels incomplete, and with something similar the Core P5 where creating a showpiece is life, this is an essential consideration for your component selection.

Example Build & Finished Product Continued

Peeking behind the curtain, or back panel as it is shows the cable management department. This area is big at almost 45mm and has plenty of room for even the thickest bundles of sleeved cables. The HDD trays I left in identify even though nosotros were not using them as in that location was but no gainful reason to remove them in the current configuration. Should you want to remove the HDD trays you lot can with just three thumb screws. You can even go equally far as to remove the HDD tray bracket should you feel the need. Removing the bracket is only a four screw thing and the screws are removed from the opposite side on each side of the motherboard respectively.

Here on the rear panel we affixed the rubber feet. This is simply to show you what the feet look like and how they attach since the rear panel has pre-threaded holes in place for these four feet. These feet are the ones you would use if you lot were laying the Cadre P5 on its back as a test bench setup.

Last part on the list to install is the glass panel. Originally, the Core P5 had a much lighter acrylic panel for the front. With the new tempered glass panel, we likewise get much more weight and that requires a bit of support for the weight of the thick tempered glass panel. Here we come across the plastic feet affixed to the standoff poles for the console. These work as ancillary support to continue actress leverage force from leaning or twisting the Core P5 chassis with the heft of the drinking glass.

Here we have it, the coup de gras if you volition. The Core P5 TG V2 in all of its celebrity with our default ATX test bench installed. I must admit, with such a mainstream system in place there is so much open infinite on the P5 it really is begging for more monster hardware to show off. Merely with all of that aside I will say that the presentation aspect of the Core P5 series is still stiff, although you definitely demand to mind the details if y'all strive to achieve a truly showpiece level system.

Powered on the new Core P5 TG V2 lights up and the fans start moving. One matter to note hither is that in that location is no airflow fans like in a standard ATX box. The omission of fans will not be a major upshot for about who will be h2o cooling in this chassis just if you happen to be on an AIO and accept a few GPUs in tow you tin can easily build upwards some heat and you are relying largely on convection to radiate the heat abroad.

Final Thoughts

When I showtime received the Core P5 TG V2 Black Edition, I was met with fond memories of such a unique chassis when it debuted several years agone. Then came the wonder of what had changed and how much of the Core P5 unique character remained. I am happy to report that much of the Core P5's unique way and entreatment remains although with a few more features now. Oh, and don't forget the tempered glass.

Testing the Core P5 TG V2 was carried out the aforementioned way as nosotros do with all chassis via a burn-in session recording temp during the duration. The measured ambient during testing was 23.2C and RH of 45%. The CPU testing showed a delta over ambience of 45.1, while the GPU showed a delta of 39.8. This is well within the results we observed in other well performing cases. This likewise shows that in an open up-air/open frame chassis, you can still achieve adept thermal results.

Now we gotta discuss what nosotros like near the Cadre P5 TG V2 Black Edition. The Core P5 TG V2 is a very elementary all the same elegant case, some of its strongest points are its lack of things, things that may become in the style of what you desire to showcase. If y'all are looking for massive RGB and tons of fans included do not apply. The Core P5 is a blank canvass yous can build upon. The open slate style is its biggest feature every bit it allows you to brand the Core chassis your own and build information technology how you want.

Now to what we don't like about the Core P5 TG V2, and in that location'south not going to be much here. The Core P5 does an admirable chore as an aging platform to ameliorate and modernize the open chassis design. The radiator fitment is fantabulous, only if going nuts with the need for multiple radiators, you will have to turn to the creator community via the Thermaltake 3D printable part page or other 3D printing repositories where you tin find various brackets to fit fans or even radiator expanses across the panel mounting poles. Yous can also find many maker spaces or online shops which will impress the parts and ship them to y'all should yous have the need to stack upward parts in the Cadre P5 but lack the power to 3D print them yourself.

The toll indicate is absolutely high, edging close to $200. However, at that place are not many options in the open up frame category that offer this level of detailed presentation and customization. The Cadre P5 equally I said earlier offers a unique power by cutting the fat and providing a blank canvas to build or mod. If you are looking for a chassis to just toss parts in and go the Core P5 tin work but there are amend options out at that place for far less. However if you are the right person looking for a literal blank canvas to build in, then the Core P5 is nigh undoubtedly a surefire way to get a solid start.

Shannon's Chassis Test System Specifications

• Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus 11 Hero (Wi-Fi) Z390 (buy from Amazon)
• CPU: Intel Core i7 8700K (buy from Amazon)
• Cooler: Corsair H100i Pro RGB (buy from Amazon)
• Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro RGB CMW32GX4M4C3000C15 (buy from Amazon)
• Video Menu: MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Gaming Z (buy from Amazon)
• Storage: SanDisk One thousand.2 256GB
• Power Supply: SilverStone Strider Platinum 1000W (buy from Amazon)
• OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64-flake (buy from Amazon)

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Source: https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/9201/thermaltake-core-p5-tg-v2-black-edition-open-frame-chassis-review/index.html

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