Cooler Master has finally released the Sneaker X case as a standalone product, but it will cost you a penny. Previously, the chassis was part of a prebuilt machine asking for at least €3,499.
The Sneaker X case is available at Skycomp for AU$1,475, which currently converts to £760 or $986 US, and at PC21 for €1,140, which equates to £950 or $1,232 US – taxes comprised. Though still high, this price also includes a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, an MF120 Halo fan, a 400mm PCIe Gen 4 x16 riser cable, and an 850W PSU. The latter should be enough for most builds, though it’s unclear if it supports the new 12v2x6 connector.
Sneaker X was initially part of Cooler Master’s CMODX competition, after which it was offered as part of pre-built systems costing between €3,499 and €4,499. Now sold separately from the pack, I consider this a big hint for Corsair to release One i500 as a standalone case.
You can disassemble all panels if you plan to give it a different paint job, which is a testament to its mod origins. That said, building in it seems to be an absolute nightmare. Aside from Mini-ITX motherboards, which are rare and expensive, you’ll need to calculate whether each part you add can fit alongside the others. Not an impossible task, but one that requires more planning than regular ATX PCs.
Another limitation of this special design is the lack of front I/O. If you care about easily accessible USB ports, your only solution is an extension cable protruding from the shoe or a keyboard/monitor with a USB hub. Again, nothing unsurmountable if you really like its style.
Much like the kicks it mimics, cleaning this 650mm x 306mm x 651mm sneaker must be a monthly affair to avoid a dusty mess. The entire chassis is open to the environment without any filters to stop dust. But hey, that’s an acceptable price for such a unique design.