As virtually all hardware, from CPUs to videocards, gets faster and more extreme in its output, heat management seems to be pushing the envelope as well. For gamers who don’t want to forfeit performance because of issues with overheating and excessive temperatures, MGE has taken special care to see that the causal gamer and the hardcore competitor alike are not disappointed with their power supply/case combo. Their solution is the XG Dragon.

General Specifications, Appearance, and Documentation

The Dragon case comes well endowed with a variety of features that illustrate MGE’s attention to detail and understanding of a gamer’s needs. Apart from a sleek look, high quality paint job, and cool looking blue glow out the front of the case when the lights are out, the Dragon has an excellently equipped interior as well:

• 4 – 5.25” drive bays
• 2 – 3.5” Floppy/hard drive bays with front access
• 4 – 3.5” internal hard drive bays
• 2 USB 2.0, FireWire, headphone/mic top panel
• 500 WATT Power supply with 20 + 4 pin motherboard power cable<
• 1x80mm front & 1x80mm rear both with blue LEDs
• 1x80mm side fan, 1x80mm front fan, 1x80mm rear fan slots for additional fans not included
• Total case size = 610 X 375 X 575mm

The case’s appearance is quite attractive and the quality with which the case was constructed adds to the appeal. With the exception of the “tool-less” locking mechanisms to secure hard drives, DVD-R drives, etc, the case is very well put together as it feels solid. The sturdiness of the case, however, was not at the expense of its weight. Although a good amount of the Dragon is made from metal, enough components are constructed from well reinforced plastic so that lifting the case when it’s empty should require little exertion or, if you’re jacked like me – no exertion all at.

The Dragon also comes with a convenient USB, FireWire, and headphone/mic panel on the top of the case. Although the USB and FireWire access may seem very run-of-the-mill for even low end cases, I was very pleased to see that they had even included space for a microphone. For anyone that uses headphones which have a microphone and sound jack right near one another, but doesn’t feel like switching the plugs back and forth between the headphones and speakers, being able to easily plug in a headset to the front of the case is a truly divine feature.

Furthermore, the Dragon comes with a rather complicated looking front LCD panel which displays standard temperature information an overclocker or just plain geeky gamer would want to be constantly informed about. Apart from fan speed and the time (for those Civilization IV players who are too stubborn to use the in-game alarm), the Dragon also includes a handy temperature sensor that is installed right next to or around the CPU for temperature readings that are not only displayed in the front of the case in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, but also more accurate than the motherboard’s own embedded sensors. To compliment this neat little front panel, an intricate dragon icon is crafted into the top of the display which can be turned on and off to impress other gamers or a hot babe. If, by the way, this babe is impressed by your computer case – MARRY THIS WOMAN! You’ve found a rare breed… but I digress.

Documentation for the Dragon is also complete both online and in hard copy form. As many enthusiasts and gamers have probably found, posting a computer case’s manual online when one’s computer is lying in several pieces on the floor isn’t too helpful, and MGE has sagely taken this unfortunate circumstance into account. In addition to thorough instructions on installing drives, the motherboard, and various other bells and whistles like the front panel USB/ FireWire connections, the manual also includes a features/parts list and copious information about the power source included with the case. But more on that little gem later.