The HS02 Pro includes a decently detailed user guide, a bundle of zip-style cable ties, and a bundle of hardware. We inventoried 34 #6-32 panhead screws, five #6-32 countersunk screws, a #2 Phillips-to-hex-adapter socket for installing and removing standoffs, one centering and three standard standoffs, two replacement sockets for side-panel ball snaps, eight #6-32 screws for attaching 25mm-thick fans to threaded holes, an adjustable graphics-card support bracket, and five hook-and-loop cable straps.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Power button and LED, HD audio, a 19-pin (Gen 1) USB 3.x, and a Gen 2×2 cable connect our motherboard to the case’s front panel. Powered by a Serial ATA power input, the ARGB controller and fan hub connects to our motherboard via PWM and ARGB cables. Finally, a C13 cable end connects the rear panel’s power input to our internally positioned power supply.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
The HS02 Pro’s ATX power-supply bracket includes a fold-in SFX adapter that we wouldn’t want to employ. There are simply too many good full-size ATX PSU options out there to justify leaving a smaller, often pricier SFX alternative hanging from one side.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
One of the things that stood out to us during our Montech HS01 Pro review is that the inset tab hole, which holds in place a lower (MicroATX) trim panel, prevented our full ATX motherboard from seating all the way. That’s in part because our standard ATX test board has a decorative backplate that extends a quarter inch past its standoff holes, but mostly because cases are supposed to provide a quarter of an inch of clearance to the back of the board. Had Montech chosen to use a flat hole and offset hook tab, this cover plate wouldn’t have presented this problem.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
We also had to ditch the drive tray shown below, because its tabs protruded into the same space occupied by our motherboard’s decorative backplate. Had Montech instead pushed the hooks out the back side of the motherboard tray and used less offset on the tray’s hook tabs, this would not have been a problem.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Although the HS02 Pro’s slot panel is designed for removal by those who want to outfit the case with a graphics riser cable and mount their video card vertically, we had to use the feature to help us position our graphics card in the normal orientation. That’s partly because our test motherboard has that thick backplate, partly because it has a front cover, partly because the case has an obstruction, and partly because the case’s hole for expansion card tabs (above the card screws) is not big enough to accommodate installation with any of those other issues. However, it’s mostly due to the inferiority of designs that place the card tab screws on the outside of the case; inset slot panels never require such considerations.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
One thing that users who wish to add a bottom radiator should note is that the plastic piece covering the ARGB strip’s cable as it crosses the case’s corner is removable. Removing it will make room for the end caps of most radiators. The case even includes countersunk-head screws, should that screw head become the final barrier to your dream build.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Our installation looks so clean and spiffy that you’d never know the pain we went through to get our motherboard and graphics card to fit!
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Of course, it looks even better all lit up…
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
