Montech King 45 Pro PC Case Review: Unique Design and Shocking Surprises

Initial Impressions and Design

• 💡 The Montech King 45 Pro is an 18% smaller version of the King 95, featuring a dual-chamber design that has become a standard in the enthusiast PC case market.
• ⚠️ The reviewer experienced unexpected static shocks from the case during the unboxing and initial handling, which was a notable and surprising event.
• 🧩 The case utilizes a hybrid dual-chamber design, trading height for width, and features a curved front glass panel with subtle curves at the edges for a more refined look.

Airflow and Cooling Features

• 💨 The King 45 Pro employs an updraft cooling design with fans mounted at an angle, directing air towards the GPU and then up towards the CPU.
• 🚫 There are no front or motherboard tray fans, with the power supply mounting located in a recessed area.
• 🌬️ The front glass is a structural component, and its removal can make the top panel slightly more flimsy.
• ⚙️ The top panel supports 120mm or 140mm fans and can accommodate a 360mm radiator up to 84mm thick, with ample clearance from motherboard components due to the PSU shroud's recess.

Cable Management and Build Experience

• 🔌 A unique feature is the relocated power supply input cable, which requires a compatible PSU cable and offers a cleaner aesthetic.
• 💡 The case includes a dedicated channel at a 45° angle for routing EPS and RGB/fan cables, simplifying management.
• 🛠️ Cable management on the backside offers ample space, with the ability to tuck excess cables under the power supply shroud.
• ⚠️ A minor gripe is the lack of a channel cover for the main cable routing area, which could improve the finished look.
• 🚀 The inclusion of a notch for PCI Express cables allows for a more natural run without pinching.

Fan Value and Pricing

• 💰 The King 45 Pro comes with four AX120 Pro RGB fans for a $20 premium over the standard King 45, making them approximately $5 each.
• 💲 This is presented as a significant value compared to purchasing the fans separately, where a three-pack can cost around $50.
• ⚖️ The case is positioned in a competitive $100-$120 price bracket, with the Pro version offering better value if case fans are needed.

Performance and Testing Methodology

• 🔬 Smoke testing revealed that the case effectively pulls air from the bottom intakes and the rear, but there's less airflow at the top, suggesting a potential benefit from an additional top exhaust fan.
• 📈 The CPU cooler actively pulls air from the top, creating a vortex effect, indicating good airflow dynamics around the CPU area.
• 📊 The reviewer is developing a new testing methodology focusing on real-world components like the 13900K and 4080 Super to assess thermal performance and throttling potential.
• ✅ The case supports large GPUs (up to 435mm) and tall CPU coolers (up to 187mm), with good clearance for most components.