Temps and Noise, ICON, and Conclusion
Test Setup
Test Platform | |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Pentium G3258 "Anniversary Edition" |
Motherboard | ASUS H97M-PLUS Micro-ATX |
Memory | Kingston HyperX Predator 2666MHz (@ 1600MHz) 8GB DDR3 |
Graphics Card | ASUS AMD Radeon R7 260X |
Storage | OCZ Vertex 460 120GB SSD |
Cooling | Noctua NH-U9B SE2 |
Power Supply | Corsair CX 750W Modular PSU |
OS | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
Temperature testing was done with readings from RealTemp and GPU-Z, and results are presented as degrees delta (over ambient). I performed all noise testing with a digital sound pressure meter positioned 18" from the front of the case.
Temperatures
CPU temps are pretty good with my Noctua air cooler, though many other options for CPU cooling would work in this enclosure. A note on the G3258 here, as I've been sticking to the same components for the sake of comparision in the last few reviews. Some higher-end parts (including an i7 4790K) will be employed in the near future.
GPU temps are solid with my lower-end (but still overclocked) R7 260X, and the supplied intake fan pushes cool air directly across this GPU.
Noise
The Pandora is a quiet case with the included 120mm fans. My (admittedly lower-end) test hardware is very quiet as well, but the above charts are all using the same components so it's still a fair comparison. The top fan openings contribute to noise levels substantially depending on case fans, and the Pandora does very well in this department falling behind only the Fractal Define R5 (which had the top fan openings covered). The In Win D Frame mini falls just behind the Pandora, and is a little quieter at idle, but that build included zero case fans since the unit ships without any.
BitFenix ICON
A unique design feature of the Pandora is something BitFenix calls "ICON". Here's how BitFenix explains it:
"Pandora is the first chassis to feature BitFenix ICON, a fully programmable display that connects to your system. With ICON, you can easily change the BitFenix logo with your own custom image. Featuring a simple and intuitive interface, BitFenix ICON makes customizing the look of your case as easy as drag-and-drop"
Essentially, after downloading the software from the Pandora's product support page it's simply a matter of dragging any image (provided it's either JPEG or PNG and 240x320 resolution) over the ICON's...er, icon. This feature adds about $40 to the cost of the Pandora, but it's pretty cool (and addictive) to be able to change your case logo at will.
Conclusion
An enclosure with a lot of style at a reasonable price is a welcome addition to the crowded market, and though there are many options out there that fit this description already it’s refreshing to see a company try new things. I haven’t seen anything quite like the combination of ideas present in the Pandora, and the price tag (though a little steep) makes it accessible enough to at least warrant consideration if you're planning a small form-factor build and care about enough about style. There are still those of us who would never consider spending $160 on an enclosure, though the Core version (without LCD screen) can be found for under $110.
By creating a visually distinctive enclosure with quality construction, good performance, and a price that's within easy reach, BitFenix has a winner here. The case offers support for a 240mm liquid cooler and long video cards, but still occupies a small footprint even for a micro-ATX case. The storage options are a bit limited, and some will still be offput by a price tag above $150, but the Pandora does an excellent job of differentiating itself in a saturated market.
Strengths
- Distinctive, stylish design
- Small footprint still supports 240mm radiators, full-length GPU and PSU
- Lightweight construction with aluminum side panels
- Good cooling and noise levels with included fans
- LCD screen is easy to program with your own image file
Weaknesses
- Limited space behind motherboard tray for cable routing
- Reduced storage capacity compared to other cases in price range
- Price is a little high for the version with ICON screen
She’s purdy! Thanks for the
She’s purdy! Thanks for the review SP, that’s a fine looking case! Thinking about this or the M1 for a future build 🙂
FYI, you cant fit an AIO
FYI, you cant fit an AIO cooler in the top mount position.. the spacing in the top compartment fits the radiator, but mounting the fan underneath hits the motherboard so it wont fit right. At least thats what I found
Good info, thanks. It looks
Good info, thanks. It looks possible but I didn’t try my H75 in there…
Two great enclosures. I would
Two great enclosures. I would get this one over the M1 if I was planning to stick with mATX or have the option of using dual video cards. The M1 is the best mini-ITX case I’ve used, so you can’t go wrong there!
Great looking case! I would
Great looking case! I would have considered this as opposed to the Aerocool DS Cube i ended up with. This thing has an ITX slim appearance but still manages to fit full size video cards. Pretty cool!
Microsoft called, they want
Microsoft called, they want their Xbox 360 design back 😛
Really nice Micro-ATX
Really nice Micro-ATX case.
Personally, the cost is a little too high. Also, I’d prefer an horizontal version with an external drive bay for a Blu-ray player/burner.
If you come across anything of that genre, please share!
I love it. At the moment I’m
I love it. At the moment I’m at one of my non main rig systems in a basic black under the monitor m-atx case, and it just looks like crap now. That case is a work of art, worthy of a bedroom system! This case now looks like a piece of shit that belongs in a crack house with a pentium 2 and windows 98.
I love it. At the moment I’m
I love it. At the moment I’m at one of my non main rig systems in a basic black under the monitor m-atx case, and it just looks like crap now. That case is a work of art, worthy of a bedroom system! This case now looks like a piece of shit that belongs in a crack house with a pentium 2 and windows 98.
Is the logo effectively
Is the logo effectively Useless on this Steam Box SFF look alike if you run SteamOS or Linux ?
Could always use a external
Could always use a external blueray drive.
Can’t look at this and not
Can’t look at this and not see Dell Optiplex USFF… I’ve worked on hundreds. This makes me wanna puke.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOW I
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NOW I SEE A DELL OPTIPEX!!! AGGG thanks!!!!!!