Completed Build, Performance, and Conclusion
With everything in place the result looks clean and orderly, and I didn't have to put much time or effort into it. As I mentioned on the last page, the In Win 301 is a very easy case to build with as long as you are using air cooling (or a 120 mm radiator on the back fan mount). The front mounts do in fact accomodate a full-sized 240 mm AIO cooler, but the process of installing one requires some patience.
The back view of the completed build shows very little cable mess, as it is neatly channeled in the compartment to the left. The large cutout behind the motherboard allowed for the easy installation of the cooler after the motherboard was in place, and once everything was connected the back panel went on without any obstruction. It doesn't get much easier than this.
Test Setup
Temperature results might seem meaningless without comparative data, and I apologize in advance as this is the first case review with my latest test platform (I promise I'll stick with this one. Probably).This particular completed build, which uses a mini-ITX motherboard, compact Noctua air cooler, and reference AMD Radeon card, was used specifially for testing the enclosure – and the same setup will be found in upcoming enclosure reviews for the testing phase.
| Test Platform | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-7700K |
| Motherboard | ASUS ROG Strix H270I Gaming |
| Memory | Crucial Ballistix Sport 8 GB 2400 MHz DDR4 |
| Graphics Card | AMD Radeon R9 290X (Reference) |
| Storage | Samsung SM961 NVMe SSD |
| Power Supply | SilverStone ST1000-P PSU |
| OS | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
The Intel i7-7700K runs pretty hot compared to my old i5-6600K enclosure platform, and should provide a better test of the thermal design of a given case, and I chose to stick with the Radeon R9 290X - even though it has a blower-style cooler - as it still provides a good challenge for enclosures with regard to temps and especially noise levels.
Temperatures and Noise
With this In Win 301 we see the unusual result of a better GPU load temp than CPU load, though this seemed more reasonable after I considered the fact that the GPU has a blower-style cooler, and the CPU cooler eventually heats up as the case fills with warm air. The 301 would certainly benefit from at least an exhaust fan, and preferably an intake fan (or pair of fans) as well.
Noise levels were better than I expected, with the case providing some reduction in the noise of the GPU especially. The reference R9 290X has one of the loudest GPU coolers around, and while 55 dBA looks bad there was a muted character to the sound under load (less audible whine) that helped quite a bit.
Conclusion
The In Win 301 is not your average lower-cost enclosure, and while I have seen this case offered for as little as $59 at times there is little about the design or construction to suggest a lower price point. When I get cases in for review I generally evaluate their design and construction long before I ever look up an MSRP, and with the 301 I would have assumed a price of around $90 based on my experience. In Win is being very aggressive with their pricing on this model, and that's a great thing for consumers.
Strengths
- Strong, high-quality construction
- Tempered glass side panel with tool-free closure
- Intelligent cable routing for a clean build
- Clean, attractive style
- Low cost for a case of this quality
Weaknesses
- 3.5-inch hard drive support limited to one bay
- No case fans included
Other than the somewhat limited storage support, this case holds any standard build and it looks great doing it with its clean lines, tool-free tempered glass side panel, and illuminated front I/O. There are no case fans included, but that is understandable as In Win had to make some concessions to hit this price point - and for a case of this level of quality to be offered for $69.99 (or $64.99 for this white version currently) makes it an easy choice for our highest award level.
- In Win 301, White - $64.99, Amazon.com
- In Win 301, Black - $69.99, Amazon.com
If you haven’t experienced an In Win case before I think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised, and at this price it's a no-brainer. The In Win 301 has now become my default recommendation for a micro-ATX case, period.
I got this case for my GF and
I got this case for my GF and this is the best cheap small case hands down.
I have been looking for a
I have been looking for a compact MATX case for a while, and since the Cerberus is unobtainium, I have been eyeing this case as a replacement for a Bitfenix Phenom M. But the size difference is minimal so hard to justify. Thanks for the review Sebastian 🙂
You’re welcome!
You're welcome!
Great review! really thank
Great review! really thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for.
This maybe a stupid question, but ..
Do you think I can fit 2x 120mm AIO coolers on the front of the case? one for CPU and the other for GPU … this is exactly what I got in my system atm.
Thanks – and no, that
Thanks – and no, that wouldn't work. There wouldn't be enough room between the two since those rads extend beyond the size of the fan itself.
I can understand the PC
I can understand the PC Perspective Editors Choice award from an aesthetics perspective, but from an engineering and function perspective, it’s a fail.
“In the front of the case there is a dual 120 mm fan mount, which will allow for the installation of intake fans…”
Fans it will mount, except there’s no mention of the lack of clearance between the front fans and solid sheet of material that’s the front panel. Those fans have no way of drawing the air required.
Not to mention the starved for air fans are then asked to push air across a rad. That hot air is then pushed across the components inside.
This review has left me scratching my head. Expected better journalism out of PCPer.
Hmm from the photos there
Hmm from the photos there looks to be a gap big enough to pull air frim that side honeycomb when the case is closed up. not ideal though sure.
“Fans it will mount, except
"Fans it will mount, except there's no mention of the lack of clearance between the front fans and solid sheet of material that's the front panel. Those fans have no way of drawing the air required."
I did not mention a lack of clearance because the fans do have clearance. They are not directly against the front panel, and there is an adequate air gap. The fans can draw from the slots directly adjacent via the honeycomb pattern intake on the side panel, as mentioned in the review (not to mention indirectly via the bottom of the case – which is completely vented, including the area below the front fans).
"Not to mention the starved for air fans are then asked to push air across a rad. That hot air is then pushed across the components inside."
You are describing the issue all cases have when you choose to front-mount a rad, and then blow the air accross components. Unless you set up with a reverse airflow, front-mounting always creates the potential for warmer air inside the case, which makes proper exhaust all the more important. Once again, not a problem exclusive to any one case, and therefore not worth detracting from any one case.
Bit late for this case
Bit late for this case review, as the RGB version of this case, the 301c, is already available (limited quantities for now). I’m after the 301c in White.
Regarding the air intake:
As clearly stated on Inwin’s website, the main air intake comes from the bottom, hence the room for two 120mm fans.
Same goes for the bigger ones: the 303 /303c, 101 / 101c
What’s the point of using a
What’s the point of using a mITX board in a mATX case if you can’t show clearences for ports?
I did it because I have an
I did it because I have an ATX test platform for most cases, and a mini-ITX platform for smaller cases. So few of the cases I get in for review are micro-ATX that I didn't invest in a micro-ATX platform, as mini-ITX can occupy all smaller case designs. If more micro-ATX designs start coming in for review, I'll have to re-evalute that position.
I am asking because i came
I am asking because i came across a case that was advertised as supporting a full width atx case and two optical drives, but surprise, surprise, it could not do both evend if it was advertised as it had support. Also a lot of cheap cases, may seem to have access holes for cable management, but some do not fit the cable plugs if the sata ports are parallel to the motherboard…
weird double-post…
weird double-post…
Yea the lack of front air
Yea the lack of front air movement would make this a no go for me. Yea it has those tiny vents but you lose about 30% air volume for every 90 degree turn you force sir to do. Just go over to GN and see what these new cases are all about and how they turn your PC into a hot box (sweat Box).
Case makers need to realize most of us that want cases do actually want it to not only look good but to function good as well. With the lack of thinking going into most of the new cases now days I hope that more people like me just say enough is enough and stop buying into all of this and force the case makers to rethink their designs.
I just wanted to add that yes
I just wanted to add that yes the case does look very nice and thank you for the review of it. I also know a case like this or most of the other new designs they put out now days that my PC would die in about a week since it has pretty much everything overclocked and it depends on high air movement to keep itself running nice and cool.
do you think there is room
do you think there is room above the hard drive enclosure for a second 3.5″ drive if some modding was done. it seems like there is some wasted space up there and i have 2 drives that i would like to use if possible. if you think there are any other potential spots which could be adapted to fit one as well let me know. thanks for the info.