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BitFenix Pandora mATX Case

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The fellas over at Neoseeker just put the finishing touches on their review of the BitFenix Pandora mATX case. Here's a quote from the full review:

BitFenix has taken another step in case design with the introduction of the Pandora series of micro-tower cases. Using brushed aluminum sides that curve around the front of the case, the Pandora presents the user with a modern looking design. These two curved aluminum side panels leave an opening in the front of the case for an transparent black plastic with no openings to disturb the clean styling.
Click to expand...
 
A smaller version of that case in mITX would make a killer looking HTPC!
But that one is just too big for an HTPC and too small for a normal computer IMO...
 
MrPatate said:
A smaller version of that case in mITX would make a killer looking HTPC!
But that one is just too big for an HTPC and too small for a normal computer IMO...
Click to expand...

Agreed.

I actually just disassembled my Pandora and am going back to my M1 (hence my for sale thread :) ). It does look super clean but it takes up space just like a normal computer. I can't imagine a situation where the Pandora's relatively small size would fit somewhere while a normal case would not. My M1 fit neatly on my bookshelf for a very clean look of a desk. I just felt with the Pandora it isn't so small as to really have more usefulness than a standard mATX case (although, again, it looks very nice).

Cable management is not easy (particularly with lots of peripherals) given how shallow the space is between the side panel and the mobo backplate; so making it look clean took a long time.

Otherwise it's a great looking case and would be perfect for a mATX setup that either had cables running more visibly or didn't use every attachment on their mobo.

Also, it was as if the case was designed with 240mm radiators in mind, which was nice.
 
Have had my Pandora now for 4 months. Generally, it's a great case: it offers enough space to fit larger mATX boards and basically any GPU and PSU out there. It is definitely not as small as a true HTPC or ITX case, but it is smaller and definitely thinner than a standard ATX case. Due to the thinness of the case, I actually found it fits better than my prior mITX box (SG08).

The main issues with the case, as I see it, are:

  • Due to the thinness of the case, you need a low profile CPU cooler. There are a bunch of low profile coolers out there, but worth knowing if you expect to re-use a cooler from an old build
  • This issue won't apply to many, but I just installed a 295x2 and the only place for the rad is in the front, replacing the front 120mm fan. The issue is the cool-looking curved case sides inhibit air flow pushing out the front of the case (it's fine, however, if you are pulling air). If I remove the front dust cover and one of the sides, my 295x2's temps drop considerably: 45c to 37c idle; 73c to 66c load. Because of this issue, I would not recommend using a 295x2 or Fury X in this case.
 
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