6 November 20173 May 2018CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Shift X Case Review

The premium Enthoo-series mini-ITX case developed as “Project 217” has a new name: the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv Shift X. Initially announced during CES 2017, the pair of small form factor computer cases have finally made their retail appearance in October 2017. Part of the Enthoo Evolv series, the Shift X showcases many of the same design elements in a fresh new form factor. Benchmark Reviews has been given the opportunity to take a closer look at the larger Shift X (Model PH-ES217XE_AG) – with room for custom cooling loops, 280mm radiators, high-end graphics cards and the looks to match, will the Shift X find a spot in your next build? Let’s take a look.

22 August 2017Manufacturer NewsBy News Reporter

Lian Li PC-Q39 Tempered Glass Mini-ITX Tower Case Debuts

Aluminium body, tempered glass panel,and USB 3.1 Type-C Lian Li Industrial Co. Ltd is delighted to present the new PC-Q39 WX Mini-ITX mini tower chassis. The PC-Q39 is an evolution of the PC-Q37 and allows the use of ATX power supplies as well as triple slot graphics cards in a mini-ITX chassis. Internally, dedicated grommets for liquid cooling tubing have been placed in order to move reservoir and pumps to the wider secondary chamber. This enables motherboard, graphics card, and other main components to shine behind the tempered glass panel. Furthermore, the front panel has been upgraded and now features an USB 3.1 Type-C connector Mini-ITX case with ATX PSU The PC-Q39 continues the traditional Lian Li design with dual […]

5 June 20179 June 2017CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

Bitfenix Portal Mini-ITX Case Review

Available in matte white or matte black (each with or without an acrylic window), the Bitfenix Portal utilizes a dual frame and rail system to house enough components to power most single-GPU gaming rigs. Benchmark Reviews has the opportunity to test the new Bitfenix Portal (model BFC-POT-150-WKWKK-RP) – let’s see what it can do.

7 March 201622 November 2016CasesBy Meng Vang

NZXT Manta Mini-ITX Case Review

The NZXT Manta computer case makes a great case for a water cooled mini-ITX gaming system. With enough room for two 280mm radiators at the top and the front, users can expect exceptional airflow thanks to its water cooling capabilities. NZXT’s new manufacturing process allows for the creation of curved panels, giving the user more work room for cable management while maintaining a sturdy construction all around. A 3.5″ HDD can also be installed behind the motherboard tray without worrying about it making contact with the curved side panels. The Manta mini-ITX can support any standard size ATX power supply unit with enough room for a single 3.5″ HDD in the power supply chamber. Benchmark Reviews is happy to review the NZXT Manta mini-ITX case in white. Let’s go over a quick overview of what this mini-ITX case has to offer.

22 November 2015CasesBy Jason Vaught

SilverStone RAVEN RVZ02 Mini-ITX Case Review

The RAVEN line, SilverStone’s iconic and innovative line of gaming PC chassis, has become a staple in the gaming community for many years. Featuring unique designs, clean lines, and tough aluminum construction. RAVEN designers are expanding their approach to gaming in the SFF (Small Form Factor) market with the new RVZ02B-W. The -W stands for Window, as the regular RVZ02B only has black filters in place of clear vented windows. The RVZ02B-W is a Mini-ITX case that features a super slim design, and the ability to utilize full sized graphics cards.

19 November 2015CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

SilverStone ML08 Mini-ITX Slim Case Review

Hot on the heels of Benchmark Review’s look at the Fortress FTZ01, SilverStone sent over their latest iteration of the mini-ITX “Z” chassis. Based off of the Raven RVZ02, today we have a chance to look at the Milo version: the ML08B-H. Following the same internal layout the Milo ML08 squeezes the same component clearances into an even slimmer chassis with some new tricks. New tool-less drive trays, a more accessible interior and two completely thermally isolated compartments identify this HTPC-oriented “Z2” case. Follow along as we take a closer look at the SilverStone ML08.

12 October 2015CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

SilverStone Fortress FTZ01 Mini-ITX Case Review

Generally, a few months after the Raven version is released, a premium Fortress version – sporting clean lines and a few tweaks here and there – will follow. This was the case with the RV01/FT01, RV02/FT02…well, you get the idea. When SilverStone released their first ITX Raven case – the RVZ01 – it was only a matter of time before the Fortress variant emerged. The RVZ01 was a unique chassis even by Raven standards; how would the FTZ01 manage to maintain that premium Fortress look and feel? Well, wrap it in a unibody aluminum exterior for starters. Follow along with Benchmark Reviews as we see what else has changed in the SilverStone Fortress FTZ01.

1 October 2015CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

Silverstone ML06-E Mini-ITX HTPC Case Review

Still one of the only players in the very small form factor market, SilverStone has consistently iterated on its various designs to bring us new improvements and features, case after case. Not content to rest with their niche ML05 HTPC enclosure, they dressed up the exterior with a full aluminum panel and released the ML06. That isn’t the case Benchmark Reviews is reviewing here – SilverStone decided they weren’t done, and evolved the internals of the ML06 into the product we see here today: the ML06-E. Featuring re-worked internals but the same exterior dimensions, the ML06-E is poised to be the best of the series so far. Let’s take a closer look.

11 May 2015Manufacturer NewsBy News Reporter

ASRock Rack EPC612D4I mini-ITX Debuts at Japan IT Week 2015

The innovative server vendor ASRock Rack, specializing in high performance and high-efficiency server technology is presenting the latest innovation in the upcoming Japan IT Week Spring 2015 in Tokyo, Japan, which is Japan’s largest, and most eye-catching exhibition in recent years. There will be more than 85,000 professional visitors and 1,500 exhibitors together in this year in Tokyo, sharing the newest IT technology. ASRock Rack will showcase the new released EPC612D4I, which has LGA2011-3 socket and four DDR4 ECC DIMM slots on mini-ITX board. The configuration is extensively implemented in blade-type micro servers, mini computing, and rendering machine. While the users are interested in barebone system simultaneously, ASRock Rack will display in the booth 1U12LX, 2U4N-F and 3U8G series, shows […]

12 November 20144 December 2014CasesBy David Ramsey

IN WIN D-FRAME MINI Computer Case Review

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary for your mITX build, the Taiwanese company IN WIN has some products you’ll want to check out. They offer a variety of uniquely-designed computer cases ranging from the weird to the…well, OK, actually, they’re all pretty weird, from the all-glass TÃ³u to today’s subject, the IN WIN D-FRAME MINI. Benchmark Reviews builds a high-end gaming system in this expensive open-air mITX case to see what it’s got.

8 September 20148 September 2014MotherboardsBy Tom Jaskulka

Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini-ITX Motherboard Review

The mini-ITX form factor has taken off in a big way. Packing a lot of power in a small space, these 17 x 17 centimeter squares have enabled new concentrations of computing power. Generally, you have to pay quite a bit for the privilege of shrinking everything down, but Gigabyte has a model in their Ultra Durable line of motherboards that brings a “Z” chipset to the ~$130 price point. With high-efficiency MOSFETs and on-board WIFI/Bluetooth, USB 3.0 and two gigabit LAN controllers (Intel and Atheros), the Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI is a reasonably priced entry into the overclocking-capable Z87 chipset. Is it worth it? Follow along as Benchmark Reviews takes a closer look.

3 September 201412 September 2014CasesBy Julian Duque

Corsair Graphite 380T Mini ITX Case Review

Computer form factors keep getting smaller and smaller, but the market for smaller systems keeps growing everyday mainly due to the availability of components that allow users to build extremely powerful systems in very constrained spaces. Corsair clearly understands this, with the release of the Corsair Obsidian 250D earlier in 2014 it became clear that there was a need for Mini-ITX designs to be implemented in the rest of their lines of products, leading to the release of the Graphite 380T, the case Benchmark Reviews will be taking a look at today.

26 June 2014CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

Rosewill Legacy W1 Mini-ITX Computer Case Review

Rosewill’s Legacy series of cases brought a new image with them to the Newegg in-house brand’s typically budget-oriented lineup. That’s not to say there weren’t splendid offerings available previously – I still maintain that Rosewill’s Thor V2 chassis is one of the best “price for performance” cases produced in recent memory. Even excluding the stand-out cases, there was a chassis at almost every price point that usually offered just as much as the competition at a lower price (even though they may have sacrificed a feature or a little build quality – usually negligible – to do so). Still, Rosewill’s penchant for penny-pinching produced (alliteration!) a few compromises along the way. Looking to provide some premium offerings and possibly shed their “budget” image of the past, Rosewill may just end up revamping their legacy with the new Legacy W1 Mini-ITX computer case. Available in black or silver with or without a window, this aluminum-clad mini-ITX case appears to be a premium answer to enclosures like the BitFenix Prodigy.

3 June 2014CasesBy David Shields

Antec ISK600 Mini-ITX Case Review

Antec is no stranger to the chassis market, with well respected products such as the Nine Hundred and Twelve Hundred series chassis. However, Antec has little to offer in the Mini-ITX market, with just the ISK100 and 300 series released thus far. Last November, Antec released the newest case in their Mini-ITX lineup, the ISK600. The small form factor ISK600 is designed to provide all the features any ITX builder would need without the price tag of other cases such as the Corsair Obsidian 250D and the BitFenix Prodigy. The ISK600’s main features include the ability to mount a standard ATX power supply, long graphics cards, up to five internal hard drives, and it comes with a decorative LED strip on the front panel. With the interest in small form factor PCs continuing to rise, it is imperative that new designs offer more to builders than the competition. But does the ISK600 have the features necessary to compete? In this article, Benchmark Reviews inspects the features of the Antec ISK600 and how they compare to the other popular choices in the Mini-ITX market.

22 May 201423 May 2014CasesBy Julian Duque

Lian Li PC-Q07B Mini-ITX Case Review

Lian-Li’s historical reputation is filled with some of the most innovative designs and ideas such as their “reverse-ATX” models. To add to their history, their products are undeniably well built and host one of the highest levels of quality that is available today in the market, which we have really come to enjoy here at Benchmark Reviews. Even in their budget oriented cases, Lian-Li has managed to impress us in the past with their choice of designs and user friendly layouts. The Lian Li PC-Q07B ITX case is no exception, featuring a very appealing and extremely small minimalistic cube design, we found that this case is perfect for the current trend of mini-ITX systems that keeps growing due to the improved integration of motherboard chipsets.

3 April 20144 April 2014CasesBy Jason Vaught

Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini-ITX Case Review

The Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini-ITX Computer Case is a compact, cube style case that can handle some full sized desktop components, while maintaining a relatively small footprint. With the ability to handle a ATX sized power supply, and desktop graphic cards up to 210mm (8.26 inches), the Elite 110 is aimed at more than just the niche market. Sporting the ability to hold 4 SSDs or 3 HDDs, storage options are not a problem.

10 February 2014CasesBy David Ramsey

Corsair Obsidian 250D Mini-ITX Computer Case Review

Corsair introduced their new Obsidian line of cases with the full-tower 800D; they’ve since expanded into the super-tower market with the 900D, added the 750D to the full-tower lineup, addressed the mid-tower market with the 550D and 650D, and the micro-ATX market with the 350D. Their latest case, the Corsair Obsidian 250D, brings the design and versatility of the Obsidian line to the mini-ITX field.

8 January 201411 January 2014CasesBy Tom Jaskulka

SilverStone ML05 HTPC Case Review

The deceptively small ML05 HTPC case from SilverStone sits in a class of its own. Part of the Milo series of entry-level HTPC cases (designed to incorporate features from the Grandia series in a slim form factor), the ML05 is one of the most inexpensive home theater enclosures on the market. Essentially half the size of the previously reviewed micro-ATX ML04, the smaller Milo ML05 still checks a lot of the home-theater specific boxes: short depth, available optical drive, room for additional storage, and enough airflow to keep things quiet. Benchmark Reviews has a chance to evaluate the SilverStone ML05 Mini-ITX HTPC case (model SST-ML05B) to see what building a different kind of computer in a different kind of case is like.

8 January 2014Manufacturer NewsBy News Reporter

Corsair Obsidian 250D Mini-ITX Case Announced

Corsair’s Obsidian Series 250D Is Mini-ITX Without Compromise Corsair, a world leader in high-performance components to the PC hardware market, today announced the immediate availability of the Obsidian SeriesTM 250D performance Mini-ITX PC case. Bringing the sophisticated and minimalist design of the Obsidian series to a new smaller size, the 250D is Corsair’s first chassis built exclusively for the increasingly popular Mini-ITX form factor. Brushed aluminum and solid steel construction combine with a compact frame that refuses to settle between size, looks or flexibility. Corsair’s smallest case to date, the Obsidian 250D means your PC no longer needs to dominate your desk, instead easily fitting on a book case, sitting beside your HDTV or carried away to a LAN party […]

3 October 201316 April 2018Manufacturer NewsBy News Reporter

ASRock M8 Mini-ITX Gaming Rig Debuts

Here Comes the Unstoppable Gaming Rig by ASRock and BMW Group DesignworksUSA If you’re on the hunt for a computer that is not merely capable of running all of the latest hardcore PC games on maximum performance, but also decorated in such sophisticated appearance that it constitutes your right to be a gamer no matter how old you get, then ASRock and BMW Group DesignworksUSA has the perfect answer for you! Gamers beware, the long anticipated Intel® 8 Series gaming rig M8 is hitting the markets! “Our goal was to create desirability and iconic differentiation in a small Gaming-PC,” said Sonja Schiefer, Director, Munich Studio, BMW Group DesignworksUSA. “To enhance the perception of pure power we created a design language […]

26 August 201316 April 2018CasesBy Steven Iglesias-Hearst

Lian Li PC-Q28 Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower PC Case Review

Since this is my first venture into building a system inside an M-ITX PC case I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I started out. I had certain expectations of the Lian Li PC-Q28; I knew it would take a full size ATX PSU (up to 17cm) and double slot video cards (up to 29cm long). The Lian Li PC-Q28 PC case, while small, has a large internal volume and will make for an excellent enthusiast M-ITX case with a few tweaks and mods. In this article Benchmark Reviews will hopefully provide answers to all of the questions you may have regarding the capabilities of the Lian-Li PC-Q28 Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower PC Case (model PC-Q28B), and more that you may have not considered.

12 July 201316 April 2018Manufacturer NewsBy News Reporter

Spire PowerCube 702 Mini ITX PC Case Debuts

By Spire Introducing the new arrival Mini ITX chassis, the PowerCube 702. This cool looking and contemporary Mini ITX case is small but bold, packed with all the quality features you’re looking for in a small cube ITX chassis. The front panel is tooled with a mesh air intake which whispers style. Easy access to dual USB2.0 and AC97 Audio ports in the center front. Top and front re-enforced rail and drive bay rack guarantee a sturdy chassis and secure mounting of DVD drives and SSD/HDD Drives. Thermally advanced by one 8cm fan location in the front and 60mm fan space for exhaust. Select the brand with the industry experience, Spire – Powered by Innovation. Main Features: • Cool and […]