BitFenix Prodigy M Review
Category : Cases
Published by Hiwa Pouri on 10.03.14
With the Prodigy BitFenix have created a really neat looking case, where there initially only was a mini ITX version. Meanwhile BitFenix have launched the Prodigy M, offering plenty of space even for mATX motherboards. Therefore the interior had to be rearranged and we're curious to find out how well a job BitFenix have done.
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Today we are taking a look at one of the smallest cases from Bitfenix, the Prodigy M.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
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Preview
Specifications
| Model | BitFenix Prodigy M |
| Case Type | Mini Tower |
| Dimensions | 250 x 404 x 359 mm(W x H x D) |
| Material | Steel, Plastic |
| Color | Black / White |
| 5.25'' drive bay | 1 x external removable |
| 3.5'' drive bayBaie 3,5" | 4 x |
| Expansion slots | 5 |
| Form factors | Micro ATX, Mini-ITX |
| Cooling | 1 x 120 mm Bottom (included) or 1 x 140/180/200/230
(optional) 1 x 120 mm Rear (included) or 140 mm x 1 (optional) 2 x 120 mm Top (optional) |
| I/O ports | 2 x USB 3.0 Audio in / out |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
[pagebreak]
Front
Overview |
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| The front of BitFenix's Prodigy M is quite simple, elegant and therefore timeless. In this case you find a front plate made from white plastic that features a soft-touch finish. Other than that the plate received a black frame. Furthermore, you can see the 5.25 inch bay, where an optical drives can be installed. Right behind the front-plate, there is the exact same chassis you also get with the Prodigy Mini ITX, which means you could install several fans at this location. In the Prodigy M you're not going to do so. Instead you'll put the power supply right behind this plate. | |
Back
Overview |
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| Next to the usual slot bezels, of which you're going to find five in this case, there is space for an additional 120 millimeter fan, which will be placed right behind the CPU cooler. In general the back of this case looks quite unspectacular. Both side panels are kept in place by the use of four thumbscrews. | |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
[pagebreak]
Right Side
Overview |
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| The panel on the right side looks quite unspectacular too. The only thing that is special about it concerns the power and reset button as well as the connectors. It seems that BitFenix did not want to mess with the nice and clean design of the Prodigy M's front panel, which is why they put the buttons and connectors on the right side. Regarding the connectors you find two USB 3.0 ports as well as one audio and one microphone port. Flipping the side panel around and looking at the inside, reveals a plastic tray, that gives you the possibility to install up to two 2.5 inch drives plus another two places to install 2.5 and 3.5 inch hard drives |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
[pagebreak]
Left Side
Overview |
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| The left side panel
is even simpler than the one on the right side. The steel plate, which is really stable is completely white and there are no other features worth mentioning. As soon as you take the plate off you'll notice where all the changes have been made, compared to the mini ITX version.
Should you concerned about efficient cooling for our precious hardware, well the Prodigy M offers quite some flexibility in this regard. You can install a 120/140 millimeter fan either in the back or in the bottom of the case. Other than that there is space for another two 120 millimeter fans in the top. Should wish to do so, there is also space for 120, 140 and 240 millimeter radiators. Another feature, that caught our attention is the extension cable that goes from the back to the front-mounted power supply. |
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| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
[pagebreak]
Top
Overview |
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| Taking a closer look at the top of this case show the flexible handle bars. They have been made from the same material like the front and feature a soft-touch surface. Apart from the handle bars there is there is a removabe airfilter. Once taken off we have a clear view towards the two spaces for 120 millimeter fans. If you ca're willing to sacrifice the 5.25 inch drive bay, then there is plenty of space for a 240 millimeter radiator. BitFenix have proven numerous times, the Prodigy is a case that offers a lot of flexibility and the mATX version doesn't change that a bit. | |
Bottom
Overview |
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| Taking a closer look we can find four screws which keep the 120 millimeter outtake fan in place. Removing this fan allows you to install either one or two 2.5 inch or 3.5 inch drives. Looking at the feet there are the same bars like in the top and are rather flexible, which means the Prodigy does not stand on a table or on the floor like a stone. | |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
[pagebreak]
Conclusion
| General | + | - | |
| The BitFenix Prodigy M is a well though, Micro ATX, mini ITX case where the interior layout is very well done and one can see from a first glance that the engineers at BitFenix have thought a lot to make this case practical. We would have loved it if the Prodigy M was two centimeter wider. That additional width should be between the right side panel and the motherboard tray, which would give you more options for cable management. | - Design
- Micro ATX and Mini ITX
compatibility
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| Manufacturing quality / Ergonomics | + | - | |
| Overall the build quality is on a very good level. BitFenix did not make a mistake to go for a super thin side panel to save weight. They use solid metal sheets which gives the case good stiffness and a solid appearance. Furthermore putting the components in place is rather easy. There is overall plenty of flexibility being provided and it's only between motherboard tray and right side panel where we would love to see an additional one or two centimeters of width. This would make cable management much easier. | - Build quality - Interior Space | - Cable management on the back of the motherboard tray | |
| Design | + | - | |
| BitFenix created a very decent and good looking design for the Prodigy M. BitFenix decided to move the buttons and connectors away from the front panel to the right side of the case. Like this they can keep the front plain and simple. What makes the design of this particular case interesting are the flexible handle bars and it really makes this little case look special. | - Design | - Cable management on the back of the motherboard tray | |
| Recommendation | + | - | |
| We can recommed the Prodigy M to anyone who is looking for a small case which not only offers plenty of space, but can even cope with enthusiast grade hardware. When visiting Geizhals.eu we found prices to start at 78.99 Euro, which is reasonable, but not a bargain. | -
Gaming-PC - Enthusiast build - Desktop PC - HTPC - File Server |
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| Rating | |||
| The BitFenix Prodigy M gets very good four and a half out of five stars. | |||
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |