Bitfenix Neos Review
Category : Cases
Published by Luca Rocchi on 11.07.14
With the Neos, BitFenix have the next case in their portfolio that aims at entry-level market. In this case you get midi tower, that features a mesh front, that is available in different colors. Inside there is quite some space and we're curious to find out wether this is a convincing product or not.
Today, we have the latest
BitFenix case in our lab, the BitFenix Neos. As always, we will do our best to show
you the strengths and weaknesses as well as check out if it lives up to the
standard that we expect from a PC case coming from Bitfenix.
[pagebreak]
Preview
Specifications
| Model |
Neos |
| Case Type |
Mid tower |
| Dimensions |
185 x 428 x 470 mm (W x H x D) |
| Material |
Steel, Plastic |
| Color |
Black and red |
| 5.25'' drive
bay |
3 |
| 3.5'' drive bay |
3 |
| 2.5'' drive bay |
3 |
| Expansion
slots |
7 |
| Form factors |
ATX, mATX |
| Cooling |
2 x 120 mm Front
1 x 120 mm Rear (included)
|
| I/O ports |
1 x USB 3.0
1 x USB 2.0
Audio in / out |
[pagebreak]
Front
Overview |
|
| |
| The
front of the Neos features a huge mesh that is attached to the chassis of the case through
five clips and hide a generous dust filter. This area can house two 120 mm fans
which will take care of the cooling for the hard drives and other internal components. There are no additional ventilation holes. |
Back
Overview |
|
| |
| The rear part of the
BitFenix Neos uses a classic design, which means that the power supply is located at the bottom
part of the case while at the top has a place for a single 120 mm fan and
features two rubber grommets for liquid cooling setups.
The Neos also features seven PCI slots and the covers for those slots are not reusable once removed. |
[pagebreak]
Right Side
Overview |
|
| |
| Despite the fact
that this is a budget case, after removing the side panel, you will notice that there is
plenty of space inside. The space behind the motherboard tray is enough to get a good cable management,
even with thicker cables. Another point that you will soon notice (and will
definitelly appreciate) is the big "hole" behind the CPU socket area, so
the installation of the backplate for most high-performance large air coolers will not be a problem.
The motherboard tray features several grommets and eyelets with squeeze clamps that will help you maintain a clean and orderly
system configuration. |
[pagebreak]
Left Side
Overview |
|
| |
| Like the right part, the interior of the left side of the case is of the same good quality. Both side panels do not have windows or mesh and despite being made from steel are stil very thin and easy to deform. All
the drives can be installed without using any tools at all, just the tool-less rails that BitFenix includes in the bundle. As you can see from the pictures, the package includes only three standoffs for mounting the motherboard. Despite some initial problem, due to the absence of an explanatory manual, we were able to mount our system without the standoffs
since the tray actually includes a couple of standoffs which are pre-installed. Despite the small size of the Neos and his targeted market, we were able to mount a tower heatsink without running into any compatibility issues. |
| |
|
|
| |
[pagebreak]
Top
Overview |
|
| |
| The upper part is
also quite simple since
there is no housing for fans or mesh. We would have liked to see at least one slot for a 120 mm fan to increase the airflow
for the internal components, especially the CPU. |
| |
Bottom
Overview |
|
| |
|
| The BitFenix
Neos stands on four solid rubber feet. Under the area dedicated to
the power supply, you can find the easily removable and washable dust filter. |
[pagebreak]
Conclusion
| General |
|
+ |
- |
| BitFenix Neos is
definitely a budget PC case. Despite the low price, the build quality and the
provided solutions are on very good level. Compared to the previously reviewed Comrade, we particularly enjoyed the presence of the large front mesh which gives the case a
much better air flow and at the same time a more refined design. The Neos is available in multiple colors,
which makes it an ideal PC case for modders looking for a starting case. In addition,
the Neos is also available on the official website in two versions, normal and windowed. |
|
- Price
- Fans
- Build
quality
- Colors
- Design
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Manufacturing quality / Ergonomics |
|
+ |
- |
| Although the case is
aimed at entry-level market, the Neos brings a good quality finish with rounded corners and edges. The build quality is good
and we enjoyed the presence of two dust filters with one included 120 mm fan. |
|
- Build
quality
- Dust filters
|
- Only one fan included |
| |
|
|
|
| Design |
|
+ |
- |
| Although the design of the Neos is quite simple,
it however shares the major features found in much more expensive models. Overall, the
cooling solutions chosen by BitFenix are in line with cases in the same price range, but
the lack of a 120mm fan on the top part of the case is definitely a
drawback. |
|
- Design
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Recommendation |
|
+ |
- |
| The BitFenix Neos has a starting price of 40 euro excluding shipping costs on Geizhals.eu. The price is very low
and thanks to a good build quality and decent design, the BitFenix Neos is definitely
a very interisting case for modders as well as a wide range of consumers. |
|
-
Entry level Gaming-PC
- Office build
- Price
|
|
| |
| Rating |
|
The BitFenix Neos gets good 4 out of five stars. |
| |
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