BitFenix Outlaw: When Inexpensive Doesn't Mean Cheap
by Dustin Sklavos on December 23, 2011 5:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- mid-tower
- bitfenix
Noise and Thermal Testing, Stock
I was intensely curious to see how the BitFenix Outlaw's inverted design would perform. A similar style worked like gangbusters in the more expensive Micro-ATX SilverStone Temjin TJ08-E, but there are some key differences here. BitFenix has opted for a negative pressure design instead of a positive pressure one, with the exhaust fan pulling air out of the back of the case instead of placing a fan in the front and letting the fan in the heatsink do the rest of the work.
Thermals in the Outlaw aren't great, but it's also the second least expensive case in our lineup (behind BitFenix's own Merc Alpha). That said, they're at worst middle-of-the-road, and that's just fine. The major temperatures (the CPU and GPU) are both quite good, and there's still room for real improvement when it comes to adding fans.
As far as I'm concerned, this is the Outlaw's big win. Normally getting something with good thermals and good acoustics requires spending a lot more money, but the level and character of the Outlaw's noise was surprisingly low and mellow. The major offender is actually the GeForce GTX 580's cooler, which has to be fed entirely through the case ventilation and is audible out of the top of the case. The kind of less expensive, quieter video card more apt to appear in this type of case (like a Radeon HD 6850 or GeForce GTX 560) will probably excel.
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colmiak - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
yay! :)xbournex - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
Hi colmiak,The logo seen on the bottom is just a sticker (as an accessory) that we provide, just like the merc.
colmiak - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
thank you!gonna be picking up one of these soon at my local microcenter, looks so much nicer than the antec 300 for the same price!
and it's quiet :) !
Malih - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
i'd buy a premium but smaller version of this case, for mATX board, with better cable routing, and different angle for mounting hdd with detachable hdd mounting, with no 5.25 bay or just one of them but with a 3.5 adapter provided plus eSATA and USB 3 front panel.Well, just a little christmas wish...
Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
SilverStone Temjin TJ08-E. We reviewed it this year. :)Malih - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
Never noticed the Temjin case is also left-handed, should've paid more attention, thanks.buzznut - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
I've been impressed with this enclosure since I first saw it online. It really is a great budget case and I can't wait to order one and begin a mod with it.Of course I have to put in a window to show off the right side up video card!
BTW, if readers want to pick one up in the US, visit www.Xoxide.com. I've actually seen it below MSRP, for $48.00.
rockfella79 - Monday, December 26, 2011 - link
Real VFM cabbie. Only one CON : No USB3.xbournex - Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - link
USB 3.0 Kit is available for purchase now.geniekid - Tuesday, December 27, 2011 - link
FWIW, you can purchase these cases directly from their website.