BitFenix Neos Case Review
by E. Fylladitakis on January 21, 2015 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- bitfenix
- Case
BitFenix Neos Exterior
As we mentioned on the previous page, the Neos is available in multiple chassis/faceplate color combinations. BitFenix supplied us with both the black and white chassis of the Neos, shipping us a black/black and a white/white model of the case. The company also supplied us with the corresponding windowed side panels of each model.
Aesthetically, the Neos is based on a very simple, straightforward, and clean design. The chassis is just an ordinary SECC steel body, without any aesthetic modifications, while the faceplate basically is a metallic mesh on a plastic frame. The only aesthetic improvement is the rounded edges of the faceplate and the metallic mesh. This does not mean that the Neos is bad looking – a minimalistic design actually is much better than an extravagant "aggressive" appearance for most users.
Structurally, the Neos makes use of a thin (0.7-0.8 mm) SECC steel chassis, which is adequate for a case of this size and acceptable considering the price range of the case. The plastic frame of the faceplate seems good as well. The metallic mesh however can be an issue, as it can be easily disformed or damaged, especially when handling the 5.25" covers if you're not careful.
Aside from the aluminum company logo, the faceplate of the Neos is entirely plain. BitFenix moved the I/O ports and buttons to the top of the plastic faceplate frame. From left to right, we can see a round power on button, a rectangular reset button, the 3.5" audio jacks, two LED lights (power and disk activity), one USB 2.0 port, and one USB 3.0 port. (Note that providing a single USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is a bit odd, as they usually come in pairs so effectively you lose one of each with this arrangement.) The positioning of the I/O ports and buttons limited the number of 5.25" bays to just two, but they should be more than sufficient for most users.
The removal of the faceplate reveals two filters. First, a foam-type filter is right behind the metallic mesh of the faceplate – this is sure to get dirty very easily. The second filter is a nylon net-type filter, covering the 120mm intake fan openings.
A look at the back of the case reveals that the Neos has its PSU compartment down at the bottom of the case, as well as two rubber grommets for the tubing of liquid cooling setups. These openings can also be used for cables, if required. The feet of the case are nearly 2.5 cm tall, which is a forced requirement as the intake of the PSU is below the case. A nylon net filter can be found there, removable towards the rear of the case, limiting the amount of dust that will be introduced into the PSU.
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YoloPascual - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
Outclassed by the Corsair 100R.mischlep - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
Minor typo, page 3: "nearly as much as a generic low cost Midi-Tower case"Should probably be a "Mid-Tower case"
mr_tawan - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
This case might target digital musician :-).SleepModezZ - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
'Midi tower' is a term in common use. It means the same as 'mid-tower' but is more used outside of US. The same tower cases that are classified as 'mid towers' on amazon.com are classified as 'midi tower' on amazon.co.uk. Even on amazon.com many descriptions calls a case a 'midi tower' although it is named a 'mid tower' in the big title. So maybe 'midi tower' is the proper term and 'mid tower' is what came of it after Americans butchered it?JarredWalton - Thursday, January 22, 2015 - link
For computer components, a large number of terms originated in the US market so we could hardly have "butchered" it, right? Anyway, given E. is located in Europe his use of "midi-tower" is completely acceptable, but for our US readers I went ahead and changed it to "mid-tower". Midi files... does anyone still use those? I remember back in the late 80s and early 90s where high quality Midi sound modules like the Roland MT-32 were the best way to listen to Midi. Good times! (And my MT-32 only cost about $600 all told. Ouch. So no, I don't miss those days.)SleepModezZ - Thursday, January 22, 2015 - link
You are right, I forgot to put a smiley after my last sentence.dragosmp - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
I imagine a bottom-mounted extra fan would help quite a bit, but for the money they ask this case should be betterMurloc - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
it's like they looked for a chinese factory that's not done a single upgrade since the 90s and made them make a case that looked decent.I mean, you could sell cases without expansion slot covers to PC companies that build computers which are not meant to be further tampered with, but if you're selling a case directly to users it needs to be a bit more future proof.
FriendlyUser - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
Great review. I would suggest adding a 250W thermal load, corresponding to a mid-level machine with something like a 750Ti and a 65W CPU. Also, I would be curious to see when the case reaches equilibrium. I don't know if technical reasons require a failsafe cut-off, but I think you could maybe let it run up to 100C or try a cooler environment.SleepModezZ - Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - link
I would suggest an even lower thermal load to simulate systems that are not build for gaming. I have my computer in a quite similar sized case. Kill-a-watt shows that it is drawing 60 - 110 W. The idea of testing every case like it is meant to house a 850W or 400W gaming monster and then judge them based on their obvious failings is silly.The graphs compare the case to other better cases without mentioning that they are at least 50% bigger in size and probably also at least as much pricier. Those facts alone might make the Neos a better choice for those who are not planning to put in it anything even close to 850 or 400 Watts and wants a decent looking case . (Actually many cheap cases look really bad - they either look like toys for prepubertal boys or black and silver plastic cases for workplaces or people that do not care at all about the looks of the case.) The difference in thermal performance compared to to bigger and pricier gaming cases probably will not have any practical meaning when going to the sub 200 W range. The Neos is clearly not meant for gamers or overclockers so it should not be evaluated like such a case. The noisy fan is a real bummer but it could be replaced with a better fan, and there is place for 2 more 120mm fans on the front of the case if a bit better thermal performance should be needed. The only practical information in this review for someone like me who might actually consider this case, is that the metallic mesh might easily be damaged, that the expansion slot covers are what they are and I probably would have to change the fan for a less noisy. What about the HDD noise?