The Phanteks Enthoo Pro Case Review
by E. Fylladitakis on March 30, 2015 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Full-Tower
- Case
- Phanteks
Conclusion
Phanteks designed the Enthoo Pro to be "beautifully crafted, amazingly flexible, budget friendly and with maximized cooling potential". Of course, it is next to impossible for a product to excel at everything, such as appearance, versatility, quality, performance and value all at the same time. The balance of these five aspects is what actually matters. To that end, we feel that Phanteks hit the nail on the head with the Enthoo Pro, as all five of the main characteristics that define a case are in balance with each other.
Aesthetics are a subjective matter and each person should select a case based on his/her own preferences, in conjunction with the environment that the case will be installed. The Enthoo Pro is a large tower with fairly subtle, modern design; most people should find it sufficiently appealing for their gaming systems and workstations. Although the front panel is actually plastic, its metal-like appearance adds style that only an expert can spot without getting too close. Only the dual side panel window makes the Enthoo Pro a little too "aggressive", while its presence is questionable because of the front window being right on the metallic sidewall, but those seeking a more elegant appearance can select the solid side panel.
The thermal performance of the Enthoo Pro may not be stellar but it certainly is on par with the competition. With just its stock cooling fans, the Enthoo Pro can match and outperform other similarly priced and or sized cases. Even without extra cooling options, the Enthoo Pro can keep a very powerful system sufficiently cool and stable. Also, not only there are numerous slots for extra fans and radiators, but their installation positions are not fixed - they can be shifted on their installation rails, lifting compatibility and versatility even higher.
Finally yet importantly, the Enthoo Pro makes a good compromise between quality and price. Phanteks designed the case well, the materials are very good and the frame is very sturdy, especially if one considers that the chassis can be dismantled. The Enthoo Pro currently retails for $100 with a window, as the one presented in this review, or for $90 with a solid right side panel - shipped. For the features, quality and versatility of the case, its retail price is very competitive, making a high performance, spacious and modular case affordable to the advanced user and seasoned modder.
It is crystal clear that the Enthoo Pro is a great asset for Phanteks - not for its appearance, features or even performance, but for the roomy interior and its modular chassis. The Enthoo Pro is not too expensive, large or complex, yet it is spacious and versatile enough to be a modder's dream case. If the appearance of the Enthoo Pro pleases you and you want a spacious, adaptable and fairly priced case, it should easily find its way among the first places of your shortlist.
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kepstin - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
I think like the drawing on the box was in isometric perspective; the issue is that the picture of the box was taken at an angle. If you look at the side of the box straight on I expect it would look ok.Coffeehead - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
True. It's an isometric projection. The proportional sizes of each line is preserved and each of the x,y,z axes are separated by 120°. It is supposed to make measurements easier to take for engineers, but the visual perspective projection is what we consumers are used to seeing because we want to buy what we see.It's also the basis of how the art illusion drawings of M.C. Escher used isometric projections.
DanNeely - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Is the severe face plate damage you're referring to just the scuffed up top front edge; or was something else broken too. The scuffing isn't good; but I'd've expected something to at least be cracked before it was called severe damage.DanNeely - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
I'm not picking on this case in particular, since it appears to be an industry wide problem; but if you're going to build a case around bottom air intakes you need to use feet big enough to lift the case up above a carpeted floor. Having to suck air in through the carpet really reduces the total flow, and even with the case having a built in dust filter, after only a few months the intake of the PSU in a case I had like this got horrifying nasty. I've had boxes that went years before being blown out that had less dust in them. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that case; probably either look for taller aftermarket feet somewhere, or drill new mounting holes in the back so I can flip the PSU over to point its fan up and draw air from the rest of the case instead.BillyONeal - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
That's why Silverstone's FT02 is still one of the best cases ever -- it has its own "channel" in the side of the case to pull air in for the bottom intakes which works great for the carpeting problem.Dug - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Silverstone FT05 has a flat solid surface for the base, but the bottom case fans are about 2-3 inches up from that so you have air coming in from the sides and then up.bigboxes - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Funny about the illustration on the packing box. That said, this is one butt-ugly case. That power button is way too small and the top panel connectors should not be hidden under that door. Just something that will be left open anyways.xthetenth - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
The power button isn't particularly small and isn't difficult to hit in the slightest. The door isn't in the way when it's open and being able to close it is kind of nice. I have the Luxe, which is one step up from that, and while I have a few minor quibbles about it, it was amazingly easy to put together a really nice looking build with it.Peichen - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Such a traditional and old design. I think an ideal case as mATX with 1x 5.25", 2x 2.5/3.5", 4x 2.5" drive cage. 2x 120/140/180mm fans w/filters. Open space around graphic card(s) and CPU cooler otherwise fully sealed to keep dust and sound down.Silverstone TJ08B-E is pretty close but the needs to be updated for SSD and better sealed.
eanazag - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
But are you using multiple GPUs and have a north of 6 storage drives? I have a hot swap 4 2.5" drive add in that slides into a 5.25" and am considering a second one. I have a DVD burner. That means three 5.25" slots would make sense for me. I can do 2 though.I really don't see the point in 5.25" disc drives anymore being that large. I think they all need to be laptop type slim drives.
This is likely too big for you also.