at a glance
(+) Titanium
Crisp; good-looking; stunning build quality; superb water-cooling support, feature packed.
(-) It's Gray
Perforated PSU floor; front I/O could be better.
This article was published in the September 2015 issue of Maximum PC. For more trusted reviews and feature stories, subscribe here.
A feature-packed modder’s dream
So, why is this Evolv ATX so much better that the ITX version, or the original Evolv Phanteks, released way back in September 2014? Quite simply, it’s the build quality. This isn’t a cheap case. Indeed, many might wince at paying $130 for a chassis. But then you unpack it. And then you take a look at what’s included, and the stunning build quality that’s been achieved. You quickly begin to appreciate what Phanteks has managed to achieve at such a low (yes, low) price point.
The case itself is made up entirely of solid 3mm-thick aluminum panels situated on top of an all-steel chassis. That gives it a hefty, solid dependability, plus also makes a lovely "ding" noise when you flick it. The sound, admittedly, isn't a vital case-buying prerequisite, but it's nice to hear, all the same. There’s little-to-no flex in any of the panels (including the windowed side panel), all of which have sound-dampening foam on the joins, preventing any excess noise from vibration.
The case is incredibly modular. Indeed, it’s a modder’s dream. Supporting up to seven 3.5-inch drives (five with the included brackets) and four 2.5-inch drives (two included), it’s neatly partitioned into two separate compartments for your power supply and motherboard. There's also plenty of room in the back for cable management, plus it includes some of Phanteks’s Velcro cable-tidy straps and a multitude of tie-down points.
The chassis also has a vast array of features, including a sliding radiator bracket in the top. This can easily be removed for quick installation of all-in-ones or radiators, hinged and removable side-panel doors, plus support for a refrigerated truckload of water-cooling components. And the goodies keep on coming—Phanteks also supports several places to mount a pump for water cooling, thanks to the included pump bracket.
The case itself doesn’t feature a 5.25-inch bay—for an optical drive, for example, though this is something we don’t really see as a necessity anymore. Besides, in a world of streaming and USB solutions, it’s not that expensive to simply go out and buy an external drive for the rare times that you actually find yourself needing to burn something onto a disc.
Premium Passion
As far as negatives go, the front I/O consists of two USB 3.0 ports and a headphone and microphone jack. It would’ve been nice to have seen an additional two USB ports here, especially for an ATX case of this size. Additionally, while the perforated floor separating the power supply from the motherboard allows for ample airflow, it would’ve looked a lot cleaner aesthetically if the panel was solid.
All in all though, this chassis is definitely worth buying for those looking to invest in a premium case with plenty of room to maneuver. It’s incredibly clean and has an air of professionalism about it, with a kind of poised flair. Think Jaguar F-Type. Sophisticated, yet elegant. Put simply, we love this case.
$130, Phanteks
| Specifications | |
| Form Factor | E-ATX (up to 264mm), ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Dimensions & Weight | 235 x 495 x 510mm; 10.2kg |
| Cooling | Front: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm (2x 140mm included); Top: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm; Rear: 120/140mm (1x 140mm included) |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | 194mm |
| Graphics Card Max Length |
420mm (no HDD brackets); 300mm (with HDD brackets) |
| Storage Support | 4x 2.5-inch SSD mounts; 7x 3.5-inch HDD mounts |
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1KMyEUN
