Computex: BitFenix focuses on Mini-ITX for its 2013 cases
BitFenix looks to be on some kind of compact case crusade, if its newly revealed 2013 line-up is anything to go by. We stopped by its Computex booth to take a look
This year’s Computex has seen most companies introduce one or two new products, but case manufactuer Bitfenix blew us away with an almost completely new line-up of ATX and Mini-ITX models for 2013.
The Ronin leads the way for mid-towers, with a steel frame and the soft-touch rubberisd finish BitFinix is known for. It has a fully transparent side panel, along with a so-called “stealth cover” which hides the drive cages, power supply and cables from view, while still letting you ogle the graphics card, motherboard and processor.
It will be joined by the Shadow, a fairly mainstream case with a BitFenix twist – an LED light strip built into the bottom of the front panel.
The Prodigy M was easily our favourite new announcement – carrying on the legacy from the phenomenal Prodigy Mini-ITX case launched last year, it adds support for Micro ATX motherboards by shuffling around the internal layout and moving the power supply from the back to the front of the case.
It will be joined by two new compact cases – the Colossus M and Phenom M. The former is a much smaller version of the huge Colossus gaming case we reviewed last year, and retains the same LED light strips built into the case chassis. The design means you don’t get any externally accessible drive bays, but there’s room inside for a powerful Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX system.THe Phenom M is almost identical inside, but has a more restrained outward appearance.
The last case we were shown was more of a sneak peek, as BitFenix has yet to name it, or even confirm whether it’s ready for full production. Its angular design, compact size and soft-touch finish certainly made it stand out on the booth though, so we’ll be waiting patiently to see if it makes it to retail.
A new edition of the Recon touch-sensitive fan controller will be launching alongside the new cases, letting you control the fan speed and internal temperature of your case. With connections for multiple fans and temperature probes, you’ll be able to monitor your case using the bundled software from anywhere in the world, over the internet or on a smartphone.
BitFenix was also keen to show off its new Fury range of power supplies. A new move for the company, the three new models – 550W, 650W and 750W respectively – will include the option of swapping the standard braided cables for the company’s own Alchemy colour-coded ones, albeit for an extra fee.
The FSP-manufactured PSUs are 80+ gold certified with a single 12v rail, and fully support Intel’s new 4th Generation Core processors (previously known as Haswell). We don’t yet know what each model will cost, but were told to expect them in the UK in the coming months.
