BitFenix Pandora ATX
Budget cooling craftsmanship
BITFENIX HAS LONG been a favorite for those looking for a mid-range chassis. The Shinobi, for instance, was exceedingly popular because of its simple design and affordable price point. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, turning away from the traditional rectangular box in search of ever more outrageous angles and designs. First came the Prodigy, followed by the Pandora, then the Aurora, all featuring the curvaceous style that BitFenix is now known for. Speaking of the Pandora, it’s one of the few cases we’ve never reviewed—until now. However, instead of requesting the little-bitty microATX variant, we decided to opt for the more rambunctious full-tower version.
From the get-go, it certainly hits the mark for that bonkers style we associate with BitFenix. The curved steel side panels meld into the front of the chassis, held on by two screws at the rear and a simple pop-hinge near the front. They’re not the sturdiest of panels, and there’s a degree of flex to the two of them, but they get the job done, and should easily help mask cable management issues without worry.
The real showpiece, however, is the LED logo at the front of the case. Connecting to the motherboard via a single internal USB header, you can change and adjust the logo that’s shown on the 2.8-inch color display through software. It’s worth noting that this option isn’t available on the more budget-friendly Core variant, though.
The internal layout looks good, too. There are mounting trays for two 2.5inch SSDs to be displayed through the window, a 3.5-inch mount just above the PSU cover, and a rubberized pump mount, too, along with the usual plethora of rubber grommets. Looking behind the motherboard tray, you’ll find two additional 2.5-inch mounts, and a second 3.5-inch hidden below the PSU cover, as well.
But it’s the cooling support where you’ll find the really neat features. There’s a recessed radiator port—which supports up to a 360mm radiator in the roof—just above the motherboard tray, carefully tucked away out of sight, followed by additional support in the front for one more 360mm. The neat thing is, you can hide both of them if you desire, and still install the fans on either the inside or outside. The Pandora also comes with an integrated reservoir mounting system in its roof. For anyone not interested in the rigor and expense of liquid cooling, there’s still ample room for both traditional tower coolers and AIO solutions, too. MATERIAL WORLD However, the Pandora isn’t without its caveats. As we mentioned earlier, the choice of material is one of them—the steel side panels feel flimsy. And the rest of the case is made from a type of ABS plastic that feels a little too brittle for our liking. On top of that, the pop hinges, although simple in design, don’t provide much of a handhold when it comes to shifting this beast around. BitFenix has somewhat remedied this by installing a grip in the back of the chassis, but it doesn’t give you much confidence when trying to hold on to the front of this substantial chassis as well.
All in all, the Pandora ATX is a nicely rounded mid-range ATX tower, filled with innovative features to support water cooling and provide you with a particularly easy, clean building experience. The dust filters located under the PSU, on the roof, and in the front panel are intuitive, and help to keep it clean, and for the price, it’s hard to beat.