Wednesday, September 29th 2010
BitFenix Design Lab Officially Announces the Survivor Chassis
Today, BitFenix is pleased to launch Survivor - a mid-tower ATX gaming chassis that combines elegant styling with ruggedized features engineered for the mobile digital warrior. "We wanted to design a PC chassis that had ruggedized features, but didn't necessarily look like a tractor," says David Jarlestedt, BitFenix Product Manager. "Will you be able to throw it in front of a moving bus or down the stairs? No, but you won't have to worry about damaged hardware while driving to your friend's house or LAN party".
The unique curved design of Survivor isn't simply aesthetic. Extending past the side panels, this design helps to protect Survivor and the hardware inside during transport. The front, top and bottom of Survivor is coated with proprietary BitFenix SofTouch surface treatment, which helps protect these surfaces from stains and scratches, all while looking great. On the very front above the ODD bays is an LED-lit BitFenix logo, which users can turn on and off at a press of a button.On top, Survivor sports a concealable I/O panel which helps maintain its clean modern design. Sliding the panel open reveals the light on/off controls, audio jacks, power and reset buttons, two USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port, and two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports. Survivor also has the ability to turn BitFenix Spectre LED fan lights on and off at a touch of a button - it's like having a BitFenix Hydra Fan LED Controller built in! Above the I/O panel is a smartly-designed hideaway carry handle. Simply lift and lock the handle in place when you need to move Survivor around, and snap it back when not in use to maintain Survivor's clean looks.Once at the LAN party, Survivor helps to maximize your gaming experience. Survivor comes equipped with a modular hard drive cage that can be removed in order to accommodate extra-long graphics cards. With the entire cage intact, Survivor can be outfitted with up to nine 2.5" SSD drives or seven 3.5" hard disks. And to keep all your hardware running cool while you are fragging the competition, Survivor can be outfitted with up to two 200mm fans or three 120mm fans.
Have to leave your seat for a while and wonder if your mouse, keyboard and headset will be there when you return? Not a problem with Survivor. Bundled with Survivor is the BitFenix S2- an innovative peripheral security and cable management device. Simply install S2, insert your peripheral cables, and lock it to the chassis security loop using a padlock of your choice. With S2, would-be thieves will have to think twice before trying to steal your gaming gear. Also bundled with Survivor is the BitFenix Lockdown, a hardware stabilizer that helps prevent accidental damage to graphics cards due to excessive vibrations during system transport.
Survivor also includes a variety of features to make assembly and maintenance quick and painless. The CPU cooler cutout on the motherboard tray makes changing coolers a breeze, and specially-designed motherboard standoffs, internal cable management, and an almost tool-free design are a godsend for PC do-it-yourselfers. Finally, the included dust filters on all air intakes help keep Survivor clean on the inside.
In addition to Survivor, BitFenix is also releasing a more basic version of Survivor dubbed Survivor Core. This more affordable variant retains the unique styling of Survivor and grants users more freedom in terms of cooling options.
Below is a comparison between Survivor and Survivor Core:
<div class="table-wrapper"><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="102" valign="top"><p>*</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center"><strong>Survivor</strong></p></td><td width="264"><p align="center"><strong>Survivor Core</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>USB 3.0 Ports</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">2</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>USB 2.0 Ports</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">2</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">4</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>Top Cooling</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm Red LED Fan</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm All Black Fan</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>Front Cooling</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm Red LED Fan</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>LED Control</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">Logo and fans</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">Logo on/off, also works with optional with BitFenix Spectre LED Fans</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>BitFenix S2</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">Included</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>BitFenix Lockdown</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">Included</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>MSRP</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">99€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $109</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">79€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $89</p></td></tr></table></div>
Both Survivor and Survivor Core will be available on retail shelves mid November.
The unique curved design of Survivor isn't simply aesthetic. Extending past the side panels, this design helps to protect Survivor and the hardware inside during transport. The front, top and bottom of Survivor is coated with proprietary BitFenix SofTouch surface treatment, which helps protect these surfaces from stains and scratches, all while looking great. On the very front above the ODD bays is an LED-lit BitFenix logo, which users can turn on and off at a press of a button.On top, Survivor sports a concealable I/O panel which helps maintain its clean modern design. Sliding the panel open reveals the light on/off controls, audio jacks, power and reset buttons, two USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port, and two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports. Survivor also has the ability to turn BitFenix Spectre LED fan lights on and off at a touch of a button - it's like having a BitFenix Hydra Fan LED Controller built in! Above the I/O panel is a smartly-designed hideaway carry handle. Simply lift and lock the handle in place when you need to move Survivor around, and snap it back when not in use to maintain Survivor's clean looks.Once at the LAN party, Survivor helps to maximize your gaming experience. Survivor comes equipped with a modular hard drive cage that can be removed in order to accommodate extra-long graphics cards. With the entire cage intact, Survivor can be outfitted with up to nine 2.5" SSD drives or seven 3.5" hard disks. And to keep all your hardware running cool while you are fragging the competition, Survivor can be outfitted with up to two 200mm fans or three 120mm fans.
Have to leave your seat for a while and wonder if your mouse, keyboard and headset will be there when you return? Not a problem with Survivor. Bundled with Survivor is the BitFenix S2- an innovative peripheral security and cable management device. Simply install S2, insert your peripheral cables, and lock it to the chassis security loop using a padlock of your choice. With S2, would-be thieves will have to think twice before trying to steal your gaming gear. Also bundled with Survivor is the BitFenix Lockdown, a hardware stabilizer that helps prevent accidental damage to graphics cards due to excessive vibrations during system transport.
Survivor also includes a variety of features to make assembly and maintenance quick and painless. The CPU cooler cutout on the motherboard tray makes changing coolers a breeze, and specially-designed motherboard standoffs, internal cable management, and an almost tool-free design are a godsend for PC do-it-yourselfers. Finally, the included dust filters on all air intakes help keep Survivor clean on the inside.
In addition to Survivor, BitFenix is also releasing a more basic version of Survivor dubbed Survivor Core. This more affordable variant retains the unique styling of Survivor and grants users more freedom in terms of cooling options.
Below is a comparison between Survivor and Survivor Core:
<div class="table-wrapper"><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="102" valign="top"><p>*</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center"><strong>Survivor</strong></p></td><td width="264"><p align="center"><strong>Survivor Core</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>USB 3.0 Ports</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">2</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>USB 2.0 Ports</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">2</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">4</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>Top Cooling</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm Red LED Fan</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm All Black Fan</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>Front Cooling</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">BitFenix Spectre 200mm Red LED Fan</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>LED Control</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">Logo and fans</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">Logo on/off, also works with optional with BitFenix Spectre LED Fans</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>BitFenix S2</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">Included</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>BitFenix Lockdown</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">Included</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">-</p></td></tr><tr><td width="102"><p>MSRP</p></td><td width="258"><p align="center">99€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $109</p></td><td width="264"><p align="center">79€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $89</p></td></tr></table></div>
Both Survivor and Survivor Core will be available on retail shelves mid November.
32 Comments on BitFenix Design Lab Officially Announces the Survivor Chassis
Does stuff really get stolen at LAN Parties that often? Are the larger ones really some kind of gathering for nerd thieves?
To me the handle looks rock sturdy.
I think the handle is a bad choice as it takes up valuable ventilation space. The single arm on the back may bend or flex if the case twist to the sides when being carried. Trip or stumble and you could end up with the chunk of bent metal sticking out of the top of your case.
Likewise, a reviewer can actually fill up his Survivor case with hardware (or rocks) and load test how the handle holds up, he can then establish for fact that a handle is flimsy or not.
Its a moving plastic handle on a ~$100 case, even if a reviewer deems it "sturdy" im still not going to move my rig with it. and since when is "assuming" something on tpu something to call someone out on? :wtf:
And if you go back and read what I wrote, I didn't say anything about load issues. I was concerned about torque issues if you were to accidentally twist it side to side suddenly due to a stumble; and it blocking 33% of the vent in the top of the case. Especially when that is the only shown vent.
This is getting stupid and I am done.