PC case designer Fractal today announced the release of the Meshify 2 Compact. Building on the Meshify history of intelligent space utilization and smooth airflow pathing, Fractal's design team has introduced a host of new features in the Meshify 2 series such as a front USB 3.1 Type-C port, a bolt-free tempered glass panel, a fully removable top panel that grants excellent interior access, and a front nylon filter that can be removed from the mesh for increased airflow. Meshify 2 Compact continues the legacy of its predecessors with a sharp angular asymmetry, high-performance standards and a filtered airflow path from front intake directly through key components to exhaust. The result is a keenly anticipated update to one of Fractals most popular cases.

You can find our review for the Fractal Design Meshify 2 here.

ZALMAN today introduced the Z8 line of ATX mid-tower cases. These include the standard Z8, with its mesh front-panel and fans that don't light up; the Z8 MS with fans that do; and the Z8 TG, which replaces the mesh front panel of the Z8 and Z8 MS, for one made of tempered glass. The side panels on these cases are hinged, and can open like doors. Inside, the Z8 series feature a conventional horizontally-partitioned layout, with the upper compartment serving up room for graphics cards up to 35 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 16.2 cm in height.

Ventilation options on the Z8 series include either three 120 mm or two 140 mm front intakes, two 140/120 mm top exhausts, and a 120 mm rear exhaust. Storage options include two 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive trays, and four additional 2.5-inch mounts. Front-panel connectivity includes two USB 3.x type-A ports, a USB 2.0 port, and HDA jacks. The case measures 460 mm x 212 mm x 493 mm (DxWxH), dry-weighing around 6.8 kg. The company didn't reveal pricing.

The NVIDIA RTX 3080 is a 320 W TDP card making it impractical for conventional contained passive cooling solutions. Commercial passively cooled cards such as the GTX 1050 Ti, and GTX 1650 Ti all come in with a TDP of less than 100 W and even then require large heatsinks. Mical Wong, the founder of Turemetal a company specializing in passively cooled computers has managed to create a passively cooled PC with an RTX 3080 and Ryzen 5 5600X. The PC features the companies flagship Turemetal UP10 case.

The system booted but was unusable at stock settings with the RTX 3080 quickly overwhelming the cooling system when running at 100%. The GPU reached 87 degrees Celsius within minutes when running Furmark with a total system power draw of 410 W. The Turemetal UP10 is only officially rated for 300 W system cooling so the fact that this worked at all is quite impressive. With some CPU, and GPU configuration and power limiting, it would appear feasible to create such a system assuming you could afford it.

SSUPD, the sister brand of LIAN LI and developer of high-end PC cases introduces Meshlicious—a revolutionary ITX PC case built in collaboration with Ncase—that features three full mesh panels and a tempered glass panel to deliver unbeatable cooling while displaying the PC's internals. An optional fourth 1 mm thick steel full mesh panel can be snapped on to encase the PC in full mesh for maximum airflow with a functional, minimalist aesthetic. The Meshlicious is available in matte black and white finishes.

"For years, small form factor cases have been on the market for users looking for low-key, compact PC builds." says Ssu, Founder of SSUPD. "But with the Meshlicious, we aimed to push the boundaries of what's possible in a PC build by surrounding it in mesh. It's aiming to be the top full mesh-capable ITX case, and designed with user-friendliness in mind to the smallest details. With a clean and stripped down look and excellent cooling, DIY enthusiasts can take their PC builds in exciting new directions."

darkFlash's latest Mini-ITX product, the DLH21, which is now available in stores, adopted a much more unique approach. The idea is to design a simple yet elegant case, which can support 240 mm AIO water coolers, equipped with mesh side-panels. Not only that but also including addressable RGB lighting at the bottom of the case, with has up to 13 different modes, so that no matter what style you are looking for, polished or stylish, it's your call!

The DLH21 has quite a few tricks up its sleeves. First, the size of it is relatively small, because the interior is well thought, adopting a vertical GPU mounting system, which allows the case to extend upwards, saving plenty of desk space. Secondly, all sides include mesh panels with magnetic dust filters, providing unbelievable airflow to support your components. The DLH21 supports 240 mm water cooling, which pushes the performance of the case even higher. Last but not least, the beautiful bottom A-RGB lighting. Controlled by the LED button located on the top I/O port, also synchronizable with your motherboard.

AZZA, a leading brand of computer cases and accessories, introduces the CAST ATX PC case that re-imagines the design of a traditional mid-tower. The CAST has a removable outer shell that gives full access to the interior for effortless installation. When fully built, the unique wing design can be completely extended, requiring zero tools to access the interior, or flexed for better airflow. The CAST can even be flipped to a 90-degree orientation.

The CAST design consists of an independent frame and an outer shell with two hinged panels that provides full access to the hardware for maintenance and cleaning, and an easy to latch on/off front panel. When building the system, the entire shell can be easily removed to prevent accidental damages. This also means the shell can be worked on independently for customization purposes.

In Win introduced a new variant of the 216 mid-tower case released back in Spring 2020. The new variant sees white overall, with a touch of woodgrain replacing the brushed-aluminium element on the original black 216. A strip of woodgrain material forms a corner accent along the case's front-left corner. The left side-panel remains tinted tempered glass, which looks brighter due to the case's all-white interiors. The included Sirius Pure ASP120 fans feature white frames and impellers, with acrylic ARGB diffusers along the frame. The rest of the case design is unchanged from the original, including its spacious motherboard compartment that includes vertical graphics card slots, with room for graphics cards up to 38 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 16.6 cm in height.

Today CHIEFTEC introduces a new multifunctional cube case that can find its purpose in all settings from the office to home media systems. Featuring an elegant design combining brushed aluminium and airflow-friendly mesh, this is a case that combines a timeless style with high functionality.

The CI-02B-OP joins CHIEFTEC's Mesh Series in a compact m-ATX cube format. Despite its very compact dimensions, this case is extremely flexible in terms of hardware compatibility, supporting ATX PSU's up to 16 cm in length, graphics cards up to 320 mm in length, and CPU coolers up to 160 mm in height. Furthermore, the installation of components is made very easy thanks to the folding mechanism known from the CI-01B-OP.

Antec today rolled out the DF700 FLUX, an ATX mid-tower case characterized by a unique design for its high-airflow front-panel mesh intake. Rather than a flat panel shape for its mesh, the DF700's mesh curves to the pattern of a wavefront. The top panel features the case's second large mesh vent, while the left side panel is tinted tempered glass. Inside, the case features a conventional horizontally partitioned layout, with the upper compartment that houses the motherboard tray, offering room for graphics cards up to 40.5 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 17.5 cm in height.

Ventilation options in the DF700 FLUX include three 140 mm / 120 mm front intakes, either three 120 mm or two 140 mm top exhausts, a 120 mm rear exhaust, and two 120 mm conveyors between the bottom and top compartments. The case includes a 5-channel fan+ARGB controller. Storage options include two 3.5-inch drive-bays, a 3.5-inch mount, and three 2.5-inch mounts for a total of six spaces. Front panel connectivity includes a pair of USB 3.x type-A, and HDA jacks. The case measures 467 mm x 220 mm x 486 mm (DxWxH).

Update Jan 19th: The company revealed MSRP pricing in Europe to be 86€.

[Editor's note: Our review of the CORSAIR 5000D AIRFLOW can be found here]

CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gaming peripherals and enthusiast components, today announced a new series of mid-tower ATX cases to suit nearly any build: the CORSAIR 5000D, 5000D AIRFLOW, and the iCUE 5000X RGB. Every 5000 Series case offers simple and tidy cable management thanks to the CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system, terrific cooling from included fans featuring CORSAIR AirGuide technology, and a spacious interior that fits multiple radiators, including two 360mm simultaneously. Between the understated styling of the 5000D, the optimized airflow of the 5000D AIRFLOW, and the eye-catching RGB lighting behind four beautiful tempered glass panels of the 5000X RGB, the 5000 Series has a case to meet any builder's priorities.

Debuting in the recently launched 4000 Series, the CORSAIR RapidRoute cable management system has proven to be a hit with PC builders looking to minimize the hassle of cable routing while still achieving a clean, professional look for their system. The 5000 Series takes RapidRoute even further, with a concealed cutout, wide enough to fit all major connectors to your motherboard, and multiple removable routing channels through which you can run all your cables out of sight. With a generous 25mm of cable routing depth behind the motherboard, and a magnetic door behind which to hide your cabling, it's exceptionally easy to build a top-tier PC that also looks the part.

EK Waterblocks, who have decided to go by EK for the brand presence in the retail stream henceforth, had a stronger showing at the virtual CES 2021 than most other brands, and showcased a good deal of new products amidst their EK Expo ongoing as of this post. The most interesting product to me at least was their upcoming actively cooled backplate solution, which is different from what Aqua Computer has done to date in that it has an actual cold plate and coolant going through a small block on the back rather than just a heatpipe. Now I will mention that Aqua Computer had shown off some renders of their own take of this, but this is the first time a retail solution has been shown off by a company.

EK says that the new backplate offering will come in either acetal or nickel-plexi variants, and will incorporate a thicker terminal that splits coolant flow to the front and back. The backplate, first coming for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080/3090 reference PCB, will make direct contact with the components on the back as well, with freshly conducted internal testing showing VRAM cooling improvements in significant double digits already. The company plans to make this an option for other popular new GPU releases as well, except for the RTX 3090 FE that gets its own bespoke cooling solution with the backplate connected to the coldplate on the front via thermal pads for a more petite, semi-active cooling solution coming up soon. The first active backplate is due to release in a month, with cost on the order of a typical GPU block itself. Click past the break for more from EK at CES 2021!

iBUYPOWER, a leading manufacturer of high-performance custom gaming PCs, today announced its latest addition to the legendary Revolt series of cases, the Revolt 3 MK3, during the all-digital Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

The small form factor (SFF) Revolt 3 MK3 will be designed to support a wide variety of high-performance PC components. Enabled by its perforated panels, the natural layout of the 18.4-liter case creates three separate airflow zones, one for the CPU and motherboard, one for the power supply (PSU), and one for the graphics card (GPU), to mitigate the heat transfer between components. Users can mount up to a 280 mm radiator to the hinged internal panel as well as an optional 80 mm exhaust fan to the top of the Revolt to help promote better GPU thermals.

[Editor's note: Our review can be seen here]

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast memory solutions, announces the launch of the new Divider Series Chassis line up. The Divider 500TG, 300TG, 200TG, 100TG models, including standard and ARGB versions, available in black and white colors. The Divider Series offers a range from M-ATX to ATX form factors, divided by 3mm tempered glass to provide a custom split difference for the next PC build. The Built-in triangular side panel includes side venting to improve airflow. Patented PCIE expansion slots offer secure options for vertical GPU mounting or direct to motherboard with a variety of GPU length support across the series.

"A good PC case design should be more than just fascinating RGB illumination and overall appearance. It needs a perfect balance between practicality, aesthetic, and thermal dissipation," said Kenny Lin, the CEO of Thermaltake. "More powerful CPUs and GPUs are launching every day, making heat dissipation a significant concern for a gaming PC. The DIVIDER offers essentials to create the perfect ratio between material utility and the control of thermal conditions. It is also the next-gen gaming PC case for enthusiasts, modders, and gamers in sheer quality, and we're proud to present this whole new series at our Thermaltake Expo."

Thermaltake, the leading PC DIY premium brand for Case, Cooling, Gaming peripherals, and enthusiast memory solutions, announces the launch of the brand new mini-tower gaming PC case, the Tower 100. Based on the award-winning Tower 900, "Pocket-sized" down into a mini-ITX Form factor powerhouse, take on compact cooling and showcase the build with the perfect presentation.

"There is a trend among hardcore gamers who are choosing smaller cases for their high-performance computer builds. It was a major challenge to transform a full tower case like Tower 900 into an ITX form-factor. Still, the chassis was well-configured for space utilization, expandability, and cooling while also providing an eye-catching appearance. The thermal control is a top priority with such a tiny chassis. Tower 100 is a new benchmark for real ITX high-end gaming systems!" said Kenny Lin, the CEO of Thermaltake.

SilverStone today rolled out the FARA H1 M, a Micro-ATX tower case (model: SST-FAH1MB). It shares much of its design language with the ATX FARA B1 from 2019, but incorporates an airy mesh front-panel, with a fine steel outer mesh, and a sturdy hexagonal inner lattice. The case features a conventional horizontally-partitioned layout, with the upper compartment having room for graphics cards up to 32 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 16 cm in height. Storage options include two 3.5-inch bays that can each hold 2.5-inch; and two additional 2.5-inch mounts.

Ventilation options on the SilverStone FARA H1 M include two 140 mm / 120 mm front intakes, two 120 mm top exhausts, and a 120 mm rear exhaust. You can mount a 240 mm x 120 mm radiator along the front panel. Front-panel connectivity includes a USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0/1.1 ports, and HDA jacks. The case measures 210 mm (W) x 392 mm (H) x 366 mm (D), and is made of SECC steel with ABS plastic bits. The company didn't reveal pricing.

Abkoncore today introduced the T750G SYNC series of ATX full-tower cases. The lineup includes two variants based mainly on the pattern of their ARGB LED lighting elements, V1 and V2. The V1 variant features tiny streaks of lighting that make up polygonal shapes, such as the trapezoid along the front-panel, and the triangle at the side; while the V2 variant features a pattern made up of ASCII characters that can be made to resemble code from "The Matrix." Tempered glass makes up the front- and left-side panels on both the variants, which are structurally identical to each other. The mid-tower comes with 7 expansion slots, and two vertical slots, including a holder for a PCIe riser (not included).

The Abkoncore T750 SYNC measures 225 mm x 400 mm x 465 mm (WxDxH). It gets its name from an included multi-channel ARGB controller module that can either be synced with your motherboard over a 3-pin header; or use its own 368 lighting presets. Ventilation options include the ability to mount either three 140 mm / 120 mm or two 200 mm fans along the front-panel; up to two 140 mm / 120 mm fans along the top; and a 140 mm / 120 mm rear exhaust. The largest radiators you can use with the case include a 420 mm x 140 mm along the front; a 280 mm x 140 mm along the top; and a 140 mm x 140 mm along the rear. Storage options include two 3.5-inch / 2.5-inch trays, and two 2.5-inch mounts. Front-panel connectivity includes two each of USB 3.x type-A and USB 2.0 type-A ports, and HDA jacks. The company didn't reveal pricing.

Akasa today rolled out the Turing QLX, a fanless case for the Intel NUC 9 Pro "Quartz Canyon" desktop platform that consists of an Intel NUC 9 Pro Compute Element, and a PCIe backplane. This form-factor is essentially a modern re-imagining of the SBC+backplane desktops from the i486 era. The Turing QLX case is made almost entirely of anodized aluminium, and its body doubles up as a heatsink for the 9th Gen Core or Xeon SoC. You're supposed to replace the cooling assembly of your NUC 9 Pro Compute Element with the cold-plate + heat-pipe assembly of the case. NUC 9 Pro series SBCs compatible with the Turing QLX include the BXNUC9i9QNB, BXNUC9i7QNB, BXNUC9i5QNB, BKNUC9VXQNB, and the BKNUC9V7QNB. The case doesn't include a power supply, you're supposed to use a compatible power brick with the SBC+backplane combo. The Turing QLX measures 212 mm x 150 mm x 220 mm (DxWxH). The company didn't reveal pricing.

GELID Solutions unveils the latest 140 mm case fan featuring sophisticated Addressable RGB (ARGB) LED lighting and enhanced cooling techniques. The LYRA is a product of GELID Solutions GAMER product line. The LYRA introduces a perfect mixture of top-notch technologies orchestrated in the 140 mm fan size. It comes with 8 hub-mounted ARGB LEDs and 16 frame-mounted independent ARGB LEDs to illuminate stylish Dual Ring Lighting and create spectacular RGB effects.

The fan also boasts Double Ball Bearing which adds to improve mechanics and ensures ultra-durable functioning. The new impeller is optimized with a high-airflow blade profile to deliver enhanced cooling. And the carefully designed PWM IC, a core part of the LYRA, eliminates any clicking noise. Additionally, the intelligent GELID PWM (Pulse Width Module) drives the fan in the speed range from 750 RPM to 1600 RPM, it constantly keeps the fan silent but accelerates speed whenever higher airflow is needed. The LYRA also bears daisy-chain capable ARGB cabling with a male-plug adapter included to facilitate connection of multiple fans in your system.

The XPG DEFENDER PRO manifests XPG's ambition in PC Components by introducing an E-ATX Mid-Tower dimension chassis that can host a graphic card up to 380 mm length, which is plenty of space for supporting both NVIDIA and AMD latest generation of high-end new products, and a CPU-mounted cooler up to 170 mm depth. With enough space for better heat dissipation, XPG DEFENDER PRO E-ATX dimensions can ensure future upgradeability and a lot of modding fun. XPG Defender Pro has an optimized airflow efficiency, including 3 XPG VENTO 120 ARGB fans pre-installed for gamers and modders, which can be expanded up to 7, and is ideal for users demanding an excellent balance of both exterior gamer appearance and aerodynamic efficiency.

DeepCool today introduced the MATREXX 40 Micro-ATX tower case. Its design is characterized by vertical ridges along the front panel, with air inlets between the ridges, which conceal a mesh, and two 140 mm / 120 mm front intakes, which can hold radiators up to 280 mm x 140 mm in size. Other ventilation options include two 140 mm / 120 mm top exhausts (which again, can hold radiators up to 280 mm in size); and a 120 mm rear exhaust.

The DeepCool MATREXX 40 features a conventional horizontally-partitioned interior, with the upper compartment serving up room for graphics cards up to 32 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 16.5 cm in height. Storage options include two 3.5-inch / 2.5-inch drive bays in the bottom compartment, and two 2.5-inch mounts behind the motherboard tray, where there's a 2 cm crawl-space for cable-management. The case comes with a tempered glass left side panel. The front-panel I/O, located at the top, includes one each of USB 3.0 type-A, USB 2.0, and HDA jacks. The case measures 400 mm x 215 mm x 431 mm; and is made mostly of SECC steel and ABS plastic. The company didn't reveal pricing.

Phanteks today introduced the new Evolv Shift 2 and Shift 2 Air vertical ITX chassis. The Evolv Shift 2 (Air) builds on the unique form factor of the original Evolv Shift, featuring a compact chassis with an extremely space-efficient footprint yet packed with plenty of power. D-RGB lighting has been integrated in a subtle and stylish way and all rear I/O is concealed while easily accessible with a touch on the top panel.

With support for large and powerful GPUs with up to a 2.9 slot cooler, the Evolv Shift 2 makes powerful gaming setups possible while the vented top, bottom, and rear panel provide plenty of airflow options.

Antec today introduced the P10 Flux, a unique ATX mid-tower case that combines the contemporary horizontally-partitioned layout with certain legacy elements such as a single 5.25-inch drive bay, and a noise-dampening front door that conceals a mesh-type front air intake (although the door doesn't choke it thanks to a 11 mm passage). Ventilation options include three 120 mm front intakes, three 120 mm right-side intakes, a 120 mm rear exhaust, and a 120 mm conveyor between the bottom- and top compartments. There are no top exhausts.

The upper motherboard compartment serves up room for graphics cards up to 40.5 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 17.5 cm in height. Storage options include one 5.25-inch exposed drive bay, three 2.5-inch mounts, and two 3.5-inch mounts. The case measures 477 mm x 220 mm x 486 mm (DxWxH). Front panel connectivity includes two USB 3.x type-A ports, and HDA jacks. The case includes an 8-channel PWM fan controller. The company didn't reveal pricing.

NZXT responded to customer complaints about a safety issue with its H1 small form-factor case, which it released in February, 2020. Apparently, the two screws that hold down the PCIe riser assembly to the chassis may cause an electrical short-circuit, and poses a potential fire hazard, although the company mentions that this event has a "a low probability [of] occurrence." NZXT on Saturday (November 28, 2020) released a statement in which it mentions that fewer than ten H1 cases in circulation have been affected by the issue as of the statement date. The company has stopped shipments of the H1, and asked retailers to pause its sales.

NZXT says that it is working closely with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission and similar authorities around the globe to dispense information to end-users, as well as promptly dispatch remedies. NZXT recommends that end-users power down their H1 case to be absolutely sure of safety, until the company can send a screw replacement and repair kit to remedy the issue. This kit contains a set of replacement screws for the PCIe riser assembly, that correct the problem, and materials that enable end-users to repair their cases at home. We've added contact details to NZXT below.

Sharkoon Technologies is an international supplier of high-performance quality PC components and peripherals. With the SK3 RGB and the TK4 RGB, Sharkoon presents two compact ATX cases which aim to impress not only with their outward looks but also with what they can offer inside. Stylish glass panels allow a view of the colorful play of colors, which should thus come into their own in the otherwise unobtrusively designed PC cases.

With the tempered glass covering on the left side of the SK3 RGB, the case offers a clear view of the installed hardware in the light of the built-in RGB LED fan. This has a diameter of 120 millimeters and is mounted on the rear of the case. In addition to this, the TK4 RGB case has a glass front panel that allows an almost unobstructed view of the RGB lighting inside the casing. The pre-installed 120-millimeter RGB LED fans in both cases should provide an atmospheric illumination of the inner components. With the SK3 RGB, the inconspicuous front panel in carbon fiber style gives a look of elegance without distracting from the colorful light effects inside the case.

SilentiumPC, the European manufacturer of CPU coolers and PC cases, introduces a brand new line of cooling oriented PC cases in four flavors for budget-oriented users. The new Ventum VT2 lineup is exceptionally well equipped and offers an excellent balance for its price point starting 31,90€. One of the key design features is the large front panel with rounded edges, which is almost entirely covered by a mesh, allowing for unrestricted airflow. In addition to that, the majority of the top-panel is covered with a magnetic mesh-sheet, to support the airflow further, providing users with vast options when building their custom-tailored gaming rigs.

The four different versions offer support for large CPU Coolers, large VGA cards and can fit AIO watercoolers with up to 360 mm radiators. While the basic model Ventum VT2 combines all the above features and has its focus primarily on the budget, the higher grade Ventum VT2 models such as the TG ARGB and EVO TG ARGB are boosting the scope of delivery with more ARGB fans as well as a tempered glass side panel.