A Closer Look - Outside

Right off the bat, you will notice that the Bitfenix Pandora ATX is a bit wider than the original Pandora chassis. The smooth and shiny front has been lined with a plastic piece as it would easily scratch up otherwise.


Due to the lack of an optical drive bay, BitFenix was essentially able to slim the chassis down to the width of the widest component, which is the PSU. The two 2 mm thick aluminum panels of the original have been replaced with ones out of of steel, leaving about 2'' inside of which the LCD panel has been put. A separate steel frame element in the top of the rear adds to the chassis' overall design. As you can see, the interior is all-black, with the PSU bay at the bottom.


Both side panels are completely flat, and you can pick between all-solid panels or a variant with a clean side window. As steel can be a bit thinner than aluminum, BitFenix has simply made the edges round.


You will find an easily removable dust filter on the chassis' underside. The PSU bay on the bottom comes with a single set of mounting holes, which allows you to install the power supply with its fan facing downward. Above that are the seven motherboard expansion slots, each protected by a reusable metal-mesh cover. In the very top is a 120 mm fan, set to exhaust hot air out through the back.


BitFenix placed the I/O into the top of the case. It consists of two USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 and the usual audio plugs. To the left and right are the power and reset buttons - both of these are rather large. A metal-mesh panel covers the rest of the top. It is easily removed since you will not have to unscrew any screws. Doing so reveals the possibility to mount a radiator of up to 360 mm in size alongside a mounting bracket for a large reservoir that would hang off the ceiling of the chassis.