Review System

Assembly

Installing a full-size ATX motherboard is done by traditional means, with spacers and screws. XPG ensured that there are plenty of openings, perfectly situated around it for easy cable-routing. There is loads of space for E-ATX boards, and the grommets towards the front will line up nicely as well. Long GPUs will easily fit, especially if you do not plan to put a radiator into the front of the XPG Defender. However, even with one, your maximum should be a solid 320–330 mm.


Adding a 3.5" drive doesn't take any tools as you simply fill the plastic tray with a drive and hold the storage unit in place with embedded pins. Once filled, slide it back into the cage underneath the shroud until it snaps into place.


Adding SSDs is simple and works well, but you won't get any anti-vibration measures. That said, this simple way of mounting drives works just fine, and odds are you will never install a mechanical 2.5" drive here. However, it simply is not what the rest of the market offers.


Installing the PSU is pretty straightforward as well. There is plenty of room to slip it into place, and traditional screws are used to secure it as a last step.


Adding an AIO, even if 280 mm long, is a breeze thanks to the room above the motherboard. Simply secure it to the ceiling of the XPG Defender with screws, and sliding it as far back as possible still leaves enough room for the rear fan. That means there is room in the front for a second radiator of up to 360 mm. The XPG Defender Pro offers the same flexibility, but we were still focusing on air-cooling when that unit was reviewed.


With everything installed, the interior of the XPG Defender looks really nice and clean because of the grommets and central opening in the shroud. Considerable time was also spent cleaning up the back of the chassis, and the results are great, so you should really invest the effort there. The fans within the chassis may be daisy-chained if you happen to have fewer than three available headers on your motherboard, which makes cable-routing a little easier as well.

Finished Looks

With all the panels in place, the XPG Defender comes together nicely. A white power LED button will let you know that your system is powered on.


In the front, things are quite understated, as the Defender does not feature any ARGB lighting. But look closely and you will be able to see through the front and into the case, as the ARGB lighting of the memory shines through ever so gently. Thanks to the clear glass window, you can easily show off all your hardware, while all the connectivity in the rear is exactly where you would expect it.