The Phanteks Enthoo Pro Case Review
by E. Fylladitakis on March 30, 2015 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Full-Tower
- Case
- Phanteks
It would seem that many companies are trying to diversify towards computer cases lately. Most of them originally are manufacturers of power and cooling products, but there are companies that began as GPU and RAM manufacturers as well. However, marketing case products can be very tricky. Functionality and value might not as important as aesthetics, depending on who you talk to. Today we are going to have a look at a case from Phanteks, a Dutch company whose high performance cooling solutions quickly made them very popular.
The Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Phanteks made a successful entry into the case market with the Enthoo Primo that we reviewed a year and a half ago. The Enthoo Primo was an excellent high-end case, although it came with a very hefty price tag. After their first successful attempt the company released a few more designs aiming to move a greater number of customers. All of the cases share the same series name "Enthoo" - not an actual word or name in any language based on the Latin alphabet but actually half the pronunciation of the word "enthusiast" (en-thoo-zee-ast). Today we are going to have a thorough look at their currently most popular case, the Enthoo Pro. The Enthoo Pro is a case designed for maximum cooling and versatility but retails for $90 (solid side panel) / $100 (window side panel), less than half the retail price of the Primo.
| Phanteks Enthoo Pro Specifications | ||
| Motherboard Size | EATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, SSI EEB | |
| Drive Bays | External | 3 x 5.25" |
| Internal | 6 x 2.5"/3.5" (internal drive cages) 1 x 2.5" (SSD Bracket) |
|
| Cooling | Front | 1 x 200mm (included) 2 x 120mm/140mm (optional if stock fan is removed) |
| Rear | 1 x 140/120mm (one 140mm included) | |
| Top | 3 x 140/120mm or 1 x 200mm (optional) | |
| HDD | 2 x 120mm (optional) | |
| Bottom | 1 x 140mm or 2 x 120mm (optional) | |
| Radiator Support | Front | Up to 240mm |
| Rear | 120mm/140mm | |
| Top | Up to 360mm/420mm | |
| Side | - | |
| Bottom | Up to 240mm/140mm | |
| I/O Port | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x Headphone, 1x Mic | |
| Power Supply Size | ATX | |
| Clearances | HSF | 193mm |
| PSU | - | |
| GPU | 347mm (472mm if HDD cages are removed) | |
| Dimensions | 535 mm × 235 mm × 550 mm (H×W×D) 21.06 in × 9.25 in × 21.65 in (H×W×D) |
|
| Prominent Features | - Extreme cooling capacity - 2 included Phanteks’ premium fans - The PWM hub makes it possible to control all the connected fans (also 3-pin fans) with PWM function through 1 PWM connector and create a better cable management. - Extensive water cooling support. Provides up to 4 different installation areas for slim and thick radiators varying from single to triple (120mm and 140mm form factors). Clearance for push-pull fan configurations. - Innovative liquid cooling mounting systems: radiator brackets for easy installation - Closed HDD panel strengthens the chassis’ rigidity, even when both HDD cages are removed. - Removable Drop-n-Lock SSD bracket that can be installed on 2 different locations. (1 bracket incl.) - Removable dust filters for easy maintenance. - Pre-installed cable management tools behind the motherboard tray that can be fastened and released. - 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, microphone, 3.5mm audio jack |
|
| Price | $90 (solid side panel) / $100 (window side panel) | |
Packaging and bundle
The packaging of the Enthoo Pro is simple with just a basic schematic of the case printed on the brown cardboard box. Inside the box, a nylon bag and astonishingly thin polystyrene foam slabs provide protection. Although we believe the aesthetics of the packaging to be unimportant, the functionality is in contrast quite importiant. Unfortunately, the packaging is far too basic for a case of this size and weight. The sample for this review received significant damage on its way to us, as the thin foam slabs had crumpled and the case was literally floating inside the box. The purchaser should always check the condition of the case before accepting its delivery.
Phanteks did an excellent job with the bundle of the Enthoo Pro. It may not be overly rich but is very well presented, with the screws and mounting hardware in a compartmentalized box. There also is a plate for the mounting of cooling systems, a few cable ties, two cable straps of different length and a very good manual.
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kepstin - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
I think like the drawing on the box was in isometric perspective; the issue is that the picture of the box was taken at an angle. If you look at the side of the box straight on I expect it would look ok.Coffeehead - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
True. It's an isometric projection. The proportional sizes of each line is preserved and each of the x,y,z axes are separated by 120°. It is supposed to make measurements easier to take for engineers, but the visual perspective projection is what we consumers are used to seeing because we want to buy what we see.It's also the basis of how the art illusion drawings of M.C. Escher used isometric projections.
DanNeely - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Is the severe face plate damage you're referring to just the scuffed up top front edge; or was something else broken too. The scuffing isn't good; but I'd've expected something to at least be cracked before it was called severe damage.DanNeely - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
I'm not picking on this case in particular, since it appears to be an industry wide problem; but if you're going to build a case around bottom air intakes you need to use feet big enough to lift the case up above a carpeted floor. Having to suck air in through the carpet really reduces the total flow, and even with the case having a built in dust filter, after only a few months the intake of the PSU in a case I had like this got horrifying nasty. I've had boxes that went years before being blown out that had less dust in them. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that case; probably either look for taller aftermarket feet somewhere, or drill new mounting holes in the back so I can flip the PSU over to point its fan up and draw air from the rest of the case instead.BillyONeal - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
That's why Silverstone's FT02 is still one of the best cases ever -- it has its own "channel" in the side of the case to pull air in for the bottom intakes which works great for the carpeting problem.Dug - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Silverstone FT05 has a flat solid surface for the base, but the bottom case fans are about 2-3 inches up from that so you have air coming in from the sides and then up.bigboxes - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Funny about the illustration on the packing box. That said, this is one butt-ugly case. That power button is way too small and the top panel connectors should not be hidden under that door. Just something that will be left open anyways.xthetenth - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
The power button isn't particularly small and isn't difficult to hit in the slightest. The door isn't in the way when it's open and being able to close it is kind of nice. I have the Luxe, which is one step up from that, and while I have a few minor quibbles about it, it was amazingly easy to put together a really nice looking build with it.Peichen - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
Such a traditional and old design. I think an ideal case as mATX with 1x 5.25", 2x 2.5/3.5", 4x 2.5" drive cage. 2x 120/140/180mm fans w/filters. Open space around graphic card(s) and CPU cooler otherwise fully sealed to keep dust and sound down.Silverstone TJ08B-E is pretty close but the needs to be updated for SSD and better sealed.
eanazag - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link
But are you using multiple GPUs and have a north of 6 storage drives? I have a hot swap 4 2.5" drive add in that slides into a 5.25" and am considering a second one. I have a DVD burner. That means three 5.25" slots would make sense for me. I can do 2 though.I really don't see the point in 5.25" disc drives anymore being that large. I think they all need to be laptop type slim drives.
This is likely too big for you also.