BitFenix Pandora Review
The Build
We didn’t get any instructions with the Pandora, and aside from a few screws, cable ties and a pair of Velcro straps for tightening things down under the cable cage there was nothing really to write home about. Fortunately, the rest of the install gave us plenty to rave about, the main thing being that even with the case being this slim you can still fit full size long length PSUs. Anything up to 180mm with the cable cage in place and pretty much as long as you like with it removed. The other thing we know you’re itching to find out is just how much room there is for rads. Well with the cable cage in place there’s a good 65mm which should be plenty for any AIO on the market.
The absence of a conventional Drive cage, and the limited space available has lead BitFenix to place the mounts for 3.52 drives in fairly unconventional places, and at opposite extremes within the case. Option one is to have your 3.5″ or 2.5″ drive screwed to the base of the case. Not the best choice in our opinion as being up against the rear of the PSU and hard against the floor it’s going to be a bugger to cable up. The second option available is to mount the 3.5″ drive up in the roof of the case. This we think is the better option, however, if you’re planning on using two drives then the distance between them will necessitate doubling back a long SATA power cable or more likely, the use of two SATA power cables, neither of which, given the limited space available for cable management is a good option. Thank God for 3TB drives eh! It’s also worth noting that placing a 3.5″ drive in the base of the case negates the use of the tie down straps as it obscures the holes that they feed through.
The Pandora is designed to accept either M-ITX or M-ATX. We think that it looks infinitely better proportioned with the bigger board, especially as using the smaller board does not yield any space saving benefits.
