MSI MPG GUNGNIR 300R PC Case Review
Conclusion – Nice features, but this case is only for hardcore MSI fans
Conclusion – This is a case for MSI fans
The MSI 300R is a PC case that has a limited audience. MSI are best known for their motherboards, graphics cards, and other PC components. This makes the GUNGNIR 300R a PC case that’s primarily for MSI fans.
While there is no reason why you can’t use non-MSI components within this case, it would be odd to place components from other brands inside a case that’s filled with MSI logos. The same logic applies to PC cases from brands like ASUS and Gigabyte.
Thermally, the GUNGNIR 300R did not impress us. Simply put, this case did not work well with our standard PC case test setup. This PC case is designed to be used with a all-in-ne CPU liquid cooler. Such a cooling solution would add more fans to the top of the chassis and more directly move CPU heat outside of the system. We won’t go to hard on this case for its thermals, as it can be argued that we have simply used this case in a sub-optimal way. That said, there are a lot of cases that kept our test hardware running at lower load temperatures.
On a positive note, the MSI 300R is a feature rich PC case. It features four RGB illuminated fans out of the box, and a fan/RGB controller. On top of that, this case also features a GPU support bracket and a vertical GPU mounting solution. These are all great add-ons, especially for a case that’s $169. Many more expensive cases offer PC builders a lot less.
What about the MPG GUNGNIR 300P?
For this review, MSI has provided us with the parts we need to comment on their Gungnir 300P chassis. This is an alternative version of the 300R that switches out its fans for non-RGB models, drops the fan/RGB controller for other add-ons. These add-ons are a PCIe 4.0 riser cable and additional fans are intended to be used with vertically mounted GPUs.
Personally, I am not a fan of adding 60mm and 80mm fans to cases. They are often too loud to justify the airflow they generate. That said, the idea of adding an airflow channel between a vertically mounted GPU and a motherboard is a clever one. A great idea of GPU backplate and M.2 SSD slot cooling.
Honestly, the Gungnir 300P is only for 300R buyers who don’t want RGB lighting and are willing to trade that feature in for a free PCIe riser card. If you want RGB fans, you are better off buying a 300R and getting your own PCIe riser cable.
Closing
The GUNGNIR 300R is a solid PC case, but it’s an “MSI case for MSI fans”. It offers owners a lot of features, and it is a great case for MSI enthusiasts who want an all-MSI PC. There are a lot of PC cases that MSI’s 300R competes with, and the GUNGNIR doesn’t stand head and shoulders above its rivals. As such, this is an ideal case for MSI-themed PCs, but not an ideal case for everyone.
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