The NZXT Manta mITX Case Review
by E. Fylladitakis on June 16, 2016 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Mini ITX
- NZXT
- Case
Test Setup
Professional testing requires the emulation of real-world situations but with repeatable results; thus, a perfectly controllable test setup and environment are required, especially for comparable results. Testing the thermal performance of any case with a typical real-world setup technically limits the comparability of the results to this setup alone, as an active system interacts with its environment and the change of a single component would alter myriads of variables. As such, we developed synthetic loads that emulate the thermal output of real systems, which however are passive, steady and quantifiable. As such, the thermal testing now displays the thermal capabilities of the case alone, as if it would have to deal with the entire thermal load by itself, regardless of the system that would be installed inside it. Laboratory data loggers are being used to monitor the PT100 sensors and control the safety relays, which are fully accessible via our custom software. The Mini-ITX version simulates a 150 W CPU, 30 W VRM, 20 W RAM and 1 × 120 W GPU card thermal load. For low-profile card setups, we are using a 50 W dummy GPU card instead. Finally, 2.5" HDD dummy loads have also been created, converting 15 W of electrical power to thermal. As such, the thermal load can be very high and only the best of cases will be able to handle it for more than a few minutes.
For the full power test, we are using the aforementioned configuration with the full-size 120W card, plus two 2.5" loads. The low load test reduces the main system's power output down to about 42% (132 Watts total), but the disk loads remain unchanged.
Noise testing has been performed with a background noise level of 30.4dB(A). Advanced noise testing is also being performed, in order to assess the ability of the case to dampen the noise of the components installed inside it. This includes the installation of two noise-generating sources (strong fans) inside the case, one positioned approximately over the first expansion slot and one over the CPU area, which can generate ≈ 44.2 dB(A) when unobstructed. During the advanced noise test, all stock cooling options of the case are entirely disabled.
Results & Discussion
As expected from a Mini-ITX case of such proportions and three large stock cooling fans, the thermal performance of the Manta is outstanding. It can easily handle a very large thermal load, greatly outperforming smaller cases like the Cougar QBX, even though their core design is similar. Even without altering its stock cooling options and with a mainstream CPU cooler, the NZXT Manta should have no issues keeping a top tier gaming system cool enough.
The three stock cooling fans of the Manta offer sufficient airflow at relatively low noise levels. With the fans running at their maximum speed, our instrumentation recorded 38.1 dB(A) from one meter away in an environment with a background noise level of 30.4 dB(A). This is the equivalent of an audible but not bothersome humming noise, which is mostly coming from the air getting pulled in from the dense front intake mesh. At lower speeds, the stock cooling fans are virtually inaudible.
Despite the lack of “active” noise reduction measures, such as the installation of sound dampening material, the NZXT Manta has very good noise dampening capabilities. The lack of direct openings/vents at the front or top of the case significantly reduces the noise of the installed system. Our instrumentation measured a drop of 3.2 dB(A) during our advanced testing, which corresponds to a sound pressure reduction greater than 50%, a clearly discernible figure.
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Flunk - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
I like the look of this, but it's just too big for a mini-ITX case. It's bigger than NZXT's own S340 full ATX case, which is much more practical.freeskier93 - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
I'm really baffled by this, I even pulled out the tape measure to measure my s340 and sure enough, basically the same.Lugaidster - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
Manufacturers don't get mITX at all. Anandtech doesn't either, apparently. Here's what enthusiasts look for in SFF cases:- Full-length video card compatibility with full wattage support
- Minimal Size
- Enough cooling for 250W GPU
- Decent cooling (though size is more important) for a maximum of 90W TDP in the CPU
- Low noise
And here's why, enthusiast mITX systems are based on Intel systems for the moment, and with the exception of a very specific X99 Asrock motherboard, all systems use 65W-90W Intel CPUs. Overclocking is secondary to noise and size as long as the system is capable of cooling a powerful enough system.
If the system uses full ATX PSUs it's already too big. Those are not needed for a SFF system even if going for an LGA2011 CPU with a Titan GPU, SFX-L serves the purpose just fine, and SFX does even, if you can bear the noise of the PSU when going full tilt.
Please, review cases that are smaller and give ratings accordingly. This particular case is a mess aesthetically and doesn't serve the purpose of a SFF system.
You should take a look at the Ncase m1 (oldie but goodie) or the Dan a4-sfx for inspiration on what enthusiasts look for in a SFF case.
Taverius - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
Mmnope. I have an ax760i psu and a k-series in mine. You don't speak for all of us.Lugaidster - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
I'm speaking for the frustration I see in communities of SFF systems when designs like this one appears. I won't post links, but hop around SFF forums in HardForum or more dedicated communities and you'll see what I mean. There's a reason the Ncase M1 has such a huge following despite it's price-tag.There's clearly demand for proper SFF systems that try to push the envelope with regards to the amount of horsepower you can put in the smallest possible enclosure, but manufacturers keep pushing fat cases that don't take advantage of the minimal designs mITX allow while maintaining compatibility with high performance parts.
I complain on this review because the case clearly isn't SFF and because the testing done doesn't reflect the type of components you'd want to put in an enthusiast case: 120W GPU with a 150W CPU is not representative, a 100W CPU (and this actually considers moderate overclock, the i7-4790K is 88W) with a 275W GPU is more like it.
JoeyJoJo123 - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
I agree with the sentiment of SFF, the I believe the crux here is that this case isn't targeted for small form factor buyers, even though it's restricted to Mini-ITX.Bear with me. Yes it's a Mini-ITX tower, but no it's not small form factor.
This is really intended for people that:
1) Already know they're never going to need anything more than 1 PCI-E slot for anything.
2) (Most important) Want to have a different case shape than a traditional "box".
As others have noted, this is bigger than some midtower ATX cases on the market, and if a user wanted to spend a limited budget more wisely, they'd get a comparable ATX motherboard (which are typically cheaper than Mini-ITX motherboards) and get a smallish ATX midtower (which could fit even more components than a Manta can and is cheaper). So ultimately, they're really only buying the case for the unique shape.
Lugaidster - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
Yes, the case is indeed odd, but the review treats it like a SFF case because it tests for components that supposedly would be on a SFF system, like a 120W GPU (I won't repeat myself on why I think the methodology for SFF reviews is flawed).If this case is indeed nothing more than a small tower, like you say, we should see it being compared against other tower systems with thermals according to that type of systems.
JoeyJoJo123 - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
I do agree there.The cases really should be compared, not in terms of motherboard size compatibility, but in terms of case volume. I don't think a case of this kind of volume should be compared to a Node 202, for example, even though both are Mini-ITX cases. The inherent difference of volume speaks to different form factor categories, and therefore different customers.
BrokenCrayons - Thursday, June 16, 2016 - link
[H]'s forum is about the last tech forum I'd submit as a place from which to draw a credible sample. The people there are nice and some are pretty informed, but it has its own community-pervasive distortions.TheinsanegamerN - Friday, June 17, 2016 - link
Some of us are still waiting for the A4-SFX to come out. That thing is gonna be sweet when it finally comes out