BitFenix Outlaw: When Inexpensive Doesn't Mean Cheap
by Dustin Sklavos on December 23, 2011 5:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- mid-tower
- bitfenix
Introducing the BitFenix Outlaw
A lot of our case reviews lately have been for enclosures that hover around the $99 price point and then range below. The big, expensive ones are exciting and ultimately many of them are definitely worth your hard earned money, but what about the friend who's on an extreme budget? What if you're on an extreme budget? The case is often one of the easiest and safest places to cut money out of the cost of a custom build, and BitFenix has been diligently serving the cash-strapped for a while now. Today we have on hand the new Outlaw, and we'll show you just how much case you can get for fifty bucks.
From the moment the BitFenix rep showed me the Outlaw right up until I finished assembling it, all I could think was "I can't believe this thing is so cheap." Of course, when I say "cheap" I do mean "inexpensive," a distinction I made a few times during my recent review of the Rosewill Ranger. The Outlaw has a lot in common with my favorite Micro-ATX case, SilverStone's Temjin TJ08-E. The Temjin is a royal hassle to put together, but it does pay dividends: it runs cool and it runs quiet. BitFenix had to be a little more flexible in designing the Outlaw (and hitting a price point that's half the Temjin), but there's a lot to like here.
| BitFenix Outlaw Specifications | ||
| Motherboard Form Factor | ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | |
| Drive Bays | External | 3x 5.25" |
| Internal | 4x 3.5", 1x 2.5" | |
| Cooling | Front | 2x 120mm fan mount |
| Rear | 1x 120mm exhaust fan | |
| Top | 2x 120mm fan mount | |
| Side | 2x 120mm/140mm fan mount | |
| Bottom | 1x 120mm fan mount | |
| Expansion Slots | 7 | |
| Front I/O Port | - | |
| Top I/O Port | 4x USB 2.0, mic and headphone jacks, power and reset buttons | |
| Power Supply Size | ATX | |
| Clearance | 10.5" (Expansion Cards), 170mm (CPU HSF), 180mm (PSU) | |
| Weight | 14.33 lbs. | |
| Dimensions | 7.09" x 18.82" x 17.24" (180mm x 478mm x 438mm) | |
| Price | MSRP $49 | |
As a $49 case you're stuck largely with the basics when it comes to the Outlaw; about enough room for garden variety configurations, a bunch of fan mounts with no fans installed, and strictly USB 2.0 connectivity in the enclosure itself. But there's a lot more going on with BitFenix's design than appears at first glance.
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colmiak - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
yay! :)xbournex - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
Hi colmiak,The logo seen on the bottom is just a sticker (as an accessory) that we provide, just like the merc.
colmiak - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
thank you!gonna be picking up one of these soon at my local microcenter, looks so much nicer than the antec 300 for the same price!
and it's quiet :) !
Malih - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
i'd buy a premium but smaller version of this case, for mATX board, with better cable routing, and different angle for mounting hdd with detachable hdd mounting, with no 5.25 bay or just one of them but with a 3.5 adapter provided plus eSATA and USB 3 front panel.Well, just a little christmas wish...
Dustin Sklavos - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
SilverStone Temjin TJ08-E. We reviewed it this year. :)Malih - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
Never noticed the Temjin case is also left-handed, should've paid more attention, thanks.buzznut - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
I've been impressed with this enclosure since I first saw it online. It really is a great budget case and I can't wait to order one and begin a mod with it.Of course I have to put in a window to show off the right side up video card!
BTW, if readers want to pick one up in the US, visit www.Xoxide.com. I've actually seen it below MSRP, for $48.00.
rockfella79 - Monday, December 26, 2011 - link
Real VFM cabbie. Only one CON : No USB3.xbournex - Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - link
USB 3.0 Kit is available for purchase now.geniekid - Tuesday, December 27, 2011 - link
FWIW, you can purchase these cases directly from their website.