[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The Ghost is the latest mid-tower case from Bitfenix, targeted to silent computing. Let’s see if it is a good product.
The reviewed case is available in only one color: black.
Because it is targeted to silent computers, Bitfenix didn’t add any support for fans on the side panels of the Ghost.
Figure 1: Bitfenix Ghost case
Figure 2: Bitfenix Ghost case
[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]
Since it is targeted to silent computers, the Bitfenix Ghost has a door on its front panel, with a sheet of foam on its inner side to absorb noise. You can easily change the side the door opens by moving the hinges from the left side to the right side. If you don’t like the door, you can simply remove it. Fortunately, all buttons and connectors of the case are located on its top panel, so you won’t need to keep opening and closing the door whenever you want to turn on the computer or install a USB device.
Figure 3: Front panel
The Bitfenix Ghost has three 5.25” and one 3.5” external bays, all protected by meshed covers with air filters. The front panel comes with a 120 mm fan installed, and you can install a second 120 mm fan or replace the front fan with a 140 mm model. This fan uses a three-pin fan power connector, which allows you to install this fan on the motherboard. No technical specifications for this fan are provided. There is an air filter for this fan.
Figure 4: Front panel
Figure 5: Front panel
[nextpage title=”The Top Panel”]
The top panel of the Bitfenix Ghost case comes with a big mesh with an air filter, which can be easily removed by pushing it. You can install one 230 mm fan, one 200 mm fan, two 140 mm fans or two 120 mm fans on the top panel. The Ghost supports the installation of a radiator up to 240 mm on its top panel.
Figure 6: Top panel
Figure 7: Top panel
You will find two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, the traditional audio jacks, and the on/off and reset buttons on the top panel of the case. The USB 3.0 ports use an internal connector.
Figure 8: Buttons and connectors
One of the highlights of the reviewed case is the presence of an external 3.5”/2.5” docking bay. Differently from most cases that carry this feature, this bay is hidden under a plastic lid, inside a storage compartment.
Figure 9: The 3.5”/2.5” docking bay
[nextpage title=”The Bottom and Rear Panels”]
The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply and bottom fans. The rear panel and the interior of the Bitfenix Ghost case are painted in black.
Figure 10: Bottom panel
The case has seven expansion slots, with solid covers.
The rear panel comes with a 120 mm fan, using a three-pin fan power connector. No technical specifications for this fan are provided.
On the Bitfenix Ghost case, the power supply goes on the bottom part of the case.
There are three holes protected with metallic covers for hoses of liquid cooling solutions. You need to remove the metallic cover in order to use them. There are two diameter options: 0.75” (19 mm) or 1.18” (30 mm).
The case supports the installation of an anti-theft device from Kensington.
Figure 11: Rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the Bitfenix Ghost case.[nextpage title=”Inside the Bitfenix Ghost Case”]
Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews, and both have a sheet of dampening material. See Figure 12.
Figure 12: Dampening material on the side panel
The motherboard tray has a huge cutout for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case. In fact, this is probably the biggest cutout we’ve ever seen in a motherboard tray, making the case compatible with virtually all CPU coolers and motherboards available on the market. There are several holes for you to route cables behind it, and the case comes with rubber covers for these holes, in case you want to use them. There are a few clips for you to fasten cables behind the motherboard tray using cable ties.
Figure 13: Overall look
Figure 14: A view behind the motherboard tray
Figure 15 gives you another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using black thumbscrews, which come inside a little bag. In its default configuration, the Bitfenix Ghost supports video cards up to 12.6” (320 mm) long. If you remove the top hard drive cage, the case supports video cards up to 15.7” (400 mm) long.
Figure 15: Overall look
As already explained, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. Note that it can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already shown, there is an air filter for the power supply fan and for the optional bottom fan.
Figure 16: Power supply compartment
The case supports the installation of a 120 mm or a 140 mm fan on its bottom panel. If no fan is installed, you can have a power supply up to 11” (280 mm) deep. With a 120 mm fan installed, you can have a power supply up to 7.1” (180 mm) deep. And with a 140 mm fan installed, you can have a power supply up to 6.3” (160 mm) deep.
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The Bitfenix Ghost case has three 5.25” external bays, one 3.5” external bay, one 3.5”/2.5” external docking bay, four 3.5”/2.5” internal bays located inside the bottom hard drive cage, and three 2.5” internal bays, located inside the top hard drive cage. The installation of 5.25” and 3.5” devices (except for external 3.5” devices) can be done without the use of tools. Installation of 2.5” devices in the 2.5” bays can be done without the use of tools or screws, but installation of 2.5” devices inside 3.5”/2.5” bays requires the use of screws.
Figure 17: Disk drive bays
The top hard drive cage is removable, in case you want to install video cards longer than 12.6” (320 mm) or if you want to improve the airflow inside the case.
In Figure 18, you can see one of the 2.5” bays and one of the 3.5”/2.5” bays, which are actually small drawers. See how the 3.5”/2.5” bays have rubber rings to absorb noise and reduce vibration of 3.5” hard drives.
Figure 18: One of the 3.5”/2.5” bays and one of the 2.5” bays
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Bitfenix Ghost case include:
- Style: Mid-tower
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors
- Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
- Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
- Available colors: Black
- Side panel: Solid
- Dimensions: 20.6 x 8.3 x 20.1 inches (522 x 210 x 510 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 17.5 Lbs (8 kg)
- Gross weight: 21 Lbs (9.6 kg)
- Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, one external 3.5” bay, one 3.5”/2.5” external docking bay, four internal 3.5”/2.5” bays, and three internal 2.5” bays
- Expansion slots: Seven
- Maximum video card length: 12.6” (320 mm) or 15.7” (400 mm), if you remove the top hard drive cage
- Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
- Fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel
- Optional fans: Another 120 mm fan on the front panel; one 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the bottom panel; and one 230 mm fan, one 200 mm fan, two 140 mm fans or two 120 mm fans on the top panel
- Extra Features: Support for anti-theft devices from Kensington and support for a 240 mm radiator on the top panel
- More Information: https://www.bitfenix.com
- MSRP in the U.S.: USD 100.00
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
If you want to buy a mid-tower case with dampening panels, the Bitfenix is a very good choice for its price. There are products in this category that probably will make your computer generate a lower noise level, but you will have to spend a lot more.
Strong Points
- Vented covers with air filters for the external 5.25” bays
- Air filter for the front, top, bottom, and power supply fans
- Reversible and removable front door
- Padded front and side panels
- External 3.5”/2.5” docking bay inside a hidden storage compartment
- Support for very long video cards (12.6”/320 mm or 15.7”/400 mm, if you remove the top hard drive cage)
- Tool-less installation mechanisms on the 2.5” bays
- Anti-vibration rings for 3.5” hard drives
- Support for anti-theft devices from Kensington
- A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes with rubber covers for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
- Clips for fastening cables behind the motherboard tray
Weak Points
- Holes for hoses on the rear panel are not protected with rubber covers
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