[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The Bitfenix Prodigy is a sleek-looking case from Bitfenix, supporting Mini-ITX motherboards and targeted to users who want to build a small yet powerful gaming computer to carry it to LAN parties. Let’s check it out.
The handles and feet of the Prodigy are rubberized and flexible, yet strong, using a material called “FyberFlex” by the manufacturer. Currently, the Prodigy is available in two colors: arctic white and midnight black. There are differences between the two models that go beyond the color. The white version has a solid front panel, while the black one has a meshed front panel. We received the white version for review.
Figure 1: Bitfenix Prodigy case
Figure 2: Bitfenix Prodigy case
There are two USB 3.0 ports on the right panel of the case, using an internal connector.
Figure 3: Buttons and connectors
The left panel is meshed, as you can see in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Left panel
[nextpage title=”The Front and Top Panels”]
As already explained, the front panel of the Bitfenix Prodigy is solid on the white version and meshed on the black version, and it has a rubberized finish. It comes with one 5.25” bay.
Figure 5: Front panel
The case comes with a 120 mm fan behind the front panel, using a standard three-pin fan power connector. You can install a second 120 mm fan or a 140 mm, 180 mm, 200 mm or 230 mm fan and even a 240 mm radiator after removing the 120 mm fan.
Figure 6: Front panel
The top panel of the Prodigy comes with an air filter and supports the installation of two 120 mm fans or a 240 mm radiator of liquid cooling solutions.
Figure 7: Top panel
Figure 8: Top panel
[nextpage title=”The Bottom and Rear Panels”]
The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan, which is installed at the bottom of the case.
Figure 9: Bottom panel
One of the highlights of this case is that it supports standard-sized ATX power supplies; you don’t need to buy a small form factor unit (CFX12V, for instance). In order to make the installation of the power supply easier, you need to remove the metallic frame where the power supply will be installed, screw the power supply to this frame, slide the power supply into the case, and then screw the frame to the case using four thumbscrews.
The rear panel is shown in Figure 9. It has two expansion slots with meshed covers. The rear panel, the interior, and the slot covers of the Bitfenix Prodigy are painted in the same color as the exterior of the case (in our case, white).
The case comes with a 120 mm fan on its rear panel, but you can replace it with a 140 mm model (or install a sealed liquid cooling solution that uses either a 120 mm or 140 mm radiator).
Figure 10: Rear panel
[nextpage title=”Inside the Bitfenix Prodigy”]
The Bitfenix Prodigy is opened like a regular tower case, by removing its side panels, which are attached to the chassis using thumbscrews. Unlike tower cases, the motherboard is not installed vertically but horizontally, on a platform located above the power supply compartment.
Figure 11: Overall look
Figure 12: Overall look
Figure 13: Motherboard tray
Expansion cards are fastened to the case using thumbscrews.
The case supports video cards up to 7.5” (190 mm) on its standard configuration, but if the top hard drive cage is removed, the case supports video cards up to 13” (330 mm); it supports power supplies up to 6.7” (170 mm) deep.
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The Bitfenix Prodigy has one external 5.25” bay, five internal 3.5”/2.5” bays in two cages, and five 2.5” bays. The 3.5”/2.5” bays have tool-less installation mechanisms with rubber rings to reduce vibration and noise for 3.5” devices.
Figure 14: Hard drive cages
The top hard drive cage has three 3.5”/2.5” bays, while the bottom one has two. Both cages are removable, and the top one must be removed if you need to install video cards longer than 7.5” (190 mm).
Figure 15: Top hard drive cage
Figure 16: One of the 3.5”/2.5” bays
Besides the five 3.5”/2.5” bays, the Bitfenix Prodigy also has five separate 2.5” bays. Two of them are located on a plastic support available on the left panel (see Figure 17), two of them are available on the wall between the power supply compartment and the bottom hard drive cage (see Figure 18), and one of them is available under the bottom hard drive cage (see Figure 19).
Figure 17: Support for two 2.5” devices
Figure 18: Two 2.5” bays
Figure 19: The last 2.5” bay
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Bitfenix Prodigy case include:
- Style: SFF
- Application: Mini-ITX
- Material: Steel with plastic feet and handles
- Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
- Available colors: Black or white
- Side panel: Meshed
- Dimensions: 15.9 x 9.8 x 14.1 inches (404 x 250 x 359 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 15.5 Lbs (7 kg)
- Gross weight: 17.5 Lbs (7.8 kg)
- Bays: One external 5.25” bay, five internal 3.5/2.5” bays, and five internal 2.5” bays
- Expansion slots: Two
- Maximum video card length: 7.5” (190 mm) or 13” (330 mm) if the top hard drive cage is removed
- 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: One additional 120 mm fan on the front panel or one 140 mm, 180 mm, 200 mm or 230 mm fan on the front panel if the 120 mm fan is removed; two 120 mm fans on the top panel; and one 140 mm fan on the rear panel if the 120 mm fan is removed
- Extra Features: Support for two 240 mm radiators
- More Information: https://www.bitfenix.com
- MSRP in the U.S.: USD 79.00
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
We were extremely impressed with the Bitfenix Prodigy, as it is small, yet allows you to build a high-end PC. The overall quality is top-notch and its price couldn’t be better.
Strong Points
- Outstanding overall quality, with rubberized finish
- Excellent cost/benefit ratio
- Sturdy handles and feet that are flexible and won’t break
- Support for two 240 mm radiators
- Allows the installation of very long video cards up to 13” (330 mm), if the top hard drive cage is removed
- Support for a huge fan on the front panel
- Air filter for the top and power supply fans
- Supports an impressive number of storage devices (up to five 3.5” devices and 10 2.5” devices)
- Support for regular-sized power supplies
- Anti-vibration and tool-less installation mechanisms for 3.5” hard drives
Weak Points
- None
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