[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The Bitfenix Raider is a mid-tower case that comes with a suggested price of USD 89. Let’s see if it is a good product.
Figure 1: Bitfenix Raider case
Figure 2: Bitfenix Raider case
As you can see in Figures 1 and 2, both side panels of the Raider are solid.
[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]
The Bitfenix Raider has four external 5.25” bays, with meshed covers and air filters. The front and top panels have a rubber coated finish, which gives the product a top-notch appearance and prevents you from leaving fingerprints all over your case.
The reviewed case comes with two 120 mm fans on its front panel, but you can replace them with a 200 mm model. According to the manufacturer, these fans are Spectre models, with fluid dynamic bearings, 1,000 rpm, 43.5 cfm, and 20 dBA. The fans are connected to the analog, single-channel controller that is available. There is an air filter for these fans.
[nextpage title=”The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels”]
The top panel of the Bitfenix Raider is meshed, with space for you to install a 200 mm fan, but the case doesn’t come with this fan.
The reviewed case has four USB 3.0 ports, the traditional audio jacks, and a single-channel, analog fan controller. The three fans that come with this case are connected to this controller. You can also install the optional top and bottom fans on this controller. Since this controller is a single-channel model, you will change the speed of all of the fans at the same time. The USB 3.0 ports use two internal connectors, so make sure you install a motherboard with internal USB 3.0 headers.
Figure 6: Buttons and connectors
The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan and for the optional bottom fan.
The rear panel and the interior of the Bitfenix Raider are painted black.
On the Bitfenix Raider, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case.
The case comes with another Spectre 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel. This fan is connected to the fan controller.
This case has seven expansion slots with vented covers.
The Bitfenix Raider has two holes using rubber covers for hoses of liquid cooling solutions. These holes are 0.8” (21 mm) in diameter.
Let’s now take a look inside the Bitfenix Raider.[nextpage title=”Inside the Bitfenix Raider”]
Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes protected with rubber covers for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties.
Figure 10: A view behind the motherboard tray
In Figure 11, we have another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using thumbscrews here. In its default configuration, the Bitfenix Raider supports video cards up to 10.2” (260 mm) long, but if you remove the upper hard drive cage, this clearance is increased to 14.5” (370 mm).
The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. 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 discussed, the case comes with an air filter for the power supply fan.
You can install a 120 mm fan on the bottom panel. With this fan installed, you can have power supplies only up to 6.3” (160 mm) deep. As previously mentioned, the case comes with an air filter for this fan, and it can be installed on the fan controller.
Figure 12: Power supply compartment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The Bitfenix Raider has four external 5.25” bays, all using tool-less installation mechanisms, six internal 3.5”/2.5” bays in two cages, and one 2.5” bay on the bottom panel. Installation of 3.5” devices can be done without the use of tools, but you must use screws to install 2.5” devices. The pegs that hold 3.5” devices have rubber rings to reduce noise and, thus, vibr
ation.
The upper cage can be removed in order to install longer video cards.
Figure 14: Case with the upper hard drive cage removed
In Figure 15, you see the location of the additional 2.5” bay available on the bottom panel, below the lower hard drive cage.
Figure 15: Additional 2.5” bay
Each 3.5”/2.5” bay is a small drawer. See Figure 16.
Figure 16: The 3.5”/2.5” drawer
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Bitfenix Raider 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: 19.7 x 8.3 x 19.4 inches (500 x 210 x 493 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 19 lbs. (8.6 kg)
- Gross weight: 22 lbs. (9.8 kg)
- Bays: Four external 5.25” bays, six internal 3.5”/2.5” bays, and one 2.5” bay
- Expansion slots: Seven
- Maximum video card length: 10.2” (260 mm) or 14.5” (370 mm) if the upper hard drive cage is removed
- Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
- Fans: Two 120 mm Spectre fans on the front panel and one 120 mm Spectre fan on the rear panel (1,000 rpm, 43.5 cfm, and 20 dBA)
- Optional fans: One 200 mm fan on the front panel, one 200 mm fan on the top panel, and one 120 mm fan on the bottom panel
- Extra Features: Single-channel, analog fan speed controller
- More Information: https://www.bitfenix.com
- MSRP in the US: USD 89.00
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The Raider is another terrific option from Bitfenix. It has a top-notch look, thanks to its rubber coat finish, which is becoming Bitfenix’s trademark. It is a terrific case for its price, and you won’t regret buying it.
Strong Points
- Rubber coat finish
- Four USB 3.0 ports
- Air filter for the power supply, front, and bottom fans
- Vented slot covers
- Single-channel, analog fan controller supporting five fans
- Support for six 3.5” devices and seven 2.5” devices
- Tool-less installation mechanisms for 5.25” and 3.5” devices
- Anti-vibration mechanisms for 3.5” devices
- A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes protected with rubber covers for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
- Metallic clips for fastening cables using cable ties
Weak Points
- None
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