BitFenix Outlaw

Zitat: Pro: + Cavernous interior; can accommodate large graphics cards + Able to install numerous cooling fans + SofTouch surface treatment on front panel Contra: - Lots of thumbscrews required to install drives - Bash out expansion slot covers - No dust filters for cooling fans - Only 1 exhaust fan supplied out of the box Has BitFenix successfully challenged the commonly held notion that entry-level equals barebones and that compromises or cost-cutting measures must be made? Well, yes and no. The one thing the BitFenix has going for it is that it is pretty feature-packed for a casing costing less than US$50. The inverted motherboard tray design is unique and makes sense considering most users have multiple hard drives rather than optical drives. Forget about the super power users who might stuff 3.5-inch drive bays with business-class storage RAID racks because this case was aimed at the mainstream DIY folks. We also like that the BitFenix has provisions to accommodate many more cooling fans, although, sadly, only a single exhaust fan was provided. Lastly, the overall feel of the casing is solid and sturdy; and the use of SofTouch treatment on the front panel is nice touch as it gives the chassis a more premium look and feel. Having said that, there’s some aspect of the BitFenix Outlaw that didn’t quite convince us that cost-cutting measures weren’t involved. For one, we weren’t fans of the number of thumbscrews required to install the storage drives. Clearly, the decision to exclude easier-to-use mounting racks is one to keep costs down. Having said that, we were sort of thankful that thumbscrews were provided and not the even more basic screws that would have surely irritated any modern DIY builder. Also, we are not fans of the expansion slot covers that need to bashed out and are irreplaceable because they make the casing unsightly. In terms of functionality, we would have really liked to see at least a single USB 3.0 front panel port in this day and age, but the Outlaw stuck to four normal USB 2.0 ports. Therefore, based on our findings, the BitFenix Outlaw is a bit of a mixed bag. We liked that it has a spacious interior for accommodating large graphics cards, however, we were a bit disappointed at some of the cost-cutting measures they employed. However, considering its sub-US$50 price tag, the Outlaw does represent very good value for money for its good implementation and it´s certainly a chassis we would recommend checking out if you are on a tight budget.

Zitat: The BitFenix Outlaw has quite features that we look in a case. And I am sure many of you will like as well especially the sub $50 asking price. There are a few cases that will be into the same category as the Outlaw and offer many of the same features. But one feature that you will not find in them and that sets the Outlaw apart is the SofTouch exterior texture. This feature along is helpful as it help to eliminate many of the scratches and fingerprint that case tend to get. Another feature that we see in the Outlaw and makes it a great buy is the amount of fans that can be installed. A total of eight 120mm fans can be placed inside many the cooling options great. Yes, the Outlaw is not tool-less at all but BitFenix offset that with the including of thumbscrews to tighten down anything that a rig is built upon. The Outlaw does not come with any front-mounted USB 3.0 ports but it does include four USB 2.0 port with plenty of spacing between to plug in multiple devices like flash drives which tends to take up space when using more than one. The opening in the motherboard tray is large enough to change out CPU coolers, but don’t ready see a buyer of this case doing much of that. What the case does lack is enough space behind the tray for the routing of case. There is some just beside the 3.5” drive cage for cabling but it does require some time to plan it all out. Once again the Outlaw is a great buy at $50.  

Zitat: and Conclusion Final Thoughts and Conclusion The Bitfenix Outlaw Good I have to say, Bitfenix put a lot in to this entry level $49 model. The model I built will be updated with USB 3.0 soon. SoftTouch is a nice feature used on the front of the case. The mid-tower has an inverted motherboard tray. This leads to a lot of nice features by opening the case to natural airflow. Both the video cards (long ones can be installed) and power supply have access to the 120mm optional fans. The main door has locations for two optional 120mm or 140mm fans totaling 8 mounting points for fans. Optional liquid cooling can be installed as well. For the accessories there are a lot of screws and ties the come with the Outlaw. Also the Installation Guide is informative. I found the wire management to be easy due to the inverted motherboard. Contacting BitFenix was also a delight. Their support contacted me quickly. I sent several questions to support and they were quite informative. The BitFenix Outlaw Bad I was really hard pressed to find bad points with the Outlaw. I more so have personal preferences that may not match up. I love the BitFenix Logo and would have loved to have seen it in some fashion as a large graphic on the front of the case. I understand minimalists and those looking for a clean front would not want that, so Bitfenix chose a small sticker to place on the front if you like. I like hard drive cages that face toward the main door with a removable tray. Again, I see that BitFenix has the cage pointed to the interior, but it works for this case. I find it even helps with the cable management on the alternate side. This case is also not filled with lighting. In my opinion a case that does not have a clear siding doesn´t really need all the lighting that some other cases do. And The Not So Ugly Conclusion The BitFenix Outlaw dares to change standards as an entry level product. It not only succeeds but has made me a fan of BitFenix. At $49 USD there are some very understated cases that can be purchased. There are flashier cases that can be purchased at this range such as the Sentey Optimus . The Optimus took conventional means and made them flashy for this price range. The BitFenix Outlaw has made innovations out of the conventional. These innovations won´t break the bank when configuring a system by any means. Legit Bottom Line: The BitFenix Outlaw truly made a simple but remarkable innovation by flipping the board. Sub $50 cases take note; it´s a good thing to be creative on a budget.

Zitat: Mit dem Outlaw hat BitFenix ein gutes Budget-Gehäuse auf den Markt gebracht, welches mit guter und Verarbeitung aufwarten kann. Zu einem schlichten und zugleich edlen Aussehen verhelfen dem Outlaw eine gummierte Front, sowie eine mattschwarze Lackierung, die unanfällig gegen Fingerabdrücke ist. Auch der Innenraum braucht sich nicht zu verstecken. Dieser ist ebenfalls schwarz lackiert und hat eine sehr gut durchdachte Kabelführung. Auf Grund des recht günstigen Preises von 39,90 Euro (11/2011) muss man natürlich irgendwo Abstriche machen. Somit fehlen dem Outlaw Staubfilter in der Front und im Netzteilbereich, auch Slotblenden zum Herausbrechen sind nicht grade schön, aber bei dem Preis verst?ndlich. Mit seinen vielen Möglichkeiten zur Anbringung von zusätzlichen Lüftern ist das Outlaw ein gutes Gehäuse um aktuelle Hardware gut mit Frischluft zu versorgen. Wir verleihen dem Outlaw den Silber Award.