It would seem that many companies are trying to diversify towards computer cases lately. Most of them originally are manufacturers of power and cooling products, but there are companies that began as GPU and RAM manufacturers as well. However, marketing case products can be very tricky. Functionality and value might not as important as aesthetics, depending on who you talk to. Today we are going to have a look at a case from Phanteks, a Dutch company whose high performance cooling solutions quickly made them very popular.

The Phanteks Enthoo Pro

Phanteks made a successful entry into the case market with the Enthoo Primo that we reviewed a year and a half ago. The Enthoo Primo was an excellent high-end case, although it came with a very hefty price tag. After their first successful attempt the company released a few more designs aiming to move a greater number of customers. All of the cases share the same series name "Enthoo" - not an actual word or name in any language based on the Latin alphabet but actually half the pronunciation of the word "enthusiast" (en-thoo-zee-ast). Today we are going to have a thorough look at their currently most popular case, the Enthoo Pro. The Enthoo Pro is a case designed for maximum cooling and versatility but retails for $90 (solid side panel) / $100 (window side panel), less than half the retail price of the Primo.

11.2oz coke can for size comparison
 
Phanteks Enthoo Pro Specifications
Motherboard Size EATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, SSI EEB
Drive Bays External 3 x 5.25"
Internal 6 x 2.5"/3.5" (internal drive cages)
1 x 2.5" (SSD Bracket)
Cooling Front 1 x 200mm (included)
2 x 120mm/140mm (optional if stock fan is removed)
Rear 1 x 140/120mm (one 140mm included)
Top 3 x 140/120mm or 1 x 200mm (optional)
HDD 2 x 120mm (optional)
Bottom 1 x 140mm or 2 x 120mm (optional)
Radiator Support Front Up to 240mm
Rear 120mm/140mm
Top Up to 360mm/420mm
Side -
Bottom Up to 240mm/140mm
I/O Port 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x Headphone, 1x Mic
Power Supply Size ATX
Clearances HSF 193mm
PSU -
GPU 347mm (472mm if HDD cages are removed)
Dimensions 535 mm × 235 mm × 550 mm (H×W×D)
21.06 in × 9.25 in × 21.65 in (H×W×D)
Prominent Features - Extreme cooling capacity
- 2 included Phanteks’ premium fans
- The PWM hub makes it possible to control all the connected fans (also 3-pin fans) with PWM function through 1 PWM connector and create a better cable management.
- Extensive water cooling support. Provides up to 4 different installation areas for slim and thick radiators varying from single to triple (120mm and 140mm form factors). Clearance for push-pull fan configurations.
- Innovative liquid cooling mounting systems: radiator brackets for easy installation
- Closed HDD panel strengthens the chassis’ rigidity, even when both HDD cages are removed.
- Removable Drop-n-Lock SSD bracket that can be installed on 2 different locations. (1 bracket incl.)
- Removable dust filters for easy maintenance.
- Pre-installed cable management tools behind the motherboard tray that can be fastened and released.
- 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, microphone, 3.5mm audio jack
Price $90 (solid side panel) / $100 (window side panel)
 

Packaging and bundle

The packaging of the Enthoo Pro is simple with just a basic schematic of the case printed on the brown cardboard box. Inside the box, a nylon bag and astonishingly thin polystyrene foam slabs provide protection. Although we believe the aesthetics of the packaging to be unimportant, the functionality is in contrast quite importiant. Unfortunately, the packaging is far too basic for a case of this size and weight. The sample for this review received significant damage on its way to us, as the thin foam slabs had crumpled and the case was literally floating inside the box. The purchaser should always check the condition of the case before accepting its delivery.

Phanteks did an excellent job with the bundle of the Enthoo Pro. It may not be overly rich but is very well presented, with the screws and mounting hardware in a compartmentalized box. There also is a plate for the mounting of cooling systems, a few cable ties, two cable straps of different length and a very good manual.

The Exterior of the Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Comments Locked

50 Comments

View All Comments

  • Antronman - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    I would say that 4 5.25 bays is the maximum in this day and age. What do you need more for?

    4 can fit your DVD drive, an OC Panel (if you have one) and fan controller. More is just excessive.
  • Ammaross - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    Unless you wanted to have a 3x3.5" hot swap drive bay which takes up 2x5.25" bays on its own. You can get 5 in 4, 4 in 3, etc. as well. I know I have a 2-in-1 for 2.5" drives...
  • aggiechase37 - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    It's not excessive if you do video editing. Adobe recommends separate drives for OS, cache, source files, project files, and exports. And assuming that you are going to RAID a few drives for something like your exports/project files, we can easily start eclipsing 6+ drives in a system. My current setup is SSD for OS, SSD for cache, SSD for source files, and 3xHDD in RAID 5 for projects/exports. My only complaint is I wish I had more sata ports.
  • Antronman - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    @Aggie
    But this is 5.25" bays.

    @Ammaross
    Alright, if you want/need hot swap docks then sure, you could use more.
  • Dug - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    Or you can buy a $5 ext for the 8pin power cord.
  • Flunk - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    For a longer 8-pin connector you just either need to buy a PSU with longer cables (they exist) or buy a brand that sells longer cables as an accessory. SilverStone, as an example sells longer and shorter cables, as well as custom individually wire-wrapped cables for their modular power supplies (and they all use the same type of cables). You can also get a universal 8-pin cable extender for a few bucks if all else fails.
  • dark4181 - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    The perspective on the box art is so so sooo bad.
  • jabber - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    It's hilarious isn't it.
  • DanNeely - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    Yeah, my first thought was that a trapezoidal case was at least something different; but then the gallery showed a standard box.
  • Antronman - Monday, March 30, 2015 - link

    It looks like somebody tried to make it in two point perspective but failed terribly.

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now