BitFenix Nova Case Review: Beyond the Boundaries of Budget
Final Thoughts
It is difficult to believe that a case priced this low could look this good and provide more than basic amenities for a gaming system build. In fact anyone would be hard pressed to guess correctly how much the MSRP of this case is without prior knowledge. Usually cases that are in this price range tend to look less than presentable as if manufacturers were passive aggressive with their design choice, spiting consumers who are only willing to shell out very little for a mid-tower case. That is not the case here.
While the BitFenix Nova does make concessions on some aspects of its build to deliver the £23.99/ £26.99 price-point, it also manages to provide solutions for some of some of its short comings as well. It is also practical in its approach and mindful of the kind of components that can be installed by the type of system builder who will consider it for purchase. True, there is no 240mm liquid cooler support but it is hardly a demand at this price point out of the box. It nonetheless is able to provide CPU cooler support up to 160mm tall (non-windowed version) and supports mounting of a single 120mm radiator support at the rear. Even the current longest graphics cards can be installed, including dual-GPU configurations. Cable management requires some planning but otherwise manageable as well.
Pricing in Europe stays close to the MSRP, available for only 29.90 Euros (34.90 for the windowed version) via Caseking.de, one of Europe’s largest PC online retail stores. At current exchange rates, this directly translates to 32.38 USD (37.78 for the windowed version). Once it crosses the Atlantic however, the prices are unfortunately much higher. On Amazon.com, the price for the windowed version is $69.99 while the non-windowed version is $59.99. This places the Nova at a much more competitive space where it does not shine as bright compared to other cases at the $69.99 price point. There are many factors in play contributing to the price difference, including shipping costs, mark up from the North American distributor, etc.
The BitFenix Nova is a very good bang-for-buck case that more than meets the criteria for many gaming system DIY builders. Due to its low price as well as reasonably contemporary and neutral look, it would be a great case to use for several net cafe builds. Choosing the Nova as a value option is a no-brainer, however the price discrepancy between the North American market and the rest of the world dulls a bit of the Nova’s shine as it is forced to compete with other cases that carry a higher MSRP. If you can buy the BitFenix Nova close to its manufacturer suggested retail price of £23.99/£26.99, it is highly recommended.
