BitFenix Survivor Review

👤by David Mitchelson Comments 📅28-10-10
Exterior (2)

On the topside of the Survivor we have a cover that shields the front panel controls, pushing this down and backwards reveals some great functionality. There we have audio ports (headphone and microphone), activity lights, 2 x USB3.0 ports, 2 x USB2.0 ports, light switch, power button and a reset button. Nice to see the addition of USB3.0 there, a good move by BitFenix. All cases being produced this year should incorporate this technology.


The front panel, sporting lots of functionality


Further along the top of the case are 3 marked out sections, the two mesh areas are for the top mounted 200mm fan whilst he middle is designated for the transportation handle. Pressing this area in causes the handle to pop out. This handle whilst it doesn't feel very sturdy is capable of sustaining the weight of the case, even with a full set of components inside. This makes moving the case around much, much easier and there is less chance of the entire unit being dropped.


The handle depressed



The handle erected for easy transportation


To get inside the Survivor you unfortunately have to remove some of its construction in order to be able to get the side panel off. When I first saw this, I quite literally laughed. It does seem ridiculous that to get inside you have to get the screwdriver out and remove both the top and bottom sections of the case before the side panels are even going to be able to have clearance to move away from the case. Primarily though this case is designed for gamers, quite a lot of those who attend LANs have no idea what is inside their system. I've seen and met them, they get their kit inside and leave it for a few years. So essentially, this procedure of removing these objects to get inside won't be performed that many times if indeed we are talking about the typical LAN party addict. But there will be those who don't do this and do access their machines often, and I can see both arguments. Is this style over substance?


The side panels are obstructed at the top and bottom by curvy construction



The brackets are then removed. Two screws in each need to be removed



9 pages « 2 3 4 5 > »

Comments