Watch Andy go to city on the MSI MPG Velox 100R chassis within the video above.
Key time stamps:
00:33 – Specs
02:36 – Benchmarks
08:45 – Options and Construct High quality
28:35 – Conclusion
MSI has been within the PC part enterprise so long as we are able to keep in mind, and though it’s been making motherboards since being fashioned in 1986 and graphics playing cards since 1997, it’s nonetheless a relative newcomer to a number of the markets.
At present we’re one of many newest circumstances, the MPG Velox 100R, because of be launched in late October/early November, together with a extra performance-focused 100P Airflow mannequin.
The case stands at 490mm x 474mm x 231mm (HxDxW) so pretty mid-sized for a mid-tower. It has tempered glass entrance and aspect panels, though a bit on the thin aspect at 3mm, and comes with 4 120mm ARGB PWM followers and an ARGB LED strip operating down the aspect of the PSU shroud. The design is a bit uninspired and appears much like the numerous windowed RGB circumstances in the marketplace immediately, but it surely’s additionally inoffensive and would sit properly in lots of setups.
All of the RGB within the case comes connected to a small, easy LED controller behind the motherboard, which could be managed by a button on the entrance I/O, or linked to your motherboard through a 3-pin 5v ARGB header, to permit management by your motherboard software program. The entrance I/O additionally has energy, reset, 2x USB 3.0 Sort-A and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C (10Gbps) though these are unfold down the best aspect of the case, a lot in order that the USB-C port is midway down and will trigger entry points relying upon the place you case is located.
The case sadly suffers from some construct high quality points. The metal is fairly skinny at 0.7-0.8mm for probably the most half, made all of the extra flimsy by most panels having any spare house ventilated. Even ones that don’t want it like the highest of the PSU shroud are closely ventilated, regardless of the one air flow within the backside of the case being instantly below the PSU. The PSU shroud has a window so that you can showcase your provide, but it surely’s partially blocked by the black border of the window and can be very small and can seemingly reduce off most ATX PSU badges.
MSI gives a vertical GPU mount which is fortunately product of thicker metal and affords nice help to the GPU, with no noticeable sag. However from there issues take a flip for the more serious. Not one of the six standoff placements match my Corsair PCI-e riser and set up was an actual headache. The bracket can’t be put in with the motherboard in place because of bumps on the PCI bracket tabs that slot into the motherboard tray, nor can you put in the GPU with the bracket in place, as two of the screws to safe the GPU in place are below the rear fan, too shut to make use of a screwdriver.
Thumbscrews would work, however aren’t supplied, so it’s important to connected the GPU to the vertical mount first, which then blocks the underside of the motherboard and entry to HD audio, USB, fan headers, and many others.
On the again issues enhance a bit, as a result of cable administration is well-catered-for with the design of the case. There’s 25mm of depth to play with and 24 cable-tie factors unfold proper throughout the motherboard tray, so all cables, irrespective of their path, could be neatly tucked in. It’s only a disgrace MSI solely offer you two Velcro straps and 5 cable ties.
You want them tied down tight, too, because the rear panel is barely secured to the case on the entrance and rear edge. I assumed it could be a fairly an issue at first, nothing to safe potential cable bulge, however in follow it really works fairly properly. The entrance slotting in first and appearing nearly like a hinge to swing the door closed and maintain it with one hand and securing the self-retaining thumbscrews with the opposite. Sure, the panel does bulge away a bit, however with cautious cable administration it’s not unhealthy in any respect and quite a bit simpler than combating with the standard model of back-panel fastenings.
For storage there’s a pair of two.5in drive sleds behind the motherboard that connect on rubber grommets to quell any vibrations from conventional HDDs. The three.5in bay below the PSU shroud doesn’t fare so properly although. The steel body is paper-thin and would simply be broken when transferring it about, as it may be moved between two totally different positions, however there’s solely 30mm distinction between them. It could actually solely match one drive sled, with a second drive having to be connected direct to the highest of the cage, regardless of there being sufficient top for a two-sled cage. The sled is a product of low cost plastic with no vibration dampening supplied anyplace. It’s a minimum of tool-less, however I’d counsel using a screwdriver to take away the cage utterly and get rid of it, liberating up room for extra energy cables, as there’s treasured room anyplace else.
The followers talked about earlier a usually low cost, too, with the vibration dampening on the corners being foam, not rubber, and already completely imprinted from the fan mounts. They’re quiet at full velocity although, with the whole case popping out at 34.1dB in inventory fan formation. That inventory fan formation of getting the entrance three intakes connected to the skin of the chassis rails was the worst performing although. Merely transferring to the again of the fan mounts and away from the glass entrance decreased CPU temps by 2.4°C and GPU by 1.6°C. Transferring two followers to the aspect consumption and including the third as one other exhaust within the roof (bit-tech stalwarts might do not forget that formation properly) proved even higher, lowering temps by 2.9°C and 1.8°C, respectively.
The true kicker is the value. With the appears to be like and feels of myriad glass-panelled RGB circumstances from the likes of GameMax, Aerocool, Deepcool, and many others., which promote for £45-£70, MSI wish to cost £130. That’s not a typo, MSI actually wish to cost you double for what I genuinely really feel is a £65 case. Even with the inclusion of the vertical GPU mount, value is perhaps pushed as much as £75. MSI hasn’t been within the case recreation lengthy sufficient to demand that type of premium, particularly with construct high quality that isn’t distinctive.
Professionals
• Good cooling potential
• Full complement of quiet followers supplied
• Versatile mounting for followers and rads
• Included vertical GPU mount
Cons
• Fan setup out of field is sub-optimal
• Supplies used are skinny and cheap-feeling
• 3.5in drive cage and vertical GPU mount poorly carried out
• Excessive value premium
