In-Win Builds Mini D-Frame Mini-ITX Chassis
In-Win's new D-Frame Mini is an open-air Mini-ITX case for LAN parties.
In-Win is maintaining its recent predilection for open-air case designs with the new D-Frame Mini, which is a Mini-ITX case (correction: frame) with tempered glass side panels.
The D-Frame Mini was built using a number of aluminum pipes that are bent and welded together to create a frame. Inside this frame is the main tray, which can hold the Mini-ITX motherboard along with three 3.5" hard drives and two 2.5" drives. You'll be able to mount a standard ATX PSU, along with a graphics card up to 340 mm long and a CPU cooler up to 166 mm tall. Of course, you can also choose to use water cooling, for which you'll be able to mount a single 240 mm radiator at the bottom of the frame.
The side panels of the case are made of 3 mm-thick tempered glass, which you can secure to the frame with four metal bolts. Along the top of the frame, In-Win welded an S-shaped pipe with a debossed pattern for extra grip when you're using it as a carrying handle. In-Win anodized the entire frame in black, and it comes with red clips to prevent scratching the frame. You'll also be able to get the case in other color options, including orange and red.
Two USB 3.0 ports and the standard pair of HD audio jacks handle front I/O connectivity.
In-Win claims that this case is perfect for LAN party-goers, and it's hard to disagree on that point; it's reasonably compact, can house a fully-fledged Mini-ITX system and looks tough as a rock.
There's no word on U.S. pricing or availability, although the company did launch the case in Europe for a rather hefty €299.90 at CaseKing.de.
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Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.
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dovah-chan Looks like a glass box surrounded by painted PCP pipes. I don't think a case made of mostly glass would be the ideal system to carry around. But in all honesty it doesn't look too terrible but there are better options out there definitely.Reply
And does open air have to equal terrible cable management? I know this is an ITX rig which generally are very tough to work with but even their mid towers have just awful cable management routing hole positions. Kind of a shame if you consider the premium price you pay. You'd be better off just getting something from Lian Li, Bitfenix, or even EVGA with their more recent Hadron Hydro case. -
cypeq open air and LAN party portability... doesn't sound good. I guess your ram modules will be missing int 5 seconds... unsless you only lan party with closest friends. Open air is just extra loud option. That puts your hardware at risk of mechanical damage without doing much in terms of cooling.Reply