Phanteks Evolv PH-ES515E_BK Satin Black Aluminum / Steel ATX MidTower Computer Case

Pros: I've been building computers for over 20 years and this is probably the nicest, most builder friendly case I've owned. You literally can build a clean looking inside with little effort and time. It has plenty of velcro straps and zip tie places for cable management. I have owned many high-end Lian Li, Silverstone, and Corsair cases and the aluminum exterior is comparatively top notch. Coming from an engineer, the engineering involved with this case is superb! Phanteks has clearly listened to their customers. While being a mid-tower case, it will accommodate some E-ATX motherboards up to 264mm wide. The reviewer below mentioned otherwise. Check your MB measurements. This case has a minimalist appeal without all the kiddy fluff. The cable management and SSD/HDD placements are great and hidden well. Fits water cooling radiator options up to 360mm for top and front , with a minor exception below. It has space, mounting holes and brackets for reservoirs and pumps. You can buy an optional HDD bracket for the bottom middle when using a large radiator in the front, which I did. The dust filters are excellent and easy to clean. The doors are hinged and can be removed when you lift them up. The top radiator/fan pullout tray is ingenious. Why don't other manufacturers do this? White power LED light can be changed for a green, blue, or red one, included. Overall, a wonderful case to work in and it looks beautiful.

Cons: My only complaint is that I am using an EK Predator 360 and placed it in the front, which is no big deal since the Vardar fans provide the positive pressure system I want, but those looking to put it in the top will need to remove the rear 140mm fan. The 240 Predator and other 240/280/360 radiator systems will fit just fine. I could probably make it fit, but I like mine in the front. It gives the inside of the case a cleaner look. It may be a con to some, but it does not have a 5.25" bay for CD/DVD/BD drives. I use USB sticks and external drives, so not a negative really to me. I like the clean, solid piece look of the front.

Overall Review: If you are going to utilize the optional HDD or pump bracket in the bottom to accommodate a pump and/or 360 radiator, I recommend putting the PSU in last. The bottom compartment can become tight, but manageable.

Pros: - Very attractive design, though you probably wouldn't be reading this if you didn't already agree. - Solidly built. The aluminum panels are thick and have no noticeable flex. There is also minimal use of plastic parts in general, which I consider to be a plus. - Overall, easy to build in with good room on the right side of the case for cable management - Integrated RGB led control is a nice touch (led strips not included) - Spare screws of various types are sorted into a nice compartmentalized case. - Customer service is fast and polite. My unit shipped with a fan hub that doesn't work correctly. Phanteks' customer service took my call and, after a few questions about troubleshooting the issue, offered to send me a replacement part as long as I could submit proof of purchase.

Cons: - Integrated RGB control is limited to 10 pre-programmed colors, the simplicity is nice, but I wouldn't mind having some more control over the color. - The rest of the build is solid, but the front panel filter is plastic and does feel a bit flimsy. In my experience this is an issue that you find in most cases, but I still feel like I need to be fairly gentle when removing this filter for cleaning. - While I like the thumbscrew method for securing the side panels, they're not exactly something you'll find at the hardware store if you manage to lose one. No spares are provided with the case.

Overall Review: - If you want to do a hidden LED strip, consider your mounting options. With the top panel being aluminum, magnetic mounting options are not going to work. With the big glass sides its very hard to hide anything in this case, so expect a need to be creative in some of your aesthetic solutions if that's important to you. - The basement shroud is a great aesthetic touch, but consider leaving your PSU free-floating until you've got all your cables connected to it, it's not easy to plug in that one power cable you forgot once the PSU is secured in place.

Pros: glass panels good look if no dents

Cons: Be ready for those dents on aluminum! My case come with dents and ugly scratches and noise from fan hub.

Pros: I actually for once building a pc didn’t get angry trying to jam my hand into a small crevice just to screw in the motherboard screws. I’ve had 3 cases and this was by far the quickest and easiest to build in. I also didn’t have any random crap left over and the screws I didn’t use came in a nice neat case. The quick connect for the fans and motherboard fans were a huge plus. Not only is the case big enough to build in but I can add so much more to my pc in the future for upgrades with plenty of space. Again this is made of solids brushed metal and of extremely nice quality.I never review anything but this case was well worth it.

Cons: None

Pros: Very easy to build in, excellent water cooling options. Solid build, high quality materials.

Cons: A radiator and fan set up mounted up top hides far too much of the motherboard! This case could have been very easily designed to allow for this set up to be mounted differently as there is over two inches of space left at the top of the case but not even the fans can be mounted above this radiator bracket. Front lower side-mounted SSD bracket cut-out for cables should be at the right of the SSD bracket so all SSDs mounted here dont have to be upside down. C'mon, really? For the price of the case at least 2 smaller RGB lighting strips for the interior should be included for an all-inclusive kit. Especially after the Inital release first batch was shipped the price jumped up 20 bucks! Dont understand why cable ties are still upside down on cable management side of case. This looks rediculous considering the see-thru glass panel! You mean you guys cant install these right side up somehow?

Overall Review: I would recomend this case for those looking for a very elegant looking build. I would buy again and already have purchaced 4 of them!

Pros: Amazing build quality. Easy to build in. Glass panels are beveled and fit perfectly, with a slight tint.

Cons: Just barely fits an eATX motherboard, EVGA's x99 FTW K. (24 power had to be routed through one of the hard drive mounts. Glass panels aren't the easiest to get back on, they only hang on by the 4 small circular screw holes, wish there was a lip on the bottom the glass could be set into and then swung into place.

Overall Review: Would definitely build in this case again, great experience. The build quality really impressed me.

Pros: Nice looking case all around easy to work with, and thank New egg for a very fast shipping, order on Saturday got it on Monday, that because am on east coast and they shipped from New Jersey.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: Should have order some led fans and led strip along with the case.

Pros: -Great fit and finish. -Swapable front LED colors. -Clean front panel (behind flip plate), subtle power button on top. -Huge side window. -Handy fan hub. -Lots of cable routing options. -Tons of flexible drive options. -Doors swing open on both sides. -Lots of radiator options and capacity. -Great airflow.

Cons: Minor, nitpick concerns: -There are 10 painted rivets on the rear of the chassis. About 5 of mine have paint at least partially scraped from them - one is fully shiny metal. (See detail below.) -If you opt to remove the bottom drive cage, it leaves 4 holes, a couple of which had paint removed due to previous screws. (See detail below.) -White rear slot covers, and fans are a tough choice if you are building on a color theme. (Black would be more neutral.) -While my windowed version is not ideal for a seriously silent case, but some sound insulation on other panels is something they could add for a case at this pricepoint.

Overall Review: I'd like to be clear: this is a fantastic case. I come from builds on Lian-Li and Silverstone, and this Phanteks is absolutely on par, if not better than both in terms of fit, finish, and practicality. Any cons that I've listed are minor at best, and should not prevent anyone from purchasing this case. In terms of the rivet piece above, in most placements the back of the case does not matter. Even in my instance, where the rear is visible, I'm not bothered, and if I bugs me I'll just touch them up with black paint. However, it is an odd flaw, given the otherwise high quality. I suspected it was a fluke with my sample, but noticed in an online video review that the back of that case also had some shiny rivets on an otherwise painted surface. If nothing else, I hope Phanteks sees this as a minor materials, or process improvement - and I mean minor. (Check your rivets though - I'm guessing this is common.) I have no need for the bottom drive bay, so I thought I'd remove it to allow more room for PSU cables, and perhaps more airflow as that's never a bad idea. Removing it is easy however it leaves 4 holes in the top of the PSU cover (the area just above the Phanteks logo). The only problem is that the 4 top screws, have scraped off the paint on the cover, and it is in a very visible area of the case. You cannot simply put the screws back in, as they just dangle in the hole, as the drive brackets have the thread. I'd suggest you just leave the drive bracket in. As a second, minor process & materials recommendation for Phanteks, I'd recommend a washer be inserted under those 4 screws to protect the paint should users decide to remove the cage, as advertised. Again, please take these minor cons for what they are: tiny. However, if you spend a lot of money on a case, and specifically buy one with a window to showcase your build, you don't want to see scraped paint items, especially if easily avoidable.