BitFenix Nova TG Mid-Tower Chassis Review
Peter Donnell / 7 years ago
Final Thoughts
Price
The BitFenix Nova TG isn’t perfect, but it does still have a lot to offer that more than justifies its price tag. the MSRP on this chassis is just £45, which is an absolute bargain. However, deals are everywhere, and right now you can pick one up for as little as £37.99, which is exceptionally kind to your wallet.
Overview
There’s a lot on offer here for very little money. While it may seem like I’ve picked up a fair few faults on this chassis, I’m likely to find just as many on any other chassis in this price range. Let’s get the hit list out of the way.
Room for Improvement
The cable routing was all but useless. The routing holes are simply too small and poorly located around the chassis. Good cable routing is important on a tempered glass window, and I’m surprised this hasn’t been improved on the Nova TG. There’s basically no water cooling support either. Admittedly, you could put a 120mm radiator in the back. However, space is at a premium here and I recommend sticking with air cooling.
The narrow chassis design also limits you to mid-size CPU coolers. Don’t go ordering a Noctua D15S unless you intend to leave the side panel off. The chassis is also quite light and thin. It’s not so cheap that it’ll fall apart, but if you plan on throwing it in the boot of your car to take to events, maybe invest in something more robust just to be safe. Finally, snap off covers on the expansion slots? I’d sooner pay the extra few pennies it must cost to ditch those, it’s 2017 folks, sort it out (all case makes, not just BitFenix).
All is Forgiven
That’s a fair size list of issues above this, isn’t it? However, all can easily be forgiven when you remember that you’re going to get change from £40. Of course, it got a lot of things right too. Firstly, the GPU support is very good, and the massive GeForce GTX 1080 Ti fit with ease, making it great for those who spent all their money on a graphics card, and left loose change for the chassis. There’s plenty of storage, with dedicated 2.5″ and 3.5″ tool-free drive trays, and even a 5.25″ drive bay for good measure.
There’s a slide out dust filter on the PSU air intake, and indirect airflow for low-noise on the front panel. There are two 120mm fans pre-installed, which are more than enough for most mid-range system builds. There’s a huge glass side panel that looks fantastic, as does the while exterior. Overall, this is one great looking chassis, and once it’s built, those little flaws are quickly forgotten.
Should I Buy One?
Honestly, I think this is a great product for the money. The fact that you get such a great looking design, plenty of storage options, two fans, and tempered glass at this price range, are more than enough reasons to order one. Yes, it is flawed, but it’s still one of the best Bang for Buck chassis out there right now. What do you think, will you be ordering the Nova TG? Let us know in the comments section below.
Pros
- Stylish design, especially in white
- Tempered glass window
- Good storage options
- Two pre-installed fans
- Affordable price
- Dust filters
- Supports larger graphics cards
- One of the few chassis with a 5.25″ drive bay
Cons
- Cable management holes are too small and poorly placed
- Snap-off expansion covers
Neutral
- Quite narrow, which limits CPU cooler size