CaseLabs has been spoiling us for a while now with a plethora of watercooling friendly cases. A while back they announced that they had started working on an X2 mITX case that would be smaller than the S3 based on feedback from PDXLAN. Well with PDXLAN approaching again they are returning with not just one case, but three new prototypes:
The X5, X2M and X2.
Note that recently the Merlin SM5 case had been discontinued and surely this was because the X5 was coming. You’ll note that only the X2M uses the existing flexbay system while the X5 and X2 have a dedicated radiator mount. The X2M is a bit bigger than the X2 and is similar to the early prototype pictures:
Comparing to the S3 case we see that the move to the vertical motherboard really helps shrink the volume.
The third PCIE slot is also now lost, though this does support 2.5 slot GPUs if required.
We expect the X5 to just be a taller version of the X2. It’s unclear exactly how the X2 is smaller than the X2M. It looks narrower and less deep but I simply don’t know how they would do that without losing the 280 and full PSU support. We suspect that there may be wizardry involved.
Specs listed by CL so far:
* All aluminum construction
* mITX and mATX form factors
* Reversible
* Full-size PSU support
* Supports full length video cards (2.5 slot cards okay)
* 240/280 radiator support in the roof with 55mm clearance
* 170mm cooling tower clearance
* Removable motherboard plate
* Flex-Bay system (X2M only)
* Screwed together chassis
* Quick release exterior
* Extended tops and Pedestals will be available (excluding the XM2, for now)
* Drive support TBD
* Exterior dimensions TBD
* Price TBD
