Newest BitFenix Case Brings Unprecedented Value to Gamers Worldwide

[btarunr]

Today, BitFenix is proud to introduce the latest entry in their critically-acclaimed lineup of gaming enclosures. Dubbed Merc, this mid-tower ATX design offers killer features and styling at an unbelievable price point, making it the ideal case for gamers on a budget.

"Packed with premium features and BitFenix design DNA, users will see that we didn't cut any corners with Merc," says BitFenix Product Manager David Jarlestedt. "From the clean yet bold design, to the black interior coating, quality black cabling, and robust connectivity, cooling and cable management features, gamers will be hard-pressed to find a better value enclosure in this segment."



Beyond the expertly crafted exterior, Merc comes equipped with the tools to get the job done. This feature-packed enclosure comes in two different versions. With its two extra 120mm fan locations up top, Merc Alpha is great for users looking for maximum cooling potential, and for those who require a more streamlined look, there's Merc Beta. Whichever you choose, Merc is ready for battle.

Small but rugged, Merc provides ample expansion possibilities, including three 5.25", seven 3.5", and one 2.5” drive bay. Seven PCI slots accommodate a wealth of expansion cards, and best of all, Merc even handles SSD drives and the longest graphics cards, enabling you to equip the latest firepower to bring the fight to your adversaries.

To keep things running frosty in the heat of battle, Merc provides a wealth of cooling options. Aside from the included 120mm fan, Merc Alpha can be fully loaded with an additional seven 120mm fans, while Merc Beta can accommodate five extra 120mm fans. Up top are four high-speed USB 2.0 ports – plenty for connecting all of your gaming gear.



And when the time comes to install your system, you'll appreciate Merc's DIY-friendly features such as a large CPU cooler cutout for easy CPU cooler removal, internal cable management for routing cables for maximum airflow, and a full complement of easy-to-use thumbscrews to secure both optical and hard disk drives. Spend less time fussing with your system and more time getting your game on with Merc.

As part of the BitFenix gaming chassis lineup, Merc is built with the same exacting standards users have come to expect from BitFenix products. From the black coated interior to the quality black cabling, users will be surprised just how little it costs to bring Merc into their camp, making it an unbeatable value.

BitFenix Merc Alpha and Merc Beta will be available on store shelves beginning August 2011 with an estimated MSRP of 32.90€ (incl. 19% VAT) and $39.

For more information, visit the product pages of Merc Alpha and Merc Beta.

[Damn_Smooth]

It would be nice if it had front USB 3 ports, but for $39 I cant complain. I do like the looks of it.

[stupido]

I also wonder why no USB3?
is it that expensive to add the connectors?

[TheLostSwede]

The connectors are actually quite expensive, at least compared to USB 2.0, well, it's not the physical connectors as such, but rather the cables having that much more copper in them that you're pretty much doubling the cost of the cables. And when you want to meet a price point...

[Wile E]

Well damn, that's a great value for a $40 case. I'd just add the usb 3.0 myself, and use the 2.0 ports for charging my phone, nook and amp.

[Chaitanya]

For 39$ I can live without USB3.0 ports, also you can buy a 3.5" usb3.0 port box.

[sttubs]

The Bitfenix Shinobi that I won here of TPU is much nicer case & only $20 more. But I guess a tight budget is a tight budget though. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with that Shinobi. I'm not planning on building another computer for awhile, been thinking about selling it.

[Rowsol]

I'm all about some budget.

[Fourstaff]

Reviews, reviews! Pointless to have a case which is made up of cupboard, but if its not, then this can be a winner.

[Mindweaver]

An ugly case is ugly!... and a cheap case will be cheaply made... Hehehe It's a nice enough looking case but i've seen better for around the same price. I'd spend the extra 20 bucks and get a COOLER MASTER HAF 912 for $59. I've got my i7 970 in one and it kickass! I hate to ponder the question, but why would someone with a nice loop buy this? I just feel like anyone buying this case is wondering why in the hell do i have two big ass holes in the back.. But i do like that they painted the interior black, but why not put a usb3 on the front and not paint the inside? It has no window to enjoy the paint.. Is it for the builder to enjoy?

EDIT: and showing off a new case with out the extras on it like drive locks and all the rubber pieces is like showing off a new car with out tires and rubber seals for the doors and windows..

[TheLaughingMan]

So we got this and the NZXT Source 210 for great budget cases. I might have to start building custom home PCs for people again.

Originally Posted by Mindweaver

An ugly case is ugly!... and a cheap case will be cheaply made... Hehehe It's a nice enough looking case but i've seen better for around the same price. I'd spend the extra 20 bucks and get a COOLER MASTER HAF 912 for $59. I've got my i7 970 in one and it kickass! I hate to ponder the question, but why would someone with a nice loop buy this? I just feel like anyone buying this case is wondering why in the hell do i have two big ass holes in the back.. But i do like that they painted the interior black, but why not put a usb3 on the front and not paint the inside? It has no window to enjoy the paint.. Is it for the builder to enjoy?

EDIT: and showing off a new case with out the extras on it like drive locks and all the rubber pieces is like showing off a new car with out tires and rubber seals for the doors and windows..

There are no drive locks or extra pieces. Drive rails are not case specific and the interior build is probably used on several other cases, some of which may have tool-less drive locks. For this one, you will need screws. And why not give people the option to use water cooling, especially when you have room for a double radiator on top. I agree the interior paint job is pointless, but probably only cost $0.05 to do while USB 3 would cost around $6.

And this case is not ugly, its plain.

[Mindweaver]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

So we got this and the NZXT Source 210 for great budget cases. I might have to start building custom home PCs for people again.



There are no drive locks or extra pieces. Drive rails are not case specific and the interior build is probably used on several other cases, some of which may have tool-less drive locks. For this one, you will need screws. And why not give people the option to use water cooling, especially when you have room for a double radiator on top. I agree the interior paint job is pointless, but probably only cost $0.05 to do while USB 3 would cost around $6.

And this case is not ugly, its plain.

Don't want to highjack the thread but have you seen the NZXT GAMMA for $35.99? I built one for a kid and he and his parents loved the look of the case. I do like that these cheaper cases are coming out for that same reason. To be able to build someone a kickass case with a cheap budget.

[jpierce55]

The case looks well designed as far as cooling and wiring goes, but it is very plain looking. It would have taken very little effort to make it much more appealing.

[Static~Charge]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

And this case is not ugly, its plain.

I was going to say "understated". I could see using them in the office: sleek and classy.

It would be nice if there was an option to replace two of the front USB 2.0 ports for USB 3.0 ports for another $5.

[Static~Charge]

Originally Posted by Mindweaver

Don't want to highjack the thread but have you seen the NZXT GAMMA for $35.99?

Yes. It's hideous.

[Casecutter]

At a width of 7.5" [190mm] it might not have room for 160mm tall coolers, or there's no space behind the tray to hide wires. This is a cost conscience offering which for a name brand it has to surrender good amount of features, or undercut their own up-market offerings. That said it’s very basic, but fine if you plan to build it and forget it.

Now on to that marketing release… some 440 words of useless, pathetic, bland copy, the marketing folks who signed off on that need to be shot. Just firing them would provide an opportunity to write and broadcast such worthless dribble for some other product. I mean there were about 3 meaningful references and then a bunch of fluff.

And why the "paint" then they don’t need "pre-plated" steel (more expensive), Electro-static paint is cheap and is considered a add “feature”. What they added was some "maybe" nice cable management, though what’s a cost savings is punched stand-off’s for the mobo, great for a one time install, but strip one and you've a problem.

I could go on… I won’t. I’ll hope someone actually provides a quality review.

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Lack of USB 3 ports is a minus, but it is painted inside and for $40 it's an amazing value.

Originally Posted by stupido

I also wonder why no USB3?
is it that expensive to add the connectors?

No the problem is most cases use cables to do USB 3 and run the cables to the I/O panel, it does add cost, since there really isn't an official internal USB 3 header yet it is usually done with cables.

[Fx]

Nice looking case especially for that price. I agree that they should have had at least 1 USB3 port at the front even with a slight price increase

I prefer cases that have sideways HD bays with rubber grommets for the HDs to rest on

I like how it has decent cable management. A nice exterior and interior that is painted. It has more HD bays with only a couple 5.25 bays

I just bought a Fractal Design Midi Arc that I stumbled across after spending a lot of time searching for a case that didnt cost 1/4 of my budget. It has everything I just mentioned but costs about $110. Still only a fraction of the cost compared to many of the $200-300 cases with the same features

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by Mindweaver

Don't want to highjack the thread but have you seen the NZXT GAMMA for $35.99? I built one for a kid and he and his parents loved the look of the case. I do like that these cheaper cases are coming out for that same reason. To be able to build someone a kickass case with a cheap budget.

You call this case ugly, but think the NZXT looks good? Do you have/want a really aggressive body kit and wing on your car by chance?

[TheLaughingMan]

Originally Posted by Mindweaver

Don't want to highjack the thread but have you seen the NZXT GAMMA for $35.99? I built one for a kid and he and his parents loved the look of the case. I do like that these cheaper cases are coming out for that same reason. To be able to build someone a kickass case with a cheap budget.

Yes I have and I don't like the faceplate on that case. The Beta and Beta Evo were much better to me. And the Source 210 Elite seems to be better quality and a lot more stylish for an extra $5.

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by sttubs

The Bitfenix Shinobi that I won here of TPU is much nicer case & only $20 more. But I guess a tight budget is a tight budget though. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do with that Shinobi. I'm not planning on building another computer for awhile, been thinking about selling it.

Donate it man! Find a fellow enthusiast thats down on his luck and pass on the good luck! Thats what I did and you know what? The good luck came back.

The guy fell into some work/money and hooked me up with a ROG board and RAM. I mean I wasn't looking to get paid back but karma was kind.

Originally Posted by Wile E

You call this case ugly, but think the NZXT looks good? Do you have/want a really aggressive body kit and wing on your car by chance?

You mean he might have a Civic with a biplane crashed into his trunk?

[Jonap_1st]

this case is damn cheap!!

eventough it was lack of USB 3.0 and not tool-less, impressive build quality for just $40, what more could you ask for?

[TheLaughingMan]

Now, they just need to sell the tool-less clips the interior was built for separately for like a $1.50 each. You could still brag about the below $50 price tag and grab a little extra money from people who are lazy enough to buy the clips.