INTRODUCTION

   I've never been fond of HTPC (mini-ITX) systems mainly because they offer very little in terms of performance so especially for someone in my line of work that's extremely important. Now as some of you know i do own a basic HTPC system (Intel ATOM/Nvidia ION) which i rarely use but the small enclosure it's housed in (Antec ISK3100-150) doesn't leave much space for anything else aside the mainboard, memory modules, an slim optical drive and a 2.5" hard disk drive. Of course there are quite a few larger HTPC cases in the market (such as the V353 by Lian-Li) that offer superior build quality and a more spacious interior for enthusiasts but the end result is not really that different mainly due to the design of the interior. Well Bitfenix seems to be aware of that issue and so just recently they launched their own HTPC (mini-ITX) solution, the quite impressive Prodigy.

   Focused on combining superior design with the latest advances in technology, BitFenix creates state-of-the-art computer hardware and peripherals that blur the line between man and machine. Users shouldn't have to adjust themselves to the way their hardware works. So, we strive to put the user in complete control of his hardware, so that it functions as an extension of his will, and not as another variable he has to compensate for. In the heat of battle, the user should not have to worry about the state of his equipment, which is why BitFenix products are engineered to perform under even the most extreme conditions. No matter how taxing the situation, users can rely on the strength of BitFenix products to perform as they are intended. Finally, BitFenix is about performance. In the top levels of competition, the difference between first and second place can be razor-thin, which means that every advantage counts. BitFenix is about making high-performing products that give users an edge. BitFenix is the result of the collaboration of several veterans in both the technology and gaming industries. From the same minds behind some of technology’s most venerable products, our goal is to create products that grant the user the utmost control, strength, and performance to complete their computing tasks. We understand that some of the most innovative and novel concepts come from the community itself, which is why we take great steps to listen to the needs of our users and develop optimal ways to integrate their ideas into our products. By working closely with the global community, BitFenix is able to engineer solutions that directly address the needs of our users. Combining a deep understanding of gaming and other high-demand computing applications with superior engineering and design know-how, the BitFenix team is dedicated to creating the go-to computing products and peripherals for those who refuse to quit.

   Size-wise the Prodigy is certainly not the smallest mini-ITX PC case you can find, far from it since it's almost 3 times larger than the ISK310-150 by Antec which I’ve been using for the past couple of years. However that also means a more spacious interior for your precious hardware components and so the Prodigy comes ready with space for an 240mm radiator, 170mm tall CPU Coolers, full size PSUs (up to 160mm in length) and 320mm long graphics cards. So it's crystal clear that since such a spacious interior is something we don't encounter with mini-ITX PC Cases at all (at least not anywhere around the price range) the Bitfenix Prodigy is a catch right from the get go. However a spacious interior is not the only thing offered by the Prodigy so let's keep moving and see just what you can expect from it.