INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Lately we see more and more manufacturers come together to jointly release products and although this may indeed seem as somewhat strange to many of you out there it has in fact been happening in other areas of the industry for as long as i can remember (and quite successfully at that). Personally I’ve always welcomed joint projects now only because they tend to be more "complete" in some ways but also because when you have more people involved you have a better chance of creating something unique (or at least something close to unique). Antec came together with EK Water Blocks (EKWB) and Razer not too long ago in order to release not one but two different versions of their newest Mini-ITX PC case called the Cube. We had the EKWB version a few months back and today after quite a bit of wait with us we have the Designed by Razer (Special Edition in the EU) model.

   For 30 years, Antec, Inc. has been the global leader in high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself markets, being the pioneer and market leader for quiet, efficient and innovative products such as the P280 and SOLO II enclosures as well as for their award-winning PSUs having the lowest returns in the industry. Antec continues to further the industry with performance-rich enclosures, efficient power supplies, reliable cooling components, the cutting-edge Antec Advance accessories line, and the Antec Mobile Products (A.M.P). Founded in 1986, Antec is headquartered in Fremont, California, with additional offices in The Netherlands, Germany, China and Taiwan.

   As also mentioned in our Cube by EKWB review the main differences these two versions have are primarily aesthetic ones so for starters although the Designed By Razer model features just Green LEDs and of course the Razer logo (illuminated) the EKWB version features RGB LED illumination (7 different colors) and the EKWB logo. Secondary differences include a Green LED 120mm fan, signature design elements and a 6-fan hub for the Razer version and a LED light switch, 6-fan hub and a 120mm white LED fan for the EKWB model. Both models are based on a hexagonal design, are identical in size, feature 3 transparent darkened acrylic windows (sides and top) and have enough interior space to support a 240mm radiator (up to 60mm thick) at the front, four 2.5" drives (or two 2.5" and one 3.5"), three single slot cards, graphics cards up to 350mm in length, CPU coolers up to 190mm in height and power supply units up to 200m long.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A large product picture is placed at the front of the box right next to the special edition remark.

 

 

The Antec and Razer logos are placed on both sides of the box.

 

 

The cube specifications and features are placed at the rear of the box.

 

 

Inside the box we see that the cube is wrapped inside a cloth cover and placed between two thick foam spacers.

 

 

Contained inside the box are 5 cable ties, two fan extension cables, four plastic bags with screws and the product overview paper.

 

 

THE CUBE DESIGNED BY RAZER EXTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Just like with the EKWB model the exterior panels of the Designed by Razer model are made out of 3mm aluminum while its interior frame is made out of 0.8mm SGCC steel. Size-wise the Cube is quite compact and measures 460mm in depth, 365mm in height and 250mm in width.

 

 

Both sides feature large darkened acrylic side panels.

 

 

The fascia is almost entirely made out of glossy plastic and features a single green LED (Razer logo).

 

 

At the top of the fascia we just find two USB 3.0 ports and the usual mini headphones and microphone jacks.

 

 

The power button is illuminated and is placed right over the fascia.

 

 

A third darkened acrylic panel is placed at the top of the Cube.

 

 

Unlike most Mini-ITX cases the Cube features three PCI expansion slots and a 120mm LED fan at the rear which can be replaced with a 140mm one.

 

 

At the base of the Cube Special Edition we find two green LED strips (underglow), two long rubber feet and a removable air-filter.

 

 

THE CUBE DESIGNED BY RAZER INTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again although the left side is what we always open to access the interior the Cube Designed by Razer features an inverted-mainboard design we ended up at the rear of the mainboard tray.

 

 

Both side panels are kept in place with a tool-less mechanism (click system) so you just need to pull them outwards.

 

 

Here we see a single 3.5" drive tray (can also be used with two 2.5" drives)and two 2.5" drive trays.

 

 

These drive trays are made out of aluminum and are very sturdy.

 

 

The 6 fan hub is also placed on this side of the mainboard tray.

 

 

Taking the right side panel off reveals the interior which is quite spacious for a Mini-ITX case.

 

 

In order to remove the fascia you will need to release 4 interior clips placed on its corners.

 

 

There’s a large magnetic air-filter placed on the interior of the fascia as seen above.

 

 

You can even mount a 60mm thick 240mm radiator at the front (if you don't plan on using a very long graphics card).

 

 

The EU version of the Cube Designed by Razer is called the Special Edition and lacks the Razer name on the PSU cover as you can see from the above picture.

 

 

Unfortunately in order to remove the bottom air-filter you first need to remove the right side panel.

 

 

The mainboard tray has 5 cable management holes on it (aside the very large PSU cover opening).

 

 

BUILDING THE SYSTEM

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

As always the purpose of this section is not to build a functional system but rather to showcase what you can expect from the case at hand in terms of interior space.

The Cube Special Edition is compatible with mini-ITX mainboards and since we lack one of the latest models our ASROCK one will have to do (we also placed a rather large CPU cooler on it).

 

 

We decided to mount a 240mm AIO model by Antec into the Cube Designed by Razer / Special Edition model but if you plan on using a long graphics card then you will need something thinner.

 

 

You are able to use up to 30-40mm thick radiators (plus fans) and still have enough room for a 290mm long graphics card.

 

 

You can mount power supplies up to 200mm long in the Cube and perhaps even longer ones judging from the above picture (we used a 180mm long model).

 

 

Here we see the Cube Designed by Razer edition turned on.

 

 

NOISE LEVEL TEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After giving it much thought we decided on performing noise tests with each PC Case we receive by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically ontop of each case to measure the noise levels emanating from the pre-installed fans at both 50% and 100% with the help of a fan controller (if the case doesn't have one we use our own).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   With the Cube Designed by Razer Edition Antec aims to win over gamers who are either using Razer peripherals or who just like the black and green color combination more than the EKWB one. Other than that both the Cube Designed By Razer Edition features ample interior space for a Mini-ITX case (350mm long graphics cards and 190mm tall CPU coolers is not something we generally see with such cases), front and base green LED lights, rear 120mm green LED fan, 6 fan hub and tool-less aircraft grade side panels with darkened acrylic windows. As expected however we still would like to see a larger version of the Cube with more room for drives, water cooling loops and graphics cards.

   The Antec Cube Designed by Razer currently retails for USD219.99 inside the USA (Newegg) and for 248Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) so it basically costs roughly as much as the EKWB certified version. Of course just like last time although the Antec Cubes are far from the most expensive Mini-ITX case in the market today they are also far from the most affordable one so at the end of the day it all comes down to what you want and what your needs are. Overall the Cube Designed by Razer has nothing to be jealous of the EKWB version (some people will like this version while others will like the EKWB one) so it goes without saying really that we’re also giving it our Golden Award.

PROS

- Overall Build Quality (3mm Aluminum Panels With 0.8mm SGCC Steel Interior)
- Design
- Green LEDs
- Front 240mm Radiator Mount (Up To 60mm Thick)
- Tool Less Side Panels
- Preinstalled 120mm Green LED Fan
- Interior Space (190mm tall CPU Coolers, 350mm long graphics cards and 200mm long PSUs)
- 6 Fan Hub
- Removable Front & Bottom Air Filters
- Available With RGB (Certified By EKWB Edition) And Green LEDs (Designed By Razer Edition)

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Room For Only 4 Drives (4x2.5”/2x2.5” & 1x3.5”)
- Fascia Quality (Average Quality Plastic)
- Overall Size (Compared To Other Mini-ITX Cases)