XFX Type 01 Bravo Case Review
by E. Fylladitakis on May 16, 2014 6:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- XFX
- mid-tower
- Case
XFX Type 01 Bravo Exterior
XFX obviously spent most of their energy on making the Type 01 Bravo visually unique. While the rough silhouette may resemble a few cases, there are plenty of other differentiating factors. The corrugated design of the faceplate is the main attraction of this case, which effectively hides the 5.25" bays and even the power on/reset buttons nearly perfectly. Similar corrugated vents can be seen on both side panels and the top of the case. A metallic red band is glued on the lower part of both side panels, with the company logo and case model in silver lettering.
The Type 01 Bravo tips our scale at 10.44 kg (23 lbs.) when empty, which is couple of kilograms heavier than a typical mid-tower case. Strangely, XFX advertises this as a case of "standard mid-size proportions"; however, this could not be further from the truth. Plastic frames form a rounded top and bottom, lifting the metallic chassis about 3.75 cm (1.47") above the surface. With a total height of over 56 cm (22.2") and a depth of 52 cm (20.4"), the Type 01 Bravo is much larger than a typical mid-tower case and is likely to outsize even a few full tower cases as well.
We should also note that although the plastic frames appear to form handles, it would be a terrible idea to use them as such, as they are not designed to hold the weight of the case even when empty, let alone with a system installed inside it. Trying to lift the case by its plastic frame will most likely cause the plastic to crack or snap.
The placement of the front I/O ports is a bit strange as well, as XFX locates them at the top of the case, along the center of the plastic frame. There are two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and the standard 3.5 mm headphone jacks. Placing the ports so far from the front of the case is at the very least peculiar, as they would be hard to reach even if the case is placed beneath a desk, let alone on top of one.
A large filter comes pre-installed at the bottom of the case, covering the PSU intake and the bottom intake vents. The filter is removable from the rear of the case and, due to its length, you would likely need to lift the case up in order to detach it.
The rear of the Type 01 Bravo is all black, and the entire metallic chassis has been sprayed with a matte black paint as well. With the exception of the rear exhaust fan opening, there are no other vents, but expansion covers are perforated for additional airflow. There are four holes for liquid coolers and cables, covered by unique rubber grommets that form "S" like shapes.
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asendra - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
I know this is not directly related to the post (which by the way, that's an ugly case if I ever saw one..) but, can anyone point me what brand are those power cables he is using with the psu? I know they are not the standard ones for that psu, and I've seen them in more places, but I can find them any where. (maybe I don't know how to look for them)I have a new build with a node 304 and a seasonic g-650 psu, and cable management is a issue with the cables it came with.
If anyone can shed some light, I would really appreciate it.
munim - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
It could be MDPC sleeving.Ninhalem - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
Doesn't look like MPDC sleeving. The weave isn't as tight as MDPC. More like paracord or LutroO Teleios.jmbnbn - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
Although I can't be sure, I suspect these are the Corsair provided sleeved cable sets:http://www.corsair.com/en-gb/power-supply-units/ps...
jmbnbn - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
Also yes, that is a horrible looking case. The front kind of reminds me of the Dell XPS 720 though, which makes me slightly sympathetic because that was a great case.E.Fyll - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
jmbnbn is correct, Corsair supplied us with these colored sleeved cable sets specifically for these reviews, as we wanted the cables standing out in the pictures.arealMESSiah - Saturday, May 17, 2014 - link
They look like the Corsair individually sleeved cable kit.http://www.corsair.com/en-us/individually-sleeved-...
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/professional-individu...
RonanH - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
that is one fugly case :oAndrewJacksonZA - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
<fluff>Typos on page 3:
"(along with the red XFX logos on the sides) are teh only exceptions." Spelling.
" You'll also want to make you don't tie that cable down anywhere" Missing word.
"the width of the drive cage can be reduced it can be removed completely" Missing comma.
</fluff>
In my opinion the case is... an acquired taste. I'm sure some people will like it, but not me: the ventilation slots made me think of boring office computer cases from the early 2000s.
Also, it's a pity about the thermals and noise of this case.
LordOfTheBoired - Friday, May 16, 2014 - link
Oddly, the slots have made me think only one thing, since I saw the picture of the box. Large flat space, end-to-end slats, small flat space... at least from the side, It's a chubby NES.