Spire Pininfarina ATX Chassis

Introduction:

There are a lot of computer cases out there, each one trying to have enough features that will get the attention of enough people to make a profit. For the most part though, there isn’t much that is different between one case and the next.

With Spire’s new case, it takes all of 2 seconds to notice what makes it different from the average case. The Pinifarina (I need to find an Italian who can tell me how to pronounce that) has this really obviously great feature that the whole side panel, with motherboard tray and PCI slots included folds down. Along with that, here’s some of the other features that Spire would also like you to pay attention to.

Features:

Stylish curved Italian design

Aluminum Alloy Bezel & Metal SECC Chassis

Full folded edge, full screen, radiation protected

Front USB/IEEE1394/SOUND connections

Removable HDD Cage

Removable Mainboard Tray / Side-Panel

Tool-less side panel access for fast and easy upgrade

120mm Fan duct system on the side panel for maximum airflow

First Impressions: 

Arrived

Undamaged

Standard packaging

It’s not hard to see why the side panel folding down would be handy, in fact, it’s hard to understand why more cases don’t do the same thing. The only other case I know of that has the same feature is the Apple G3 series. And Apple did that 7 years ago, and since then, I can count on one hand the number of cases that I have seen do anything close (I could have just missed others of course).

Need other options then :P

Ready for inspection

Great looks

If you upgrade your computer even half a dozen times a year by yourself, you have to look at the Pininfarina and just think about how much time it could save you. Myself, I upgrade or just swap out parts on a weekly basis, this single feature just seems like a “Must have” now that I’ve gotten to use it. One of those things where it doesn’t matter how good a case is, if it doesn’t have this same feature, it just can’t get a ‘perfect’ score.

Unobtrusive logo

Clean buttons

Unique port cover

I really could go on for the whole review talking about that one feature. Talking to my local parts supplier about the case, all they could say was “how much do you want for it?” I’ve yet to find any computer geek who doesn’t think it’s a great idea. So I’ll just leave it at that.

Door cover

Someone was thinking

Can't get better access

I’m always saying that I like things to be built “Function first, Looks last” but when you’ve got function down, making it look good is never a bad thing. And while it’s just my opinion (ok, quite a few friend’s opinions too) this case looks really slick. When Spire sent me this case, I was hoping for the black version, just because most cases look much better in black, over any other colour. I had to take back that opinion when I got everything out in the open. The finish, paint job, texture and design really give everything a high quality, eye appealing look.

Easy to open

No ugly views

Left brace

If you take a closer look, the only thing that detracts from the quality feel of the case, is that all the aluminum is just covering plastic, and the structural sections along with the side panels are steel, not aluminum. I’d be more disappointed, but it’s not too heavy, and they use high quality steel so it is a very sturdy case.

Another beef I have with cases over the last few years, is that they all have optical drive covers that usually get in the way, and aren’t removable. On this case, if the door is closed, all you have to do is lift it up to take it off. Not that this is mentioned anywhere of course. So I thought I broke it when it came off while I was moving the case around. After looking it over closely, I assured myself that it was designed to do that, and I found that as soon as you open the door slightly, it can’t be taken off, so it won’t come off if you bump it slightly. The door is held shut by a small magnet embedded in the plastic, it doesn’t hold it tight, but I haven’t had any problems with it opening by itself.