Cougar QBX Ultra Compact Gaming Case Mini-ITX

Product Information

While I appreciate the toolless design, I think the flanges holding in the ATX power supply are a drawback. A full, pro-level computer, including support for high-end graphic cards, up to 4 SSD, 7 fans with water cooling and much more, all in a compact case.

Fitting the power supply into place is satisfying, because there are no screws required: it snaps into place and is held rock solid by the metal flanges. However, the top panel also needs to be removed for the installation of the PSU and that requires the use of a typical Philips PH2 screwdriver.Removing the panel is stupid easy: it slides in and out of the slots at the top of the case, so you can also flip it up for easy access to the guts without completely removing it. The cable along the top plugs into the power supply, then runs an extension to the plug at the back of the case. For one thing, it’s extremely easy to install: just push the corners down firmly for the plastic pins to snap into the slots around the socket. They get the job done, but they’re not as quiet or powerful as aftermarket coolers like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, and I like to have the option to overclock while keeping my CPU cool. Even so, we took the time to route cables behind the motherboard tray rather than leave them in the wide open space at the bottom.

The nearest update will be attaching a custom sleeved cable, and the next is maybe to put a 1080p 144 FPS capable GPU without being overkill with as beefiest form as the case can accomodate. I originally had it set up so that the air was blowing upwards towards the flow of convection, but since the graphic card is on the bottom in this case, that meant I was blowing hot air across the motherboard, so changing the bottom fans to blow out (and down) removed more of the air that was being heated by the graphics card. For reference, these were the Phantom 410, Phantom 630, Guardian 921, and the very recent Noctis 450. The company however produces more than just keyboards and mice, having diversified towards PC power supply units and cases. Gave everything a clean, took the PSU apart and cleaned out the fan and suprisingly not much dust inside for 8 years of almost continuous operation.There is space for three 120mm SLIM (15mm thick) fans (two bottoms, one top), and two additional spaces for two 90mm fans in the front and back. I can't honestly bring myself to downgrade this to four stars simply because it did not meet my expectations in certain areas, but I will say that as of right now it is simply sitting at 4. It was a tight squeeze, but the build was a success, and I came away impressed by a few of Cougar’s clever design decisions for this mini-ITX case. Hidden behind the bundle of front panel connector cables is a raised metal bracket that actually holds in the power supply, no screws required. The only compromise is I can't install a pair of 25mm thick 120mm fans on the bottom under the GPU as the GPU fans will grind the 120mm fan's frame and makes scary grinding sounds.

PayPal Credit and PayPal Pay in 3 are trading names of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH.On one hand, the stringent PSU requirements, poor documentation, and unique design that can make fitting parts into place a challenge will test your patience. I have spoken to someone who said you can stuff a non-modular PSU into the case, I'm skeptical but thought i'd take up this challenge. Cougar's marketing is making some very bold claims regarding the performance and capabilities of the QBX.