The newest PC case on our test bench is the APNX V1, a large fishbowl-style case that stands out from the competition with its angled air intake design. As you will see in our benchmark Below, this gives it an edge over competing cases. Best of all is the price: at just $119, it’s cheaper than many well-known competitors.
Will APNX V1 be on our list? Best computer case? Let’s take a look at the chassis specs straight from APNX, then we’ll cover the chassis’ features and wrap up our review with a thermal benchmark.
product specifications
| Motherboard support | ATX, micro-ATX, mini-ITX |
| color | Black, white and wood panel options |
| type | fish tank |
| Housing size | 500 mm (L) x 485.5 mm (H) x 290 mm (W) (19.7 x 19.1 x 11.4 inches) |
| 2.5-inch drive support | Up to six drives |
| 3.5-inch drive support | Up to two drives |
| PCI-E expansion slot | 7 |
| fan support | Up to 10 followers |
| Pre-installed fan | without any |
| CPU cooler clearance | 170 mm (6.6 inches) |
| GPU clearance | 395 mm (15.5 inches) |
| Power length | 220 mm (8.66 in) ATX |
| Radiator bracket | Supports up to three 360mm radiators on the top, sides and bottom. |
| Suggested retail price | $119.99 – Standard Edition $139.99 – Wooden Edition |
APNX V1 computer case features
Six styles to choose from
since release fractal design north towerwooden boards are experiencing a resurgence in popularity among computer enthusiasts. APNX’s V1 usually comes in black or white, but if you’re willing to spend an extra $20, you can also opt for a wood top.
Also note that while the black model we were sent for review looked gray in many photos due to the brightness of the photography lights, under normal lighting it’s the same typical black color you’d see in any other phone case brand Same as mobile phone case.
There are six styles to choose from: black, white, mixed and the same option with wood panels.
Comes with GPU bracket
APNX includes a built-in GPU bracket to prevent the graphics card from sagging.
Side view, better airflow design, adjustable motherboard height
The first thing that struck me was how different APNX’s fish tank design was from most of its competitors. The airflow of most fishbowl-style cases has an intake fan that pushes air from one side of the case directly into the glass panel on the other side. I don’t like this design because the airflow weakens when it hits the side panels.
APNX avoids this problem by mounting the intake fan at a 45-degree angle, which gives the V1 better thermal performance than the competition – as you’ll see in the benchmark below.
If you look closely at the photo above, you’ll see that there are two rows of slots for motherboard mounting. This is because the case supports lowering and raising the motherboard installation depending on your needs. Next to the intake fan area, there are cable management paths and a built-in GPU bracket.
Radiator and fan bracket
This case can be equipped with up to 10 fans. The device supports one exhaust fan and up to nine fans on the top, side, or bottom. You can also install up to three 360mm radiators from the top, sides and bottom.
dust filter
There are also dust filters built into the top, sides and top of the unit. The bottom dust filter is easy to remove, but to get to the other two filters you’ll need to remove the front wood or top panel – nothing too difficult.
front view
As with other fish tank designs, most of the front of the enclosure is clear glass—the most notable differences being the angled entrance and wooden front panel.
IO panel
The IO panel is located above the sloping front panel and includes one USB-C, two USB-A, vocal Jack, power and reset buttons.
Rear view, hardware ARGB and PWM fan hub, storage and cable management features
APNX V1 features cable routing paths and Velcro straps for easy cable management. A small number of cable ties are also included to assist with cable management.
Cables can also be hidden behind the bottom storage drive board, supporting up to six 2.5-inch drives, two 3.5-inch drives, or one 3.5-inch drive and four 2.5-inch drives.
rear view
There isn’t much to say about the backside of the case. A slight departure from the competition is the inclusion of a “smart strip” located just above the power and IO panel slots. If you choose to install a motherboard with a raised mechanism, you can move it to the bottom to cover the otherwise visible gap.
a small complaint
The only thing I don’t like about this case is that the side panels are screwed on, requiring extra steps to take them apart – but overall, that’s a minor complaint. APNX says the screws are included only to ensure the safety of the product during shipping, and the company’s official position is that the screws are no longer needed once the product is delivered.
Thermal testing, test settings and test methods
These thermal tests are intended to give you more information about the product’s performance, but are not the only judge of the chassis. The style, price, functionality and noise level of the enclosure should also be considered – we all have different preferences. A case I might like, you might not – and that’s okay. My goal with these reviews is to provide everyone, regardless of their preferences, with enough information to decide whether a product is right for them.
Today’s cases don’t come with pre-installed fans, so I set up the case shown in the benchmarks below using the same set of standardized fans. How I test the case is as follows:
- “Worst case” stress test with fully loaded CPU and GPU.
- “Heavy gaming scenario” stress test with GPU fully loaded and CPU partially loaded
- CPU stress test only, measuring CPU heat dissipation and VRM heat dissipation
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