NOX Media HD, HTPC Case with Support for Full ATX Motherboards

Most “desktop” PC cases of today are actually tower-shaped. The actual reason they are called “desktops” is the form that PCs started out in: rectangular boxes colored white or beige.

NOX has used that primordial form factor, which is still used today by some low-cost PCs and white-box computers (PCs without a well-known brand name). The product it has created is called Media HD and measures 140 x 360 x 450 mm / 5.51 x 14.17 x 17.71 inches. Due to that, it can house not only mini-ITX or micro-ATX motherboards, but full-ATX mainboards as well. From a certain point of view, one might argue that this is not a proper HTPC case at all (home-theater personal computer). NOX may be advertising it as such, but it is really a full-feature desktop enclosure that can definitely be used for mid-range and even stronger PCs. The only limitation one might find is the low height and, by extension, the restricted space for CPU cooling. Then again, with how low TDPs have gotten (thermal design powers), there are plenty of low-power CPUs that have better than average performance capabilities. But we digress.

The NOX Media HD computer enclosure has one 5.25-inch drive bay (for optical disk drives) and one 3.5-inch HDD tray. Not exactly a lot, which makes the number of PCI expansion slots a bit odd (seven). Then again, since NOX did design the chassis as something big enough for full-size motherboards, that extra space had to be used for something. No explanation exists for why the company didn't cram in another HDD bay or two though. At any rate, the Media HD also has a pair of USB ports (2.0, sadly, not USB 3.0) in the aluminum front panel. Anyone interested in the Media HD will have to check with their local retailers or online stores. The price is of €45.27, or around $57.85.

NOX Media HD case
Images credits to NOX

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