In Win make all sorts of cases; for the hardcore gamer down to HTPCs (Home Theatre PC) for people looking for something small and discreet to integrate into their home theatre setups.
Today we're looking at the Chopin, In Win’s bid for the mini PC market. While the first obvious giveaway is its size, at only 3.3 litres. The second is that there are no expansion slots so discreet graphics cards are missing. And that goes for any other type of expansion card too, such as beefed up sound cards and the like.
Any PC case hoping to join the big leagues of the HTPC arena doesn't necessarily need to bring power to the party, but great looks are essential. Fortunately for the Chopin, its a looker. With a 4mm brushed aluminium shell encasing an internal steel chassis this case will look right at home underneath your TV. Combined with that, its ability for dual orientation (both vertical and horizontal) as well as the inclusion of four different colour stripes for added customisation makes it one beautiful case that gives you added control over its looks.
Don’t underestimate how small this case actually is. The case is actually minute, helped by the custom made 150W 80 Plus Bronze PSU which provides more than enough power for 8th generation six-core Intel systems. Externally the case is extremely minimalist; only housing the power button, two USB 3 ports and the audio/mic jacks.
In Win have ensured adequate cooling by installing a mesh directly over the CPU cooler. While it comfortably fits Intel’s stock cooler there is more than enough room for upgrades, with the fantastic Noctua being our preferred choice.
Both side panels are removable with one giving direct access to two 2.5-inch drive bays. This should give ample access to update drives as your requirements grow without having to disturb the motherboard.
The Chopin is one of the smallest cases RockApe sells. Combine that with amazing build quality, beautiful aesthetics and high end components, this case a must for any HTPC setup or anyone looking for a discreet, capable machine for their home office. Not a fan of the Chopin? Why not check out the rest of our Home Range PCs?