BitFenix Prodigy M Micro-ATX Case Review

BitFenix started a cult-like following with its first original Prodigy Mini ITX computer case when it was first introduced in 2012. The original Prodigy back in 2012 was M-ITX form factor only, but that did not stop custom builders and Modders alike from changing the inside of the spacious case to accept even larger motherboards and custom water loops, the list goes on. After all the case had plenty of room to build in and people took that room and filled it with innovative ideas and parts creating a high demand for the little Cube Cabinet and custom parts to modify it more.

BitFenix has now retooled the old case to accept some of the customer’s ideas and expanded to the bigger Micro-ATX form factor and has added 3 more PCI slots for a total of 5 PCI extension slots for SLI and Crossfire. The “Prodigy M” as it is named is a reaction to the amazing success and a few failures of this ground breaking small-cube like computer case. The original Prodigy was prone to having the feet and handles cracking and breaking during shipment and so the Prodigy M replaced those with their newer and stronger FyberFlex™ Composite handles for shock absorption and keeping them from snapping. Also this new case can handle a bigger Micro-ATX form factor motherboard and can also allow for dual/double slotted graphics cards with the extended 5 expansion ports in the rear of the case. Also there is the magnetically held heat shield that is attached to the bottom in case if the builder chooses not to use a large exhaust fan on the bottom or wants to attach hard drives to the bottom of the case. This heat shield prevents the heat exhausting from the power supply from leeching back into the case from the lower venting holes thus keeping the exhausted heat from entering back into the interior of the case. Another innovation of the new Prodigy M is the removable hard disk tray mounting bracket in the front, that can accommodate 3 2.5″ SSD hard drives or 2 x 3.5″ mechanical hard drives, but not both at the same time. This is an either/or deal for that rack that most will not use since it obstructs the window view by a forty percent of the inner view, so with the windowed version most will not use this feature. None the less, the rack can accommodate two mechanical 3.5″ hard drives or 3 SSDs but there is plenty of room for drives elsewhere in the case. Two Mechanical Hard drives can be attached to the bottom floor of the case if needed and the controller side panel has an innovative new cassette-drawer system attachment that allows the owner to slide two SSD’s behind the motherboard tray right onto the side panel and for a clean unobstructive look of crystal looking side window a view to behold.

BitFenix Prodigy Color Options

The Prodigy also comes in a variety of different colors. There is the Midnight Black edition is the only edition that has the ventilated front panel. This particular version is the one that I have for my review, but the colored versions have a fully covered front plate and you have your choice of either the Arctic White, Fire Red, Atomic Orange, Vivid Green, and the Cobalt Blue color editions. They all come with the custom look without having to custom paint the case yourself or have it professionally painted. They have also added a new SofTouch™ finished treatment to the colored exterior adding a Plastic-dip feel to the outer shell that feels soft to the touch and makes it easier to clean and repel fingerprints.

So you might think that the Prodigy M is slightly larger than the original Prodigy original, but you would be wrong. Why fix something that isn’t broken? Right? The newest Prodigy M both share the same case dimensions and some of the same plates for both though the front fan mounts can no longer be used in the Prodigy M because of the new power supply placement. Also the Prodigy M changed the position of the Motherboard tray to a Silverstone inspired reverse mounted motherboard instead of the original deck type mount of the original Prodigy M-ITX model.

There have been several updates and changes in the BitFenix Prodigy M line as of this article since this case no longer comes with an extra solid blank side panel and windowed side panel version included in the box. Mine only came with the windowed panel option and the control panel has been permanently moved to the back side of the case leaving the Power button at the bottom and both the buttons read in the right side up position as of this article instead of the first version having the buttons upside down.

Bit Fenix Prodigy M Spec Sheet

About Author