APNX C1 Mid-Tower Case Review

Introduction

APNX C1 Mid-Tower Case Review

Final Thoughts

The APNX C1 has a unique appeal and is recommended for veteran builders that like its aesthetic and value offering. It may make a good match for minimalist desks that feature some Ikea but is generally a middle-of-the-pack chassis for all intents and purposes.

Build Quality

8.5

Usability

8.3

Usability

8.7

Pros

Great build quality

Decent ARGB fans and fan controller included

360mm front and top support

Tool-less glass panel release

Good airflow

Cons

Some features require extra work to access (GPU support bracket, front fans)

8.5

Rating

More Images

We’re checking out a product from an up and coming brand in this review with their chassis, the APNX C1. We’re also reviewing the APNX AP1-V cooler alongside this review so check that out as well. In this review we’ll focus on their sole case offering to date, the APNX C1 chassis. Available in black, white and a ChromaFlair color, the APNX C1 mixes a curved aesthetic with high airflow and high compatibility.

But before that, APNX is a new brand under the Pro Gamers Group family of brands and shares its lineage with other popular brands. APNX doesn’t have much to go on in term of history so their first statement will surely define them and they’re not going with a white label design with the C1. Its a very unique case and I’ll share with you a closer look around the case in this review so read on to find out more about the APNX C1 chassis.

Features & Specifications

Official product page – APNX C1 chassis

Closer Look

APNX ships the C1 chassis in a brown cardboard box with detail prints on the broad side and a couple of design accents. A sticker label is used to distinguish if its the black or white color option. The case is positioned front-side-up inside the packaged with LDPE foam to cushion the case  during shipping. 

Taking the APNX C1 out of the case, we’re greeted by this 50cm x 46cm chassis. The tempered glass side exposes the entire internal while the rear has perforated regions including directly behind the board. This will make sense a bit later when we remove the back panel. Moving over to the narrow sides starting from the back, we see nothing out of the ordirnary with the IO slot cutout and rear 120mm fan mount where they should be. The expansion slot covers are perforated along with the area beside them for increased airflow.

The front is where we start to see some of the unique characteristics of the APNX C1. Featuring a curved piece of steel that wraps from the front to a portion of the back, the APNX C1 features a single piece of metal flowing to the side. While this isn’t unique or revolutionary, it does give the C1 chassis its personality as it cuts through the utilitarian box design somewhat.

Back to our overview before we dive to the inside, here’s a closer look at the PSU cutout. You can see two thumbscrews holding down the PSU bracket. Also noticing the tempered glass panel, APNX uses a tool-less mechanism to keep the glass in place. To get them open, there is a groove at the back where a screw would normally be for a case. Users can push on the glass from this and it should release.

Take note that there is no catch or support for the glass so you need to be mindful of gently letting it down when pushing it open.

The top area is a single piece of metal with perforations.  At the bottom we have dust filters running across the length of the case. Cleaning the dust filter is easy as it can be pulled from the back.

A closer look at the top also shows us the front IO ports. We have a pair of USB ports, a Type-C port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The central button is for power while the left one is the reset button. This also serves as the controller for the internal RGB of the C1 chassis. Holding the reset button for 3 seconds switches between motherboard control and the built-in control while holding it for 6 seconds powers off the lights connected to the onboard controller.

Looking at the bottom we have the front feet which is a large piece spanning the rest of the bottom lip. While it would’ve been more convenient to have the dust filter be removable from either the side or front, the design of the front removes the possibility from this side and the wide feet design forbids sideways removal hence the rear direction.

Closer Look – Interior

Removing the glass panel shows us the room we’re working with and while the case is relatively on the slightly larger side.

A closer look on the inside we see a standard layout with a large motherboard tray cutout. The front area has an airflow guide that also acts as a shroud (or vice versa). This also covers the 360mm fan mounts on the side. 

Some details in the business side of the case shows us the bottom of the motherboard tray having a large gap for passing cables. The GPU support stand that’s built into the case is screwed into the side shroud. From the close-up we can see that there’s a groove for mounting it closer to the board for shorter graphics cards. If you do decide to remove the shroud, the remaining part of the side has another groove to screw the support arm. 

The entirety of the bottom has the perforated PSU shroud but a section  in the front is removal to allow expansion for mounting radiators and tube reservoirs or whatnot.

Turning the case around we have access to the rear of the motherboard tray where most of the grunt work is. The APNX C1 uses a half-width rear panel to cover a portion on the rear. Removing that panel is also just push-out as well as the top plate. 

Removing the rear panel exposes another vertical part. Closer look reveals this is a stand for 3.5″/2.5″ drives or a auxiliiary fan for the back of the board. This is why the panel cover is also performated/vented to allow heat to passively dissipate outside or give the intalled fan airflow.

Also out of the box, the accessory packaging is tied to this area as seen in the photo above.

There is a a very large space between the side panel and the motherboard tray for cable management. The mid-part of the back of the C1 is where most cables would land on and we also see the RGB controller from this area.

The RGB controller itself is quite long, able to support up to five(5) PWM+ARGB fans. With the APNX already shipping with 4 RGB fans out of the box, there is a remaining single port unused. 

Removing the front panel requires sliding the front upwards to expose the side and front fan mounts. The filters for the front fans are at the back of this so it does require some work to get those out like the bottom filter. Removing the front also reveals the mounting holes for up to a 360mm radiator or a maximum of 3x 120mm fans.

I do have to dock points for the C1 for the way they made adjustment on the support stand as it requires removing the front cover. It becomes easier if you put it on the tray part but that requires not having a the shroud installed.

The top part also has a removable tray that mounts the fans/radiators. 

Assembly

If you particularly have a very bare build with just a single GPU and an all M.2 build with a modular PSU, your build will be very clean so the APNX C1 would be an easy foundation. It’s for eccentric builds that require some space that the APNX C1 shines a bit more but as you can see, even simple builds really clean up well in this chassis.

Swapping out the cooler for a AIO gives us that more modern look and still cleans up quite well.

And here’s with the RGB turned on. 

User Experience & Conclusion

The APNX C1 is a clean case and has excellent build quality to back it up. The design is easily one of the most popular take on modern cases so its not the look that most people will definitely be gravitating to but rather the finer details of the case. For the APNX C1, as mentioned its got good materials and polish going on for it. Its support and quality-of-life features also speaks volume to the ideas of the designer when making the case, understanding how users will be utilizing the case. Then there’s pricing which puts the APNX C1 in a unique light with 4 branded fans that can easily go for PHP2,000 (~40$) for the set, that’s a good addition.

But toothing pains are there for a first case. While the C1 is a flexible case in terms of support, it does so by making some compromises, particularly in accessing these features. The need to remove panels and tools to make adjustments at the back for what can easily be a quick twist at the front becomes a chore in the C1, a design choice that assumes that the build willl be a one-and-done deal. And if that’s the case, it will work, but in most situations, this robs the case with the flexibility it advertises itself to have.

The main point of contention here is the price. As sturdy as it is with its steel construction, its PHP7775 price keeps it away from the hands of most starting builders that usually opt for these kinds of deals with the free fans and all. It sits quite higher than most cases for ATX but doesn’t offer much to rival much more premium competitors.

That said, the fact remain that the C1 is a decent start for APNX and as we’ve seen in COMPUTEX 2024, the company is gearing of to give the C1 some changes. As it is, it is still a high-airflow case that offers a good foundation for systems that want the plus of airflow chassis but don’t go for the “sides smothered in holes” approach.

The APNX C1 has a unique appeal and is recommended for veteran builders that like its aesthetic and value offering. It may make a good match for minimalist desks that feature some Ikea but is generally a middle-of-the-pack chassis for all intents and purposes.

CLOSED: Giveaway

Giveaway

Notice!

Open to residents of the Philippines only. No purchase required.

In collaboration with APNX Philippines, we’re giveaway away an APNX C1 chassis (black).

*** USE EMAIL LOGIN, Facebook login not working. Best viewed on desktop browser.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Joining is easy, just click or tap on the entry instructions in our app and you’re good to go:

1. Visit APNX Philippines on Facebook.
2. Visit Back2Gaming on Facebook.
3. If you haven’t done so yet, please give us a follow.
4. Share daily for more chances of winning.

Login using email if Facebook login fails.

Technical Stuff:

• IMPORTANT: This is a giveaway for a computer case. This is ***NOT*** a giveaway for a complete PC BUILD! 
• No purchase necessary.
• Entriess will be accepted from date of posting, September 3, 2024 up to 11:59PM Sept. 10, 2024
• Open to all permanent residents of the Philippines, 13 years old and above.
• Prizes cannot be exchanged or sold for cash.

For bug reports and issues with the apps, leave a comment with details about the issue and I’ll fix it ASAP.

APNX C1 Mid-Tower Case Review

Final Thoughts

The APNX C1 has a unique appeal and is recommended for veteran builders that like its aesthetic and value offering. It may make a good match for minimalist desks that feature some Ikea but is generally a middle-of-the-pack chassis for all intents and purposes.

Build Quality

8.5

Usability

8.3

Usability

8.7

Pros

Great build quality

Decent ARGB fans and fan controller included

360mm front and top support

Tool-less glass panel release

Good airflow

Cons

Some features require extra work to access (GPU support bracket, front fans)

8.5

Rating

More Images