// PC GAMER — GAMING
Phanteks XT View Matrix case review
Big, bold, ostentatious, and remarkably affordable, the XT View was a solid deal even without the fancy mesh fabric dot matrix panel. With it, it's on another level. But it's got that Marmite style, you'll either love it or hate it. Either way, you're left with a chassis that's super easy to build in, impressively cheap, and just lovely to own.
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I know, I get it. I've waxed lyrical quite a lot recently about Phanteks' current line of cases. It's genuinely becoming mildly problematic from a tech journo standpoint. But I do think the company's on to a bit of a winning streak with its latest line-up of big metal boxes that we put very expensive memory into. The XT View Matrix is another golden boy in big P's arsenal, and for good bloody reason.
By definition, technically, this isn't really a new chassis. Phanteks launched the XT View back in 2024 to pretty broad acclaim. In fact, I wrote about it in Maximum PC magazine back in the day, and, to plagiarize myself, it was frustrating to write about because it was almost too good. Bit of an inside-line here, but tech journalism on the whole? Generally a lot easier to write a review when you've got things to complain about.
Back then, this thing rocked in at just $80 or so. It had broad compatibility with AIOs, supported E-ATX, and more impressively came with an extraordinary amount of shiny, shiny lights baked in it as well. You got two 120mm RGB reverse blade intake fans, one 120mm exhaust, and a full-size 16-inch ARGB light strip tucked away nicely down by the side of that glass window, chucking up some gorgeous internal illumination directly into your machine. Oh, and that's all controllable via a single button on the front I/O (or integrated into your mobo's RGB header of choice).
Form factor: Mid-towerDimensions: 45.4 x 22.8 x 58.8 cmMotherboard support: E-ATX, ATX M-ATX, ITXExpansion slots: 7 horizontal + 2 VerticalFront IO: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2, 1x Microphone/Headphone Combo, D-RGB Color Button, DRGB Mode ButtonTotal fan support: 9Fan count: 2x 120 mm SIDE 3x120 mm or 2x140 mm TOP, 1x140/120 mm REAR, 3x120 mm FLOORRadiator support: Up to 360 mm TOP, 240mm SIDEGraphics card support: 415 mm lengthStorage: 2x 2.5-inch; 2x 3.5-inchPSU support: ATXWeight: 7.91 kgPrice: $120/£80
So, what's new? Massive dot-matrix configurable LED strip hidden behind a beautifully clean mesh panel situated along the external PSU cover (and breathe). Better yet, the price is still ridiculous. The XT costs £80 in the UK and $120 in the US (thanks, tariffs). That is utter madness for what you're getting here. This is the best budget PC case of the year, I have no doubt. Although that comes with one minor caveat.
Now, let me talk the positives before I get to that. The XT View Matrix? Beautiful. Paint job? Lush. Glass panels? Multiple. Glistening with a seamless edge. RGB fans? Check, check, check. And then you get to the matrix strip.
It's hidden behind a stunning piece of grey mesh canvas that absolutely looks the part. If you've seen a modern fabric gaming chair, same stuff basically. And I've never stroked a PC case more in my entire life. I know that sounds ridiculous. It's not exactly a sentence I thought I'd be writing after 11 years in this profession, but here we are. It's so soft.
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