Review: NZXT Manta

Conclusion

We've previously predicted that 2016 would be the year in which mini-ITX hits its stride, yet while we expected small-form-factor PCs to get faster and more refined, we didn't expect them to get much bigger.

A curious development, yet perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise. A good number of established chassis manufacturers have poured resources into the development of large liquid coolers, and maintaining support for said products must be high on the list of priorities for any upcoming chassis design.

It's no coincidence NZXT's Manta supports not one, but two, Kraken X61 280mm radiators, and the inevitable outcome is a mini-ITX case that's as big, if not bigger, than many micro-ATX alternatives.

And though there are some neat ideas here - the curved panels in particular are very well done - there's not enough to make Manta an advantageous choice. The single-GPU limitation inherent to mini-ITX boards is at odds with the £110 price point, and aside from its admittedly-cute aesthetic, Manta doesn't stack-up well amid the competition. Fractal Design's Define Nano S offers similar functionality for less than half the price, and if you're willing to accept a slightly bigger frame, NZXT's own H440 New Edition offers far more flexibility and still costs less.

Manta, then, is an odd proposition. It looks great, it's good to work with, and it can accommodate high-end liquid cooling with ease. However there's no shaking that niggle in the back of our minds: who actually wants to pair a couple of 280mm radiators to a mini-ITX build?

HEXUS.where2buy*

The NZXT Manta chassis is available to purchase from Scan Computers.

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