I have always looked for a compact case but at the same time could accommodate more HDD and a generous cooler. It seems BitFenix was listening and they realeased the Prodigy, which finally fulfills my desires: this little case can be used for HTPC / Media Server / Gaming, all!

I decided to build an HTPC & Desktop PC high-performance, forgetting for a moment the gaming side.

Some pics of bundle



Prodigy is tool-less, all cages can be removed and imho the arrangement of the SSD is really brilliant!


The dust filters are on the front, on the top and on the bottom of the power supply.


I have already some components from AMD K10, like CPU, RAM, cooler..so, why not a mini-itx from Zotac?
The 880G-ITX seems to be perfect for me: HDMI, WiFi, DDR3 240-pin and overclocking capabilities make it probably one of the most complete and best choices for the intended use of my new PC!


First setup:
- Phenom II X4 960T BE 3GHz
- Zotac 880G-ITX
- 2x2GB Team Group 1866 C9
- Zalman 9900MAX Blue
- OCZ Vertex 2 60GB
- OCZ ZS550
- Seagate 500GB (storage)



The assembly is not as complicated as I would have expected, given the small size: the case is well designed and each component has its place. It's easily possible to access anything anywhere.
The only concern I have had during the assembly is about the placement of the power supply: there isnt enough space to install a high power PSU. The space dedicated is just enough for a PSU which is no longer than 160mm.

My ZS550 isn't a modular PSU and the space between the PSU and the bulkhead - riveted - is too small. You have to force the PSU in and do horrible angles of 90 degrees with the connectors. I have also ZX850 Gold, fully modular and honestly looks too big for this case, ZX850 is infact 175mm.
If you are planning to build a rig with the Prodigy, carefully consider the size of the power supply!

The assembly, however, is fast and without problems. The only advice I can give you about the top's fans: install them in the end because top free is a real godsend during assembly.


I did not choose the Prodigy for low profile cooler or the stock-evil cooler. I chose then a Zalman 9900MAX, which I had previously already used to keep cool (and maybe even in silence) the 960T. As you know the 9900MAX is certainly not a small size cooler (152mm tall) and is scary to think of it mounted successfully in a mini-itx case!

If you are curious ... in the dark

(The green led is the WiFi)

The life in mini-itx is really fullfilled of renunciation for a daily overclock? I have tried my 960T at the same frequency that I use on a mainboard more listed for overclocking, ASRock 990FX Extreme4. I admit that this test is more an habit than anything else, I did not expect to be able to get the same level and I was able to push safety cpu up to 4GHz. Im using the 2x120mm fans included in the bundle (super silent!) and also 2x120mm Xigmatek (top).


What about temperatures?
This was one of a questions that I had before assembly the small Prodigy.
The heat produced from my hot quadcore AMD overclocked can be dissipated easly? Yes!

I was expecting problems at full load with the stress tests and instead, reflecting the high quality of materials and assembly, the temperatures recorded during the session of bench proved to be almost comparable! Truly a remarkable achievement!


I'm very satisfied with the Prodigy, the design is subjective, but the style reminds me of a mac and honestly it kind of drives me crazy! The interior space (power supply excluded) are well designed and modular cages allow you to install AIO and even high-end VGA.
The build quality is on high level and the materials used are excellent and well finished.

Thanks Eprice and Ocaholic.ch for the Bitfenix Prodigy



On AMD I could not play, so at the end I have done another rig based on Intel





With ex GTX660Ti

This is a beautiful build and also a beautiful thread you've done Luca! I like it very much!

As I already told you , I LOVE your build.

Thx Talos, I have on front (between mesh and front panel) a DEMciflex now.
Rounded, 230mm and magnetic. I will do pics! Honestly, also with 230mm @ 5/7V I see a lot of dust inside case

I noticed that dust issue with the prodigy too. The filters really aren't effective. In my case there was a lot of dust inside the case after a bit less than a month.

Very nice build, i like it too! AsRock Z68 Extreme 7 / Intel Core i5 2500K @ 4.3 GHz / Corsair H80 / 16 GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 2133 MHz / GTX 770 / OCZ RevoDrive 3 240GB / Samsung PM 840 Evo 256GB / Cooler Master Silent Pro M2 850W

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Same..and you had the white model, without mesh in front.
For this reasons I'm using double filters.

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Yeah true, yours has mesh in the front. Is it better now with two filters?

Dust, my worst nightmare...

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That is actually one reason, why I chose the small Silverstone case in the end. They promise, that it should keep dust outside in a very effective way.