Recently, the global PC manufacturer ASUS released three new panoramic-style, also known as fish tank cases. These include the A32, A32 Plus, and the PRIME AP202 ARGB, which features a curved tempered glass design that we will introduce today.
The ASUS PRIME AP202 ARGB not only features curved tempered glass but also a patented slot-type ventilation design that maximizes cooling for the graphics card. Thanks to this design, it satisfies space efficiency with its compact Micro-ATX form factor while accommodating the latest high-end graphics cards like the RTX 5090, which is the product’s most significant feature.
Let’s take a closer look at the features of this product.
Product Configuration and Specifications
Key Specifications
Dimensions: 441 x 236 x 460mm
Weight: 9kg
Motherboard Support: mATX, Mini-ITX
Maximum Graphics Card Length: 420mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height: 175mm
Maximum Power Supply Length: 200mm
Cooling Fan Support: Up to 9
Liquid Cooler Support (Maximum): Top 360mm
Front I/O: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C (20Gbps), 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A (5Gbps), 3.5mm audio combo jack
The case dimensions are 441 x 236 x 460mm, with a weight of about 9kg. It supports Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards and provides four PCI slots. It can accommodate graphics cards up to 420mm, CPU coolers up to 175mm, and power supplies up to 200mm. The case comes with two 120mm side fans and one 120mm rear fan as standard.
The package includes the main unit, a Korean manual, various screws, and cable ties sorted by purpose.
Exterior and Features
The ASUS PRIME AP202 ARGB is a Micro-ATX-based mid-tower case available in black and white. The curved tempered glass on the left side seamlessly extends from the front to the side, providing a clear view of the interior from various angles. The right side features a mesh perforated metal panel to support ventilation for the side cooling fans.
The top is equipped with a removable dust filter for easy cleaning. The front I/O ports are practical, consisting of two USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen2, 10Gbps), an audio combo jack, and power and reset buttons.
The core of this product is its patented slot-type ventilation design. Cool external air is directly introduced to the graphics card through the slot-type ventilation at the lower front, maximizing cooling efficiency. Inside the ventilation, an ARGB LED strip is installed, providing ambient lighting effects.
The bottom of the case also features a removable dust filter.
The curved tempered glass is equipped with rails at the top and bottom for safe attachment and detachment. Personally, I was quite impressed with such meticulous design for user convenience. For those who frequently assemble and clean their systems, this convenience will likely be well-received.
The biggest advantage of a curved tempered glass case is the viewing angle. Unlike regular flat tempered glass, the curved design that naturally extends from the front to the side allows you to admire the vibrant RGB lighting and high-performance components inside from almost any angle. This tempered glass undergoes a five-step process at aerospace industry standards, providing excellent strength and transparency.
Internal Structure and Features
The case supports Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboard form factors and can accommodate graphics cards up to 420mm in length, allowing for easy installation of the RTX 5090. The slot-type ventilation maximizes cooling efficiency. The CPU cooler can be up to 175mm, and a 360mm AIO liquid cooler can be installed at the top.
A removable bracket at the bottom of the PSU chamber allows for the installation of three 120mm cooling fans for powerful bottom intake.
The chassis thickness ranges from 0.7T to 0.9T, ensuring sufficient rigidity.
The three included ASUS MR120 ARGB cooling fans (two side, one rear) feature a sturdy 28mm thick frame with 20 ARGB LEDs. With dual-side lighting, they offer excellent brightness, airflow of 58CFM, fan speed of 1600RPM, static pressure of 1.7mmH2O, and a noise level of 21dBA, making them very quiet.
The right-side cable storage space features a cable guide design, allowing for neat organization without cable ties and providing a generous depth of about 3cm.
Storage options include two 3.5-inch HDDs or an HDD/SSD combo configuration, and the integrated front I/O header makes assembly easy.
System Configuration
The ASUS PRIME AP202 ARGB is a PC case that, despite its Micro-ATX form factor, can comfortably accommodate an RTX 5090 thanks to its slot-type ventilation. In this review, we tested the system with white components as follows:
System Specifications
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Motherboard: ASUS B850M MAX GAMING WIFI Daewon CTS
Memory: ESSENCORE KLEVV DDR5-6400 CL32D URBANE V RGB 32GB
VGA: MANLI GeForce RTX 5090 Gallardo OC D7 32GB White Daewon CTS
SSD: Micron Crucial P510 1TB
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Removing the curved tempered glass fully opens the front and side, making assembly very easy. We added three 120mm white cooling fans to the PSU chamber to enhance bottom intake.
The completed white system gives a clean and luxurious feel, and the interior visible through the curved tempered glass offers much more openness than typical fish tank cases.
ARGB Lighting Effects
The three included ASUS MR120 ARGB cooling fans and the LED strip in the bottom slot-type ventilation can be connected to the motherboard’s ARGB header, allowing you to freely choose colors and effects. If you use an ASUS Aura Sync-supported motherboard, you can control the lighting comprehensively with the Armoury Crate software and synchronize it with other ARGB components for a cohesive display.
With dual-side lighting, the illumination area is wide, and the light diffusion is uniform. The LED strip in the bottom slot-type ventilation provides a subtle mood lighting effect, and the brightness can be finely adjusted according to the work environment.
Temperature Test
To verify the actual cooling performance of the slot-type ventilation, we installed three 120mm cooling fans in the PSU chamber and tested with the MANLI GeForce RTX 5090 Gallardo OC D7 32GB White Daewon CTS. After conducting the 3DMark Speedway stress test 20 times, the graphics card recorded a maximum temperature of 78 degrees and an average temperature of 70.7 degrees.
Conclusion
The curved tempered glass design of the ASUS PRIME AP202 ARGB White allows you to admire the system’s interior from various angles, and the rail system for safe panel attachment and detachment enhances assembly and maintenance convenience.
The patented slot-type ventilation design is the core technology of this product, providing a structure that directly introduces fresh air to the bottom of the graphics card. This offers significant advantages for those who want to use the latest high-end graphics cards like the RTX 5090 in an mATX form factor case.
The white color reviewed today blends well with any interior and, when combined with white components, boasts a luxurious finish. The ASUS PRIME AP202 ARGB White, with its combination of price, performance, design, and practicality, is recommended for those who prefer the fish tank case style and desire excellent cooling performance.
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