Aerocool Playa Slim RGB PC Case Review

Peter Donnell / 5 years ago

Complete System

So, this isn’t the ideal build for me, I must admit. I didn’t have any low profile graphics cards to hand. However, I have a Ryzen 2400G in a mini-ITX motherboard that was more than suitable for a build like this. I mean, we used that same CPU to great effect in this gaming test. I could have used an mATX motherboard, but since I didn’t need the extra PCIe slots, there was really no need. Plus, I can’t use a big CPU cooler, and those tiny Ryzen’s are happy to run on AMDs own low-profile coolers, which is great!

Cable Cramming Level = 100

Cable routing wasn’t ideal, as I’m using a hard-wired PSU, so there’s a lot of excess handing down here. However, since I’m not using that 5.25″ drive bay, it gave me somewhere to cram all those cables. It looks like hell, I know, but this chassis doesn’t have a window on the side, they’re out of the way, and it won’t affect any of the chassis fans, so no issues there.

The PSU is mounted nicely up in the front there, so no issues here. Plus, with those nicely placed vents, all the components are going to get the airflow they need easily enough.

Done!

See what I mean, all those ugly cables, the wrong size motherboard, the weird internal layout. None of those things matter now that all the panels are back in place. The Playa is small enough to sit up on my desk and it looks fantastic.

The horizontal layout is fine, especially for those putting it under their TV on a stand, as I’m sure you may well do. However, I love the vertical mounting. The included legs are held on with friction so you just push them on, and you’re ready to rock. Plus, with that RGB fired up, the whole things looks even better. I don’t like too much RGB, and I don’t like it too bright either. Thankfully, this is quite subtle and just gives a bit of life to the front of the chassis rather than being a big distraction.

You can cycle through the colours and effects using the button on the front. There are 12 colours and 7 effects in total; as you may have seen in the video on the first page of this review.

It’s quite a sturdy little thing too, and there’s no way it’ll tip over thanks to those feet on the bottom. It’s quiet too, despite using 80mm fans throughout.