PC Case Vinga CS404B

The interest of users in compact computers is quite understandable. Technological progress has advanced to the point where bulky boxes are no longer needed for most tasks, and miniature solutions are sufficient. They take up minimal workspace and practically blend in with other electronics at home or in the office, especially if hidden behind a monitor or TV.

But for assembling such a PC, an appropriate case is needed. As an example, today's guest is the Vinga CS404B. The novelty comes with an external power supply, is compatible with Mini-ITX motherboards, and has the ability to install one 3.5-/2.5-inch drive.

Specification

Packaging and Delivery Set 

The usual box with monochrome design features an image of the case, its name, logistics information, and brief technical specifications. However, there are inaccuracies in the specification, so it's worth being attentive. For convenience during transportation, a handle is provided.

The Vinga CS404B package includes all the most necessary components:

• set of screws;
• cable ties;
• plastic stands for vertical placement;
• external PSU with a replaceable 95-cm power cord.

Appearance

The dimensions of the Vinga CS404B are significantly smaller than the previously reviewed Vinga CS401B: 220 x 190 x 61 mm versus 310 x 246 x 64 mm. However, it should be noted that the latter supports the installation of an internal power supply, while our hero has an external power source.

The case design is as concise and minimalist as possible - without logos or inscriptions. The completely black top panel is made of a combination of matte and glossy plastic. Here you can only highlight the silver stripe with LED backlighting and the power button.

On the top panel are the input-output ports: two USB 2.0 and a pair of 3.5-mm jacks for a microphone and headphones. The absence of at least one USB 3.0 is disappointing.

The rear wall of the case features a cutout for the motherboard's interface panel and a socket for connecting the power cable from the external PSU. There are no expansion slots.

The solid top part of the Vinga CS404B lacks ventilation holes.

At the bottom, on the contrary, the lion's share of the space is occupied by perforation, through which cool air is drawn into the system.

The sides are elements of the chassis. They are dotted with ventilation holes. From one of the sides, a voltage converter is visible, next to which a 40-mm exhaust fan can be mounted.

The package includes a pair of plastic feet to use the case in a vertical position. They are equipped with rubber pads for better grip on various types of surfaces.

This orientation of the system unit is prioritized as it ensures better air flow circulation.

Regarding the practicality of the materials used, matte metal and plastic effectively hide fingerprints, while gloss is less effective in this regard but looks more attractive. 

Internal Structure

To access the interior of the Vinga CS404B, you need to unscrew one screw and slide the bottom cover to the rear. The chassis has excellent rigidity and is made of slightly thinner steel than the bottom of the case. However, the interior, unlike the exterior, is not painted. The edges of the panels are well-finished, with no sharp edges noticed.

Inside, there is a power supply unit Vinga VPS-120W12V-01, which is powered by an external source Vinga VPA-1205-003. Thanks to this tandem, there is no need to select special motherboards powered by an external source, and regular options can be used. The PSU power is 120 W, which is more than enough considering the absence of a discrete graphics card.

There are few connectors, but everything necessary is present:

The cable lengths from the front panel are sufficient to neatly route them to the motherboard.

The case supports the installation of Mini-ITX form factor motherboards. However, in our case, there were difficulties. The test ECS Z97I-DRONE simply hit the 24-pin connector against the mounted power converter. Therefore, in most cases, it will be impossible to install a motherboard with a 24-pin connector soldered to the side of the interface panel.

The solution was the MSI B350I PRO AC board, but even in this case, it was necessary to dismantle the SoC Voltage stabilizer heatsink because it hit the mounted assembly.

The Vinga CS404B can accommodate one 3.5" or 2.5" drive, which is mounted using two removable guides. However, in this case, it will limit the airflow to the CPU cooler and its height. When using a 7-mm SSD Kingston A400, the distance to the motherboard is 38 mm, and considering the 8 mm protruding chip, the CPU cooling system height should not exceed 30 mm. Therefore, the bundled 41-mm CPU cooler AMD Athlon 200GE simply did not fit.

But we managed here as well, using the solid-state drive WD Blue (WDS250G2B0B) in M.2 2280 format. Fortunately, the board allows this as it has an M.2 Socket 3 connector on the reverse side. The distance from the motherboard PCB to the top cover of the case is 50 mm. Thus, our boxed cooler fit just right with a millimeter gap.

Overall, the case leaves a pleasant impression. The main thing is to choose the right components, and there should be no difficulties in assembly.

The finished system looks nice.

An important feature of such compact PCs is the ability to mount them behind a monitor, TV, or simply on the wall. There is a convenient VESA mount Vinga V01 available for sale, which is compatible with the Vinga CS404B and CS405B chassis. The contact points of the mount and the case are padded to avoid vibrations and mechanical damage, and the fixation is done with a convenient knurled screw. The entire procedure is quick and easy.

Testing

According to the wattmeter readings, the input load was 50 W. It was created using the Unigine Heaven graphics benchmark.

With the AIDA64 stress test (simultaneously CPU, FPU, Cache, System Memory, and GPU), the power consumption rose to 60 W.

In both cases, the components did not overheat, and the system operated stably. Although the compact dimensions are noticeable, the results are much better on an open stand. Energy-efficient chips with a TDP of up to 15 W are optimal here. The power supply is sufficient with a margin even for the test configuration.

Conclusions

Vinga CS404B is an interesting model for building an office or multimedia mini-PC. Generally, energy-efficient processors are sufficient for such tasks, so there should be no problems with internal temperatures. 35-watt CPUs are also suitable, but it is advisable to choose a more efficient cooler than the boxed model.

There are also some nuances with the compatibility of motherboards, CPU coolers, and HDDs. Therefore, the optimal option is to immediately focus on boards with low-profile heatsinks and a 2.5-inch drive or, even better, an M.2 SSD. The power of the external 120-watt power supply is sufficient with a margin, especially when installing 10-15-watt CPUs.

An obvious advantage of such a "baby" is the ability to easily mount it behind a monitor, TV, or simply on the wall. For this, you need to purchase a compatible VESA bracket Vinga V01 separately.

Overall, Vinga CS404B for its $36 looks like a very pleasant product that will appeal to fans of compact systems. But carefully choose compatible components. How do you feel about such computers? Would you build one for yourself and for what tasks? Share your experience, and we will be happy to read it!

Advantages:

• quite compact design;
• good chassis build quality;
• possibility of horizontal and vertical orientation;
• included external 120 W power supply;
• decent temperature performance of components under load;
• possibility to install one 3.5" or 2.5" drive;
• ease of system assembly.

Disadvantages:

• no USB 3.0 on the interface panel;
• need to use low-profile coolers;
• compatibility issues with some motherboards.

Author: Віктор Єфіменко
Translation: Лілія Масюк