Z-Cases P50 Mini-ITX Case Review

Most Mini-ITX cases focus purely on performance. The Z-Cases P50 looks to offer PC builders style and performance.

At first glance it’s immediately apparent that this case is different. Unique elements like its fire engine red color, full glass side panel and unique component layout set it apart from the pack.

Build & Features

The P50 is built like a tank. The thick aluminum casing forms a weighty and sturdy shell. The glass front panel also feels sturdy. While I definitely wouldn’t want to drop this case, it should be able to handle bumps with no issue.

Z-Case was able to shrink the profile of the P50 by only allowing support for Flex ATX power supplies. They have also cleverly hidden the PSU behind a 2.5″ hard drive bracket. This bracket allows you to tuck the power supply cables away as well, giving the case a super clean look.

On the front of the case you will find a nice power button and dual USB 3.0 ports. Around back there is 3 prong power port, and IO cutouts for your motherboard and GPU.

The case is designed to have air come in through the large side opening, and exit through top. The top panel has a really nice vent pattern that roles right into the curved top edge. Everything about this case was well thought out and well executed.

Z-Case P50 Specifications

Test System

To test the P50 I decided that a mid range set of gaming components would make the most sense. With limited airflow, running super high end parts could potentially produce too much heat.

Build Process

Building in the P50 is very simple. The flat layout and full removable front and rear panels make installation easy. I would recommend connecting the GPU to the power supply before installation as making the connection once installed is extremely difficult. To see the full build process, check out the video above.

Performance

I ran temperature and noise level tests. Below you will find results for the case in its stand configuration, and also with the optional glass panel risers. The spacers allow more airflow to enter the case from all angles and did result in better cooling.

Temperatures

In the base configuration I saw my dual fan RTX 2060 GPU hit 85C. This is high even for a compact case. At this temperature the graphics card began to throttle a bit. As you see in the temps below, adding the front panel spacers reduced temps considerably and eliminated the throttling issue.

Noise Levels

While the thick glass front panel may not be great for thermals, it does a great job dampening sound. I found the case to be very quiet even at full load.

Conclusion

The Z-Case P50 is a fantastic case. It combines incredible looks, with solid performance for mid level gaming rigs. As long as you aren’t looking to build a system with ice cold temps you should be fine. I would definitely suggest picking up the optional front panel spacers, as they greatly improve thermals.