By Starting with motherboards and progressing through servers and graphics cards before emerging as a leading laptop producer, MSI has established a strong reputation over the last forty years. Although its brand is linked with purchasing PC parts, we typically only think of its prebuilt desktop computers when we think of its PC cases. It’s $149.99 MPG Velox 300R Airflow PZ is made of durable materials and is packed with well-liked features to make a bigger impression.
The Velox is a strong competitor to Asus’ TUF Gaming cable-hiding case, supporting MSI’s reverse-connector Project Zero motherboards and cleverly built to support a substantial setup that is either liquid- or air-cooled . Although the number of PC cases that are compatible with reverse connectors is rapidly increasing, PC builders considering a Project Zero build to reduce visible wiring should shortlist this chassis.
Design
The MPG Velox 300R Airflow PZ is as heavy as its name suggests, with a robust steel construction accounting for the majority of its 23.5 pounds of bulk. (From here on, we’ll refer to it as the “Velox 300R.”) Dust filters covering each air inlet, massive 160mm ARGB intake fans linked to a factory-installed controller/hub, and even a logo-emblazoned low-restriction faceplate are just a few of its many advantages. As the PC waits for its next cleaning, the dust that accumulates on the filter behind it will likely be less noticeable. The black 120mm exhaust fan is more difficult to see against the black inside of the case due to the light tint on the 4 mm-thick tempered glass side panel.
The plastic-framed nylon-sheet dust filter on the front panel is easily accessible by pulling the faceplate away, which is mounted on four snaps and three guiding pins. The filter is readily removed from the fans for cleaning thanks to three magnets on each side.
The Velox 300R’s location is a little different from other cases in that it is a little further away from the case’s actual front, even though “front-panel” ports and buttons are frequently found on the top panel of contemporary cases. A headset (headphone/microphone) combo jack, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, a Gen 2×2 Type-C port, an LED mode button, and a power button with a power-indicator LED window are arranged along its right edge. Regretfully, neither a drive-activity light nor a reset button is present.
Dust filters don’t cover the sole Velox 300R vents on the back panel, but that’s acceptable because they should really be thought of as exhaust vents that transfer filtered air from the large front-panel fans. A 120mm exhaust fan screwed onto slots that allow for some vertical adjustment, a power supply mount with two sets of holes to allow inverted mounting, and two vertical vent sections running up the forward and rear portions of the right side panel are also visible, along with the seven expansion slots required by the ATX standard.
The expansion-slot panel’s inset design makes installing the graphics card easier. (In summary: Unlike cheaper cases with non-inset panels, there is no interference between the card bracket and the clearance area above the screws.)
Testing the MSI Velox 300R
Using our usual test equipment, the Velox 300R’s thermal performance is exactly mid-pack; replacing the rear-connector motherboard only produced a voltage regulator that warmed up more quickly (perhaps because of its heat sink’s lower mass). Its temperature control falls behind its most immediate opponent, the Asus TUF Gaming GT302 ARGB, in both configurations.
Both businesses knew that just turning their fans a bit more forcefully would improve their thermal performance, but MSI seems to have preferred a more subdued strategy. Be advised that merely turning on your motherboard’s automatic fan profiles may tie all three of these cases in terms of noise and temperature.
Both businesses knew that just turning their fans a bit more forcefully would improve their thermal performance, but MSI seems to have preferred a more subdued strategy. Be advised that merely turning on your motherboard’s automatic fan profiles may tie all three of these cases in terms of noise and temperature.
Conclusion
Your options are no longer limited to Asus and MSI products because more and more cases on the market are supporting reverse-connector boards. (Gigabyte is also participating in the competition by reviving its Project Stealth reverse-connector initiative at Computex 2025.) However, Asus’ GT302 ARGB and the Velox 300R are a fantastic match because of their pricing, design, and features. The true winner will ultimately depend on your aesthetic tastes because the performance differences will be negligible. I’ve chosen my fave. What do you think?
