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Nexus Launch a Psile
July 13, 2006 
Netherlands-based noise reduction specialists Nexus Technology have launched their amusingly named "Psile" Mini-ITX case. The 22.5 cm x 22.5 cm x 19 cm case is constructed from a 4mm thick Aluminium chassis and a strong plastic cover insulated with noise cancelling material. The basic Psile is available in black or white, but the cover can be customised with a choice of artwork or better still - with your own design. We took a look inside one for your perusal. Full disclosure: We're proud to be the UK distributors of the Psile, available at our online store. Nexus Technologies' Psile Website Psile at the Mini-ITX Online Store Nexus Psile Mini-Review First of all the name. We're assured there's a perfectly reasonable explanation. It's a combination of "PC" and "Silent", and is pronounced "Psssile". So now you know (snigger) 
Etymology aside, this is a well presented and constructed case. The packaging is professional, with clear instructions. 
Our test machine came in white, with a sand-sprayed white Aluminium chassis, and solid white U shaped plastic cover. The cover is firmly held in place by two slots on the underside, and released by putting the case on its side and pushing against the base of the cover with a coin. We found this tricky at first, but no doubt with practice we'll have the cover on and off in no time. Inside the cover is a layer of DampTex noise cancelling material. This doubles in duty to help keep the (surprisingly strong) cover firmly in place. 
The Aluminium chassis is also formed in a U shape from two parts, with an Aluminium drive bay holder holding it together, with room for a 3.5in hard drive and slotloading slimline optical drive. 
The drive holder doubles as a heatsink, and has fins to help draw heat away from any hot hard drives. There are no mounting points for 2.5in drives (yet), but we think we could fit one in with a 3.5in to 2.5in drive bracket. Nexus provide a skinny three way IDE cable to maximise airflow throughout the case and a SATA cable for the lucky Mini-ITX boards that have SATA. 
Along the top of the case are two rails. These aren't required to maintain the structural integrity of the case, but do give flexibility when mounting the included brushless 80mm case fan. Some Mini-ITX boards can be fitted with passive CPU coolers, so the rail is a very useful feature. 
Nexus make a 150W external 19V AC Adapter and DC converter that fits inside the case on standoffs behind the front panel. This combination worked very well, powering all VIA and Intel Mini-ITX boards we tested. 
We managed to use a PicoPSU slot-in DC converter with compatible boards such as the EPIA shown here. Other DC boards would require more mounting points drilling inside the case. There is one power indicator on the front, a white LED which flashes brighter with HDD activity. Other colours are available as extras. The connector to the single switch on the back is marked reset, though you would most likely connect it to the power header on your board. 
No Mini-ITX media box would be complete without a PCI card for video capture or improved video output. The Psile snugly fits PCI cards up to 21cm long with ease. 
The Psile comes in two standard versions, a black aluminum case with a shiny black cover, and the silver aluminum case with a shiny white cover we tested. 
The most interesting aspect of this case is the unique ability to reskin it. If the leopard skin design isn't to your taste, then you can have one made using your own image - or choose from a growing selection of designs on the Psile site. Nexus Technologies' Psile Website Psile at the Mini-ITX Online Store
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