MSI Project Zero (MAG PANO M100R PZ) Gaming PC Case Review

The MSI Project Zero case, also known as the MAG PANO M100R PZ is a new 270-degree PC gaming case designed to usher in a future of clutter-free gaming setups. Instead of the traditional three-sided case, this fancy rig provides a clean three-plane glass design which is cleaner and easier to use.

Watch the MSI Project Zero Case in action below:

Of course, the MAG PANO M100R PZ isn’t just a case you can pick up and use with your current components. The case has been designed specifically for back-connect motherboards. For those who don’t know, these motherboards feature power connectors and other USB connectors on the reverse side. So instead of feeding all your cables through the middle divider on your PC case to connect them to the motherboard’s ports on the front, everything on these motherboards connects at the back.

While this approach doesn’t change the performance of your PC, the visual experience is the big push here. MSI sent me an already-made MAG PANO M100R PZ White Edition to fiddle around with. Sadly, this PC came already set up so I can’t judge the installation process for you. However, I did remove some components and reinstall them to gauge just how user-friendly this PC case is. In short, this is likely the easiest and most hassle-free experience on the market.

You need to keep in mind that in order to use this sort of case, you’ll need certain components. Most importantly, the back-connector motherboard. MSI shipped this case with the B760M Project zero board. It is a Micro-ATX motherboard with all the usual IO flipped to the backside. The motherboard slots into the case’s mould perfectly. Ports are divided up into six portions on the board for the six cutouts.

This means all your usual connectors will plug into the back as you would usually plug them into the front. The case then includes a compartment between the case door and the motherboard to allow a bit more than usual breathing room for these wires and connectors. Of course, this does come with its own cable management challenges because cables need space and even with back connectors, the place can get cluttered.

This is mainly due to the fact that like all PCs, the MAG PANO M100R PZ requires an ARGB controller, power supply and various tethered connectors to function. But MSI’s focus isn’t tidying up the back of the case, it is about tidying up the front. However, I must say that the back was pretty impressive too. Even with all the connectors being plugged in, there’s ample room for tidy management. But I always say, out of sight, out of mind and with the case door closed, who cares?

While one would think that using a new approach to set up their PC, namely the back-connect ports, would be worrisome, it actually provided a rather seamless experience. Sure, there are a few things I would like to see changed. For starters, the MSI cooler they included in the case still uses way too many connectors. Most brands now have wire-free, magnetic coolers which reduce the wire build-up from two connectors per fan to just one for the entire set-up.

The fans are tethered together using magnets and all RPM and RGB information is set through these connectors. It would have been nice to see this on the build to further push the cleanliness of the case.

There’s also a few things which due to the move to the back-connect ports, need to be taken into consideration. The USB-C connector, for example, doesn’t work without an additional L-shaped adapter. This is because when the case door closes, the standard wire that comes with the case sticks out and gets in the way when closing the door. The connector wasn’t included in this build which means the front IO USB-C port was rendered useless.

MSI does make these adapters. Most of the cable management for the IO ports are tethered to an L-shape connector so I know it is possible.

That aside, the MAG PANO M100R PZ was a surprisingly sleek experience. Things I thought would be a hassle weren’t. For example, the motherboard power connector, which is a 24-pin adapter slotted into the back of the board and the case door closed without hassle. The gap between the board and the door is more than meets the eye making this possible.

I also enjoyed how the fan setup allowed for various cooler sizes. MSI included a 240mm cooler in the build, but you could have easily installed a 360mm model. You could install the cooler on the verticle fan slots if you wanted to. However, that would mean finding another position for the GPU. Either by using a verticle mount to make space for the radiator or using a smaller GPU. But it is possible.

The case is also easy to clean. The top shell comes off with two screws and the main glass face is easily removable. The front glass panels are also removable by pushing out two clips on the top and the bottom. This means the entire glass front can be taken off, cleaned and replaced. I could see myself showering down these quite often to keep the PC clean and fresh.

The case also features what MSI calls an Insta-Light Loop button to quickly change the RGB on the fans to various colours. I struggled to find a colour that didn’t suit this case. The pano glass design makes everything look so clean. Near that button, you’ll also find a USB port, power button, audio jack combo port and USB C port. Which again, doesn’t work without the L-shape adapter at the back.

Last but not least, when it comes to the thermals, the case doesn’t hold back. The back panel includes two large strips of perforated sections allowing air to move in or out of the main chamber. The top is also entirely made of holes for extra airflow. You then also have the back usual vents.

I enjoy the MAG PANO M100R PZ for what it is. I hope MSI works on a case which can house Standard ATX boards and perhaps non-Project Zero components because the larger case and the extra room for fans and GPU positions would be pretty crazy. But the smaller scale of this PC looks great.

You also need to keep in mind that there are other 270-degree cases out there. Of which offer far more versatility than this. MSI kind of wants you to stick to its Project Zero motherboards for this model. But that comes with hardware limitations and limited radiator support. You can pick up other cases which come with more space and radiator positioning. Basically, unless you’re building an MSI Project Zero PC, there are better cases on the market.

Find out more about the MSI Project Zero MAG PANO M100R PZ gaming case here.