Phanteks METALLICGEAR NEO-6 - User Manual

INSTALLATION MANUAL
MANUAL - V1.2MG-NE520S
MG-NE520A
MG-NE520G

Summary

Chassis Overview

Fan and Radiator Support

Details supported fan sizes and radiator dimensions for the chassis.

Front Panel I;O Ports

Lists and describes the function of front panel connectors like headphone, USB, and power.

Included Accessories

Lists all accessories provided with the chassis for installation and mounting.

Component Clearances

Specifies maximum dimensions for CPU cooler, GPU, PSU, and motherboard width.

Hardware Installation Guide

Motherboard and Power Supply Installation

Instructions for mounting the motherboard and installing the power supply unit.

Storage Drive Installation (SSD;HDD)

Steps for installing Solid State Drives (SSD) and Hard Disk Drives (HDD).

Front I;O Cable Connections

Guidance on connecting front panel I/O cables to the motherboard header.

Cable Management Techniques

Tips and methods for organizing and securing cables within the chassis.

Lighting Control Systems

NEO-G D-RGB Connections and Control

Details D-RGB cable connections and control options for the NEO-G model.

NEO AIR RGB Connections and Control

Explains RGB cable setup and control methods for the NEO AIR model.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Model Types
4. Front I/O
5. Clearances
6. Storage Support
7. Fans & Radiator Support
8. Usage Features
9. Motherboard Installation
10. Power Supply Installation
11. SSD and HDD Installation
12. Front I/O Cables
13. Cable Management
14. Lighting Controls (NEO-G and NEO Air only)
15. NEO-G D-RGB Control
16. NEO Air RGB Control
17. Maintenance Features

The MetallicGear NEO series chassis, powered by Phanteks, offers a range of PC cases designed for enthusiasts and builders, available in three distinct models: NEO-G, NEO Air, and NEO Silent. This installation manual, version 1.2, provides comprehensive guidance for setting up systems within these chassis.

Function Description:

The MetallicGear NEO chassis serves as the enclosure for a personal computer system, providing structural support for internal components, facilitating airflow for cooling, and offering various front I/O ports for connectivity. Each model caters to slightly different user preferences, with the NEO-G and NEO Air focusing on RGB lighting and airflow, while the NEO Silent prioritizes noise reduction. The chassis supports a wide range of motherboard form factors, including E-ATX (up to 280mm width), ATX, m-ATX, and ITX, making it versatile for various build types.

Important Technical Specifications:

Model Types:

• MG-NE520S (NEO Silent)
• MG-NE520A (NEO Air)
• MG-NE520G (NEO-G)

Front I/O:

All models feature a consistent front I/O panel, including:

1. Headphone jack
2. Microphone jack
3. 2x USB 3.0 ports
4. Reset Button
5. RGB Color/Mode button (for NEO-G and NEO Air)
6. D-RGB Mode button (for NEO-G only)
7. D-RGB Color button (for NEO-G only)
8. Power Button The NEO Silent model's front I/O might have slightly different RGB control options or lack some D-RGB specific buttons, as its focus is on silence rather than extensive lighting.

Clearances:

• CPU Cooler Height: Maximum 170 mm, allowing for a wide range of air coolers.
• GPU Length: Maximum 400 mm, accommodating most high-end graphics cards.
• PSU Length: Maximum 250 mm, providing flexibility for various power supply units.
• ATX Motherboard Width: Maximum 280 mm, ensuring compatibility with larger ATX and some E-ATX boards.
• Vertical GPU Ready: Yes, indicating support for vertical GPU mounting with an optional riser cable (not included).

Storage Support:

• Motherboard/SSD Screws: 21 included.
• PSU 6-32 Screws: 4 included.
• Fans Screws: 8 included.
• Motherboard M4 Stand-off: 1 included.
• Long Thumb 6-32 Screws: 2 included.
• Zip Ties: 6 included for cable management.
• SSD: 4x drive bays, with a removable SSD bracket for easier installation.
• HDD: Multiple drive bays, with a slide-out tray design for convenient installation.

Fans & Radiator Support:

• Front:
  • 2x 120mm fans or 2x 140mm fans.
  • Radiator support: 240mm (max 124x320 mm) or 280mm (max 144x320 mm).
• Rear:
  • 1x 120mm fan.
• Top:
  • 2x 120mm fans or 2x 140mm fans.

Usage Features:

Motherboard Installation:

The chassis supports E-ATX, ATX, m-ATX, and ITX motherboards. Installation involves securing the motherboard with 9 screws, with a pre-installed M4 stand-off for convenience.

Power Supply Installation:

The power supply is installed at the bottom of the chassis, secured with 4 screws.

SSD and HDD Installation:

• SSD: Up to 4 SSDs can be installed. The SSD bracket is removable, simplifying the installation process.
• HDD: HDDs are installed using slide-out trays, making it tool-less for most installations.

Front I/O Cables:

The manual provides clear diagrams for connecting the front I/O cables (Power SW, HD AUDIO, USB 3.0, Reset SW, Power LED) to the motherboard header. Specific connections are highlighted for NEO Silent/Air only and NEO-G/Air only, indicating slight variations in cable requirements or functionality between models.

Cable Management:

The chassis incorporates velcro straps and includes zip ties to assist with effective cable management, ensuring a clean interior and optimal airflow.

Lighting Controls (NEO-G and NEO Air only):

NEO-G D-RGB Control:

• D-RGB Cables: Connects to DIGITAL-RGB products and the motherboard D-RGB header (5V D G).
• D-RGB Color Effects: Offers various effects including Solid, Rainbow, Breathing, Radar, and Sparkle.
• Control: D-RGB Mode Button and D-RGB Color Button on the front I/O.
• Motherboard Sync: Press and hold the D-RGB Mode button to turn off the chassis control or switch to motherboard control.

NEO Air RGB Control:

• RGB Cables: Daisy-chain RGB products and connect to the motherboard RGB header (12V G R B).
• Control: RGB-Control Button on the front I/O.
• Short Press: Changes color.
• Long Press: Changes mode (Solid, Breathing, Color Cycle).
• Motherboard Sync: Press and hold the RGB-Control button to turn off the chassis control or switch to motherboard control.

Maintenance Features:

The design of the chassis, with features like removable SSD brackets and slide-out HDD trays, simplifies component installation and replacement, which indirectly aids in maintenance. The emphasis on cable management also contributes to easier access to components for cleaning or upgrades. The ability to switch RGB control to the motherboard allows for centralized lighting management, potentially simplifying troubleshooting or customization.

Overall, the MetallicGear NEO series offers a well-thought-out design with a focus on user-friendliness, component compatibility, and aesthetic appeal, particularly with its integrated lighting options in the NEO-G and NEO Air models.

Phanteks METALLICGEAR NEO-6 Specifications