darkFlash DY470 ATX PC Case Review

Up for review is the darkFlash DY470 ATX case, featuring three glass panels and an irregular cut design. What we have is the black variant, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of ₱5,349 PHP.

Disclosure: darkFlash sent the DY470 for the purpose of this review. The company did not ask me to say anything particular about it.

Technical Specifications

The darkFlash DY470 is a versatile PC case that combines functionality with modern aesthetics. Its back-connect motherboard layout ensures streamlined cable management, while the sleek three-sided tempered glass design showcases your build. Designed for optimal cooling, it supports dual 360 mm radiators or up to ten 120 mm fans. Flexible GPU mounting is made possible with both horizontal and vertical PCIe slots. To top it off, the case includes a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port for high-speed connectivity, catering to modern hardware needs.

Chassis
Motherboard support	ATX, MicroATX, Mini-ITX
Type	Panoramic Tower
Material	Steel (0.7 mm SPCC), Glass
Clearance
CPU	175 mm
GPU	410 mm (Horizontal), 390 mm (Vertical)
PSU	200 mm
Expansion
Drive Bays	2x 2.5 in
PCIe Slots	7x
Cooling
Side	3x 120mm, installed
Rear	1x 120 mm, installed
Top	3x 120 mm
Bottom	3x 120 mm
I/O Ports
USB	2x USB 3.2 Gen1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type C
Audio	1x Headphone, 1x Microphone
Dimensions
Length	497 mm
Width	298 mm
Height	473 mm
Weight	9.97 kg

Packaging and Accessories

darkFlash shipped the DY470 in a large carton, accompanied by two pieces of high-density foam.

The packaging should come with the following items inside:

darkFlash bundled the DY470 with a mini toolbox filled with useful accessories.

External Design, Build and Connectivity

The DY470 features an edgy panoramic design with glass panels on the three visual sides of the chassis, providing an expansive view of its internal components.

The rear panel on the other hand is basic, offering perforations to the 3x 120 mm side mounted fans, the PSU and hard drive bays.

The darkFlash DY470 offers a side-mounted “front panel” I/O, situated at its front base. The configuration is fairly standard, including a Type-C port, audio jacks, dual USB Type-A ports, and the reset and power buttons.

The DY470’s lower section features a detachable dust cover beneath the motherboard tray, which is convenient for dust prevention but is a requirement for the optional fans that you could mount in that area.

The rear panel features the DY470’s sandwich-style compartment, which isolates the PSU and the storage bay from the other components. Here, you can also find the installed 120 mm fan and space for an optional vertical graphics card mount.

Internal Design, Build and Connectivity

darkFlash designed this case with ease of use in mind and sure is one. The DY470, for instance, adopts an almost entirely tool-free design, a feature that even experienced PC builders will appreciate for its convenience. Additionally, the case is equipped with four INF34 A-RGB fans, all utilizing a daisy-chain configuration. Among these, three are reverse-blade sub-models, specifically designed to enhance the case’s visual appeal.

The back showcases the amount of clearance you get with the DY470, as well as the support for back-connect ATX motherboards for a cable-free look. This side also comes with its own cover.

Clearance and Installation

With its size and well-designed interior, the darkFlash DY470 provides a user-friendly building experience. I was able to install all the necessary components and get the system up and running in a presentable manner in no more than 25 minutes. The only thing you have to be careful in this process is where you put pressure – avoid stressing the glass panels to avoid shattering. While the additional GPU support brackets are appreciated, they only provide vertical adjustment, requiring some out of the box thinking for an ideal fit. Additionally, fastening them requires a Philips screwdriver; a thumb screw would be a more convenient alternative.

Cable management is effortless with this case, thanks to the abundant clearance and velcro-enabled cable routes at the back. If that is not your thing, or if you have a non-modular PSU, the motherboard tray cover will neatly conceal any cable clutter. I just wish it is also tool-free by design.

With the system powered on, the DY470 and its INF34 A-RGB fans are definitely show stealers. The dim tempered glass panels made sure of that, so a LED strip or RGB enabled components are highly recommended if you wan to totally showcase the build.

Temperature

As the fan speed increases, the idle temperature gets better. Improvements are observed in the CPU, GPU, and VRM, with the VRM showing the most significant enhancement at higher fan RPMs. For reference, the DY470 has been tested with the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor, ASUS ROG Strix X670E-I Gaming WiFi motherboard, and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT graphics card.

Load thermal results are convincing, at least for the GPU and the VRM. I would suggest keeping the DY470’s fans running at a maximum of 75% PWM or about 1800 RPM.

Noise

As for noise levels, the DY470 is good, offering up to 43.6 dBA of noise levels even at full load – which is acceptable for the average household. 75% PWM is where I personally prefer to run the four INF34 A-RGB fans at their maximum.

Final Thoughts

The darkFlash DY470 ATX case offers a compelling package for PC builders who value both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Its panoramic tempered glass panel design provides a perfect showcase for your internal components, making it an excellent choice for those who want their system to stand out visually. The angular and modern design is complemented by a versatile and spacious internal layout, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of hardware and catering to both novice and experienced builders alike.

From a practical standpoint, the DY470 delivers on multiple fronts. Its inclusion of four INF34 A-RGB fans, three of which are reverse-blade models designed for enhanced visual effects, sets the stage for stunning lighting and cooling capabilities. The daisy-chain configuration simplifies fan installation, reducing clutter and adding to the streamlined look of the case. For compatible motherboards, the back-connect layout promotes a cleaner, cable-free appearance in the main chamber, while the spacious rear compartment and velcro-enabled cable management routes further enhance the organization and ease of building for the standard components.

The case’s compatibility with dual 360 mm radiators and support for up to ten 120 mm fans showcases its excellent cooling potential. Tested with high-performance components such as the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT, the DY470 demonstrates efficient thermal management. The GPU and VRM temperatures in particular, has shown notable improvements when the fan speeds are at around 75% PWM or higher. Despite its focus on cooling, the noise levels remain within a tolerable range, even at higher fan speeds, ensuring a balanced performance for everyday use.

Ease of use is another standout feature of the DY470. Its largely tool-free design simplifies the assembly process, making it accessible to builders of varying skill levels. The ample clearance, especially in the rear section, ensures a hassle-free installation experience, while the sandwich-style PSU and storage compartment keep the build clean and organized. However, builders should exercise caution when handling the tempered glass panels, as they require careful placement to avoid damage.

Now connectivity is well thought out, with a side-mounted I/O panel that includes a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, dual USB Type-A ports, and audio jacks. These features cater to modern hardware needs, ensuring that the DY470 is future-proof for a variety of setups.

Overall, the darkFlash DY470 ATX case excels in combining style, performance, and usability. It strikes an impressive balance between form and function, offering a panoramic design that looks as good as it performs. While there are minor areas for improvement, such as making the motherboard tray cover tool-free, basic GPU support, and dim panels, these are overshadowed by the case’s numerous strengths.

At its price point, the DY470 is an excellent choice for builders who want a premium-looking case with high-end features, efficient thermal performance, and the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of hardware configurations. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a first-time builder, the DY470 is a reliable and visually stunning addition to any PC setup.