Not many mini-ITX cases are actually mini. However, the Phanteks Evolv Shift XT, despite its large name, is one of the smallest gaming cases that can accommodate a full-size graphics card.

Although sometimes this is not the case. The beauty of this small case is that you can evolve the case according to your cooling needs: the Evolv Shift XT comes in three different size profiles, including ultra-compact systems, systems with a bit more cooling performance, and systems that can fit 240mm AIO CPU coolers

Frankly, I was expecting some sort of mechanized way to shift size profiles, like a swirling sliding action where the chassis grows before your eyes. But that's not how it works, and if it were, it would really be pointlessly complicated. All that is required to actually resize it is to move the two standoffs between three different points on the roof of the case and screw in or unscrew the associated back plate to support it.

It is very simple, a hallmark of Phanteks chassis. Access to the interior of the case is completely tool-free, and only one thumbscrew needs to be removed for complete disassembly.

Therefore, getting inside and modifying is really easy: ...... However, this is only after the machine has actually been built. The actual build process remains simple, but definitely not fun. This is a common problem with Mini-ITX machines, and the tightness of the case almost always makes the build awkward.

That's why something like the NZXT H1 V2 is such a breath of fresh air when actually assembling a rig.

But once you get your system up and running, you'll quickly forget about those early problems. Well, unless you cut your finger on a particularly bad motherboard heatsink or shave the skin off your knuckles.

In fact, it is around the motherboard that the Evolv Shift XT feels most cramped. The motherboard is snugly secured to the edge of the chassis frame, so trying to route all the necessary cables requires a lot of gymnastics. This is especially true if the Mini-ITX board has a heatsink on it.

Your choice of power supply will affect your build and your satisfaction with it in the final evaluation. I use a 750W SFX-L power supply for my Mini-ITX build, and while it fits the Shift XT comfortably, it is limited in its build. Phanteks recommends choosing the SFX option instead.

Most notably, the SFX-L PSU makes it impossible to drop in an AIO cooler, as there is not enough room for both liquid tubing and power cables to coexist, even with the case set to maximum settings.

My point, however, is that there is still plenty of room for a graphics card. The entire left side of the case is devoted to the GPU, and a healthy airflow can also be achieved by setting the case to a middle size and installing twin fans.

However, not all graphics cards are the same. We tried the new Radeon RX 6950XT and it didn't do so well. I mean, I was able to get it to work by unscrewing the PCIe 4.0 riser cable: ...... The lid did not fit properly.

To be honest, my initial feelings about this case were colored by the slightly negative experience I had when I built it into Phanteks. However, the more time I spent with this case, and the more I tweaked, poked, and prodded it, the more I grew to love it.

I really appreciate the fact that it is the smallest and still can accommodate a full GPU. You can fit a low-profile CPU cooler in the case and not have to expand it. However, if you are using a mid-range or higher GPU or processor, you can install two 240mm fans on the roof to increase the cooling effect.

In addition, the 240mm AIO CPU cooler keeps the GPU and motherboard cool while allowing the powerful processor to operate properly.

In a world where Mini-ITX gaming cases are not so mini, the Phanteks Evolv Shift XT can provide a small gaming PC that performs. But it is also a small case that can literally grow with your PC, which is a definite bonus. Just keep your cool during the build process and know that the fallacy of human memory will erase the inevitable pain.