With the FV150 Mini, Cougar is launching a compact tower that visibly outperforms typical budget cases in several areas. For around 50 euros, the micro ATX case offers a generous amount of space for large air coolers and long graphics cards, as well as three pre-installed fans, dust filters and an unusually well-equipped I/O panel with USB-C. Another striking feature is the available pink version, which clearly stands out from the mass of standard black cases.
- Price range around 50 euros, available in black, white or pink.
- Three pre-installed 120 mm fans, radiator support up to 360 mm and dust filters on the base and lid.
- Micro-ATX/Mini-ITX support with space for CPU coolers up to 170 mm and graphics cards up to 400 mm.
- I/O panel with USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), two USB 3.0 ports and HD audio – not a given in this price range.
Design, variants and connections
Visually, the Cougar FV150 Mini relies on the popular glass case design with a large tempered glass side panel and RGB lighting, but is clearly aimed at the budget range in terms of price. The color palette is exciting: In addition to classic black and white variants, Cougar also offers a pink version, which is particularly aimed at users who prefer a more eye-catching setup with colored peripherals and RGB lighting. Despite the low price point, the manufacturer refrains from experimenting with the design and concentrates on a clean, functional implementation of the standard layout.
When it comes to the front I/O, Cougar goes surprisingly full for this class. In addition to an HD audio port, there are two USB 3.0 ports (USB 3.2 Gen 1) and a USB-C port, which is designed as USB 3.2 Gen 2. Budget cases in particular often omit this modern Type-C port, which means the FV150 Mini offers clear added value here – especially for newer mainboards and peripherals that increasingly rely on USB-C. Dust filters on the base and in the lid additionally protect the interior from dirt, which simplifies maintenance and increases the service life of the components. With dimensions of 436 × 285 × 365 mm (approx. 45.35 liters), the case remains compact enough for smaller desks or low-budget gaming corners without visibly compromising the interior.
Interior, cooling and hardware compatibility
The interior space is generous for a Micro-ATX/Mini-ITX case and is clearly geared towards gaming and performance builds in the entry and mid-range segment. CPU coolers can be up to 170 mm high, which de facto allows the use of almost all common tower coolers; the only restrictions are for particularly massive high-end models. Up to 400 mm in length is permitted for graphics cards – more than sufficient in the current consumer sector beyond extreme special models. The power supply unit sits behind the mainboard tray and can be up to 200 mm long, which means that even powerful ATX power supply units with a high wattage can be accommodated without any problems.
The data storage shows that this is a compact mini tower concept: The FV150 Mini offers a total of two internal drive bays – a universal bay for either a 3.5″ or 2.5″ drive and a dedicated 2.5″ slot, which is screwed in from below through the base. This is sufficient for many gaming or office builds with a fast NVMe SSD on the mainboard and a maximum of one additional SATA SSD or HDD, but those who want to install multiple mass storage devices will quickly reach their limits here. With four expansion slots, there is also room for dedicated graphics cards and additional cards. Overall, the result is a coherent layout that is clearly geared towards typical mid-range configurations and offers a solid basis in this price range.
Fan configuration and radiator support
Cougar equips the FV150 Mini with three 120 mm fans ex works, which operate at up to 1,200 rpm. Two of them are equipped with inverted rotor blades, which in combination with the case orientation should ensure a defined airflow and at the same time make the appearance behind glass more interesting. The product page indicates that the lighting and speed are permanently configured at the factory, but the fans have 4-pin connections, which generally speaks for PWM support – in case of doubt, the board or controller support will decide on the exact controllability.
If you need more cooling capacity or rely more heavily on water cooling, there are plenty of expansion options. Two 140 mm or three 120 mm fans can be optionally installed in the lid, and up to two 140 mm or three 120 mm fans can also be installed in the base. Two 120 mm fans are already installed on the right-hand side panel, which can also be replaced by 140 mm models. For AiO or custom water cooling systems, the case allows the installation of a 360 mm radiator in the lid or a 280 mm radiator on the side panel. This makes the FV150 Mini ideal as a basis for compact but powerful builds with high waste heat, for example in combination with more powerful GPUs or overclocked CPUs, without overstretching the budget.
Price
The Cougar FV150 Mini is positioned as a budget case with features that are more familiar from higher price ranges. Three pre-installed 120 mm fans, dust filters, a modern USB-C port in the I/O panel and a spacious interior with room for large CPU coolers and long graphics cards make the case particularly interesting for price-conscious gaming and all-round PCs. The reduced drive capacity and the focus on appearance and airflow are a good fit for current setups that primarily use NVMe and SSD storage.
In terms of price, the FV150 Mini starts around the 50 euro mark: the black version is currently listed for around 49 euros, while the pink model is slightly higher at around 52 euros. In view of the features and design options, the price seems plausible and competitive overall. Anyone looking for a compact, eye-catching and functional case for an inexpensive gaming or everyday computer will find the Cougar FV150 Mini a comparatively attractive option.
Source: Cougar
