The Best NZXT PC Cases For 2024

Over the past few years, NZXT has become one of the top players when it comes to pre-built gaming PCs, PC cases, cooling components, and even motherboards. The unique thing that NZXT does with most of its offerings is providing a black and a white version and that is especially true with its PC cases. There is a healthy assortment of cases to choose from be it ATX or mini-ITX with options for better airflow or better aesthetics. It also has a series of limited-edition cases that are licensed by various entertainment franchises.

Founded in 2004, NZXT started off as a manufacturer of components for the DIY PC building community. Over the years, it started developing and selling more mainstream components, including more standard-looking PC cases, for which it is most popularly known for. Now, it has carved a niche for itself in the PC cooling and motherboard space. Currently, the company offers pre-built gaming PCs, PC cases, motherboards, cooling components, monitors, keyboards, mice, audio peripherals, and more.

Things To Consider When Buying A PC Case

With so many options and different categories, it can be challenging to find the right case. But there are a few things that customers can consider before pulling the trigger on their new NZXT PC case or any PC case for that matter.

Form factor: There are four major motherboard form factors – ATX, micro-ATX, E-ATX, and mini-ITX. These define the size of the motherboard which is crucial to the case size. PC cases come in full-tower, mid-tower, or small form factor sizes, and they all have certain limitations on the maximum size of the components that can be fitted inside. It is ideal to first decide on a motherboard size and then look into the appropriate cases.

A full-tower PC can fit E-ATX or ATX motherboards, and even smaller form factors. EATX or extended ATX boards are larger than standard ATX boards and come with more connectivity and expansion options. Because of the large size and easier access, full-tower cases are the easiest to build in because. Another advantage of the size is that even larger components will not block the air from moving around in the case.

A mid-tower case is smaller than a full-tower in terms of size and volume. They can accommodate ATX and smaller motherboards but some mid-tower cases allow for EATX boards as well. Mid-tower cases are the most popular as they offer a comfortable build side for the price.

Small form factor or mini-ITX cases are much smaller than the other two sizes. While they look minimalist and take up very little space, building in them is the most challenging. Not only do they demand more consideration in the size of components that are installed, but also make cable management and cooling more complicated. Over the years, small form factor cases have gotten a lot better and are relatively easier to build in.

Cooling capacity: Cooling capacity refers to the amount of airflow a case allows as well as the ability to fit water cooling components. Every case has a certain number of fans, radiators, pumps, or even distribution plates that can be installed to keep the various components cool. Generally, the bigger the case, the better the airflow and water-cooling options. Cases that have tempered glass or solid front panels are generally more restrictive for airflow compared to mesh front panels. So while the tempered glass front may look more appealing, a mesh front panel will perform better.

When it comes to water cooling, there are several ways to go about it. Getting an AIO is the easiest way to go about it, and most cases come with space for using either a 240 mm or 360 mm AIO cooler. But, depending on the build and the components, there may not be enough space to bend the tubes or mount the reservoir. Therefore, make sure to look at the available water-cooling mounting options before buying a PC case.

Drive bays: The drive bays are another factor that heavily influences the PC case purchasing decision. There are three major options for storage including HDDs, SSDs, and M.2 NVMe drives. While the consumer gaming industry is moving away from mechanical storage (HDDs), a lot of people rely on hard disks for mass storage. This is why most cases come with at least two bays for storage drives be it HDDs or SSDs, along with dedicated SSD mounting options. But, if all the storage in a build is NVMe-based, then an HDD bay would be a waste of space and most cases allow removing the drive bays.

Cable management: It may feel like the hard part is done when the last component goes in place during a PC build, but what a lot of people find to be even harder is cable management. Even though it is the last step in the PC building process, cable management can make or break the look of the build. PC cases come with some empty space between the backplate and the side panel to allow for stuffing cables so of course, larger cases allow for easier cable management. Furthermore, PC cases in today’s market come with tempered glass panels that provide a clear look at the insides which means a clear look at the cables. Some cases handle cable management better than others by including dedicated channels, straps, grommets, or shrouds.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best NZXT PC Cases in 2024

The NZXT H6 FLow RGB features a totally different layout compared to the H5, H7, and H9 series cases. Instead of a regular front panel, the H6 Flow RGB devices the case into two sections that allow it to have two different front panels, one with pre-installed RGB fans and the other with a transparent glass panel. This panel seamlessly extends to the side panel and to the rear of the case, giving a breathtaking view of the interior.

Due to its dual chamber design, the power supply, storage drives, and cable clutter remain at the back-rear side, giving users ample space in the front to install whatever they wish. With clearance even for large GPUs like RTX 4090, assembling a high-end gaming system isn’t difficult. Given that the case easily accommodates a 360mm radiator at the top, cooling a high-end processor won’t be challenging. From functionality to aesthetics, everything is flawless except that users will have to rely more on the M.2 SSDs as there are only two drive bays for 2.5″ drives and a single bay for the 3.5″ HDD.

This mid-tower NZXT case checks all the boxes when it comes to cooling capacity, storage options, and cable management. It is compatible with mini-ITX, micro-ATX, and ATX motherboards and supports full-size components like an air-cooler that is up to 185mm tall. It gets the ‘Flow’ moniker because of its mesh front panel for maximum airflow. NZXT also offers the H7 with a tempered glass front panel, as well as a Flow RGB model which comes with three F140 RGB Core fans pre-installed.

For storage, the H7 Flow offers two 3.5-inch drive bays and six 2.5-inch bays allowing for ample storage options. It comes with two F Series Quiet 120mm fans but can be fitted with three in the front, two at the top, and one in the back. In terms of radiator support, the case allows for up to 360mm at the front and top, and up to 140mm at the rear. There are seven expansion slots which means multiple GPUs or PCIe peripherals can be used at once. Speaking of GPUs, the NZXT H7 Flow can accommodate up to a 400mm GPU, but they can only be mounted horizontally.

The company offers the H7 Flow in matte white, matte black, and a combo finish. It comes with cable channels, hooks, and straps to make cable management easier. Furthermore, the front and side panels can be removed without any tools making cleaning and servicing the components much easier. The chassis is made from SGCC steel so it will not turn yellow over time.

The H9 Elite from NZXT is built for gamers who want to show off every component in their build. The mid-tower dual-chamber PC case has tempered glass on the side, front, and top. There is no solid pillar at the edge of the front and side panels giving an unobstructed view of the internals. Because of the all-glass design, there are intake panels on the bottom and the back side of the case. Even though it has a dual-chamber design, it can fit up to an ATX board but not an EATX one.

A total of 10 fans can be installed in the H9 Elite and there are four orientations for radiators. At the side, top, and bottom, up to a 360mm radiator can be used while the rear supports up to a 120mm radiator. Surprisingly, it offers less clearance for the CPU cooler than the H7 Flow at 165mm but, it can take a large GPU up to 435mm. Like the H7 Flow, it also offers two 3.5-inch and six 2.5-inch drive bays, as well as seven expansion slots. NZXT ships the H9 Elite with three F Series 120mm RGB Duo fans and one F120Q fan.

The dual-chamber design does allow for easier cable management as there is 91mm of space available. Like all other cases, NZXT offers the H9 Elite in white and black. There is also a built-in RGB and fan controller to hook up case fans or radiator fans.

Those looking for a budget-friendly, yet capable PC case should consider the NZXT H5 Flow. It is a simple case with a modern design that supports airflow. Both the black and white models come with a tempered glass side panel and a mesh front and top panel. What’s unique about this case is that there is a fan on the bottom panel that is angled to cool the GPU. The H5 Flow can accommodate a mini-ITX, micro-ATX, or an ATX motherboard but is more compact than typical mid-tower cases.

When it comes to cooling, the front and top can take up to two 140mm fans while the rear and the bottom come included with an F Series Quiet 120mm fan each. Those looking to water cool their build can fit up to a 280mm radiator at the front, up to a 240mm at the top, and a 120mm radiator at the rear. NZHT has included wide channels, hooks, and straps to help with cable management and the front and side panels are tool-less as well.

However, storage is where users will have to get creative with the H5 Flow. It comes with only one 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch drive bays, but the money saved on this case can be used towards more M.2 storage. It is a basic and straightforward case with everything one would need for a budget build.

The NZXT H1 is an excellent mini-ITX offering in the company’s portfolio, and it is something different from most cases on the market. NZXT was one of the first to introduce a slim and tall PC case rather than the standard wide ones. It has a more vertical design much like the Xbox Series X and what’s interesting is that it comes with a 140mm AIO as well as a 750W Gold-rated PSU. It also comes in both black and white color options.

It can accommodate a GPU up to 324mm in length and the maximum allowed height for the RAM is 46mm. There are only two 2.5-inch drive bays, so users will have to rely on NVMe M.2 storage if they feel the need for more storage down the line. The orientation of the components of the H1 is such that the GPU needs to be attached to a PCIe extender cable, which is included with the case.

The H1 also comes with pre-routed cables and downward-facing motherboard I/O. The sides and the back are mesh panels while the front has a tempered glass panel. Note that it will be more challenging to build in the NZXT H1 compared to other regular cases, especially for new builders.

This mid-tower PC case compatible with mini-ITX, micro-ATX, and ATX motherboards is ideal for those looking for a stylish, clean, and easy-to-build case. Carrying the Elite name, the NZXT H7 Elite (2023) has a tempered glass front as well as a tempered glass side panel. The top is perforated and allows for mounting up to 360mm radiator. Speaking of which, the front can also take up to a 360mm radiator while the rear supports up to 140mm.

The H7 Elite fits most CPU coolers as long as they are under 185mm and GPUs that are up to 400mm in length. It comes with three pre-installed F140 RGB Core fans and one pre-installed 140mm F Series Quiet Airflow fan. The lighting and fans can be controlled via the included RGB and Fan Controller V2 via the NZXT CAM software. For cable management, there is about 22mm of space and the company has included straps, hooks, wide channels, and tool-less side panels as well.

For storage, the H7 Elite supports two 3.5-inch and up to six 2.5-inch drive bays, which should be enough for most users. There are seven expansion slots, and the GPU can be mounted vertically with a stand that NZXT sells separately. There are two color options here as well – matte black and matte white.

Final Thoughts

NZXT has a decent range of PC cases, even though it does not offer any full-tower options. It offers white and black versions of most of its cases which is great for those sticking with a theme. Gamers looking for a premium-looking PC case can opt for the H9 Elite as it comes with a wraparound tempered glass design that gives clear views of every component. On the other end of the spectrum is the NZXT H5 Flow with no bells and whistles, just the basics, on a budget.

There are a couple of small form factor options as well. Those looking to challenge their PC-building skills and have some extra cash lying around can go for the NZXT H1 compact mini-ITX case. Those who want to stay with a small form factor but don’t want things to be extra challenging should opt for the H510i.

Overall, the PC case that will check all the boxes for most users is the NZXT H7 Flow. It looks great, offers plenty of storage and expansion slots, and is relatively easy to build in.

FAQ

Q: Does NZXT have good cases?

Yes, NZXT makes some of the best PC cases in the market. They have offerings in all segments and form factors, except full-tower cases. There are also black and white color options with all its cases.

Q: What NZXT case is the best?

While the best NZXT case is quite subjective, we believe that the NZXT H7 Flow checks all the boxes. It is a mid-tower case that supports up to an ATX motherboard and comes with two F Series Quiet 120mm fans pre-installed.

Q: Can you replace the power supply in the NZXT H1?

Yes, the PSU in the NZXT H1 can be replaced but it has to be an SFX-L form factor. Make sure to check the size of the PSU and that it is under 125x125x63.5mm.