A low-cost wind-tunnel for high-heat PCs
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WE'VE SEEN GREAT GAMING CASES cost $200,$300, or even more, but it's rare that we come across one that offers most of what enthusiasts crave without even breaking the $100 barrier. NXT's $99 Tempest is just such a case.
The Tempest contains sic larger-than-average fans (handsome equipped with the ever-popular blue LEDs), two 120mm intake fans (with filters for dust control) in the front of the case, two 140mm exhaust fans in the ceiling, a 120mm exhaust fan in the rear, and a 120mm intake fan on the windowed side panel.
Other key features include the ability to route cables behind the motherboard tray, along with a layout that places the power supply at the bottom of the case, rather than at the top. That may take a little getting used to , and if you're planning on powering a device in one of the uppermost drive bays, you might have trouble making the cable reach. But it certainly makes for a cleaner, more circulation-friendly design.
If you want to add even more cooling, two grommeted holes drilled in the rear panel make it easy to route liquid-cooling piping into and out of the case. The raised grate on the exterior exhaust port, however, might make it a bit of a challnge to install a radiator there.
The Tempest has space for only seven expansion cards, which means you might run into trouble building systems with three- or four-card graphics setups, but otherwise there's more than enough room. There are three 5.25-inch bays and two hard drive cages,each capable of holding four hard drives (all drive bays are toolless), as well as an external Serial ATA (eSATA) port on the front panel simplifies connecting external storage.-Matthew Murray.
source: Computer Shopper October 2008.
company website: www.nzxt.com
October 13, 2008
NZXT Tempest
September 16, 2008
NZXT Khaos
NXKT Khaos
There was a time when NZXT's cases were known more for their outlandish front bezels than anything else. But in the last year or so, the company seems to have turned over a new leaf, introducing a handful of products with more subdued aesthetics. The latest addition to NZXT's product lineup for example, the Khaos, features a near-symetrical design with what is essentially a perfectly flat front bezel save for curved, protruding fins at its top and bottom.
The Khaos'main appeal isn't its more subdued look, however. It's the case's extremely high-quality construction and enthusiast class features. Although there are myriad of aluminium full towers on the market, few are quite as sturdy as the Khaos, thanks to the 2mm and 3mm thick panels used throughout its construction. Many of the seams on the Khaos are also welded, which further adds to the case's strength.
In addition to its relatively high-quality build, the Khaos also features provitions for two bottom-mounted power supplies (a secondary PSU triger is included) and seven 120mm cooling fans. Four fans (two intake, two exhaust) are included, and there's a bracket that can accommodate three more for additional motherboard and video card cooling.
On its exterior, the Khaos'top and bottom panels sport a finned heatsink-like design, presumably to aid in cooling. There are wheels and a handle affixed to the case, as well, which make it relatively easy to move around for such a large enclosure. Its back panel has two holes with rubber grommets to accommodate tubing from a liquid-cooling kit. An I/O panel with USB, audio, FireWire, and eSATA ports resides on the top panel, adjacent to the power and reset switches. And the case's side panels have horizontal vents running down the middle. Finally, a pair of hinged, 5.25-inch drive bay covers to "stealth" any mounted optical drives are also included.
The Khaos isn't a tool-less case, but its large size and open design make it easy to work with. It may not be quite as refined as products from Silverstone or Lian-Li, but the NZXT Khaos deserves a mention among ultra premium brands such as these, and its price is a reflection of this status.
by Marco Chiappetta
Specs: ATX Full Tower; Material: Aluminium; Motherboard compatibility: ATX, Micro ATX, Baby AT; Bays: 5 external 5.25-inch, 8 internal 3.5-inch, 1 external 3.5-inch; Expansion slots:7.
source: Computer Power User October 2008.
www.nzxt.com
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