NZXT H2: Not Quite Quiet
by Dustin Sklavos on May 26, 2011 2:43 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- mid-tower
- NZXT
Conclusion: A Good Rough Draft
The test results for the NZXT H2 are disappointing. This is a case I was particularly looking forward to checking out because it looked like quite a find: quiet, efficient cases can be hard to come by at the $99 price point. More than that, the H2 is very feature rich, relatively easy to assemble, and just generally pleasant to look at. It's a far cry from the types of cases we're used to seeing down here. The H2 had a lot of hype behind it, and I've visited a lot of forums where people were really excited about it. It undoubtedly has a few followers already and that's fair.
Which is why it's such a drag that NZXT dropped the ball on the thermals. My results and general feelings towards the H2 seem to fall into consensus with other reviewers, that the H2 has a lot of promise but it would really need some modification to live up to its potential. Antec's P180 went through a few revisions over its lifetime, and I'd like to see NZXT revise the H2 by adding ventilation around the front door so the intake fans aren't suffocating. Getting more air into the enclosure would mean the internal fans won't have to work as hard, and that allows the sound-proofing NZXT installed to do its job. It's a win-win all around, and comparing the H2 to In-Win's BUC really proves that: a system is quieter when the fans don't have to work as hard.
I want to be clear, the H2 has a lot of great features and can be assembled without much trouble. It's nice to look at, and if you don't stress it too hard, it can run very quietly. Unfortunately it has a hard time hanging with other cases in terms of thermal performance, and as a result that takes its toll on the noise NZXT was trying to fight. This is a really solid starting point for NZXT's engineers to work from, and while I might hesitate to recommend the H2 as it is, the case is just one revision away from being a stellar option for budget builders who just want a little piece and quiet.
I'd love to see what NZXT could do with another crack at it. In the meantime, a bit of modding should help alleviate some of the issues we've uncovered, but right now it isn't quite ready for mass consumption.
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SquattingDog - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
I was quite looking forward to seeing how this case faired, as the H1 Hush was decent and quiet overall. The H1 Hush looks like it may have had more intake capabilities, with around half of the front 120mm fan exposed.Perhaps this case would be ideal for standard builds, but just not cut out for the job of a high-performance gaming machine, given it's comparatively low airflow characteristics.
I agree that the asthetics are decent for the price-level, and the dampening foam and internal build quality definitely has an appeal...what a pity NZXT didn't sort out the intake capabilities...
sometaken - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
I assume anandtech will be testing more cases in the future. I would like to see how the Fractal Design Define R3 stacks up against this NZXT offering and vs. the P183. It is very similar in design and sells at the same price point of the NZXT. However it looks to offer better cooling yet still provide silent operation.EnzoFX - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
SPCR has a great review on the Define R3.Regarding the review, a noise floor of 32db is too damn high. I'll take your noise assessment seriously when you get under 16db.
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
Under 16dB? Really? That would require a serious investment in testing equipment and facilities, because you're not going to get to that level otherwise. I have a somewhat better SPL meter compared to Dustin, and when my house is completely silent I've gotten measurements as low as 28dB. Even the slightest noise at that level (e.g. a bird chirping outside, a passing car or plane, etc.) will increase the level to 30-32dB.Regardless, all of the cases are measuring above 34dB in our tests, so while that might be slightly higher than you could measure with a different test location and better equipment, the scores are relative to each other and show a clear difference. If Dustin gets a case that doesn't register above the noise floor, then there's more to complain about.
hechacker1 - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
As an owner of the Fractal Design R3, I can say overall it's a nice case, especially for hard drive and cable management.It's touted as a silent pc, and indeed, it is much quieter than my former Lian Li case it replaced. However, it's not silent in the truest sense, it's clearly audible over background noise.
But then I have a gaming rig in it, so I don't expect it be to silent, just quiet, which it does really well.
I would like Anandtech to tackle the R3, and perhaps their newer Arch series, which looks like an slightly fixed version.
The only thing the R3 lacks is USB3.0, and more space behind the mobo tray.
jrs77 - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
If you want to build a silent PC, then there's no better cases around then the Define-series from Fractal Designs. They changed the dampening-material from bitumen to something foamy that doesn't smell anymore a while ago and their internal layout is clean and efficient.Having only two 5.1/4" bays in the R3 and Mini is very welcome in that regard.
doctormonroe - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
Hopefully this site will test this power supply and release a review of it in the not too distant future.kasseren - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
To me it looks like you'd be better of buying the Fractal Design Define R3 or if you want silence and design more the new Cooler Master Silencio 550 that both seem to be in the same price range.jasonnovak - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
I have this case and really like it. The last page of the SPCR review shows how to widen the slot on the bottom of the door for more air intake, though they didn't retest it. I haven't had any overheating issues on mild overclock i5-2500k but I think I may break out the dremel and give it a tryAffectionate-Bed-980 - Thursday, May 26, 2011 - link
If you're going to review a case every 2 years, then how do you compare data?How about comparing this to a P182 or P183 or a R3?