NZXT Nemesis and Nemesis Elite
by Purav Sanghani on February 5, 2005 4:25 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Internal Design of Nemesis Elite (Aluminum) Model
Now, let's take a look at the internal layout of the Nemesis Elite. The first thing that we noticed, even before opening the Elite model, was that it is made of aluminum because of its light weight and a look inside confirmed this.
Nemesis Elite
At the front of the case, we see the drive bays in a similar layout as the steel model, but with a few variations. First, since there are only four 5-1/4" drive bays, there is more room for extra 3-1/2" bays. With a total of two external 3-1/2" bays, there is a HDD cage positioned to the side, which can hold up to five HDDs. All of the bays use drive rails, which makes installation a bit quicker and cleaner than using screws. The drive bay layout reminds us a little of Thermaltake's Damier V6000A.
Nemesis Elite
The expansion slots on the Elite model also had a tool-less mounting device on them, but it is not like anything that we have seen before. To install an add-in card, we push up on the tab to unlock it, then rotate out to lift the steel strip off the expansion slot mounting points. To lock the cards, we reverse the process and push the tab back until we hear a click.
Nemesis Elite
The Elite model has an aluminum bar running across the top about 1/4 of the way down as added support for the structure of the case. This may get in the way of installing the power supply when the motherboard is already mounted with a large heat sink fan like ours, so we advise users to install the power supply first.
The wiring inside the Elite edition reminded us of the V6000A, once again, which had a great amount of wiring that was usually in the way of things. Since the fans aren't protected on the inside, these wires could have been caught if they weren't stowed away or tied down. Another solution, on the manufacturer's side, would have been to wrap each bundle of wiring into sleeves to contain the mess. Hopefully, NZXT can add this to future models.
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Lowcarb - Monday, January 28, 2008 - link
I own this case.It may be screwless, but the retaining bracket for cards is so flimsy you can expect it break after a few days.
NZXT customer support is horrid! Plain and simple.
They don't respond to e-mail reliably.
They do not have a phone number listed, so when they don't respond to your e-mail you have no recourse.
When I had an issue with some missing parts for my case they sent the wrong ones even when I was very explicit about what was needed.
Finally they never came through on a $40 rebate on the case, even after 7 months and multiple e-mails.
They have made me really sorry I ever did business with them.
zoom314 - Friday, February 18, 2005 - link
Well no matter what I do like this case, Sure the looks aren't for everyone, But then neither is a Suit of Armor from the Middle Ages.SBGTF - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
Wow. Different things appeal to different people. I like the case, and I appreciate the review.Who buys them? Well I did. I bought their Guardian case and I'm very happy with it. I like the design.
And in case you are wondering about my age, I'm in my 30s.
cryptonomicon - Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - link
by the way, reviewing "functional cases" which may look plain is a fine idea. I think gaming cases are a joke. I mod all my cases anyways, for example plain Lian-Li cases are sweet for that.LoneWolf15 - Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - link
#48, Anandtech's site isn't targeted to the mainstream audience, it is targeted to PC enthusiasts. The mainstream folks out there buy a mass retail PC, or from a mail order retailer like Dell or Gateway. In a few cases they go to a mom-n-pop shop if they are well informed and know of one with a good reputation. But the mainstream audience doesn't build their own PC's, they buy them. It has been shown that the enthusiast crowd who reads here does not like cases like the Guardian, and others that look extremely pre-modded. Therefore, catering to the crowd you target makes sense, and continuing to review case after case that looks like this does not, which up until now seemed to be the norm here at Anandtech despite overwhelming reader opinion.Wanting a clean case isn't being a purist; it's wanting something that is quality inside and outside, and then if you're a PC-modding enthusiast, you can make your own changes later. The NZXT may have a decent inside, but its outside has limited enthusiast appeal. Sort of like the now-discontinued Pontiac Aztek; I'd guess the inside wasn't bad, but few were thrilled about its exterior looks, which ultimately doomed it.
P.S. How many friends/relatives of yours would like a case that looks like these?
frocool - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
Okay, most of you really need to chill out. If you don't like theses cases don't buy them. If you like them being reviewed then don't read the review. It's that easy.I build computers as a hobby. Sometimes I build them from scratch, using a barebones case that I mod myself. Other times, when I'm feeling less-than-inspired or lazy, I use a premoded case such as this one. If I'm not happy with end result I'll usually end up seeling it to a friend or relative. As suchs, I appreciate the time Anandtech takes to review these types of cases so that I know which ones are good and which ones to stay away from. Judging by the review, the Nemesis Elite seems like another quality product from NZXT (although I'll reserve final judgement for when/if I purchase one myself). Again, if you don't like the case or review don't buy it and don't read the review.
I hope Anadtech continues to take the time to review all different types of products, from those aimed at the purists among us, to those aimed at a more main-stream audience.
LoneWolf15 - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
Thank heaven, Anand for statment #4. I haven't seen a single person that wants to buy the cases Anandtech reviews. They just don't carry features or looks that enthusiasts want, and after all, this IS an enthusiast site. People want the simple-yet-sophisticated look of Silverstone or Lian Li, the function features of Antech or the Chenbro Gaming Bomb II, or the sturdiness and dependability of server cases like Chieftec and Chenming. What they don't want is something that looks like a robot, has fifty million blinky lights, 20 laser-cut biohazard grills, cheap plastic, etc., and then half the time bundles it with the cheapest power supply they can still wildly exaggerate specs to list as 400 watts. Remember the soup commercials awhile back that mocked people eating chicken and stars, saying "Come off it, you've grown up now." So have PC enthusiasts...and they want the cases to match.BLHealthy4life - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
I just have to say again to Operandi (#18), what you said is HILARIOUS!!!Take care
manno - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
By the way#12 #18 #26 #29 #30
ROLF
Operandi, I went snowboarding this weekend, and I took some nasty spills I woke up today in total pain. After reading that comment I laughed so hard I fell on the floor because my chest hurt so much, and I couldn't stop laughing. Hysterical!
To the developer: That would be great if you put out some tasteful cases. In fact I'm looking forward to it. How about doing an Antec Aria layout, only with better styling.
http://aria1.notlong.com
An exterior power brick would be cool... though I have no idea how feasable it is.
Anand. I'll put my money where my mouth is PM me the address to send the case and I'll send you one.
http://AMSGMO.notlong.com
-manno
manno - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
WOW! Could those cases look any uglier? Please review cases that don't look like they belong in a 7-year-old's room. How about reviewing cases that could be featured in a modest, or contemporary setting, and not just a LAN-Party. I mean wow those cases are two of the ugliest I've ever seen. I'd rather have a 7' tall beige box than one of those monsters. You know some of us have girlfriends, that don't want to have to cover up the PC when we have guests over... Forget her I would cover up one of those eye-sores with a sheet if I had guests over. could we get at least one feature article on tasteful cases. Am I the only one who sees side windows as a bad thing? When I was 13 I though they would be cool. Now that I've seen what they look like I know better.