NZXT H1 review: This compact PC case earned our highest rating

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

NZXT produces some premium PC cases within the H family. At that place's the small, yet flexible H210 for Mini-ITX boards on i end, and there's the monstrous H710 that can agree full ATX boards, countless drives, and even a custom h2o-cooling loop. The H210 just wasn't compact enough, though, so the company set off to create something rather special.

With Blackness Fri upon us, it's a great fourth dimension to salve big on electronics, including PC cases. The H1 is a killer meaty chassis for unique PC builds and we expect it to receive some form of discount.

Exquisite pattern

NZXT H1

$350

Lesser line: With NZXT design on a micro scale, the H1 is a PC example worth building in.

Pros

Gorgeous design
Fits most GPUs
Small footprint
Adept airflow
Easy to build in

Cons

Cabling is fiddly at rear
Tin can't use horizontally
Must take off rear panel to disable PSU
Limited modding

NZXT H1 specs

Category	NZXT H1
Motherboards	Mini-ITX
I/O	1x USB 3.1 Gen ii Type-C 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1x Headset Audio Jack
Expansion	2x PCI 2x two.5-inch
PSU	650W SFX 80Plus Gold
AIO	NZXT 140mm
Fans	Left-side: 1x 140mm
Filters	Side panels
Radiators	Left-side: 140mm
Clearance	GPU: 305 x 128 mm 265 10 145 mm
Weight	6.53 kg
Dimensions	187 x 388 10 188 mm
Materials	SGCC Steel, Tempered Glass
Warranty	Example + AIO: Three years PSU: 10 years

The NZXT H1 is unique and gorgeous

Video game consoles proceed to go smaller, while the PC traditionally boasts considerably more performance (depending on configuration), and the trade-off fabricated past going with enhanced visuals is oft a rather large box to business firm all the gear required to get in all happen. Some PC cases — like the exist quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 Rev. 2 — tin can be massive compared to an Xbox or PlayStation.

PC component vendors aren't satisfied with this state of affairs, which is why y'all can find Mini-ITX motherboards and cases that permit for more compact builds. The NZXT H1 is 1 such chassis, measuring in at just 187 x 388 ten 188 mm. The H1 follows this rule just allows for the install of most desktop-class GPUs.

The NZXT H1 doesn't just await great, information technology can pack a legit punch.

The H1 shares many design elements with other NZXT cases in that information technology's available in a few colors, makes use of perforated grid grills for airflow, has a tinted tempered drinking glass front console and blank peak console with nada but a power button, USB ports, and a headphone/microphone combo 3.5mm jack.

The two side panels act as air intakes and are filtered equally such. There are enough of holes punched into the metal frame, assuasive for air to be pulled in by the AIO on one side and the GPU (if installed) on the other. The exhaust air is handled through the rear panel, once more sporting a perforated grill pattern but without dust filtering.

NZXT received some criticism with the H510 Elite for its restricted airflow. This has been an issue case makers have had to combat forth the road to more unique designs, but the H1 has ample entry points for air to go through, which is incredibly important for a Mini-ITX build.

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows CentralNZXT H1 against the NZXT H510 Aristocracy for calibration.

The overall design of the H1 is stunning. NZXT opted not to include any RGB lighting for the H1, likely due to the fact the module required to ability all the colors would take up valuable space needed past other components. It's possible to add together an LED strip if your motherboard has RGB headers, only don't expect a calorie-free show out of the box.

This leaves the case looking subtle, only the dimensions demand attention. Yous could install information technology in other areas of the home, aside from the office and it wouldn't look more out of identify than a set-pinnacle box, console or domicile server — so long equally you don't heed it being vertical since there'southward no way to employ the H1 horizontally.

The entire instance is toolless, meaning yous don't need tools to open it upwards, resulting in a clean finish. Cabling is routed underneath and out the rear so placing the H1 on your desk will allow for some seriously effective cablevision management without a mess running from the rear of the PC. This isn't perfect, notwithstanding, and to proceeds access to the cables and ports on your motherboard, y'all need to tilt the H1.

It's not the smallest, most compact Mini-ITX example on the market, measuring in at 187 x 388 x 188 mm, but that's non the goal hither. NZXT wanted to create an even smaller H210i and the H1 is the result.

A compact arrangement builder's paradise

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

Building inside the NZXT H1 is relatively straightforward. Firstly, the forepart tempered and rear metallic panels are removed past unclipping them from the main chassis. Then the single piece of metal that comprises the ii sides and top can slide up and off the rails. And so yous take open up access to all corners of the case.

Assuasive ane to tinker in all directions makes the H1 easy to build a system in. At that place's a sizeable bay area for the GPU, allowing you to install a card up to 305mm long. This should fit all cards aside from the bulkiest of coolers, like you'd find on ZOTAC AMP! Extreme GPUs. I attempted to install a GTX 1070, and I failed, but merely by a footling. Check out our best graphics card picks if you're looking at an upgrade along with a new example.

The GPU is continued to the motherboard using a pre-installed riser cable, which seems to be better quality than those bundled with other cases — ahem, Thermaltake. Pulling in absurd air from the vents, this position will piece of work for both blower and open up-air GPUs.

NZXT somehow made building inside such a small case enjoyable.

The pre-installed PSU is located at the top, aslope two 2.5-inch drive bays. This power unit of measurement is an SFX NZXT 650W model with an 80Plus Gilded rating. It's a decent PSU that's capable of supplying stable and reliable ability to the rest of the components. Y'all can switch it out for another SFX PSU, only be sure the cables volition achieve.

Speaking of reach, in order to go a clear shot of the motherboard tray, the AOI cooler radiator needs to move, which can be achieved by removing two screws and using the hinge mechanism to pull it out. The AIO itself is from NZXT and has a 140mm fan already installed and ready to become. This should be able to handle even Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen ix processors.

Installing the motherboard works like y'all'd look, accompanied past plugging in all connections to the top panel I/O, the PSU, and other components. It's worth installing your CPU and RAM prior to securing the motherboard to the backplate — every bit you lot should with any PC build.

An consequence once the motherboard is installed is available space for RAM modules and other components. Have some fancy Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM? It won't fit once you've closed everything upward, due to how much room the AIO radiator and 140mm fan requires, forcing the motherboard to curve out of shape, so be enlightened before installing your components.

Once everything is in place, it's time to reattach the side and top panels, followed by the tempered glass and rear panel. And so the PC is substantially built. Plugging in all necessary cabling allowed me to keep the testing area clutter-free, cheers to the routing out the bottom rear of the H1.

Firing upwardly the NZXT H1, you'd expect to hear some noise, only the single 140mm fan on the radiator is very tranquillity. The PSU also runs virtually silently, and as long as y'all have an inaudible GPU, the H1 barely makes a sound. Pushing the system (and I'chiliad talking AMD Ryzen 9 3900X performance) ramps up the unmarried fan and the arranged NZXT blower can get into jet engine territory fast.

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows CentralThe impressive NZXT AIO cooler.

Only that's basically a CPU stress test. In real-world environments and with effective fan control using CAM software from NZXT or the motherboard BIOS, it's not too bad at all. What impressed me near were the temperature readings. Idle, the Ryzen 9 3900X sits at a comfortable 30C (86F), while in-game you're only looking at around 53C (118F) playing Grand Theft Car V. Stress tests pushed the CPU to hit 68C (154F), though the cooling solution was more than than able to continue up, and it blows air beyond the motherboard. The ambient temperature was 20C (68F).

Even with more powerful processors, the AIO cooler supplied by NZXT is proficient enough and yous could fifty-fifty bandy out the bundled blower for an aftermarket solution, should yous have a personal preference on 140mm fans and know you could reduce the sound output slightly. As a mini PC, the H1 works for depression-ability builds as well every bit loftier-cease, enthusiast gaming rigs.

That's pretty impressive and makes this ane versatile mini-ITX case.

What you might dislike about the NZXT H1

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Cardinal

This is an splendid PC case, just I have a few minor complaints. Firstly, the cabling setup is great in the rear, merely it means you need to tilt the unit slightly to gain access to the motherboard ports. This can be tiresome if the H1 is placed somewhere that limits access.

Information technology's likewise not possible to utilise the NZXT H1 horizontally, something allowed by other mini-ITX cases. In order to disable the PSU — if you lot happen to exist going abroad on vacation — the rear panel needs to be removed to gain access to the PSU power switch. Information technology's not a big consequence, just it would have been nice to have the push beneath the case itself.

Finally, modders or system builders who have big plans will desire to await elsewhere. There'southward simply not enough room to fit a custom water-cooling loop, unless y'all employ a low contour GPU and manage to cram everything inside. For well-nigh PC owners, this is a non-upshot, but it's even so something to bear in mind.

So should you buy the NZXT H1?

NZXT H1 Source: Rich Edmonds / Windows Central

Mini-ITX cases often come up with compromises, merely the NZXT H1 doesn't hold dorsum. It has an exquisite blueprint, a full tempered glass front panel, plenty space for larger GPUs, and it can even cope with Intel Cadre i9 and AMD Ryzen nine performance levels. This makes it one impressive mini-ITX example.

It'southward also a nail to build a PC within, and the toolless panels let for quick changes and access without hunting for the screwdriver. If you don't want a Mini-ITX case that looks similar a deadening slab of metallic or a DVD actor, the H1 from NZXT should be on your shortlist.

You may notice the $350 cost a lilliputian daunting, but think that this includes a reliable 650W PSU and impressive AIO cooler.

Exquisite design

NZXT H1

A small but powerful chassis

This is i of the best mini-ITX cases for people seeking a foundation to build a sleek-looking, withal capable motorcar.

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