NZXT H2 Classic Review

Testing:

To test the NZXT H2 Classic, temperatures will be recorded for the CPU, GPU, chipset, hard drives, and the overall system temperature during load and idle phases. Load will be simulated by Prime95 small FFTs and HD Tune for one hour, with maximum temperatures recorded by RealTemp. The GPU load will be the maximum value recorded by Catalyst Control Center after five loops of 3DMark06’s Canyon Flight test. For the idle temperature readings, I allowed each setup to remain idle for one hour, and the minimum value achieved during this period will be recorded. Each case is tested as is from the factory, including the fan configuration. The fan configuration for the NZXT is left in its default configuration of two front 120mm intakes and one 120mm rear exhaust.

Testing Setup:

• Processor: Intel i7 920
• Motherboard: MSI Eclipse SLI
• Memory: Mushkin Ridgeback 12800 6-8-6-24
• Video Card: XFX HD6970
• Power Supply: Mushkin Joule 1000W Power Supply
• Hard Drive: Seagate 1TB SATA
• Optical Drive: Lite-On DVD-RW
• OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
• Ambient Temperature: 25 °C
• CPU Heatsink: Noctua NH-U12P
• Case: NZXT H2 Classic

Comparison Cases:

• Cooler Master Storm Enforcer
• Thermaltake V9 BlacX
• Sentey Burton
• Cooler Master HAF 932
• Thermaltake Armor A60
• Thermaltake Armor A90

For a silent-based PC computer case with foam lining and low-RPM, quiet fans, I feel that the results we're seeing here are nothing out of the ordinary. Even on full speed, the case remains quiet and I cannot hear hard drive clicking or minor variations in the GPU fan speed. The hard drive remains cool due to the front-facing position and the two intake fans blowing right over and around the trays. The GPU and chipset temperatures fall onto the lower half of the performance tables, but with low airflow moving around this area it's totally understandable. The MSI X58 boards use passive cooling on the chipsets as it is, so that is already a negative factor on the performance. Anyway, I will finish wrapping up my thoughts in the conclusion.