Why is the NZXT S340 so popular?

[RE_V3RSE]

Anyone know why it's so popular? From what I've heard the general consensus is that it's good looking and the small footprint dimensions are good, but it doesn't really seem to have much else going for it? What's airflow like? Can someone recommend some similarly priced cases that are decent in terms of airflow and noise?

[baxtmann]

its just a clean looking, premium case.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Anyone know why it's so popular? From what I've heard the general consensus is that it's good looking and the small footprint dimensions are good, but it doesn't really seem to have much else going for it? What's airflow like? Can someone recommend some similarly priced cases that are decent in terms of airflow and noise?

It's a very, very easy case to make look clean inside. It comes in 5 color varieties. It can fit any ATX and below board. It has solid airflow. It's a great case honestly.

 

Corsair 200R is OK but nowhere near as awesome looking.

[aLemonNation]

Anyone know why it's so popular? From what I've heard the general consensus is that it's good looking and the small footprint dimensions are good, but it doesn't really seem to have much else going for it? What's airflow like? Can someone recommend some similarly priced cases that are decent in terms of airflow and noise?

Mostly due to it's price while staying clean and fair airflow.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Anyone know why it's so popular? From what I've heard the general consensus is that it's good looking and the small footprint dimensions are good, but it doesn't really seem to have much else going for it? What's airflow like? Can someone recommend some similarly priced cases that are decent in terms of airflow and noise?

i don't know, but this one is much MUCH better and it also look much better:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes515pbk

[Thebman712]

cheap, goog looking, very clean inside and out, good form factor, can take everything that gets thrown at it

[MLG Doge]

Unrestrictive airflow +support for rads. Its pretty quiet - S for silence.

Cable management is good too

[Amazingasian]

Compact but still fits ATX motherborads, decent cable management room, stylish and minimalistic, comes in many colors, price is very reasonable.

[Guest]

It's a budget case that doesn't look or feel budget. It's very much a forerunner in the simple, minimalist style of case. I like the separate chamber for HDD and PSU keeping the "uglier" components out of sight while showing off your SSD's and putting nothing at all in the way of the intake which looks amazing with dual 140 mm fans with or without the rad.

[i_build_nanosuits]

59$, this is a 90$ case but 60$ on amazon right now...this completely DESTROY the 340 in terms of build quality and look:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011A2LWZI/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

 

 

 

 

 

[YT2002]

Anyone know why it's so popular? From what I've heard the general consensus is that it's good looking and the small footprint dimensions are good, but it doesn't really seem to have much else going for it? What's airflow like? Can someone recommend some similarly priced cases that are decent in terms of airflow and noise?

It's cheap, but has features like a PSU shroud, great cable management and looking good

[watts300]

59$, this is a 90$ case but 60$ on amazon right now...this completely DESTROY the 340 in terms of build quality and look:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011A2LWZI/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

Looks are subjective.  I personally think the S340 is more attractive. 

 

 

@RE_V3RSE I've bought two S340 cases because I think they're great. Functional reasons:

-two large air intake openings in the front behind the panel. 

-feet are tall and provide airflow for the PSU's bottom vent. 

-captive thumb screws

-side panels are easily removed and replaced even with a full nest of cables in the back. (Unlike the H440, which we also own.)

-nifty shelf on the PSU shroud to mount two 2.5" drives.

-comes with two exhaust fans that help to keep my CPU idle at 25C. (I have two Noctua intake fans, but they are currently unplugged)

-drive bay in the back under the PSU shroud holds two additional 3.5" drives, or four 2.5" drives with cheap adapters (That's how I have both cases I own configured) and vents directly above to let hot air escape. This is useful for me because I have six 2.5" drives and zero 3.5". 

-steel construction. It doesn't wobble. 

By no means is this a comparison to the Phanteks case. It very well might share many of these features that I found particularly appealing.

 

Also, it wasn't expensive and it looks killer. 

[RE_V3RSE]

i don't know, but this one is much MUCH better and it also look much better:http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes515pbk

  

59$, this is a 90$ case but 60$ on amazon right now...this completely DESTROY the 340 in terms of build quality and look:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011A2LWZI/?tag=pcpapi-20

Problem is that down here in NZ our dollar is suffering against the USD for complex reasons and is at approx 1.50 NZD to 1 USD so the pro m is considerably more. Out of interest, what features does it have that the s340 doesn't?

[RE_V3RSE]

PS: thanks for all the help everyone

[RE_V3RSE]

Looks are subjective.  I personally think the S340 is more attractive. 

 

 

@RE_V3RSE I've bought two S340 cases because I think they're great. Functional reasons:

-two large air intake openings in the front behind the panel. 

-feet are tall and provide airflow for the PSU's bottom vent. 

-captive thumb screws

-side panels are easily removed and replaced even with a full nest of cables in the back. (Unlike the H440, which we also own.)

-nifty shelf on the PSU shroud to mount two 2.5" drives.

-comes with two exhaust fans that help to keep my CPU idle at 25C. (I have two Noctua intake fans, but they are currently unplugged)

-drive bay in the back under the PSU shroud holds two additional 3.5" drives, or four 2.5" drives with cheap adapters (That's how I have both cases I own configured) and vents directly above to let hot air escape. This is useful for me because I have six 2.5" drives and zero 3.5". 

-steel construction. It doesn't wobble. 

By no means is this a comparison to the Phanteks case. It very well might share many of these features that I found particularly appealing.

IMG_0542 (1).JPG

 

Also, it wasn't expensive and it looks killer.

That is one mean looking system, thanks for posting pic! I've heard that the panels scratch very easily. Is this true or are people just being too rough?

[MLG Doge]

That is one mean looking system, thanks for posting pic! I've heard that the panels scratch very easily. Is this true or are people just being too rough?

Its true

 

This is an excellent review by Dimitri from Hardware canucks

[watts300]

That is one mean looking system, thanks for posting pic! I've heard that the panels scratch very easily. Is this true or are people just being too rough?

Beats me. I don't have any scratches. I'm familiar with the video that the other guy just posted though. But I'm really not sure why it would be a problem. Just be aware of where the panels are when you're assembling it. (That is, move them out of the way.) Otherwise, if you're not leaning stuff against it after it's built, I don't know why scratching would be a problem.

[RE_V3RSE]

Its true

 

This is an excellent review by Dimitri from Hardware canucks

Yeah, I've seen that review, that's why I was wondering about scratching the windows, as Dimitri makes it out to be a big problem.

[i_build_nanosuits]

Yeah, I've seen that review, that's why I was wondering about scratching the windows, as Dimitri makes it out to be a big problem.

i mean, you can see the paint on it is ''orange peel'' even on the low resolution image of the thumbnail...

BUT, i understand if you CAN'T afford the Phanteks enthoo pro M i linked then this i guess is ''the next best thing''

[watts300]

i mean, you can see the paint on it is ''orange peel'' even on the low resolution image of the thumbnail...

BUT, i understand if you CAN'T afford the Phanteks enthoo pro M i linked then this i guess is ''the next best thing''

If the "orange peel" is an anomaly in spotty locations on the case, then I'd call it a defect.  But it's the entire case and clearly a texture by design.  That would also make it a personal preference rather than identifying a fault in build quality. 

[watts300]

Yeah, I've seen that review, that's why I was wondering about scratching the windows, as Dimitri makes it out to be a big problem.

The only "problem" I have with the case is the PSU air filter.  I'd have liked it to be the same mesh as the front-intake filter with a better mounting method. 

I wouldn't say it bothers me, though. 

[airdeano]

The only "problem" I have with the case is the PSU air filter. 

 

agreed, the fractal bois on the define s and r5 have the filter to use. my H440 filter

would rub against the fans (GT-15) as it was "loose" fitting in the plastic.

locks into place with mounting lugs and magnetic to keep it in place.

[watts300]

agreed, the fractal bois on the define s and r5 have the filter to use. my H440 filter

would rub against the fans (GT-15) as it was "loose" fitting in the plastic.

locks into place with mounting lugs and magnetic to keep it in place.

I don't understand what you're getting at. Are you saying that the PSU filter for those two cases works with the S340?

[i_build_nanosuits]

If the "orange peel" is an anomaly in spotty locations on the case, then I'd call it a defect.  But it's the entire case and clearly a texture by design.  That would also make it a personal preference rather than identifying a fault in build quality. 

i see if that is on purpose and is a texture by design then it make sense...sorry!

You must admit though for the same price in the US the phanteks enthoo Pro M is head and shoulders above this case...not saying the S340 is NOT a great case...it is...but phanteks...you know.

[RE_V3RSE]

i see if that is on purpose and is a texture by design then it make sense...sorry!

You must admit though for the same price in the US the phanteks enthoo Pro M is head and shoulders above this case...not saying the S340 is NOT a great case...it is...but phanteks...you know.

UPDATE! Turns out I was mistaken and was looking at a different Phanteks case (derp) and they are actually the same price. Please tell me the pros and cons of each in comparison to one another!

Cheers