Can we talk about the new NZXT case that is basically a PC version of the Xbox Series X?

[That Franc]

So yesterday (or earlier today for the folks in Americas) NZXT unleashed a slew of reviews of their new H1 Mini-ITX case that looks remarkably like a mini-fridge the upcoming Xbox console.

Hardcore Gamer, Tom's Hardware, Hardware Canucks on YouTube and seemingly basically everyone else who usually covers new PC cases now has articles and reviews about it.

Spoiler

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Today, the hardware designer NZXT has announced a new small form factor computer case that will sit vertically with a sleek design. The NZXT H1 will be capable of housing most full-size GPU’s with a focus on providing cooling to the entire internal environment. Cable management will also be simple with pre-routed cabling a rear-facing I/O on the bottom of the case. What is more important is the $250 value that comes pre-installed with the H1. Users can expect a 650W 80+ Gold Rated Power Supply, a 140-mm AIO liquid cooler and a Gen 3 PCI-E Riser Card. The H1 retails for $349.

 

“Creating a small form factor case is something we have always wanted to improve upon because they are often challenging to build in and can hinder the performance of high-end hardware.” says Johnny Hou, Founder and CEO of NZXT. “That is why we simplified the building process and focused on performance when designing the NZXT H1. We set out to make this one of the easiest builds you can undertake while leaving no compromises when gaming.”

 

NZXT has also announced a completed build that is available featuring the H1 case. The NZXT BLD H1 Mini PC features an Intel Core I9 9900k and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super Founder’s Edition and will include a two-year warranty from NZXT. This goliath, along with the H1 case itself, is available in both matte black and matte white colors. The BLD H1 Mini PC is available for $1,999.

TL;DR: it's a sleek-looking Mini-ITX vertical tower case that comes with a decent 650 watt PSU and an all-in-one liquid cooler for the CPU. Sides are perforated to give the AIO and the GPU direct access to air from outside.

 

Honestly? I'll personally keep my Define Nano S and eventually do a full liquid cooling loop in it, but if I ever end up needing to build a secondary machine (like for the living room or something), this might be the case to grab. I'm definitely a fan, it's adorable and nearly perfect for building a console-like gaming rig, and keeping it on your desk or next to a TV.

[SansVarnic]

Its possible they provide the case for the new xbox? just a guess.

or its a total rip off, lol

[DailyProcrastinator]

I thought it was basically the same as the Phanteks Shift series, just with different side panels. 

[That Franc]

6 minutes ago, SansVarnic said:

Its possible they provide the case for the new xbox? just a guess.

or its a total rip off, lol

It's more like a total ripoff of another total ripoff, because the new Xbox looks just like the Corsair One prebuilt computer.

It just looks like cases that are literal towers are the new hot thing, and everyone will make one eventually. There's Corsair, Phanteks, now NZXT, and soon Xbox. Now we just need the big boys like Fractal Design and Lian Li to join the party.

[Jurrunio]

19 minutes ago, That Franc said:

It's more like a total ripoff of another total ripoff, because the new Xbox looks just like the Corsair One prebuilt computer.

noooo they all copied designs of indoor trash cans

[justpoet]

Now just to cut a slot in it for an optical drive...

[schwellmo92]

The Xbox Series X is a fair bit smaller but sure they are both elongated cubes. Does that mean every conventional rectangular PC looks like the first ever rectangular PC case?

[schwellmo92]

16 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Does it come with a mobo? Or can it take any ITX mobo?

Case, PSU, CPU AIO and PCI-E riser is all it comes with.

[DailyProcrastinator]

29 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Does it come with a mobo? Or can it take any ITX mobo?

It does not come with a motherboard, and yes it fits ITX.

[The_Makr]

2 hours ago, SansVarnic said:

Its possible they provide the case for the new xbox? just a guess.

or its a total rip off, lol

Xbox almost 100% will design it in house probably a rip off 

[GDRRiley]

looks good but is way to much even with an AIO and a PSU.

still wishing more companies like corsair sold a version of their prebuild case stand alone

[RejZoR]

I had small form factor from Lian Li. Not even these absurd tiny cases, it was just miniATX and while it looked fancy being a tiny cube, it was a literal nightmare to maintain. I had to constantly fiddle with it, redesigning cooling, its placement, then I bought graphic card which was suppose to fit, but ended up not because of PSU which was placed vertically next to it. I had enough and now I have a midiATX tower which is super silent because of all the extra insulation and covered fan intakes and exhausts and all the freedom to place anything anywhere.

 

These tiny cases are really when you build them and then throw away when its time to upgrade. Coz it's juts not worth the hassle.

[HomeBoi]

looks dope AF, already grinding my thinking gears if i wanna go for that for my next pc

[7nationarmy]

41 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

looks good but is way to much even with an AIO and a PSU.

still wishing more companies like corsair sold a version of their prebuild case stand alone

Lets assume $125 for the PSU (it's the SGX650), $75 for AIO (price for M22, the one in the H1 should be more expensive) and $30 for the PCIe riser. That leaves $120 for the case. It's reasonable considering the competition. It's in the ballpark of upper-midrange tower cases and way below boutique SFF cases like the A4, M1 and Ghost S1.

 

As for standalone, NZXT said they might make one if there is enough demand.

[GDRRiley]

Just now, 7nationarmy said:

Lets assume $125 for the PSU (it's the SGX650), $75 for AIO (price for M22, the one in the H1 should be more expensive) and $30 for the PCIe riser. That leaves $120 for the case. It's reasonable considering the competition. It's in the ballpark of upper-midrange tower cases and way below boutique SFF cases like the A4, M1 and Ghost S1.

 

As for standalone, NZXT said they might make one if there is enough demand.

I know it’s comparable to their prices but their prices on those parts are high. 
I can get a sff Corsair unit for 80$. A 120 or 140mm AIO for 40-50$. 

it just feels 50-100$ too much. 
maybe if it was a 200mm AIO it would be worth it. 

[7nationarmy]

8 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

I know it’s comparable to their prices but their prices on those parts are high. 
I can get a sff Corsair unit for 80$. A 120 or 140mm AIO for 40-50$. 

it just feels 50-100$ too much. 
maybe if it was a 200mm AIO it would be worth it. 

Modular >600W Gold SFX for $80W? That must be a good deal. The one in the H1 is the Seasonic SGX650 which sells for $125-130. Corsair SF600 Gold was usually around that price too.

 

For the AIO, the cheapest 120mm on PCPartpicker is $55. $75 estimate for 140mm is still very reasonable imo.

[GDRRiley]

2 minutes ago, 7nationarmy said:

>600W Gold SFX for $80W? That must be a good deal. The one in the H1 is the Seasonic SGX650 which sells for $125-130. Corsair SF600 Gold was usually around that price too.

 

For the AIO, the cheapest 120mm on PCPartpicker is $55. $75 estimate for 140mm is still very reasonable imo.

Yeah a few hours ago I swear I saw it for that much.

Try 65$ for a 140. Lol never mind no one wants them so the prices are crazy. 

[7nationarmy]

7 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

Yeah a few hours ago I swear I saw it for that much.

Try 65$ for a 140. Lol never mind no one wants them so the prices are crazy. 

Yeah. The whole bundle isn't cheap but it isn't terribly overpriced. I was expecting it to be more expensive, given the state of the SFF market and it's also NZXT's first entry to proper SFF.

 

Not the case for me, I prefer more versatile cases like Ncase M1 and Sidearm T1. But I'd recommend it to friends who want to start building smaller PCs. Availability will be it's main advantage, on top of looks, collective warranty and not needing to worry too much about clearances and cable length.

[slippers_]

5 hours ago, justpoet said:

Now just to cut a slot in it for an optical drive...

Ok boomer ;)

[Dabombinable]

My current case has kind of spoiled SFF/ITX cases for me...I'm one who goes for flexibility (aka, being able to cram it full of HW from any decade).

[TVwazhere]

Also consider this is a 13L case, which is pretty small compared to many other mITX cases most mainstream companies put out. The fact that NZXT is also able to throw in the PSU and AIO means they can really trim the lengths of cables and tubes to be a proper length to make everything fit well, and according to the Hardware Canucks review, it works very well (save for the USB-C cable being a bit too short for the motherboard he was using, but NZXT will send out longer cables for launch day cases and will update future cases with the longer cable) To make things better, CAM software is NOT required in any way. The AIO is totally 3 pin and 4 pin controlled.

 

It's not going to be a top pick for mITX case enthusiasts, but it offers a lot of simplification to small form factor builds for less experienced builders. I'd be happy to have this on my desk.

 

[cluelessgenius]

10 hours ago, JM21 said:

I thought it was basically the same as the Phanteks Shift series, just with different side panels. 

honestly the shift looks like way more production cost its more intricate. this one i see more in the budget segment

 

in general i do think the design is quite nice and minimalist personally i dont care about it looking similar to the xbox.

but the price is way too much

its literally a cube. you cant tell me its that hard to produce.

im not sure what psu it is but if its a standard sfx or even atx format then they can keep it imo

the aio im sure is somehow propriatary to exactly fit this case sooo...fine but if its not or if you could also fit a standard 120 aio in there then they can keep it aswell.

 

and then youre left with a cube.  literally 6 flat side one being glass. id spend 60 bucks tops if the powder coating is good. maybe 80 considering the glas panel

 

[TVwazhere]

26 minutes ago, yaboistar said:

if this case was out before i'd started my all-AYYmd mITX machine i would've leapt for this

The only sad thing is, when GPU's get longer than 265mm long, the max height allowed shrinks from 145mm (a 1080ti FTW3 height) to 128mm. 

 

[Doobeedoo]

I mean ok so, it's nothing special really. It also has flaws that it shouldn't have really, like cooling, cabling and for size still kinda feels kinda inefficient inside space wise. I'd like to see more companies offer a proper console like sized cases per say with good designs. 

[silberdrachi]

349 bucks for a case, psu, cpu cooler, and riser seems a bit steep for me. But then again cases now days have drastically increased in cost since i bought my last one. I remember paying 189 for it (imported from germany) and thinking it was a fortune for it. But in the ~7 years since then 200 bucks seems 'normal' for a mid tier case, and 70-80 dollar cases are 'bottom of the barrel' shit with no features.

 

Looks cool, id like it, but possibly too rich for my blood and the cooling seems not great.