A few months ago, NZXT, a brand known for the high quality of its products, announced new H chassis series, equipped with RGB lighting and Aer F fans: the H700i, the H400i and the H200i.
The NZXT H200i is a mini-Itx mid tower chassis, with latest technology advancement and captivating aesthetics.
The H200i has a small size (W: 210mm H: 349mm D: 372mm) but is not the smallest Mini-Itx case on the market, indeed is more similiar to a micro Atx case like the Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L than a Micro itx like the Raijintek Ophion EVO. This large size (for an Itx case is clear) could turn away those are looking for a case that is as small as possible, which is also the purpose of a Small Form Factor case. So let's take a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of this H200i.
SPECIFICATIONS
THE EXTERIOR
The NZXT H200i externally is very simple and elegant. There is no ostantation or useless things. Its design is reminiscent of its older brother H700i, only in smaller version (but not much smaller as we said in the post's intro).
For this chassis, the company has choose, as its habit, olny premium quality material; indeed it is all made of steel with a big tempered glass side panel and, unlike many other chassis, we do not have a finish with a classic paint, but a powder coating, that give to the case a touch of exclusivity.
NZXT offers the H200i in four colors combinations: white and black, matte black + blue, matt black + red and matt black.
As we said previously the case has a really simple design composed by few clean lines. This thing is confirmed in the front section that apperars almost minimalisic: only the NZXT logo decorates the lower area.
As we are used to finding in case of this price range, also the NZXT H200i is equipped with dust filters in all air intake areas (front and power supply area).
It will have been a very appreciable plus if the front filter was removable without removing the front panel; anyway, this is not a problem.
The I / O panel is located at the front of the top panel. There are not many connections, but more than enough for everyday use; we have: two USB 3.1 Type-A, the power switch, the earphone connections and a status LED.
On the left side of the NZXT H200i there is a tempered glass panel; it is mounted with 4 knurled screws. To prevent panel's vibrations, it is decoupled by means of the knurled screws with rubber pads.
The right side cover is made of steel and is hooked in the front area and fixed in a classic way with 2 knurled screws grafted in the rear panel.
The upper side is composed of a smooth panel with a small perforated opening for ventilation (120 mm).
It is a solution, taken from the H500, which doesn't convince me completely at an aesthetic level, I would have preferred that the guys of NZXT had resumed the design of the upper part of the H700i. It would have been a more elegant solution and would not have greatly changed the case size.
The back side has a classic setting. Very interesting is the 120 mm fan support, equipped with connections for height adjustment, which allow compatibility problems to be more easily managed. This is very useful for AIO installations and custom cooling.
The chassis supports a full ATX PSU and a removable bracket on the back allows a much simpler installation process.
Finally, on the base of the frame, you will find a sliding dust filter, useful to keep the PSU's airflow clean . There is a good height from the ground thanks to four durable rubber feet.
THE INTERIOR
Once the four screws have been removed, the tempered glass side panel can be removed.
This is surrounded by a black border which is useful to conceal any signs that are formed when placng on and taking off the panel.
After removing the right panel, you can take a closer look inside the NZXT H200i.
Inside it looks very similar to its big brother the H700i and just like in the latter the interior space is well optimized. Even in this small version we find the shaped metal profile that allows all the excess cables to be hidden and thus to have a very clean construction.
If it creates problems during assembly, can be removed by unscrewing two screws (one at the top and one at the bottom).
The interior of the chassis is black in all its elements, the only exception is the metal profile that picks up the colors of the outside and on which the NZXT logo stands out.
In the bottom of the case there is the power supply shroud that, as we have already seen in many other cases, separates the power supply zone from the motherboard area.
On the top of the PSU cover there are many little circular holes helping air circulation inside the H200i.
Thanks to the case’s size any full Atx PSU is compatible with it.
In front of the shroud (under to the perforated area) we can find a plastic support for a 2.5" hdd/ ssd.
NZXT has done a great job designing the interior of the H200i. There isn't nothing, beetween the front and the rear of the chassis, that oppose itself to the air fluxes modifying the correct ventilation of the motherboard area.
After removing the front panel pushing out the ten pegs that hold the steel plate in place, we can see the frontal zone.
In the front there NZXT has decided to not include any fan preinstalled, things that we can find in the higher models H400i and H700i. It would have been appreciable if they had done it but anyway it not a problem. Users can adapt the chassis to their needs adding two 120mm or 140mm fans, or a radiator with a size of 120mm or 240mm.
Installation of fans and radiator is made easier thanks to the included bracket that is removable by unscrewing four captive thumbscrews.
An air filter, flush mountable on the bracket, complete the front side of the H200i.
Along the edge of the left side runs a LED RGB LED, fully controllable via CAM software.
At the top we find a 120mm Aer F120 fan.
On the right side we find two 2.5 "hdd / ssd slots and the controller for led strips and fans.
I also appreciated the two canalization through which you can get a good wiring,
On the underside there is the removable filter to keep everything clean in the case.
NZXT Smart Device
NZXT has included in this H200i, as well as in H400i, H500i and H700i, the "Smart Device".
It has some functions that can be managed by the NZXT Cam software; you can set things like adjusting the LED effects of the supplied strips and you can manage the profiles of your fans' fans.
During the test I encountered difficulties with the so-called automatic learningof the fan adjustment function, in which the PC uses the integrated sound meter to automatically create a fan profile.
This is certainly an brilliant idea, which, however, at the moment does not seem to work perfectly.
Surely, in the future, NZXT will work on it by making it work properly.
CONCLUSIONS
This NZXT H200i is great, well built, with high quality materials and well finished.
Sometimes in small houses like this, ventilation can be a problem, but this is not the case.
I really liked the attention that NZXT has dedicated to the arrangement of cables and the general cleaning of the houses.
However, when you choose a mini-itx case you have to face a number of limitations, compensated by an exceptional design.
First of all, you have to pay a higher amount if you want a truly capable ITX motherboard (and the choice is not as large as for the larger format cards); then, if you want to opt for liquid cooling, the choice of GPU is drastically reduced (2 slots and maximum 27.5 cm).
Then there is the price chapter. Perhaps this chassis at this price ($ 129.99) is a bit overpriced; maybe NZXT could include a USB 2.0 splitter or a second LED strip to made it more appealing.
Even because NZXT has accustomed us, always, to Premium products, and that, as such, they must show an almost maniacal attention to detail by the manufacturer.
Even in the face of these perplexities we can say that we are faced with a great product, certainly to be recommended and that will guarantee you an exceptional-looking build.
Thanks for reading - Tech's Interceptor