Todays build uses the fantastic NZXT H210I: A mini-ITX pc case that is part of NZXTs H series of cases that come with or without led lighting, denoted by the ‘I’ meaning that this one does include LED case lighting.
Updates:
An evolution over the H200I we’ve reviewed before, the updates include a front-panel USB-C connector supporting high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices, a tempered glass side panel needing only a single thumbscrew to keep it in place (which will be a bit nerve wracking the first time you try and pop it out but make sure to keep a firm grip on it), and an upgraded Smart Device V2.
Included in the case are Two Aer F120mm fans which do the job (but you could always pop for an rgb version.... almost seems a shame not too) and the front panel and PSU intakes include removable filters. There is also a removable bracket designed for radiators up to 240mm which helps with the installation of either closed-loop or custom-loop water cooling.
Size and Weight:
The size is: W: 210mm H: 349mm D: 372mm (with feet). At this size, and with two expansion slots, it should be capable to install a Mini-DTX motherboard like the Asus ROG Crosshair VIII but NZXT have been stuck to the line that the case will only support Mini-ITX motherboards. A quick search has revealed that people have indeed managed to cram this mobo into the H210 series so this could be another option for those looking to experiment. In terms of weight you are looking at about 6kg before adding any additional parts. It does make it a rather heavy build for a mini-itx setup, but the payoff is from that amazing view inside the case through the tempered glass screen and the ability to show off some great RGB lighting effects.
Design:
The case can be ordered in a number of different colours. Black, white or red. As you can see we are working on the white version today. All the colours come with a black accent, so the white case, while totally white on the outside will have a predominantly black interior.
The build:
Today we will be pairing the H210I with:
An Intel Core I9-9900K processor. For those not familiar with it, it's an absolute beast. It's an 8 core, 16 thread CPU with a clock speed of 3.6 GHZ and a turbo speed of 5 GHZ, along with an unlocked core multiplier. It also comes with integrated UHD 630 graphics capable of 4k output but in this build we will be using a dedicated GPU.
We’ve used an Asus ROG Strix Z390I Mini ITX motherboard in this build. Its got a great RGB aesthetic, room for a USB 3.1 gen two header (something still quite rare with mini-itx motherboards), support for HDMI 2.0a and a great looking shark fin antenna. Bear in mind, if you want the USB-C port on the top of the chassis to work you will want to choose this motherboard. (as of 26/03/2020)
No heat sync is included with this particular processor which is why we have decided to go with an all-in-one water cooler from NZXT: the Kraken X52. It looks stunning and really helps to keep temperatures down when you start to push the processor.
We paired the H210I with 32 GB of DDR4 ram from Corsair (and then subsequently pushed it up to 64 GB!). No RGB this time as we went a bit bananas elsewhere but there is nothing stopping you if you really want to. Corsairs Vengeance LPX range of RAM are a great choice when balancing cost vs performance. The price can quickly shoot up as mini-itx boards only have two ram slots so something worth considering.
For the storage we've gone with a 500GB Western Digital Black NVmE M.2 SSD. We are massive fans of the WD black range for their speedy performance.
Finally on the graphics side of things we’ve gone with a RTX 2080 from Gigabyte. We love the RGB gigabyte logo, triple cooling fans and usb type c display output.
Summary:
We really do love the NZXT H210I here at RockApe. Its the perfect blend of form and function, taking up less space on your desk while still allowing for the installation of some of the most powerful components on the market.
Pros:
Beautiful aesthetic, with the tempered glass screen and matte white coat
RGB galore! Smart Device V2 is handy to help link everything together
Reasonably priced for whats on offer
Easy to build in with loads of space
Cons:
Large and heavy for a mini-itx chassis
Popping out the tempered glass screen can be a challenge and nerve wracking the first time you do it