NZXT Classic Series H2 Silent PC Case Review+External Impressions of the NZXT H2+Installing the Parts Into the NZXT H2

Introducing the NZXT H2 Silent Midtower

Earlier this year at CES we were given a sneak peek of the H2 from NZXT's Classic Series and we were only allowed to show you the corner of the case. Today we get to show you the rest of it.

From the outside the H2 has very simple clean looks. On the inside the H2 has some nice features to offer. The side panels and the front panel have a layer of sound dampening material to lessen the noise making it out of the case. The top exhaust fan also has a baffle over it to help direct the sound back into the case.

The H2 also features a 30 watt fan controller that can handle all 5 fans that the H2 is able to accommodate. The H2 also has USB2 and USB3 ports on the front panel and a top mounted external 2.5/3.5" hard drive dock that is hotswap capable if your motherboard is capable of it. The H2 also has room for eight 2.5 or 3.5 hard drives and three 5.25" devices. 

Specifications for the NZXT H2

• Dimensions (WxHxD): 215x466x520
• Front Panel Material: Plastic/Aluminum Finish
• Materials: Steel w/black coating
• Colors: Black, White
• Total Weight: 8.9kg
• Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, m-ATX, ITX
• External Connections: 1x HD Audio/Mic, 1x USB3.0, 3x USB2.0, 1x eSATA
• Cooling:
• Front: 2x 120mm @ 1200rpm (included)
• Top: 1x 140mm 
• Rear: 1x 120mm @1200rpm (included)
• Bottom: 1x 120mm
• Bays and Expansion:
• External 5.25": 3
• Internal 3.5": 8
• Expansion Slots: 7
• Clearance
• VGA Support:
• 315mm w/o hard drive
• 270mm with hard drive
• CPU Heatsink Support: 170mm
• Wiring space: 25mm

Installing the Parts Into the NZXT H2

NZXT includes all the hardware needed to install your system into the H2. Screws for the power supply, motherboard mounting, mounting 2.5" drives to the drive caddies, wire ties, and a speaker.

NZXT also includes a socket for installing the motherboard standoffs. The socket is to be used with a Phillips head screw driver.

Installing the system was a breeze. The socket for installing the standoffs was very handy; no need to track down my pliers. The Tool-less mechanism for the 5.25" bay holds the drive nicely.

If you have a long video card you may have issues when it comes to power connectors for the hard drives and the end of the video card. The H2 has room for video cards up to 315mm without a hard drive installed, 270mm with hard drive installed.

With almost 7/8" between the motherboard tray and the side panel there was plenty of room to run wiring.

The CPU cut out is large, not large enough to allow for the non-standard layout of the Intel DX58SO, but that's not uncommon.

With the system powered up the lower right corner lights up. The LED is bright enough to be seen in a lit room, but not so bright that it is over powering in a dark room.

External Impressions of the NZXT H2

Looking at the H2 it seems a little dull compared to some of the flashier cases we have seen from NZXT as of late, but not everyone likes their case flashy and lit up seven ways to Sunday. Even with the subtle design the H2 has some nice features to offer.

On the top of the case are the front controls, hard drive dock and top exhaust fan.

The front controls are located at the front edge of the top. From left to right: Power, Audio, USB3 port, 3x USB2 ports, Fan Controller and Reset Switch. The fan controller is a 3 position switch for a low, medium, and high. Low is 40%, medium is 70% and high is 100%

Just behind the front controls is the drive dock. The drive dock can accommodate both 2.5" and 3.5" hard drives. The dock is also hotswap capable as long as your motherboard is capable.

There is even a warning sticker on the bottom of the compartment warning the user of this.

At the back is the top exhaust vent.

The vent has a cover over it to help reduce noise. The vent accommodates 140mm fans.

The cover for the exhaust vent is held in place with magnets. The cover sets off of the exhaust vent by a small amount so when in place the vent is not completely blocked and will allow air, and noise, out the back.

Behind the front door we can see the front intake fans and the 5.25" bays. The inside of the door is covered with a layer of sound insulation. The door is held shut with two large magnets.

The 5.25” bay covers are removed from the outside by using the latch on the right.

Below are the front intake fans. The fans are held in place by a housing that clips into the front of the case. More on how this works in the next section.

At the very bottom of the front the case is raised such that air can be pulled in from the bottom and through the space between the door and case body.

The sides of the H2 are blank. There are no side windows or side vents, not even a logo. This is nice to me as it keeps a clean look and is also a blank canvas if one would want to paint something on the case.

Moving around to the back of the case we can see the rear exhaust fan, expansion slot covers and PSU mounting area. The USB3 cable has also been run to the back of the case already.

At the bottom is a removable dust filter for the power supply and lower intake fan.

Looking at the bottom of the case both the PSU mounting area and the center bottom 120mm intake fan are completely covered with the filter.

With the filter out of the way we can see the filter also has anti-vibration strips between it and the case. There are also several soft rubber case feet around the perimeter of the case.