Intro:
Having seen a NZXT Guardian case previous to the influx of
reviews on the internet, I quickly contacted NZXT for a review sample. I was
excited, because I had not seen anything quite like this before. Being a
reviewer, I noticed a few slight flaws right away, but I needed to do a thorough
look over before I passed any judgment. This is it. Continue on please...
About NZXT:
I'll let the graphic do the talking for a moment...
NZXT seems to have a pretty clear goal set for themselves. As
you'll see along the way, they have a little to live up to, but are off to a
great start in my opinion!
The box:
Unless your retail outlet double boxes cases, you'll find
below what to expect. Mine came from California without too much incident from
FedEx. It did get a small puncture wound in the top of the box, but there is the
usual two Styrofoam holders on each side of the case to pretty much keep the
case safe in shipping. No shipping damage here, so...
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| (1) The box |
Unpacked - WYSIWYG:
Moving around the case, on the right side, we see some
ventilation holes. Pretty standard on cases, so it's to be expected. Moving
around to the back, we see a strange layout for two 80mm fans. The fans go into
an enclosure, which we'll look at further later on, but I can't say I've seen
fans like that in a back of a case before. I would suspect they don't harm
airflow, but I don't think it would really help either. In a "perfect case
world," I'd like to see them both flush, and have the back totally stamped out
with normal 80mm fan grills on the fans to protect fingers and such. I can't
think of ONE case I have seen that has done that. Nope, not even Lian Li. Moving
to the left side of the case, you can see that a plastic film has been applied
over the window to protect it from scratches along the way. Also, if you look
closer, you can see regular masking tape that holds the Molex fan wires in the
side window down, so they don't scratch the clear side panel. Unfortunately, mine
was loose upon unpacking. Small scratches were seen, but it's not the end of the
world. You'd have to look really close to see them, so, I don't really care.
Lastly, the front. The front has masking tape down the most of the front of the
case. Also, not pictured, there is two small masking tape pieces between the
front cover and the case. Once again, to try and protect the case in transit.
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| (2) Right side of case |
(3) Back of case |
(4) Left of case |
(5) Front and center |
The PSU:
My review sample did NOT come with a PSU. I did have access
to the case I mentioned earlier still, so I took a pic of the 400 watt PSU that
was in it. It is a one fan PSU, but it is truly quiet. In fact, case
fan in the back of the case is quiet too. The exception is the the tri-LED fan on the side...Nothing
more than a normal Galaxy fan, and most of you should get that one. So, almost a quiet case from the get-go, maybe that is why there is no
room by default, for any rheobuses in this case. That'll come up too...
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| (6) If you got a 400 Watt PSU... |
The side panel:
After unpeeling the protective layer on the side panel, you
could say anyone would be in awe. The window is very unique. The acrylic is
recessed, which I never managed to get a good picture of. Anyway, the
acrylic is flush with the outside of the case. Truly a work of art and planning
from day one. Nice job NZXT! The included grill on the side is sort of dinosaurish. Or something...It seems to be out of place, yet seems to
fit in at the same time. Behind the grill, and in front of the "fan that blows
in" (thank you for the flow direction correct) is some nice looking modders
mesh that we have seen grace online stores as of late. That makes it look much more professional in my book!
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| (7) Protective coating
removed |
The front:
After removing the masking tape, you would be seeing what you
see in the next two pictures. Like it or love it, that is really how this case
boils up to. Or down to, if you are in the south. I know, lame joke...Yeah, so,
we see four fake screws on the front for decorative purposes, and red sort of
eyes. Your perception maybe different, but that is what I see.
Opening up the front cover is easy. Just grab the side. It is
held in by two clips. I've seen other cases that use the push, and it pops open
method. Magnets, gears, but this is a different one. It screams good and bad.
Good: it closes securely. No worries about the door popping open and something
happening to break off you door. That would suck. Bad: Plastic is plastic. I
have no idea just how many opens and closes it would take to eventually break
off, or snap one of the plastic clips. It does take some force to close, so who knows.
Maybe by the time they break off, we'll have computers implanted in our heads hooked
up to our retinas for all I know.
Moving on, you can clearly see the external drive bays. Five, 5 1/4"
bays, and two 3 1/2" bays. Out of the two cases I have on my desk that have four
5 1/4" bays, they both have one left. It's refreshing to have two or three left
depending on your? configuration. That gives you that option for the big, two
panel LCD, or some 5 1/4" bay Hard Drive cooling, or something. Maybe even get
off your butt and find a used tape drive back up to back up your stuff that most
of you probably aren't doing now. Feeling guilty about backing up your stuff now?
You'll also see the power button to the left, and the reset
button to the right. Maybe not super handy, but it works...
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| (8) Front closed |
(9) Front open |
A quick unneeded rant?:
With all due respect, I have never been a fan of cases that
have a closable front, because...Imagine you are burning a CD, you forgot to put one in,
Nero pops it out, and the front of your case is closed. Yeah...Ooops...So
if anything, be careful if you need to.
The front, and outside looking in:
Starting at the front, it's clearly seen that
the case is very unique. The very reflective plastic around the bottom can only
resemble a smile, and, it is much more exciting later on as we'll see. Under small
sliding doors on each side of the case are two USB ports, and a headphone and
microphone jack respectively. Sadly, no Firewire, but I think that is overrated
for "front" access in the PC world anyway. The front of the case does stick out
quite a bit. It sure does give it some flavor though huh?
Pushing the six front case panel holders, in somewhat of an order, reveals
picture 12. You'll probably need pull the front off when you install an external device.
Also, if you want install more than one 3/5" device, or more than one 5.25"
device, you'll have to bend out the bay tabs. I don't see why manufacturers still have
those "break out" bays. Any modder/tinkerer is going to remove them to
begin with. Save
yourself and the consumer, a whole 5 cents, and just don't put them there. We'll
take them out, and they'll end up in the landfill. When was the last time you
saw a steel recycling bin? Hmm, I'm ranting...
In picture 13, the bottom 3.5" bays are riveted in. It's easy
enough to get to the three 3.5" internal bays, and the two 3.5" external bays,
but I wouldn't mind if it was removable. I only say that because the bottom was
slid in, then riveted. On second thought, nah, forget what I just said. It
works good like this. :)
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| (10) The smile :) |
(11) Case protrusion |
(12) Front removed |
(13) Inside |
Goodies enclosed:
A technically, 6 page manual page manual is enclosed. It hints on
future cases being able to select colors, and patterns for the "Guardian
Eye Motion LED." Now that would be really cool. In picture 15, in a white
box (not pictured)
is the extra stuff you get. A power cord for your PSU. In the smaller bag is a
blank push in bay cover, since the top (AGP) slot is open by default. It depends
on your motherboard I guess, if you use that one or not. It's nice to see NZXT
thinking ahead. Also included is a zip tie. Yes, one??? Standoffs and screws for mounting a mainboard,
and one zip tie base. I guess that is why there is one zip tie included.
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| (14) Manual |
(15) Accessories |
