NZXT H700i Review: Better Without the "Smarts"

[@GamersNexus]

Article by Patrick & Steve: www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/3108-nzxt-h700i-case-review-better-if-it-were-dumber You might also like our H500P review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foPWk2d5asx_gsU

[@noenken]

What a pucked up case!

[@FlashTheManBro]

Nice someone with an indepth review. With the cable management bar can you said you can move it towards the front? If so Im assuming its only half an inch or so, but do you have an approximation?

[@GamersNexus]

It's about ~1.25cm of movement in either direction.

[@FlashTheManBro]

Gamers Nexus Thanks so much!

[@cataria3903]

u said it forces u to register and login for the software to work, so i actually get datamined if i want to use a case now? with nzxt selling or losing my data......? i definitely won't buy any of this "smart" stuff and also don't wanna support a company charging me for getting data mined.....

[@matacachorro4090]

Gamers Nexus reviews are the best.

[@sidewinder86ify]

Agree!

[@fxrsniper1]

lmao

[@MrArpo75]

totally agree with you !

[@urishima]

You know that they put that cable routing puk in just for you. I would almost bet on it. Watch retail versions of the case not actually having it.

[@urishima]

Nate You are just pulling my leg, aren't you?

[@optiquest86]

Hardware Canucks' had one in it.

[@joespddmn101]

I like the new trend of SAVAGE intros.

[@BeastOrGod]

YES.

[@-Kalliope-]

It certainly was a necessary change to the channel.

[@KunaiKrazy]

Hell Yeah. I know I will like this before even watching it.

[@ReZhorw]

"At that price point, your competition is the H500P" 23:53 HAHAHA You're hilarious, caught me off guard.

[@D-Rguitar]

I was looking for this comment. If there wasn't one, I was gonna make it!

[@phoenixbranwen766]

*H500P proceeds to fall apart with minimal force*

[@RapttorX]

such a short moment, but the best moment of the entire video (considering the video was great already)

[@IronmanToday]

LMAOOO

[@mataznuiz]

Remove all the electronics and include a puck. Then it will be my fave case... Maybe make the cable management bracket easier to remove (we need a sexy detach button). it should be reshaped a little too.

[@gavincarl8105]

Agreed!

[@doppiogali2778]

SAVAGE NEXUS at it again

[@neoqueto]

Remember fan controllers with knobs? THOSE WORKED

[@iamezza]

Yeah I have a nice black brushed aluminium one with 6 knobs. Can't use it on most new cases though because they don't have any 5.25" bays any more.

[@zachlabs8806]

Same.

[@MazeFrame]

NZXT even has one with sliders Mind = blown

[@mikem12406]

Yup, I would still be using my old Lamptron controller if my case had a 5.25" bay.

[@Pyroteq]

@iamezza - Which is why you should STOP FUCKING BUYING THEM. There's ZERO excuse not to have a 5.25" bay on any Micro-ATX case and larger. These full size towers are taking the absolute piss by removing practical features and replacing them with RGB bullshit. My Corsair 650D has an inbuilt hotswap bay and I use it all the time. On my next computer build I'm going to be recycling the 650D as a backup machine for clients computers with all 4 5.25" bays running multiple HDD hotswap backplanes.

[@landwolf00]

Good shit Steve. I'm kind of annoyed that this is called machine learning. It is literally false advertising and potentially unwanted data mining.

[@Claeys67]

I also feel like it's an insult to professional people that are actually creating machine learning devices.

[@Shichiaikan]

I was thinking the exact same thing. This is just them grabbing info so they can more efficiently produce their own fans or sell the info to someone.

[@TB-zm3zc]

This IS machine learning. And some of you underestimate the value of the data being collected.

[@landwolf00]

T B No it is not. The algorithm is to ship your information to their servers to be averaged out with every other person in a similar boat. This is called a program. It doesn't learn anything except an additional data point to be averaged. A simple while loop can do that.

[@TB-zm3zc]

oh boy, sounds like this one is going to take way more explaining than I have energy for. Gamers Nexus, perhaps a video explaining machine learning is in order, given that this is a new technology implemented in your area of expertise. In the meantime I urge viewers/commenters to research it on their own.

[@catbertz]

lololol I love your content and opinion more every single day. So much fun, so much data, SO MUCH TRUTH!

[@bipbong2906]

>Sees new NZXT case >$200 >Me: why? >NZXT: M A C H I N E L E A R N I N G

[@berengerchristy6256]

OUT OF THE BOX LEARNING

[@epicdestroyer6676]

Berenger Christy bruh that's my profile picture lol

[@Zoranurai13]

T H I C C

[@bipbong2906]

Berenger Christy lmao

[@Dominian1]

I feel really bad for the people who have too much money and too little interest in technology who are being sold this crap by their local PC shop. That's something only a bastard would sell to people; it's so dumb.

[@spunkysandoval]

That h500P cameo made me spit my drink out!

[@sliceofmymind]

You are literally going to become the bane of these companies' existence . Thank you for being one of the very few in our corner, Steve!!!

[@scpulp]

Doubtful. Smart companies may chafe at his delivery, but will take the feedback.

[@sliceofmymind]

You said it yourself, "smart" companies will do that, however, a real smart company wouldn't put out a non-working product or in this example of the case being reviewed, software that doesn't work. You can easily ignore the advanced fan controller in this case, but you are paying for the functionality or lack thereof.

[@Erowens98]

Frank R smart companies do whatever makes the most money. Unfortunately stupid consumers lap up this kind of crap. Hopefully channels like this will force companies to improve attention to detail, but ti be perfectly honest, this channel alone doesn't have enough reach.

[@fxrsniper1]

If he says its bad its a guarantee you need to get it, in my experiences with the 100's of builds we do.

[@johnbrooks5903]

23:50 Savage! Savage! Savage! Chat disabled for 3 seconds.

[@Torben_Fie]

John Brooks i

[@brycejonathan384]

Maybe im weird but I set my own fan curves. Actually I feel like this is the channel where I might not be the only person.

[@brumby92]

Bryce Jonathan yeah baby. We love our fan curves

[@kelpygsus132]

I just set a static fan speed and I leave it

[@hunterlong1820]

Bryce Jonathan I love my fan curves lol

[@DSDSDS1235]

Yea, 6 fans?

[@Demon09-_-]

I wish my case fans could be set to gpu temps threw motherboard software :x that's one place where asus's bios are better then most. I tried using a Nzxt cam but the experience with some fans was not good

[@GregSalazar]

There's actually a third screw behind the cable routing path you'll need to mind when removing the cable shroud.

[@bipbong2906]

Science Studio Hello my handsome man

[@GamersNexus]

Yeah. Clearly this changes everything.

[@lebeltoottoot9212]

how wude

[@Knives7777]

hi Greg

[@yassinejad2838]

smart

[@JoriDiculous]

Really? A computer case part that have to be online and have an account? Laughable. Why didn't they just make the (not particularity)smart device a simple temp / acoustic meter And completely skip the load% thing.

[@qwormuli77]

Mined information is expensive. NZXT wants a piece of the pie.

[@economytechtube2841]

This video has earned my subscription. I’ve admired the in-depth review and deep dives for a long time but I feel like there was something missing. Now I see fantastic videos and I’m here for the long run.

[@RodrigoSantos-qh7se]

23:52 fucking jump scare, dude!!!

[@Lyfesreal]

I've seen cases that crack the top panel/ open up etc when temperatures hit a certain degrees. Would've been much easier/cheaper to implement and probably a nicer gimmick to push that 200$ price tag. That being said sweet review and wow this case is really pretty

[@briano871]

Ratter have 5 pucks like Steve than the "Smart" Device, this case is gois to be ATROCIOUSLY expensive in Brazil... Steve, you have mastered the "ironically pissed off but i kinda like " type of review, very good work, keep up! You expressed exactly and perfectly how do i feel about the case, maybe at 120USD it will replace my S340.

[@lex_edard]

R$1820 right now and only with the red color...wait....pq eu to falando inglês com um br ?

[@Multimeter1]

NO FLAKES HERE MEN. Steve tells it how it is! Love the blunt reviews lately. More TechTubers should learn from this instead of kissing companies assess

[@recordatron]

Your videos are getting funnier and funnier each time. I love the scathing sarcasm nestled in between your clinical professionalism. Great combo.

[@mattfarrar5472]

You can move the bar closer to the front by a little bit aswell it has a second lot of screw holes.

[@ZanderLexx]

Gamers Nexus 4 LIFE

[@MinamiX3]

Just came here to say, I bought a puck a few days ago after watching your Nzxt case reviews and got it today and I'm loving it. Strong magnet holds my headphones and the puck splits to hold my cables... This is literally apples philosophy of "think different" except Nzxt idea is 11/10. Quality stuff. Much puck. So innovation. I just bought another one for my work case.

[@StudioBrock1337]

"The rest of the case is fantastic, I wish it wasn't $200." That's exactly how I feel about it. Such a nice case, would have been on my short list of cases I'd move from the P400 for. Looks like I'm still waiting for a white Meshify C.

[@user-kk4bq7mb8u]

White Meshify C is here, along with the H700 for $150 without smart devices. So tell me, fortune teller, what will next year bring?

[@hausjell4585]

Brock q

[@LooneyJuice]

Man, i seriously hope NZXT takes all this in good spirit again. This is an insane amount of pretty priceless critique and evaluation for practically no cost. Like, no joke, without the smart devices, I'd probably snatch it, because it's one of the few solid front panel cases with some actual ventilation. Thanks Steve n' Co. excellent work as always.

[@Planehazza]

Was set on getting the H700i, but couldn't justify spending £200 on a "smart" case, when the smart bit is essentially a fan curve. Went for the S340 Elite instead for £75 :) Have contacted NZXT to arrange the purchase of a spare front panel so I can mod the S340E for better air flow, as that was the only bad point in my opinion. 1:57 - I agree, the S340E definitely has airflow problems, but I really think that it being less than half the price of the H700i, it's still very much a strong option. Holes cut into the front panel would massive improve airflow to the case :) Great vid, as always.

[@kylegroves9630]

I'd happily buy one of these for 150 without the fan controller & a free puck instead

[@user-kk4bq7mb8u]

Have you checked the H700?

[@jasielgs8884]

@@user-kk4bq7mb8u by that time the H700 wasn't a thing, the only case available was the H700i

[@dpcoffey]

"An extra half inch would have gone a long way" -Every girl that I've slept with

[@tj9959]

Dustin I can believe that it would have tripled your performance!

[@scottmurphy4946]

two in , one to go

[@jonas2378]

you mean both of them? Wow!

[@dustinrose5048]

I saw about 3 other reviews on this case, not a single one mentioned anything about the fan controller let alone that it didn’t work properly, rather the software didn’t work properly. Makes me seriously question their reviews especially when they also reviewed the Cooler master one recently and again mentioned nothing about the build quality

[@Mindbulletz]

I suspect that nobody actually tries to break it (or push it) like Steve surely does. And yeah, in that case they're worse than the consumer going to the store and looking at the damn thing themselves.

[@ELJefeReviews]

Best review I've seen on this case! I thoroughly agree with you. NZXT should offer this with or without the 2 devices. I already own a Hue+ and I like setting my own fan curves. Price the case slightly above the S340 Elite and I'll definitely buy it and post a build video in it!

[@marcopa86]

I was waiting for your review... the wait was worth! :P

[@halsaufschneider1446]

This is an actual critical review, and it points out the flaws. Thats how its done right! No shilling, no apologizing no bullsh!t! The product manufacturer can watch this, and improve his product very easily. Good work Steve.

[@JetBen555]

13:20 IT DOES FINE ON ITS OWN MERIT IT DOESNT NEED A COMPUTER INSIDE OF IT .. to add cost .. and *oh wait*

[@GamersNexus]

The smart device is a computer.

[@jominator3187]

Lmao- I can't believe this case has literal cable trays in the back to route along.

[@swayze240]

So many pucks...

[@verex8579]

Did you see the T-shirt Steve had on XD

[@saladwithsalad]

Puck you.

[@sk8mag99]

Steve just doesn't give a puck anymore

[@bothellkenmore]

No pucks given.

[@swayze240]

Puck off.

[@Tamer-yd1bj]

YES I was waiting for you to do this review

[@james2042]

I am loving this "mini sarcastic start", its great and even though they are intended to be humorous, they are still on point.

[@ChaironDeCeleste]

Good to see I'm not the only one who threw the "smart" device away. Didn't need the adressable 5v rgb (or white led?) stripes and additional fan connectors either ( *plonk*).

[@nateo200]

When steve lets his wings open up he unleashes hell fire on companies. I love it.

[@mz1be]

1) lmao @ 23:53 2) wouldn’t think twice for a i700d @ $150 3) great stuff as always!

[@user-kk4bq7mb8u]

H700 is here now for $150, I believe.

[@RexxReviews]

Glad they took your advice on doing a non smart version of this case . Now I can’t decide between the black/blue version or the all black

[@MrKZdemos]

steve youre on a savage rampage this month.

[@PERSPECKTiVE]

Holy shit I miss watching you guys @ Gamer's Nexus. Been waaaaaaaaay too busy at work these past 2 months.

[@MrLoverThe]

I can't believe they don't have more subs. This is one of the best tech channels.

[@thrashstronaut]

Urgh, bullshit parts on an actually awesome looking case

[@matthewfennell7886]

Pietro Crespi Its their standard case test rig, that's why it's always the same.

[@thrashstronaut]

I meant the "Machine learning" stuff

[@licentioushowler3400]

23:47 I think I've just now realized that this is my favorite tech review group ever.

[@Ekksanpher]

Your content recently has been on fleek. I am loving the sass. "Once you retrieve it from the garage"

[@katerwhall1865]

Excellent review GN once again absolutely enjoyed it, learned a lot.

[@tee_es_bee]

Love the intro, sir. Well done.

[@dcphillips1991]

I hope they release a just case version, it looks amazing.

[@MrPjetlic]

Well, I gotta say, I really love this fresher style with all those "memeish" moments, feels way more natural. Good job GN!

[@mudziemodz]

That was an amazing review and I laughed so hard! Great work Steve & Patrick.

[@cruisey9857]

These cases are nice but this trend towards closed off front panels is maddening!

[@GamersNexus]

As closed-off panels go, this one is quite good. NZXT is only choking about 6C off their maximum potential with the stock fan config, so they're doing pretty well here. You can make a closed-off panel that's still good, and this is an example of one that is moving toward that "good" direction. They've done well with the panels. It's the smart device that needs work.

[@cruisey9857]

How's the dust on these? I'm leaning towards the Meshify C myself. Thanks for the vids!

[@lucianodebenedictis6014]

as much as I like mesh, this is a closed front that doesn't bother me. it has enough ventilation, and if my guess is correct, it's better than all mesh acoustically

[@GamersNexus]

Cruisey DFR Not sure on dust. It has a filter, so should be easy to manage.

[@juhopetrell1878]

Gamers Nexus i like the mesh's look in the front and closed front panels just look so boring to me. This is a good case overall, but not for me. Everything to everyone.

[@westislandmedia]

I have this case and I completely agree with you. The smart device doesn't work at all. I've been running it for a week in hopes it might figure itself out and no luck. I will be removing it and plugging everything into the motherboard. Great review!

[@TheHighborn]

13:20 it doesn't need a computer inside of it. NOW HOLD ON FOR A SECOND STEVE!

[@TCGView]

A very solid review. I hate when companies use stupid marketing buzz words to try and sell us on gimmicks.

[@gunstrucksbbq]

I've watched this a few times, that intro is sooo good.

[@Hirens.]

Great work with this video ! Keep up good work guys !!

[@Airbag888]

Your rants are the most enjoyable and entertaining ever

[@grantkendrick277]

"who plays a game for 20 minutes?" you just earned a new subscriber!

[@jbatacan2]

Liked after 5 seconds. Always coming with the heat with the video intros!

[@youridv]

it's such a nice case! fuck those devices though. I love the HUE and Kraken and Cam has actually been functioning just fine, magically, since the beta release a few weeks back, but not everyone wants a built in complicated as fuck fan controller. Not everybody wants to be some pioneer in computer hardware. Anyway i basically quoted steve so

[@King716]

You could take a longer route with that 24 pin and go over the bar and then behind so that it doesn't look so crappy. Not everything has to be as short of a route as possible especially with cable extensions.

[@Fergunator]

Steve is such a savage I love it. Keep up the good work!

[@tuna_land]

They should make a base model. I like that they occupied most of the fan slots.

[@larslovestech]

agreed...would like to see you do a video on NZXT's cam software and how bad/buggy it is and why they cannot seem to fix it

[@taipeitaiwan10]

Nice to see a real review by the best pc hardware tester. Thx.

[@emp1985]

Many of us have asked NZXT to drop the Smart thing, and the price with it. Hope they do listen to you.

[@TheVerrm]

Steve if you listen we NEED for you to put those PUCK T-Shirts onto your store! They look great!

[@foreignsgamingtech]

This is how politely ripping a new one looks like.

[@ConceptProductions80]

u can change cam software's notifications in the settings... cpu temp warnings can be adjusted to whatever temp u want

[@suichiro4577]

I have a H700i and I love the case. Only downside is that Smart Device and the Cable management bar. It interferes with any EATX motherboard and any right angled 24Pin. Also if you plan to custom loop. It isn't too friendly with larger graphic cards since you won't have space to place a reservoir unless you mount it ontop of the PSU shroud so you lose 2 2.5 inch mounts.

[@TacoUP]

Another great review Steve! Do you wish they would included the puck with the case as well?

[@FoodTechLife]

This is one of the best if not the best PC hardware channels. Great work! - btw what LED light panel was that (in the solo case shot)?

[@RGjolstad]

So... The ONLY bad thing with this is that someone at NZXT needs to get their programming-shit together. I mean, this is just a serious case of lackluster programming and missing information for the end user. However, you've inspired me to try to make a similar fan-controller-smart-thingy for myself sometime. Thanks for the idea for a fun project Steve!

[@rubberduck8867]

OMFG THAT OPENING IS BRILLIANT. Been waiting for this review

[@commanderoof4578]

How to set fan speeds Create 2 or more presets Preset 1 idle So run a 4k youtube video and drop raise fan speed until it is at the minimum speed for a set temp Preset 2 Do the same as above but running a game or do a stress test And you can make more for different load levels ignore sound get a headset and isolated mic

[@BrianCroweAcolyte]

H700i looks decent compared to recent cases but the Define R5 is still my favorite. R5 has support for a 420mm radiator on the top and still has room for eight 3.5" drives with two SSD mounts behind the motherboard, all without being a massive full tower. And doesn't hurt that can find the R5 for under $100 while the H700i is $200 with no 5.25" support, weaker fan/radiator support and minuscule 3.5" support. But I guess it looks kinda cool?

[@BraddaBrod]

Now that newegg sells the h700 that excludes the smart devices, what would you say about h700 vs h500?? Would you recommend the 700 (w/ out smart device) over the h500? Starting my first build and like the h500 however if the h700 has notable better performance, I don't mind spending a little extra. Anybody with their thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[@blazbohinc5735]

I like how your brain works. Damn I have to become a patreon, you need more money and recognition. Keep up the good work

[@computerjunkie4761]

i was considering buying this case. thanks for the great review and saving me money on stuff i don't need

[@fongvang935]

Yeap, I would've bought this case if: $150 came with a puck without the CAM "smarts" USB 3.1 Gen2 Type C FP It's really too bad because the case IS a pretty slick looking. And yes, please re-release with a "dumb type c" version and I'll be all over it. For now I've settled for a Meshify C. Great Job GN.

[@saikrishankumar]

This video is the reason why I love Gamers Nexus.

[@oscarmuhammad4072]

CAM software allows you to customize the temperature threshold for notification to a higher level(see settings/notifications). You are referencing the default value. You may rethink doing a bit more research on these products before making definitive assertions, but I do get that sometimes things just get past us.

[@Plague_GG]

I feel like Steve is gonna get a box full of smart devices after this video.

[@matthough4124]

Great review! Could you not have routed the main power connector in front of the blue cover bar and then into the cutout behind it? Not ideal but it would have looked better than squeezing and bending the cable behind it.

[@xtrash1ove]

Hey, great video, as always. One question - why don't you ever review Phateks cases? Enthoo Evolve for instance, would be great to hear your opinion on such an advertised and popular case.

[@connord6194]

Hi Steve! I'm actually quite interested in the smart device. After you go through the painful setup, is it good at setting a fan curve? Like is it fairly quiet and does it set a fan curve better than the average user? Also is it PWM? THANK YOU!!!

[@nogghan4637]

i just routed the cable under the bar and it REALLY cleans up the look of the case im not sure why you chose to force the 24 pin over the top of the cable bar? just go directly behind it and then flatten out the bowing cables with combs

[@Kjaywest]

I love reviews like this. Love it Steve good job again with this honest review. I want this case, but knowing the CAM is shit I’ll wait until NZXT take it out the case.

[@TheKidnappedOne]

The 85°c temp warning is an all around temp warning. Ice gotten that for both my 980ti and my 5930k when I was tweaking some fan curve settings and then stress testing an oc. Ice since stopped using cam, for what should be obvious reasons. At this point I just use CPUID HWMonitor. Frankly it better utilizes the sensors in my hardware than even say corsair's own software.

[@hanhsui]

That top panel with those long ass "mushroom clips" as you call it, makes it easier to snap due to its length....

[@SilvioAlcantara]

I agree...way before I saw this review... NZXT I know you are watching....take the smart device off, remove RGB and lower the price. I will buy!

[@AlokSomani]

I wish I saw this video before pulling the trigger on the Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG. I read your review of it on the website and the noise levels on the chart threw me off, but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere that you were running the fans at max. That means the case could be relatively quiet and still cool well with better fans at lower RPMs.

[@johnmartinez12347]

CAM is fixed now with the revamp (H(series)10(i/ Elite))

[@Dominian1]

I love these in-depth reviews of cases. This case isn't appealing at all and I still had fun watching the video.

[@ConceptProductions80]

the internal puck/cable wrappers can be useful with long fan power leads