Introduction and First Impressions

Tempered glass mid tower with CAM smart features

NZXT has proven to be willing to adapt and innovate in the competitive DIY PC space, introducing their own software control suite (CAM) to control cooling and lighting effects in 2014, and this year launching their first motherboard. We have have seen CAM in action with products like the Kraken AiO liquid CPU coolers, which required the software to fully unlock their potential – both thermally and visually (RGB) speaking, and it's an integral part of the new H700i enclosure.

“The H700i showcases NZXT’s vision for modern PC building. This premium mid-tower case features a unique CAM Powered Smart Device that digitally drives RGB lighting and fan performance. You can effortlessly control RGB lighting and fans, while Adaptive Noise Reduction optimizes your build’s acoustics through machine learning and ideal fan settings. Includes four integrated Aer F fans and two RGB LED to enhance the aesthetics of your build as seen through the H700i’s stunning tempered glass panel.”

Now that NZXT has brought that CAM software feature-set to enclosures beginning with the H700i mid-tower we have for you today, we will pay close attention to the way the integrated "Smart Device" – a module that controls fans and lighting – fits into the usual thermal/noise equation. OEM systems from the likes of Dell with their Alienware desktops have used similar dedicated hardware for cooling and lighting control, and it's interesting to see this enter the DIY space. How important is software control of cooling and RGB effects to you? That depends, of course, and partly on how easy it is to use.

We will take a close look in and around this new enclosure, and while it’s on the test bench we will see how the stylish H700i stacks up with thermal and noise results vs. some other recent cases – and test the H700i both with and without CAM software optimization to see what sort of difference it makes in practice. Let’s get started!


Specifications from NZXT:

  • Model Number: CA-H700W-WB
  • Material(s): SECC Steel and Tempered Glass
  • Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, and EATX (Up to 272 mm or 10.7 inches)
  • Expansion Slots: 7
  • Drive Bays: 7x 2.5”, 2+1 3.5"
  • Radiator Support
    • Front: 2 x 140 or 3 x 120mm with Push/Pull
    • Top: 2 x 140 or 3 x 120
  • Fan Support
    • Front: 3 x 120/2 x 140mm (3 Aer F120 Case Version included)
    • Top: 3 x 120/2 x 140mm
    • Rear: 1 x 120/1 x 140mm (1 Aer F140 Case Version included)
  • Fan Specs
    • Aer F120 (Case Version)
      • Speed: 1200 + 200 RPM
      • Airflow: 50.42
      • CFM Noise: 28 dBA
      • Bearing: Rifle Bearing
    • Aer F140 (Case Version)
      • Speed: 1,000 + 200 RPM
      • Airflow: 68.95 CFM
      • Noise: 29 dBA
      • Bearing: Rifle Bearing
  • Clearance
    • GPU Clearance: Up to 413mm
    • CPU Cooler: Up to 185mm
    • Front Radiator: 60mm
    • Top Radiator: 30mm
    • Reservoir & Pump: Up to 224mm (Along cable bar)
    • Cable Management: 18-22mm
  • Filters: Front and PSU Intake
  • I/O Ports: 2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1x Audio/Mic
  • Dimensions (WxHxD) 230 x 516 x 494 mm (with feet)
  • Weight: 12.27 kg
  • Smart Device:
    • 3x Fan channels with Max 10W per channel output
      • *Note: If a splitter is used, fan control is regulated depending on the fan connected to the 4-pin port. Do not use low-noise adapters
    • 1x RGB LED port support up to 4 x HUE+ LED strips or 5 x Aer RGB fans
    • Built-in noise detection module
  • Warranty: 2 Years
  • System Requirements:
    • PC with open internal USB 2.0 port and Windows® 10 operating system recommended.
    • Internet connection is needed to download CAM.
    • Some CAM features require Internet access, a valid email address and acceptance of our current Terms of Service.

Thanks to NZXT for providing the H700i enclosure for our review!

Case Exterior

Our review sample of the H700i is matte white,  and this case is also available in black or black/red. The case has a premium look and feel aided by the tempered glass side panel – the new standard in the industry for a premium case material. Overall this is a pretty straightforward enclosure from a materials and layout standpoint, with steel and tempered glass, and the modern open internal layout of a case without 5.25-inch drive bays.

The H700i is not particularly small for a mid tower, but it still won’t take up much more room on a desk than slightly shallower mid-tower designs from Corsair, etc. that we have seen recently.

The trim around the perimeter of the enclosure is ventilated, and this is the source of air for the front and top fan mounts.

Top I/O includes a pairs of USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, and 3.5 mm audio jacks.

The usual seven expansion bays of a mid-tower can be seen from the back, along with the populated rear exhaust fan mount.

There is a screen filter for the PSU intake that slides out from the rear of the case.

The accessory kit includes a second, adhesive-backed RGB strip for flexible placement

There are no tricks or gimmicks to this enclosure from the outside, and that is just fine with me. It’s what on the inside that really counts, right? I guess that means we need to move on to page two!

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