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  • Lowcarb - Monday, January 28, 2008 - link

    I own this case.
    It may be screwless, but the retaining bracket for cards is so flimsy you can expect it break after a few days.

    NZXT customer support is horrid! Plain and simple.

    They don't respond to e-mail reliably.
    They do not have a phone number listed, so when they don't respond to your e-mail you have no recourse.
    When I had an issue with some missing parts for my case they sent the wrong ones even when I was very explicit about what was needed.
    Finally they never came through on a $40 rebate on the case, even after 7 months and multiple e-mails.

    They have made me really sorry I ever did business with them.
  • zoom314 - Friday, February 18, 2005 - link

    Well no matter what I do like this case, Sure the looks aren't for everyone, But then neither is a Suit of Armor from the Middle Ages.
  • SBGTF - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link

    Wow. Different things appeal to different people. I like the case, and I appreciate the review.

    Who buys them? Well I did. I bought their Guardian case and I'm very happy with it. I like the design.

    And in case you are wondering about my age, I'm in my 30s.
  • cryptonomicon - Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - link

    by the way, reviewing "functional cases" which may look plain is a fine idea. I think gaming cases are a joke. I mod all my cases anyways, for example plain Lian-Li cases are sweet for that.
  • LoneWolf15 - Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - link

    #48, Anandtech's site isn't targeted to the mainstream audience, it is targeted to PC enthusiasts. The mainstream folks out there buy a mass retail PC, or from a mail order retailer like Dell or Gateway. In a few cases they go to a mom-n-pop shop if they are well informed and know of one with a good reputation. But the mainstream audience doesn't build their own PC's, they buy them. It has been shown that the enthusiast crowd who reads here does not like cases like the Guardian, and others that look extremely pre-modded. Therefore, catering to the crowd you target makes sense, and continuing to review case after case that looks like this does not, which up until now seemed to be the norm here at Anandtech despite overwhelming reader opinion.
    Wanting a clean case isn't being a purist; it's wanting something that is quality inside and outside, and then if you're a PC-modding enthusiast, you can make your own changes later. The NZXT may have a decent inside, but its outside has limited enthusiast appeal. Sort of like the now-discontinued Pontiac Aztek; I'd guess the inside wasn't bad, but few were thrilled about its exterior looks, which ultimately doomed it.

    P.S. How many friends/relatives of yours would like a case that looks like these?
  • frocool - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    Okay, most of you really need to chill out. If you don't like theses cases don't buy them. If you like them being reviewed then don't read the review. It's that easy.

    I build computers as a hobby. Sometimes I build them from scratch, using a barebones case that I mod myself. Other times, when I'm feeling less-than-inspired or lazy, I use a premoded case such as this one. If I'm not happy with end result I'll usually end up seeling it to a friend or relative. As suchs, I appreciate the time Anandtech takes to review these types of cases so that I know which ones are good and which ones to stay away from. Judging by the review, the Nemesis Elite seems like another quality product from NZXT (although I'll reserve final judgement for when/if I purchase one myself). Again, if you don't like the case or review don't buy it and don't read the review.

    I hope Anadtech continues to take the time to review all different types of products, from those aimed at the purists among us, to those aimed at a more main-stream audience.
  • LoneWolf15 - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    Thank heaven, Anand for statment #4. I haven't seen a single person that wants to buy the cases Anandtech reviews. They just don't carry features or looks that enthusiasts want, and after all, this IS an enthusiast site. People want the simple-yet-sophisticated look of Silverstone or Lian Li, the function features of Antech or the Chenbro Gaming Bomb II, or the sturdiness and dependability of server cases like Chieftec and Chenming. What they don't want is something that looks like a robot, has fifty million blinky lights, 20 laser-cut biohazard grills, cheap plastic, etc., and then half the time bundles it with the cheapest power supply they can still wildly exaggerate specs to list as 400 watts. Remember the soup commercials awhile back that mocked people eating chicken and stars, saying "Come off it, you've grown up now." So have PC enthusiasts...and they want the cases to match.
  • BLHealthy4life - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    I just have to say again to Operandi (#18), what you said is HILARIOUS!!!

    Take care
  • manno - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    By the way

    #12 #18 #26 #29 #30
    ROLF

    Operandi, I went snowboarding this weekend, and I took some nasty spills I woke up today in total pain. After reading that comment I laughed so hard I fell on the floor because my chest hurt so much, and I couldn't stop laughing. Hysterical!

    To the developer: That would be great if you put out some tasteful cases. In fact I'm looking forward to it. How about doing an Antec Aria layout, only with better styling.

    http://aria1.notlong.com

    An exterior power brick would be cool... though I have no idea how feasable it is.

    Anand. I'll put my money where my mouth is PM me the address to send the case and I'll send you one.

    http://AMSGMO.notlong.com

    -manno
  • manno - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    WOW! Could those cases look any uglier? Please review cases that don't look like they belong in a 7-year-old's room. How about reviewing cases that could be featured in a modest, or contemporary setting, and not just a LAN-Party. I mean wow those cases are two of the ugliest I've ever seen. I'd rather have a 7' tall beige box than one of those monsters. You know some of us have girlfriends, that don't want to have to cover up the PC when we have guests over... Forget her I would cover up one of those eye-sores with a sheet if I had guests over. could we get at least one feature article on tasteful cases. Am I the only one who sees side windows as a bad thing? When I was 13 I though they would be cool. Now that I've seen what they look like I know better.
  • smn198 - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    Sei, I look forward to seeing the new range of cases. I hope that Anand feels it is worthwile to review them. I think the case reviews at Anandtech are among the best, just the cases which are being reviewed aren't always the best looking. It would be a shame to loose them!
  • Sei - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    Hello,
    Thanks for the feedback guys, from an design point of view, we're hoping our next case will appeal to you guys. Like justly said, Before entering this market, the kings of sleek design Coolermaster, Silverstone, and Lian-li have already established a lot of market share and we really didn't want to make it harder for us to enter. We really wanted to bring something different to the table. Now that people have heard of us, we're going to introducing our own style of sleek cases this year. Galak, I believe silverstone and lian-li have introduced similar designs where the psu is located at the bottom of the case, and we're definitely looking into a structure different from the conventional design. Thanks again.

    <-- Designer
  • Zak - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link

    Yup, I didn't even bother reading after looking at the picture, UGLU POS! Anand, guys please, stop doing this - this is a waste of resource!

    Zak
  • justly - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Sei, its nice to hear comments from someone that represents the manufacturer. I imagine it must be easier to break into the computer case market with a design like the "Guardian" instead of trying to compete with more conservative design. However, I have to say that no matter how well it is engineered the appearance alone would make me choose a different case. The "Guardian" design is so "over the top" there are ony two opinions you could expect "I love it" or "why in the world would they make such a thing". Obviously I'm not one of the people in your target market (Personally I like the simple elegant look of the Enlight EN-7250 series). I hope your company does well, even though you can be assured that I won't buy this case.
  • Gatak - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    #36, Sei:

    Are you from the company that designed these cases? Cool to see someone actually taking time to read customer responses :).

    Some of the people responding in here probably didn't think further than their noses, so I wouldn't take to much notice.

    Anyway, as you say, there are many different customers with vastly different needs and tastes. Although I personally like more "grown-up" designs, I know people that used to love cases like this.

    To those that didn't read the review you should know that the cases did actually have good features. Ease to mount and work with is a big plus.

    To Sei: As far as I know the idea (in the beginning of time) to put the PSU at the top-back position was to use the exhaust fan to also remove the heat from the inside case. This probably worked good when systems didn't produce so much heat.

    Today, things are quite difference. We already need extra exhaust and intake fans to keep airflow good. At the same time we like the PSU fan to produce as little noise as possible.

    Wouldn't it possible to design a tower-type case where the PSU is placed in the bottom and the motherboard placed at the top? The idea is to spread out heat sources some. There is no need to have the VGA and CPU to also heat the PSU.

    This placement would also make much more room to work with at the top. It would be possible to add a large 120mm at the top, removing the heat efficiently without having to sound much.

    The PSU would also be cooler, needing less powerful fans, and therefore be quieter. All in all, it would be more pleasant to work in the case and it would be cooler and quieter.
  • Gatak - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    btw, for all those that want glass windows or otherwise transparent cases. You should think of EMI in/out from your computer. The metal case is not only a shell, but it is also a electromagnetic shield.

    But then I guess most of you use un-earthed wall outlets.
  • DS Delaroca - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    these are two cases i own, my lian Li has a danger dan water cooler, and my Koolance case, i know they are pricy but to they have looks and peformance so they worth it.

    this is my Lian Li: http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?style=albu...

    and this is my Koolance:
    http://www.frozencpu.com/images/products/detail_hi...
  • Sei - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Hello Guys,
    Man you guys are ruthless. :) Before designing each case, we are clear about who we are marketing our cases to. We knew that both the Guardian and the Nemesis were not going to be very appealing to many people. But of those people who do buy our cases, they are extremely happy with it. We're really proud to be one of the manufacturers who design unique products. It may seem that our attention to the "tacky" designs overshadow our quality but we are a company that is very dedicated to our customers ,providing good service and listening to our customers on our forums. Anyway, thank you guys for all the comments and taking the time to read this. I promise we will be coming out with more sleeker cases under another line

    Thanks again guys! :)
  • DS Delaroca - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    nope #33 its rit that its the most anal looking case i have see in a long time, its like ASUS try their best to make a POS just for show. i mean the color,the desing, did i mention the color?.
  • timmiser - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    #33, nah, I don't think that one is any more ugly. The Nemesis still holds the crown in my opinion.

    What I'd like to know, do adults design these cases?

    -Tim
  • ImJacksAmygdala - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Well to Asus's credit they actually were able to make an uglier case than this one...

    http://usa.asus.com/products/pccomponents/chassis/...
  • kcma - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tacky...

    what is up with ugly tacky expensive cases... and ugly tacky cheap cases? it's official, anandtech has no taste, i click on these case reviews just to laugh at their bad taste...
  • BLHealthy4life - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    #18: that is HILARIOUS!

    #30: Yes you can possibly make a case this ugly...and they did.

    Every year cases are getting more freaking ugly and extreme in design.

    I just stick with the basic Lian-li designs...even some of the Lian-li cases are getting pretty damn ugly.

    Like a few others, I did not even read the article after I saw the ugliest case I've ever seen in my life.
  • TinyTeeth - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    How can you possibly make a case this ugly?
  • Griswold - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Oh my God! My eyes... must wash my eyes..aaaargh!
  • stephenbrooks - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Erm, why does this article appear truncated? When I view the last page, it ends:

    "[...] then why spend $120 on something similar? We may surprise many of you with our final decision. For those who enjoy these custom-modded cases from the factory, then aesthetically"

    That's it! Were the words after that censored? :p
  • Bonesdad - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Thanks, Anand, for putting a stop to this...I wanna see some "adult" cases...not lego cases.
  • Gholam - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    It's official, someone managed to beat Thermaltake in the "make the ugliest case possible" contest.
  • darkteb - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    ugly
  • darkteb - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

  • semo - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    thanks Anand.
    to all ppl that keep saying "who buys these cases", well go back and read #7. i say keep reviewing these monstrosities (someone buys them) but then review 10 normal/enthusiast/any-no-gimmick cases.
  • piroroadkill - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    The worst bit is this case isn't all that bad, they just had to piss all over it by putting an ugly front on it... I don't get why any manufacturer would do that...
  • ElFenix - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    thanks anand!
  • danidentity - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    That is the ugliest POS I have ever seen. I stopped reading the second I saw the picture on the first page. Does anyone actually buy these things?
  • Locut0s - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Thanks Anand!
  • Operandi - Sunday, February 6, 2005 - link

    Optimus Prime called....

    He wants his body armor back.
  • Dualboy24 - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    Can you do nice case designs in the future... I would love to see reviews on more Lianli and antec cases... also what these two manufactures have in the budget line (-$100 cases)

    I think alof of people find these cases ugly... but Its nice that manufactures do make unique designs at least it keeps things fresh.
  • hoppa - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    thank you for that, anand! i'm yet another that is sick of ugly, loud cases.
  • Rand - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    You know, it's odd... but I think the 3 nicest looking cases I've seen reviewed on AT were all priced under $30.
    I'm not sure whether that makes me really cheap, or the fancier cases horrendously misdesigned.


    "but I'd rather review nothing than do any more of these."

    You know your get crappy parts for review when when you'd rather review nothing. :)
  • Gatak - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    #13 and others...

    Will you buy and send a case that you like to see to AnanTech for review?

    If not, then how do you think they will ever be reviewed?
  • ImJacksAmygdala - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    I'd much rather see a review of the Lian-Li PC-65B.

    That Nemesis case is damn fugly...
  • headbox - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    I would like to meet whoever buys one of these, and slap him
  • PorBleemo - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    The inside is really ugly too. I'd take a $20 Dragon over one of those anyday.
  • Gatak - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    Hey, be a little nicer to Anand and the other reviewers!

    They do a good job and procude good quality reviews, and here you come and say it is crap. =(

    Sure, many readers (including me) asked for reviews of nicer, more elegant cases. But the truth may be that it may not be so easy to find. And those that do exist, well, it might not be possible to get review samples.

    Have respect!
  • shoRunner - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    seriously, who buys this crap. I'd rather have a hp/compaq/dell case than this.
  • Cygni - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    "It's often tougher to get the more normal looking cases to review"

    Thats what i was thinking... if the case mft's want to move the more expensive ugly gimicky cases, thats what they will send out, im guessing. Although I agree, a watercooling review/round-up would be pretty interesting.
  • bupkus - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    I build a system for my nephew's then 9 year old using a case with Spiderman cut-outs. Hey, if kids wants it, it's fine with me.
  • Nazgoth - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    i agree with #2, i HATE these sort of fugly cases. who on earth would want to buy such an UGLY case ? :|
  • Nazgoth - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

  • Anand Lal Shimpi - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    This is the last one, I put an end to that today. This is something I should've done a while ago but it's better late than never.

    It's often tougher to get the more normal looking cases to review, but I'd rather review nothing than do any more of these.

    Take care,
    Anand
  • Dranzerk - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    You are %100 correct. I did not even go past page 1 after seeing pictures of this Voltron looking pos case.

  • semo - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    is it me or does anandtech not listen to its readers... a lot of us want to see non-gimicky decent funtional cases, for example, cases designed for water cooling, cases designed for lots of room, cases designed to be quiet (btx? (just a suggestion, not looking for trouble)), all of the above and so on.

    not saying to stop review those .... umm, argh.. i-don't-even-know-what-to-call-'em-anymore cases. some ppl like those cute ugly things

    what do you think Purav. i'm not being unreasonable, am i?
  • ksherman - Saturday, February 5, 2005 - link

    damn... thats fuggly

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