NZXT Hades Case Review

Performance Analysis

As the side panel couldn't be fitted with the fan and mesh, we tested it with these items removed completely (leaving a gaping hole) and also with the hole sealed using our superior modding skills (tape and cardboard). This should give some indication as to whether fitting the mesh in some way will affect temperatures if, for some reason you're dead-set on buying the case.

The results speak for themselves. At full fan speed where, we might add, the Hades was actually not too noisy, it performed exceptionally well in all of the tests. However these results are with the side panel mesh and fan removed so should be taken with a pinch of salt.

It came fourth in the idle delta T graph which is filtered by the CPU delta T but even the top performing Lian Li PC-P50 only managed to knock another two degrees off. The GPU delta T was a little warmer with cases such as the Antec Nine Hundred Two up to 7°C cooler. With the fans set to low speed it fared a little worse but it's the load tests which are important.

The CPU stress test was even more favourable with the Hades it's fans running at maximum fan speed, only being bettered by the SilverStone FT01. It even managed to outperform the mighty Antec Nine Hundred Two and Cooler Master HAF 922 by a couple of degrees. Its clear that the combination of a rear and top exhaust fans works well, especially as they are so close to the CPU cooler. Strangely the GPU delta T went down when we sealed the side panel, perhaps focussing the airflow from the intake fan. However the CPU delta T rose by 2°C, mostly likely because the CPU cooler was no longer able to draw cool air in from the hole in the panel.

With the fans set to their lowest speed, the Hades still performed well, with the CPU delta T only increasing by 4°C. However, this was enough to see it tumble down the graph, just ahead of the Cooler Master CM 690 II.

The Hades performed well at maximum fan speed in the GPU load test too and only a handful of casea such as the Antec Nine Hundred Two were able to fare any better. Even then the Hades managed a much lower CPU delta T during the GPU load test, matching the the Cooler Master HAF 922 and Lancool K7 Metal Boned with a delta T of 17°C. With the side panel sealed, the results were pretty much as expected with small increased in delta T across the board.

Conclusion

Up until the last moment, the Hades had surprised us. Build quality isactually very good and much better than previous NZXT cases we've looked at. The front door is a bit of an eye sore, but apart from that it has all the hallmarks of a great value case. Having a dual-channel fan controller, calbing routing holes and water-cooling compatibility all help to make a strong case against the competition.

The results prove that the fans are effectively positioned and as a result the Hades is one of the best performing cases out there - assuming of course you're happy to have a gaping hole in the side panel. The side panel issue really is a tragic mistake given how well it performs. However the fact that it's essentially incompatible with all the decent coolers we've looked at recently is a huge drawback.

While NZXT lists this little issue in bold in the Hades' spec sheet on their website, this doesn't make the problem go away. A simple addition of alternative mounting screws so you can secure the mesh to the side panel without the fan, or even an adapter so you could use a smaller fan which doesn't interfere with the space available for the CPU cooler would largely solve the problem.

So should you buy the Hades? Well if your CPU cooler is less than 131mm high then the Hades is a brilliant case which provides great cooling and has a ton of useful features. The front fascia is about as pretty as a burnt out building, but great cooling and looks rarely go hand in hand.

However, as our extensive cooler reviews show, the best modern coolers are towers and the vast majority of these are much taller than 131mm. So, while the Hades performs well, and is clearly aimed at enthusiasts who care about cooling, it's essentially at odds with decent CPU coolers. So, despite being one of the best performing cases we've tested and certainly not short on features, we're reluctant to recommend the Hades because of this critical flaw.

• Features
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• 3/10

• Build Quality
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• 7/10

• Ease of Use
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• 7/10

• Performance
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• 9/10

• Value
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• 6/10

• Overall
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• 4/10