NZXT is one of the biggest names in the world of cases, and they’ve made a reputation for themselves as the best manufacturer in this industry. Their products are consistently outperforming competitors with their premium build quality and impeccable engineering. In addition, the features of their products show that the company puts a fair bit of time and money into refining everything down to the last screw.
That’s all great since it’s exactly what people want when they’re in the market for a decent chassis. But, if we were to put the products from NZXT against each other, which one would stand tall?
In this article, we’re going to give you a direct comparison between three of the best cases the company has released; the H500, the H510, and the H510i.
Contents
NZXT H500 vs. H510 vs. H510i – Comparison Chart
| Features | NZXT H500 | NZXT H510 | NZXT H510i |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurements | 16.85 x 8.26 x 18.11 | 16.85 x 8.27 x 18.11 | 16.85 x 8.27 x 18.11 |
| Types | Mid Tower | Mid Tower | Mid Tower |
| Motherboard | ATX | ATX, Mini-ITX, Micro- ATX | ATX, Mini-ITX, Micro- ATX |
| Cooling Method | Water | Water, Air | Air |
| I/O Ports | 2xUSB 3.1 | Type-C, USB 3.1, Headset Audio Jack | Type-C, USB 3.1, Headset Audio Jack |
| Weight | 19.5 pounds | 14.52 pounds | 18 pounds |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Features Comparison Table
NZXT H500
If you’re an Overwatch fan, you’re going to love the NZXT H500. This PC Case is one of the most exemplary cases the company has produced so far.
Product Features
This is a case that NZXT made in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment, the maker of Overwatch. The entire case is themed to follow the color scheme of the Overwatch logo, which is embellished on the front with a bright light behind it. The case is matte black with some orange highlights due to the logo.
However, if you’re not an Overwatch fan, there is a simple black and black/red variant available as well.
The H500 shows precisely why the price tag is justified with its all-steel construction, making it one of the most durable cases in the market. The durability is an added plus with the perfectly engineered design of the case. NZXT made sure to place every bump inside the case with precision for maximum airflow throughout the case.
The H500 is also water-cooling compatible with AIO and custom loop configurations. You can install a 280mm radiator in the front of the case. You get two included AER F 120mm with the H500, and the manufacturer also made it relatively easier to install a reservoir because of the dedicated mount.
The case isn’t the only thing that’s durable. NZXT put in a full-tempered glass side panel so you can openly flaunt your entire RGB setup. NZXT also included pre-installed channels and Velcro straps to make cable management easy and convenient to give your build a clean look. Even if this is the first time you’re building a PC, you’ll be able to do an A-plus job just because of how convenient NZXT makes it.
One minor drawback of the case would be the configurations of its fans. One fan is mounted on the top, and one is on the back of the case. This isn’t that big of an issue, but it can seriously mess up your plans if you’re looking to follow the most mainstream fan configuration.
The fans on the front act as an intake while the top pushes out hot air as an exhaust. As a result, there is enough room to add another fan slot. It’s pretty confusing why NZXT decided it wasn’t worth adding another fan on the top.
Pros
- Made in collaboration with Blizzard Entertainment
- All-Steel build
- Amazing airflow
- Tempered glass side panel
- Easy to manage cables
Cons
- Fan configuration could’ve been better
- There are some dust and ventilation issues in the case
NZXT H510
When it comes to creating minimalist, sleek setups, there’s nothing that beats the NZXT H510. The H510 has a simple design that creates a vibe unlike any other when paired with the proper hardware.
Product Features
This mid-tower gaming case is a fantastic example of NZXT’s fine engineering at an excellent cost. It has a modern, minimalist design with nothing but simple solid colors on three sides of the case. The fourth side is a crystal-clear tempered glass panel to flaunt your build at its best.
The case is available in three variants: the H510 (the base model we’re talking about right now), the H510 Elite, and the H510i. You can also find three colors for the NZXT H510. Two of these are solid, plain colors; black, and white, since they’re meant for minimalist designs. There’s also a third color, a combination of black and red, which is excellent if your build features some AMD colors.
One of the critical features of the H510 is the modern I/O ports. Unfortunately, most cases in circulation today don’t have I/O ports better than a standard USB 3.0. The H510, however, has a Type-C port that is paired with a USB 3.1 port.
Similar to its predecessor, the H510 makes cable management relatively easy. When you buy the case, you’re getting the company’s own patented cable routing kit. You can use this kit to pass the cable through the premade channels, making the wiring a piece of cake.
As far as the airflow is concerned, it’s decent. However, the minor flaw discussed in the H500 about the fans being installed weirdly isn’t fixed in this case either. There’s still only one exhaust fan at the top. Regardless, you can swap the fan out from an AER F120mm to a 140mm one, which helps out with exhaust a bit.
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Water cooling ready
- It comes with a USB-C port
- Durable tempered glass side panel
- NZXT’s patented cable routing kit included
- Supports Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, and ATX boards
Cons
- Incorrect placement of fans
- Screws are mounted too tight at times and might require a power drill
NZXT H510i
The H510i is a different variant of the same case above, but it takes a turn away from minimalist to go for a more ‘RGB’ approach. Here’s why this case deserves a separate mention.
Product Features
First, let’s quickly go over the H510 vs. H510i debate and see what sets them apart. This case is a part of NZXT’s i-Series which are the company’s RGB selection. The entire case is lined with amazingly bright RGB lights connected directly to the case.
All the lights are conveniently attached to a built-in LED control panel for easy customization. This control panel is named the Smart Device and is specific to the i-Series cases in the H range of devices. The device is also equipped with a high-speed microprocessor to control the RGB lighting seamlessly.
Moreover, another great feature that sets this case apart is its support for a vertical mount. Many people aren’t fond of the vertical mounting style of GPUs, but if you’re used to one, this case certainly won’t disappoint. However, you will need to buy a PCIe riser cable separately, which is sort of a bummer. Regardless, it is pretty cheap to buy, so that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Let’s talk about the things that the H510i has in common with the H510. The same patented cable routing kit comes with the pre-installed channels that we love for cable management. It supports the same motherboard sizes; Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, and ATX. Also, it has a Type-C port and the USB 3.1 port, which is always an excellent addition. Moreover, the side panel on the i-Series case is tempered glass, the same as the H510.
Pros
- Additional lights for the whole RGB experience
- The control panel for the lights comes with a fast microprocessor
- Redesigned SSD mount
- Vertical mounting options available
- Support for Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, and ATX motherboards
- Type-C I/O port
- Zero sharp edges make customization a breeze
Cons
- PCIe riser has to be bought separately
- You’ll need a power drill to open the screws
NZXT H500 vs. H510 – Comparison
When we talk about the NZXT H500 vs. H510, there are more similarities than differences. NZXT took everything good in the H500 and made it better.
There are two significant differences, though. The first is the colorful and flashy design of the H500 compared to the minimalist design of the H510. Second, the 500 has an Overwatch version of the case, which follows the logo’s orange color scheme.
Secondly, the H500 is a bit less modern than the H510 when it comes to I/O ports. The former only has USB 3.1, while the H510 also comes with an added USB Type-C port. You’ll love the H510 if you’re constantly swapping data from one hard drive to another and need high-speed transfer to move things along quicker.
However, it primarily boils down to personal preference. The colorful/minimalist setup and the lack and presence of USB Type-C are both factors that are specific to people. Some need it; some don’t.
NZXT H510 vs. H510i – Comparison
The 510 and the 510i are two variants of the same case, but the i-Series case is a considerable upgrade. The i-version features two RGB strips attached to the sides of the case. This is something that the 510 doesn’t have. Along with the strips, you’re getting a Smart Device v2 that can control the two LED strips using NZXT’s software.
This defeats the purpose of having a central RGB header like most pre-built PCs in the market do. Instead, one software will be controlling the rest of your setup, while NZXT’s will be used to change the lights on the LED. It’s an extra hassle, but the RGB look does sort of make it worth the effort.
Another minor difference between the two cases is that the H510i can mount the GPU in a vertical setting. Unfortunately, the PCIe riser isn’t included, but buying that separately shouldn’t be much of a problem.
NZXT H500 vs. H510i – Comparison
Once again, the H500 is a bit of a last-gen case, and the H510i is miles ahead of it. H510i comes with USB-Type C support, a form of modern I/O that the H500 lacks.
Another thing that the newer case has is the addition of RGB. The H500 is kind of forced to work off the RGB hardware you’ve installed in the system itself. The 510i has some of its colors as well, which blends in well with the rest of the hardware.
The most significant difference between the two would be the price point. The H510i costs twice as much as the H500, which is a considerable price hike for the extra features. They might be worth the purchase, but if you’re on a tight budget, the H500 will serve you just fine.
Are They Similar in Any Way?
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Tempered Glass
All three of the cases use NZXT’s traditional tempered glass panel. The glass gives the picture-perfect clarity you need to take a peek into the beautiful components loaded inside the case.
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Cable Management Tools
NZXT is renowned for the great cable management they provide with their case. It doesn’t matter if this is your first build or tenth. You’ll easily be able to tuck all the wires neatly out of sight. All of the NZXT cases we’ve listed here come with the company’s proprietary patented cable routing kit, making it easier for you to manage the cables.
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Fan Configuration
One thing that we’ve talked about throughout the article is the improper fan configuration. It’s not necessarily wrong, but it is easily fixable and could be made ten times better.
All three cases have space for three intake fans at the front and one fan on the top, and one on the back of the case. This creates decent airflow, but if it was possible to mount another fan next to the one on the top, the dual setup could act as a great way to filter out the hot air.
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Motherboard Support
All three of the cases we’ve mentioned here support ATX motherboard sizes. The H500 only works with ATX, while the other two also support Mini-ITX and Micro ATX.
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Water-Cooling
This is sort of a mainstream requirement in the world of high-end gaming PCs these days. Water-cooling isn’t just an unnecessary expense that people make to get the flashy liquid flowing through their setup. Instead, it’s almost mandatory at this point. To ensure that their cases can stay updated with the latest builds, NZXT adds water-cooling capabilities to all their cases mentioned on this list.
What Sets Them Apart?
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Price Point
The three cases are a world apart when it comes to pricing. The NZXT H500 is relatively affordable and can be a pretty attractive part of any budget build. The NZXT H510 is a bit pricier but still stays far away from triple digits. The H510i, on the other hand, is almost twice the price of the H500 and is the most expensive on the list. The range of features does justify the price range, but it’s not exactly feasible if you’re working on a tight budget.
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RGB Features
The H500 and H510 don’t have any RGB capabilities. They’re the preferred cases if you aim to achieve a minimalist solid color look with your cases. However, if you need to add a bit of RGB to the mix, you’re going to need the H510i. It has two RGB strips attached to the inside of the case with a control panel specifically meant to control the RGB lights.
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I/O Ports
The I/O on the three cases is also different. The H500 is a bit of an older case and only supports ports up to USB 3.1. It’s a decent port, but not as high speed as some like Thunderbolt 3 or even Type-C. So, if you’re looking for faster data transfers, you can go for the H510 and H510i since they come with Type-C ports.
Conclusion: Which of the Three is Best?
There are some significant differences between the three cases, but the major ones are only due to personal preference. While some people like RGB, others don’t. Some people want faster I/O ports, and some don’t. However, if you wanted to rank the three cases, the NZXT H510i sits comfortably at the top as the best case on this market. If you can afford the price of the case, you’ll love what it’ll do for your entire setup.
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