NZXT H1 Mini-ITX: Enhancements and Efficient Cooling in a Compact Form Factor

Microform factor PCs have grown in popularity, especially since the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles showed a powerful gaming system that doesn’t have to be big. This inspired many PC enthusiasts to develop the greatest ‘Console Killer!’ Fitting high-end electronics into a compact case and keeping it cool is difficult.  A popular console-like small form-factor (SFF) case, the NZXT H1, has been revised with modest adjustments to make it more compatible with today’s powerful high-end GPUs. It also seeks to fix the damage caused by the original model’s fire hazard recall a year ago.

Many gamers are looking for the perfect HTPC case or console killer chassis, therefore we must examine if the new H1 can compete with our Best Mini ITX Cases. Despite its $400 price, the H1 includes a 750-watt SFX PSU and AIO CPU cooling. Hyte’s Revolt 3 is a tough competitor. That case lacks a glass panel and cooler and is two inches deeper front to rear. It sold for $200 with a 700W SFX power supply at the time.

Specifications Of NZXT H1 Mini-ITX

What Is In The Box?

• Mini-ITX Case from NZXT H1
• Dynamic 650W 80 PLUS Gold SFX-L Transformer
• All-In-One 140 mm Cooler
• Riser Cable for PCIe 3.0
• Pre-attached Straps for Managing Cords
• Bolts & Fasteners for Installation
• Instructional Handbook
• Start-Up Manual

What Are The Features Of NZXT H1 V2?

The casing was made more practical in the second H1 version. For cooling, NZXT fitted a 92 mm exhaust fan to the case’s rear. The first version shipped with only the AIO radiator’s fan. A larger and wider chassis allows longer graphics cards, up from 12.01 inches (305 mm) on the original to 12.76 inches (324 mm) on the V2. Still, the case is tiny. I’ve never used the original H1, but the H1 V2 is 15.9 inches tall and 7.7 x 7.7 inches for workspace. The first design was 15.2 x 7.38 x 7.36 inches, thus the size increase is minimal.  Still an SFX 80 plus gold, the bundled power supply is now 750W instead of 650W. We applaud this wattage boost to support high-end graphics cards. We had power supply concerns throughout testing, which we’ll explain later.

NZXT H1 Mini-ITX Case Packaging

The black mini-ITX case we received came in a plain cardboard package. H1 is above an image of one case portion on its front. The box’s top has a smaller product graphic and NZXT to the left. The sides of this mini-ITX enclosure list its features and specs. The back of the box shows another case view. H1 appears below the image. NZXT is boldly inscribed on the box’s upper left corner.

Style and Functionality for Compact Powerhouse

This section of our NZXT H1 Mini-ITX case review covers design and features.  The mini-ITX case is a quarter of the mid-tower size. Again, we’re testing the sleek, premium black version, but NZXT also sells it in white.  You may show off your PC built in this mini-ITX case. The H1 mini-ITX case looks amazing in your workplace or game area.  This NZXT case is made of metal, which is strong and durable. No plastic was used internally or externally, so it won’t tip over. For heat, most of its exhaust exits the left and rear.  It has a headphone jack, an LED-lit power button, and two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports (Type-C and Type-A). All are on the case’s top panel.

A cavity beneath the tower hides this case’s connectivity.  Tilting the case lets you see it for cable connections. Since you rarely visit this place, it’s fine. After connecting the cords, you’re done.  When first seen, the mini-ITX case appears to be lacking in space. It has a lot of space, which is cool.

Since building the case requires no tools, getting in is easy. Grated rear panels and tempered glass front pop off effortlessly.  Simply hook your fingers under the bottom borders. Pull these to lift the three-sided, single-piece metal exterior. The tall, washable dust filter on the metal outside is also easy to remove.  When the case’s shell is removed, the vented parts include detachable filters. Even the mini-ITX case’s barebones show how the business developed and put things up.

NZXT H1 Mini-ITX Case Power Supply

The pre-installed 650W SFX 80 Plus gold modular power supply is on top. We enjoy its modularity. You can remove cords from the case if you’re not using them. A little plate hides much of the casing. You can easily remove this if you don’t like it. Mini-ITX cases have bottom-mounted power supplies. A normal power connector is here. Hard disc cages are next to power supplies. It fits two 2.5-inch hard discs, which is amazing.

Integrated Liquid CPU Cooler

The core of the case is busy. It’s easy to slide out the 140mm all-in-one liquid CPU cooler.  The H1 mini-ITX case’s compactness will be apparent once it’s released. It is pre-applied with thermal paste for easy installation.  The slim CPU block fits well in the case’s limited area. It supports AMD AM4 and Intel LGA-115x CPUs.

Testing the NZXT H1 Mini-ITX Case

We need to know how the case functioned throughout the tests. We’ll explore this in our NZXT H1 Mini-ITX case review. Start with CAM Software.  CAM Software controls temperatures, performance, and more. We loved the software’s speed, efficiency, and use. We could control and regulate every part of the mini-ITX chassis.

The CAM software showed us the computer’s activity. From processor load to bandwidth. Additionally, it showed which programs were using the system.  This software detected faults instantly, which was fantastic. We were assured of perfect performance throughout.  We like the tool-free NZXT H1 case. Since its cables and components were routed and installed, we had nothing to do.  We had a good side and above access when we placed the board assembly. That gave us enough room to connect cables.  Technically, building a PC from scratch was easy; we finished in 30 minutes. If we double-checked each step, we could complete in an hour.  It builds faster than other tiny factor examples we’ve tried. Thus, NZXT deserves praise for its design. We saved time and effort implementing it.

Should I buy NZXT H1 mini-ITX?

The H1 mini-ITX case is well-designed and delivers mid-tower gaming desktop performance and serviceability.  A sleek, basic design that lets you construct a great system. The NZXT H1 mini-ITX case is great for those who want full desktop power with a small footprint.  Think before you twitch at the price. These aren’t cheap or mediocre parts. The whole thing is high-quality when you get it. The NZXT H1 mini-ITX case is one of our favorites. We recommend it since it worked smoothly and looked wonderful.  You can buy this case for your next build on the company’s website.

FAQs

1. What makes the NZXT H1 V2 better than the original?

NZXT H1 V2 improves safety with various upgrades. A safer PCIe Gen3 Riser card, enhanced production procedures, and clearer documentation for installation are included.

2. Does the NZXT H1 V2 still have the fire hazard concern mentioned in the first batch?

No, the NZXT H1 V2 fixes the early casing fire danger issue. NZXT voluntarily recalled the first H1 cases and improved the V2 PCIe riser component to protect users.

3. Does the NZXT H1 V2 support big GPUs?

NZXT H1 V2 supports several graphics cards, although its small size limits it. Case requirements should be checked for GPU compatibility, and larger cards may not fit owing to space limits.