Tom's Hardware Verdict
The NZXT H510 Elite really does have it all, including a $170 price that, given its good thermal performance, quiet operation, tempered glass, RGB lighting, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C and a sleek and stylish design, seems reasonable. But if you have fans you can carry over, older 500-series chassis are a better buy.
Pros
- +
Good thermal and acoustic performance
- +
RGB lighting strip included
- +
Two RGB-lit fans included
- +
Very stylish
- +
USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C
Cons
- -
Higher-than-average asking price
- -
No drive caddies
- -
Reduced front-panel connections versus previous models
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Features and Specifications
The current trend of RGB lighting and tempered glass panels makes it obvious that many people like to showcase their system builds. NZXT's H510 Elite is just that, a show case (pardon the pun) that puts your system on display and includes everything an enthusiast could ask for. But, at $170 (UK price as yet unknown), the H510 Elite faces stiff competition, especially from the company's own H510 and H510i chassis. Those bringing your RGB fans over from a previous build could save as much as one hundred dollars by opting for the H510 or H510i.
Specifications
| Type | Compact Mid-Tower ATX |
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 18.11 x 8.27 x 16.85 inches (460 x 210 x 428mm) |
| Space Above Motherboard | 2 inches (50mm) |
| Card Length | 15 inches (381mm) |
| CPU Cooler Height | 6.5 inches (165mm) |
| Power Supply Format | ATX |
| Weight | 16.5 lbs (7.48 kg) |
| External Bays | ✗ |
| Internal Bays | 2x 3.5" / 2x 2.5” |
| Card Slots | 7x (plus two vertical) |
| Ports/Jacks | 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x USB 3.1, audio/mic combo jack |
| Other | 1x RGB LED strip included |
| Front Fans | 2x Aer RGB 140mm (Up to 2x 120/140mm) |
| Rear Fans | 1x 120mm (Up to 1x 120mm) |
| Top Fans | ✗ (Up to 1x 120/140mm) |
| Bottom Fans | ✗ |
| Side Fans | ✗ |
| Damping | ✗ |
| Warranty | 2 years |
The NZXT H510 Elite’s exterior shares many features with other H series cases, but has the notable addition of a tempered-glass front panel, a smaller front I/O area, and RGB-lit fans. Constructed of tempered glass, plastic, and steel that’s painted black inside and out, the H510 Elite measures 8.27 x 18.11 x 16.85 inches (210 x 460 x 428mm) and tips the scales at just 16.5lbs (7.48kg). This $170 chassis comes with a two-year limited warranty.
A newly redesigned, compact I/O area at the leading edge of the top features only one USB3 Gen2 Type-C and one USB3 Gen1 port, a headphone and microphone combo jack and a power button. At the rear of the top panel you will find a 140 x 140mm area with slotted screw holes that can accommodate both 120 and 140mm fans.
The tempered-glass side and front panels attach to the frame via push pins in the upper corners. The side panel is secured with a single thumbscrew and two small Philips-head screws secure the front panel. Two of the case’s RGB fans are mounted behind it. The opposite side panel is stamped steel and is secured in the rear with captured metal thumbscrews. At the front of this panel you will find a 2 x 16 inch strip of ventilation holes with dual-layer black metal mesh (a coarse perforated metal, backed by fine metal screening material) that provides a path for fresh air to be drawn into the chassis.
In the rear of the chassis, you'll find an opening for a bottom-mounted PSU, seven standard expansion-card slots (plus two vertical for showing off your graphics card), and an exhaust-fan mounting location that’s equipped with a 120mm fan.
A removable plastic mesh filter covers the PSU intake opening in the bottom of the case. The large, rectangular rubber-coated feet keep the case approximately one inch off the ground to facilitate air intake to the power supply.
The filtration system is basic yet effective and will keep most dirt and dust particles from entering your system. But the small size of the front and side filters means you'll be cleaning them more often. On a side note, we noticed that not only does the NZXT 510 Elite lack a fan in the top mounting location, but a filter as well. We only mention this because almost all of the previous H series chassis (even budget models) we've tested were equipped with both.
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