NZXT Phantom 630 Case Review: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection
by Dustin Sklavos on January 20, 2013 12:01 AM ESTNoise and Thermal Testing, Stock
It's a cold winter here in northern California, and the NZXT Phantom 630's efficient cooling design doesn't really help much. Keeping with current testing methodology, I tested the 630's fans at each of their three settings. I also removed any drive cages that weren't needed (as I have with other cases with removable cages), and I mounted the system SSD to the rear of the motherboard tray instead of using a standard drive sled. Any SSD in front of the intake fan is going to be particularly frosty; we need to see just how bad the thermals might get behind a loaded motherboard.
I'm keen to point out that this configuration isn't particularly far from what a modern high end system should be able to achieve. Most people will probably need around two drive trays, only slightly obscuring the front intake more than our single drive tray does.
Ambient temperature during testing hovered around 21C.
Stock testing starts off with a bang. Even at the lowest fan setting, the Phantom 630 runs the CPU cooler than the other cases tested, and even the GPU thermals are competitive. The SSD runs hotter than the other systems, but keep in mind we're still well south of 40C; the hottest I ever saw the SSD hit during any testing was 34C. Take note how the less expensive Phantom 630 at worst ties the 820; this is going to be a repeating pattern. The 820 is using its lowest fan setting, but the highest one only improves temperatures by about 4C; in other words, not enough to beat the 630.
Fan speeds continue to show a healthy amount of headroom. The stock testbed doesn't stress the 630 at all.
You can see the medium fan setting produces a nice balance between thermals and acoustics. Noise remains relatively low, while temperatures are at least competitive if not outright victories. At the high fan setting, performance is tremendous, but not really worth the noise.
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gamezoid123 - Monday, January 21, 2013 - link
well it depends. yeah the gun metal looks like crap but i think the white and black versions look much better., and will be more to the liking of every one else.kilkennycat - Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - link
Yep, agreed. Also the controls and external connectors being on top of this large case is really stupid.. Presumably, there is an "aesthetic assumption" by NZXT that it will never occupy a place under a desk, but be put out in the open for all to admire.Bonesdad - Sunday, January 20, 2013 - link
indeedRinaun - Sunday, January 20, 2013 - link
The look is hardly appealing to me. I just dislike the styling is all. The interior is very nice!Skidmarks - Sunday, January 20, 2013 - link
I think it's a very nice case, far nicer than the Level 10 eyesore.Willomz - Sunday, January 20, 2013 - link
The 630 doesn't support Mini-ITX as it says here.bricks419 - Sunday, January 20, 2013 - link
All atx cases support mini itx. It just uses the four mounting points closest to the i/o area.Willomz - Monday, January 21, 2013 - link
Not this one, the motherboard cutout is too large.Check the NZXT website.
Or here @2:50
http://hexus.net/tv/show/2013/01/NZXT_Phantom_630_...
gamezoid123 - Monday, January 21, 2013 - link
lol does it matter? if your going to put a mini itx motherboard in a case get something actually made for a mini itx caseWillomz - Monday, January 28, 2013 - link
No not really, just be nice for the specifications table to be correct.