NZXT Nemesis and Nemesis Elite
by Purav Sanghani on February 5, 2005 4:25 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Words
We'll break it down for you all and let you judge for yourselves. To begin, we enjoyed the Nemesis steel model because it isn't just another steel case with a nice paint job. It has great tool-less features such as built-in drive locking mechanisms as well as rotating locking clips for the expansion slots. It also has a solid construction with no sharp edges, which is a plus in steel cases. We would, however, have loved to see more room for expansion, especially more HDD bays instead of the extra 5-1/4" bay that we may never even use.The Elite edition also has tool-less features such as drive rails for its entire drive bay array as well as the new securing mechanism for the expansion slots. The Elite model also has the fold-up LCD display that shows information about the temperature of specific components as well as fan speeds, date and time, and HDD activity.
The performance of each model was also exceptional. The ambient air temperature inside the Nemesis stayed between 30-31 degrees while the ambient temperatures inside the Elite model hovered just a few degrees cooler around 28-29.
The number of fans had very little effect on sound as we thought that they would. The steel model produced about 49dBA on average while the Elite model produced only 54dBA with three running 120mm fans. This level of sound is almost 10dBA less than that of Chenbro's Gaming Bomb 2 (two 120mm) and Aspire's X-Navigator (three 80mm, one 120mm).
Many will criticize the Nemesis models because of their themed bezel. Many have mentioned that all they want is a simple-looking case that will do the job, but there are those out there who want factory-modified, themed chassis to wow their friends or even for their own amusement. We all have different tastes in aesthetics as we have learned from reading all of your comments and we must agree with many of you.
The selling price for the steel model of the Nemesis is about $80 at various online retailers, which is a bit steep since we can get the Lanboy from Antec for under that, about $75. If we can get an aluminum case for as low a price as the Lanboy, then why spend $120 on something similar? We may surprise many of you with our final decision. For those who enjoy these custom-modded cases from the factory, or do not care about the visual design of the case and just want great performance, then the Nemesis is for you. But we feel that the price is much too high right now to invest in certain looks instead of the overall quality of a product. If the Nemesis was designed to be more visually appealing to a wider market, then we would definitely give it our pick.
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Lowcarb - Monday, January 28, 2008 - link
I own this case.It may be screwless, but the retaining bracket for cards is so flimsy you can expect it break after a few days.
NZXT customer support is horrid! Plain and simple.
They don't respond to e-mail reliably.
They do not have a phone number listed, so when they don't respond to your e-mail you have no recourse.
When I had an issue with some missing parts for my case they sent the wrong ones even when I was very explicit about what was needed.
Finally they never came through on a $40 rebate on the case, even after 7 months and multiple e-mails.
They have made me really sorry I ever did business with them.
zoom314 - Friday, February 18, 2005 - link
Well no matter what I do like this case, Sure the looks aren't for everyone, But then neither is a Suit of Armor from the Middle Ages.SBGTF - Friday, February 11, 2005 - link
Wow. Different things appeal to different people. I like the case, and I appreciate the review.Who buys them? Well I did. I bought their Guardian case and I'm very happy with it. I like the design.
And in case you are wondering about my age, I'm in my 30s.
cryptonomicon - Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - link
by the way, reviewing "functional cases" which may look plain is a fine idea. I think gaming cases are a joke. I mod all my cases anyways, for example plain Lian-Li cases are sweet for that.LoneWolf15 - Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - link
#48, Anandtech's site isn't targeted to the mainstream audience, it is targeted to PC enthusiasts. The mainstream folks out there buy a mass retail PC, or from a mail order retailer like Dell or Gateway. In a few cases they go to a mom-n-pop shop if they are well informed and know of one with a good reputation. But the mainstream audience doesn't build their own PC's, they buy them. It has been shown that the enthusiast crowd who reads here does not like cases like the Guardian, and others that look extremely pre-modded. Therefore, catering to the crowd you target makes sense, and continuing to review case after case that looks like this does not, which up until now seemed to be the norm here at Anandtech despite overwhelming reader opinion.Wanting a clean case isn't being a purist; it's wanting something that is quality inside and outside, and then if you're a PC-modding enthusiast, you can make your own changes later. The NZXT may have a decent inside, but its outside has limited enthusiast appeal. Sort of like the now-discontinued Pontiac Aztek; I'd guess the inside wasn't bad, but few were thrilled about its exterior looks, which ultimately doomed it.
P.S. How many friends/relatives of yours would like a case that looks like these?
frocool - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
Okay, most of you really need to chill out. If you don't like theses cases don't buy them. If you like them being reviewed then don't read the review. It's that easy.I build computers as a hobby. Sometimes I build them from scratch, using a barebones case that I mod myself. Other times, when I'm feeling less-than-inspired or lazy, I use a premoded case such as this one. If I'm not happy with end result I'll usually end up seeling it to a friend or relative. As suchs, I appreciate the time Anandtech takes to review these types of cases so that I know which ones are good and which ones to stay away from. Judging by the review, the Nemesis Elite seems like another quality product from NZXT (although I'll reserve final judgement for when/if I purchase one myself). Again, if you don't like the case or review don't buy it and don't read the review.
I hope Anadtech continues to take the time to review all different types of products, from those aimed at the purists among us, to those aimed at a more main-stream audience.
LoneWolf15 - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
Thank heaven, Anand for statment #4. I haven't seen a single person that wants to buy the cases Anandtech reviews. They just don't carry features or looks that enthusiasts want, and after all, this IS an enthusiast site. People want the simple-yet-sophisticated look of Silverstone or Lian Li, the function features of Antech or the Chenbro Gaming Bomb II, or the sturdiness and dependability of server cases like Chieftec and Chenming. What they don't want is something that looks like a robot, has fifty million blinky lights, 20 laser-cut biohazard grills, cheap plastic, etc., and then half the time bundles it with the cheapest power supply they can still wildly exaggerate specs to list as 400 watts. Remember the soup commercials awhile back that mocked people eating chicken and stars, saying "Come off it, you've grown up now." So have PC enthusiasts...and they want the cases to match.BLHealthy4life - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
I just have to say again to Operandi (#18), what you said is HILARIOUS!!!Take care
manno - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
By the way#12 #18 #26 #29 #30
ROLF
Operandi, I went snowboarding this weekend, and I took some nasty spills I woke up today in total pain. After reading that comment I laughed so hard I fell on the floor because my chest hurt so much, and I couldn't stop laughing. Hysterical!
To the developer: That would be great if you put out some tasteful cases. In fact I'm looking forward to it. How about doing an Antec Aria layout, only with better styling.
http://aria1.notlong.com
An exterior power brick would be cool... though I have no idea how feasable it is.
Anand. I'll put my money where my mouth is PM me the address to send the case and I'll send you one.
http://AMSGMO.notlong.com
-manno
manno - Monday, February 7, 2005 - link
WOW! Could those cases look any uglier? Please review cases that don't look like they belong in a 7-year-old's room. How about reviewing cases that could be featured in a modest, or contemporary setting, and not just a LAN-Party. I mean wow those cases are two of the ugliest I've ever seen. I'd rather have a 7' tall beige box than one of those monsters. You know some of us have girlfriends, that don't want to have to cover up the PC when we have guests over... Forget her I would cover up one of those eye-sores with a sheet if I had guests over. could we get at least one feature article on tasteful cases. Am I the only one who sees side windows as a bad thing? When I was 13 I though they would be cool. Now that I've seen what they look like I know better.