NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (2024)

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Hardware Installation

  • Page 1: Specifications and Features
  • Page 2: Hardware Installation
  • Page 3: Testing and Conclusion

We are using the following system for our case test bed:

Swipe to scroll horizontally

CPUIntel Core i9-11900K
MotherboardAsus ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming
MemoryG.Skill Trident Z Royal 3600 MHz, 16GB (2x 8 GB)
GraphicsZotac RTX 3080 Ti Amp! Holo
CPU CoolingNoctua NH-U12S Chromax.Black
Noctua NT-H2 Thermal Paste
StorageCorsair Force Series MP510 NVMe SSD, 480GB
Power SupplyCorsair HX750i

Step 1: Motherboard Installation

NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (1)

Installing the motherboard into the H510 Flow, with the CPU, CPU cooler, SSD and memory pre-installed was a breeze. The central standoff acts as an anchor, letting you install the board with the system upright, a nice convenience and time-saver.

Step 2: GPU Installation

NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (2)

The GPU dropped in just as easily. Our Zotac RTX 3080 Ti Amp! Holo is among the biggest GPUs out there, and it fit without complaints.

Step 3: PSU Installation

NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (3)

Meanwhile, the Corsair HX750i power supply dropped in easily as well, leaving plenty of room between it and the slidable hard drive cage. Normally, small-ish ATX cases like these don’t have a ton of room for longer power supplies, but the H510 Flow has oodles of room, even for larger power supplies.

Step 4: Cable Management

NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (4)

Finally, it was time to connect up all the cables and tidy them. The cable management bar in the main chamber does a nice job covering up the mess behind it, and there is a cable guide with two Velcro straps to hold most of the cables in place.

However, as much as I want to like the system, I wish it were better. The cable guide doesn’t offer enough space to comfortably fit all the cables, even from this simple build, and pulling the IO cables into it leads to the awkward result above. Ideally, I’d have run the IO cables straight down and used the zip tie anchors – maybe I’m just using the cable guide wrong.

Build Complete

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NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (5)
NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (6)

Regardless, with the system built and done, I can say that the experience was a breeze.

NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (7)

With the panels slapped on, the system did look nice and tidy. Much like with the PC-O11 Air Mini, I quite like the look of a mesh intake, more than glass, as it just looks more professional. Of course, the blingy RGB in this system doesn’t help with that mantra, but you get the idea.

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NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (8)

Niels Broekhuijsen

Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware US. He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.

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4 CommentsComment from the forums

  • NightHawkRMX

    NZXT must be off their rocker if they think they can charge nearly double just for drilling some holes in the front.

    Absurd.

    Reply

  • Phaaze88

    So they fixed 1/2 of the problem with the original(restricted intake and exhaust)... that price can go fly a kite though.

    Reply

  • Bubu93

    To be fair but price seems quite decent (at least here in Italy) if it stays at the 109€ MSRP, it's actually the same MSRP as the normal H510...
    Pretty much all reputable brand cases with mesh intake (CM NR600, Corsair 4000D, Meshify 2, Phanteks P360A, Lian Li O11 Air mini etc ) hover around that value, they don't look as good imho (and probably not just for me considering the success of the 510 despite the horrible cooling performance) and many lack features like the USB-C port.
    If you want something cheaper the only alternative here are poorly refined offbrand chassis which can cool just as well but lack QC and features.

    Reply

  • NightHawkRMX

    Normal h510 is $75 usd currently. 109 is a big increase

    Reply

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NZXT H510 Flow Review: Better Airflow, Higher Price (2024)

FAQs

Is NZXT H510 good or bad? ›

Yes it's a good case but if you're finding their competitors cases for cheaper then you look at them not NZXT. If you're swayed due to the aesthetics of the NZXT H510 Flow chassis then there's no better alternative.

How many fans does the H510 Flow need? ›

One 120mm NZXT intake fan in front. You can fit two 120mm or 140mm fans in front on intake side. You can fit one 120mm or 140mm fan on top (140mm fan would depend on the CPU cooler type you end up choosing). You can fit one 120mm fan in back on exhaust side.

What is the difference between NZXT Flow and Elite? ›

What are the differences between the H7 (2022) models (H7, Flow, and Elite)? The key differences between these case models is the number and type of included fans, the front panel, as well as the inclusion of an NZXT RGB & Fan Controller V2 in the H7 Elite.

Is the airflow on the H510 Elite good? ›

Standardizing the fans kept the CPU thermals in the H510 Elite well below the Enso in temperatures, at 56 to 67 degrees over ambient, so the airflow isn't inherently worse in the Elite--it's just loud. That's not surprising, really, seeing how the Enso is a scale model of the heat death of the universe.

Why are NZXT products so expensive? ›

The main reason NZXT chose to increase pricing is because of the increase in shipping cost from China. This has been an issue for many brands, which is why there have already been increases in case prices in general.

Is NZXT H510 quiet? ›

Every H510 includes high-performance fans with fluid dynamic bearings for quiet performance.

What is the best alternative to NZXT? ›

Top 7 nzxt.com Alternatives & Competitors
  • ibuypower.com. 57,718. 13,427. 1.06M. +39.06% ...
  • clxgaming.com. 85,784. 23,073. 657.83K. +101.11% ...
  • cyberpowerpc.com. 47,367. 10,722. 1.34M. +20.8% ...
  • originpc.com. 121,092. 33,527. 427.46K. ...
  • skytechgaming.com. 61,814. 17,552. 975.24K. ...
  • avadirect.com. 236,241. 62,108. 182.76K. ...
  • xidax.com. 190,005. 46,379. 241.79K.

What is the best NZXT power supply? ›

One of our most popular options, the C550 Bronze, is one of the few 500W power supplies on the market that is both semi-modular and under $100. With NZXT, you can trust that your power supply won't fault out on you, and you'll have a 5-year warranty to support it.

What is the difference between NZXT H510 and H510i? ›

The H510i sports all of the great features of the H510 but with the added bonus of the inclusion of the following features: NZXT RGB & Fan Controller. Two NZXT RGB LED strips. Support for Vertical GPU Mounting.

Is the H5 flow better than the H510 Flow? ›

The H510 and even my beloved Source 340 didn't have enough clearance from the motherboard for more than a single fan, but the H5 Flow gives you the flexibility to whack up to 240mm of radiator in the roof. That's in addition to the 280mm maximum at the front, if that angled fan isn't enough for ya.

Does NZXT H510 have dust filter? ›

The H510 Flow is our latest addition to the H510 series of cases and it's the answer to one of our top requests for this case, better airflow! This is achieved with the new front mesh panel with a built-in magnetic air filter.

Is H510 motherboard good for gaming? ›

Features the most comprehensive cooling options with Smart Fan 6 that ensure gaming PC maintain its performance while staying cool and quiet. This motherboard offers rock-solid and stable performance for marathon gaming.

Are NZXT cases good quality? ›

NZXT H7 Flow

With just two of the company's F120Q Airflow case fans behind a skeletal frame with a perforated front panel, the NZXT H7 Flow manages to deliver excellent temperature and noise level numbers in our testing, beating or competing well against pricier chassis with more fans and glass panels.

Is NZXT H510 hot? ›

In conclusion the NZXT H510 doesn't have the best thermal performance but for its relatively compact size and good aesthetics it is nothing to be worried about. And if it does bother you, you can always mess around and see if adding fans or removing dust filters can improve temperatures.

Is the NZXT CPU cooler good? ›

The NZXT Kraken 360 is a high-performance liquid CPU cooler that excels in cooling capabilities, build quality, and aesthetics. It's an ideal choice for enthusiasts and gamers who prioritize efficient cooling and want a cooler that looks as good as it performs.

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