The NZXT H2 Flow is a Mini-ITX tower that aims to combine a compact footprint with a spacious interior and a distinctive vertical layout, all while maintaining high build quality. At the time of the review, the case was priced at approximately 150 euros, which the reviewer considers reasonable given the included premium features.
The case is constructed primarily from steel and features a tempered glass side panel. Its vertical orientation means it is about as tall as a classic mid-tower but only half as deep, which is particularly beneficial for saving desk space. All front, top, and side panels can be installed without tools, adding to the user-friendly design. The front I/O panel, located at the bottom of the case, includes a white backlit power button, two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port, and a headset jack.
A key design feature is the extensive use of mesh panels for airflow. The left side panel is split, with a glass section on top and a mesh cover on the bottom, behind which the SFX or SFX-L power supply is located to draw in fresh air. The right side panel also features a very fine mesh structure to allow the vertically mounted graphics card to pull in air directly. The top panel is likewise fitted with a fine mesh for the exhaust fans. The case has a net weight of 4.55 kg and a volume of 20.7 liters.
The interior is designed for Mini-ITX motherboards and is built to a high standard with no sharp edges. The motherboard is installed at the top, with the power supply below it. For storage, there is space to mount two 2.5-inch SSDs, but no room for 3.5-inch HDDs. A significant feature is the inclusion of a pre-installed PCIe 5.0 riser cable for the vertical GPU mount, which is a notable upgrade over the PCIe 4.0 cables often found in other Mini-ITX cases. The case supports graphics cards up to 331mm in length and 150mm in width.
Cooling is well-considered, with support for front-mounted 240mm or 280mm radiators via a removable mounting frame that simplifies AIO installation. Two 120mm F120Q fans are pre-installed on the top for exhaust. The reviewer found the airflow design works perfectly, keeping the system very cool and quiet even under full load when paired with a 280mm AIO.
In practical testing, the reviewer successfully built a system with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, an ASUS TUF RTX 3070 Ti, and an NZXT Kraken Plus 280 AIO. The build process highlighted some of the challenges of the compact form factor. The Velcro strap for cable management on the power supply was found to be too short. Space is tight, especially behind the graphics card, but the test hardware still fit. The reviewer offers specific advice, such as connecting the GPU power before installation and using a small ratchet instead of a long screwdriver to access the slot bracket screws.
Overall, the NZXT H2 Flow received the OCinside.de Purchase Tip Award. The reviewer praises the exceptionally high-quality materials, the unique and compact design, the excellent airflow, and the tool-less panel installation. The inclusion of a premium PCIe 5.0 riser cable, which would cost around 80 euros separately, adds significant value to the 150-euro price point. While acknowledging that space is tighter and some compromises are necessary in an ITX build, the reviewer concludes that the NZXT H2 Flow is a highly recommended choice.
Source: OCInside