NZXT H440 Mid Tower Chassis Review

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Price / Where to Buy:

US – Approx.: $135 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B00I44EUAK” locale=”US” tag=”back2gaming-20″]NZXT H440 on Amazon[/easyazon_link] / [easyazon_link identifier=”B00I44EUAK” locale=”CA” tag=”back2032-20″]Amazon Canada[/easyazon_link]

PH – Approx.: Php 6400

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If you’re still living a cable mess inside you’re computer, you’re either ready for it to die or just don’t care much about it. Perhaps you’re the kind that likes the sound of a car engine inside your case which just so happens to be your CPU cooler. And now you decide its time for a change. There’s been a rise in the demand for clean cases with rich cable management and features all the while bringing good cooling and quiet operation and a lot of chassis manufacturers are competing heavily to release chassis that cater to these needs. NZXT is one of them.

NZXT has recently released the H440 chassis featuring an integrated PSU shroud which offers nearly 80% more cable management space. Along with this, the case also comes with NZXT’s latest FN V2 case fans with improved airflow. Simply put, there is a lot of new things in the H440 and we’re proud to present you our tour-around and review of this chassis from NZXT. Read on and see if its the right choice for your next build.

Features

• Inside and Out – The new H features a doorless, ODD-free front panel made entirely of steel while a large, full-view window reveals an interior specially engineered to make any build seamless and beautiful.
• Cable Management – The H440 ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing anybody to become an expert on clean cable management.
• Included Fans – The H440 comes standard with 4 of NZXT’s newly designed FN V2 case fans. An unheard of three 120mm in front and one 140mm in rear.
• Steel Throughout – Newly designed steel HDD trays complement the H440’s front and top steel panels.
• Liquid Cooling – Supporting both 140mm and 120mm fans, the steel top and front panels come Kraken, ready-fitting radiators up to 360mm in size to offer comprehensive water cooling performance in a sleek, minimalist package.

Also not listed is the availability of many NZXT H440 colors like Black and Orange, Black and Green, and Black and Blue. This goes with the initial release of Black and White and our review sample of the H440, Black and Red.

Specifications

[table style=”table-hover”]

Size	Mid Tower
Model Number	CA-H440W-W1 (Glossy White)
Drive Bays	External 5.25″: 0 Internal 3.5″/2.5″: 6 + 2
Cooling System	Front: 2 x 140/3x120mm (3 x 120mm FN V2 Fans Included) Top: 2 x 140 / 3 x 120mm Rear: 1 x 140/120mm (1 x 140mm FN V2 Fan Included)
Filters	Front Side(Included) Bottom Front (Included) Bottom Rear(Included)
Radiator Support	Front 2 x 140 or 3 x 120mm Top 2 x 140 or 3 x 120mm Rear 1 x 140 / 120mm
Clearance	GPU Clearance With HDD Cage: 294mm GPU Clearance Without HDD Cage: 406.2mm CPU Cooler: 180mm Cable Management: Lowest Point – 17.7mm; Highest Point 32.5mm
Dimensions	8.7 x 20 x 18.7 inches (220 x 510 x 475.3mm)
Material	SECC Steel, ABS Plastic
Motherboard Support	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX
Expansion Slots	7
External Electronics	1 x Audio/Mic I/O Panel LED On/Off
Product Weight	9.75kg
UPC	15671011848
EAN	5060301691098
USB 3.0 Ports	2
USB 2.0 Ports	2
Warranty	2 Years

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Official product page

[section label=”Packaging & Content”]

Packaging & Contents

The NZXT H440 is packaged in a colored box with some beauty shots of the product adorning all sides. Feature highlights are subtly detailed in the back with a couple more beauty shots.

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Inside the box, the NZXT H440 is protected by styrofoam and a plastic bag.

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Taking out the NZXT H440 out of the box with the protective plastic bag.

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The package includes a manual, zip ties, and plenty of screws. You get access to these screws in a box inside the case, by the way.

[section label=”Closer Look”]

Closer Look

NZXT is going for a completely clean look for the NZXT H440 and the side panels are both devoid of any styling. A large side panel window showcases the interior of the chassis. The side panel is protected by a plastic film. The rear side panel is purely flat.

The front of the NZXT H440 is also completely flat with angular highlights adorning the edges of the chassis. The rear of the case shows us a bottom mount PSU slot, a 120mm rear exhaust fan space and grommet holes for externally mounted radiators.

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Along the upper edge of the chassis are vents for airflow. The NZXT H440 does not have top vents and all air sucked in from the upper edges. This complements the slate look of the H440 which is very nice touch. Along to upper-front edge is are the front panel hub with a stealthy power button along with a set of USB2.0 and USB3.0 ports and audio ports.

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The bottom of the chassis is clean and the linear legs have rubber pads to prevent slipping. A removable dust filter is located below the PSU intake vent.

[section label=”Interior”]

Interior

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Removing the side panel, we can see the very space interior of the NZXT H440. The most visible feature here is the bottom shroud which hides the PSU and provides a nice place to tuck away cables. The HDD cage is fixed in place.

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A closer look at the bottom shroud we can see an acrylic NZXT logo. Closer inspection will show us that the shroud is not removable and is fully integrated in the chassis build.

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NZXT includes their newest FN V2 case fans in the H440, 4 in total. These fans are optimized for airflow and are debuted together with the H440.

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The top of the chassis can hold a huge array of fans and radiators: 120mm, 240mm, 140mm, 280mm or 360mm.

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The cable routing holes are grommeted for a cleaner look. NZXT also made them curve inward for better placement.

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Just along the top of the shroud are 2 SSD trays which are secured by screws.

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Popping the rear side panel, we get access to the back of the motherboard tray which also shows us a large tray cutout for cooling mount easy cooling mount installation and maintenance. The large HDD cage is also accessible via this side and the large space below is now fully visible.

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There’s not much space in between the rear side panel and motherboard tray but plenty enough for routing.

NZXT includes a built-in fan hub on the back of the tray which also leads to another PCB board which powers the LED on the rear I/O panel and logo on the shroud.

[section label=”Disassembly”]

Disassembly

The NZXT H440 features a door-less front panel design. There are no drive bays so the entire front face of the chassis is just a shroud for the front intake vent. Pushing the gap on the upper front of the H440 will pop open the case showing us the front intake fans covered by a magnetic dust filter.

After removing the front cover, we can also remove the top panel to reveal the full area of the top radiator mount.

Heading to the PSU area, you need to remove the bracket to secure the PSU in place. After screwing the bracket onto your PSU, you can screw it back in place.

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Just a note, if you’re using modular PSUs make sure you install the cables first before inserting the PSU in place. We found it hard to insert the modular cables after securing the PSU in place especially the larger ones.

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The HDD trays can be removed and are secured via thumbscrews. Removing all of them will leave enough room for a 360mm radiator.

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The front SSD trays are also secured by a thumbscrew.

[section label=”System Assembly”]

System Assembly

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Installing our test system in the NZXT H440 was pretty quick, there was plenty of space to work with. Cable routing options are also plenty to really leave the internal area looking clean.

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There’s plenty of space for a large tower color like our dual tower Phanteks PH TC14-PE over here.

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Going over to the back we can see that even the laziest of cable management attempts can be done quickly in the NZXT H440. Just route everything properly and tuck those cables away in the bottom space.

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And here is the system covered with the side panel. Leaving only the board area exposed for you to admire. We would suggest getting internal LED lighting to really flare up your chassis.

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The NZXT H440 features lighting for the rear I/O panel and the bottom shroud logo.

[section label=”Conclusion”]

Conclusion

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NZXT has been very supportive of implementing new trends in PC chassis design along with other top manufacturers. In the case of the NZXT H440, the company is promoting clean design along with silent operation without troubling the user with aftermarket modifications. Let’s break it down further:

Build Quality. NZXT has been upping their game since their Phantom days and the H440 is a major milestone for them in regards to quality. Everything is steel internall with a premium coating on all the exterior. Design thoughts and attention to details also contribute well to the overall quality of the chassis with a tool-less design but what really sets it off is the ability to project a clean look without sacrificing usability.

Functionality. The NZXT H440 though aimed at silent chassis fans will also satisfy water cooling enthusiasts with its rich support for various radiators and space to loop cables and tubes around. People who also want a case for a wide upgrade path will also be pleased with the H440’s flexibility as it can easily accommodate a simple build all the way to a complete multi-GPU powerhouse. Looks will be subjective so we’ll steer away as that’s up to your personal taste. Personally, the H440 is aggressive and subtle at the same time in my eyes and manages to pull off a look that is sure to impress even the most discerning customers.

Bundle. NZXT’s prebuilt PSU shroud and other features may not be considered as extras in the package but we’ll count it already. The rear I/O lighting is also a nice extra as well as the lit logo and of course the large side panel window. Accessory-wise, there’s some zip ties and screws but nothing really worth writing home about. NZXT could’ve opted to include internal LED lighting since the cases are color themed so that could’ve been a nice touch.

Value. As a large mid-tower and given its premium quality, the NZXT commands a premium. In online retail, one can find the NZXT H440 at around $140 which puts it just above most mainstream chassis. Though it might be a more expensive option you are getting plenty of steel in this chassis along with noise padding and plenty of space and that preinstalled shroud. One can easily fabricate a PSU shroud to get the same effect but not to the same extent as the convenience offered by the H440.

Overall, the NZXT H440 is one daring design. It has tons of features that many enthusiasts would want like a large window panel, plenty of work space, a clean interior, and radiator mounts for tons of watercooling options. It does sacrifice some options though like a 5.25″ bay for bay-reservoir or just plain optical drive users. It also sacrifices storage bays for full usage of the radiator areas.

As it is though, the NZXT H440 offers the best option for a clutter-free looking chassis without the hassle of much planning on cable management. The chassis is, for a lack of a better description, a magnet for laziness. You can just tuck all the cables in at the bottom, hook everything up and you still end up with a great looking case. Unless you’re really trying, there is no way you can mess up the look of the NZXT H440.

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Price / Where to Buy:

US – Approx.: $135 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B00I44EUAK” locale=”US” tag=”back2gaming-20″]NZXT H440 on Amazon[/easyazon_link] / [easyazon_link identifier=”B00I44EUAK” locale=”CA” tag=”back2032-20″]Amazon Canada[/easyazon_link]

PH – Approx.: Php 6400

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NZXT backs the H440 with a 2 year warranty (moving parts only). We award it our B2G Editor’s Choice and B2G Silver Award.