NZXT Zero 2

The NZXT Zero 2 is the Sequel (Casequel?) to the original NZXT Zero. Lets check it out and see if it’s a Gem, or a in the fine tradition of Hollywood the Sequel is less filling.

INTRODUCTION

After NZXT’s long unprecedented success with their Zero case, they went back to the drawing board once again to redesign and perfect what they now call the Zero 2. Today, more than ever, companies like NZXT are looking for a means to manufacture quality products at a cheaper price, without many compromises made on the overall functionality or the finish of their products. The only issue with that is, often times, companies cut corners on the features that matter and the features that consumers look for in cases.

So, the real question is, will the Zero 2 hold up to what the original Zero had to offer at a higher price? Stick around to find out as we reveal for the first time, the all new Zero 2.

About NZXT

NZXT, a company built upon gamer’s dreams, hopes to create products that put consumers first. With the objective of designing unique products catered for hardware enthusiasts and gamers, NZXT has grown into a globally renowned brand recognized for dedication towards creating the next great gaming product. NZXT has won numerous awards from media and publications from across the globe with a product line spanning from gaming chassis, power, and gaming input devices. As a corporation formed by gamers, NZXT continues to expand into new horizons and push the limitings further with each product unveiling.

Our dedicated sales and customer service team will also work diligently to earn your trust and loyalty. All our products are built with high quality material and engineered in the best conditions.

NZXT products are designed and engineered in the United States and manufacturered overseas in China and Taiwan.

NZXT was established in 2004 in Los Angeles, California.

SPECIFICATIONS

 

NZXT Zero 2 Specifications
Model	Zero Series
Case Type	Full Tower
Case Material	Steel/Plastic
Dimensions (W x H x D)	210.5 X 536 X 532 mm
Cooling system	Front, 1 X 120mm (included) – Rear, 2 X 120mm (included) – Side, 4 x 120mm fans (not included) – Top, 1 x 80mm Fan
Drive Bays	5 External 5.25″ – 2 External 3.5″ – 6 Internal 3.5″
Expansion Slots	Seven
Power Supply	Optional 500W or 400W
Weight	10.2 Kg (W/O PSU)
Motherboard Support	ATX, Flex ATX, Mini ATX, Micro ATX

 

 

 

 

FEATURES

• Fully customizable Cooling System with space for seven 12cm (120mm) and one 8cm (80mm) Fans
• Sturdy 1.0mm Steel
• Screwless Installation for 5.25″/3.5″/HDD Devices
• Intel HD Audio and AC’97 Audio Capability
• USB 2.0 and e-SATA Connection
• Top Mounted USB For Easy Access

 

PICTURES

 

First off, the front side of the box. Nothing out of the ordinary here. 

The back of the box: Here they list some general specifications and features as well as a little info on the Zero, and the improvements they made on the Zero 2.

Finally, what we’ve all been waiting for. The front bezel is comprised of all plastic while the rest of the case is 1mm steel. As you can see from the reflection, the front bezel sports a shiny plastic cover which looks great in contrast with the matte finish on the rest of the case. What’s interesting is the original Zero had an aluminum finish instead of the shiny plastic, which in my opinion, really made the overall quality and feel of the case that of a much higher-end case.

On the left side of the case, on the left panel, you have an opening for the 4 120mm fans to intake cool air (fans not uncluded). There’s a metal mesh-type material covering this area, which looks great and compliments the overall finish of the case. It’s quite obvious this case was designed for PC’s with multiple-GPU setups in mind. 

The back of the case: Starting from the top, you have the PSU (Power Supply Unit) mounting bracket. Right below that, that’s where two 120mm exhaust fans get installed (included). To the left of the of the fans, you have the I/O plate. And last but not least, at the very bottom you have the 7 expansion bay slots. 

 The right side of the case nothing special here.

 

Inside of the case: The Zero 2 doesn’t have much going on for it on the inside. It’s a basic setup providing the user with the features any gamer/hardware enthusiast could need. I personally like the way the HDD bay is designed. It provides easy access to the drive(s) for a quick and painless installation.

CONCLUSION

Being a previous owner of the original Zero for about two years, it was a little disapointing to see what NZXT has done to the Zero 2. In attempt to reduce manufacturing costs, the case really lost a lot of its pizzazz when the aluminum finishes were replaced by shiny plastic, most noticeably on the front bezel. But despite these changes, it does not detract from the overall functionality of the case. Retailing for about $100, you do get a lot of bang for your buck. The Zero 2 is well postured and stands firm on its feet. The interior of the case, in essence, hasn’t changed much, and you do get the same space and features found on the original Zero, with the exception of the Tooless feature on the expansion bay. NZXT has also added an e-SATA port on the top of the case which was a nicely added touch.

There were a few problems I had with the Zero 2 that are worth mentioning. First and foremost, if you install the optional top-mounted 80mm fan, you will have to remove the fan each time you want to remove the PSU. I found it a little annoying that not only you have to remove it, but sometimes the fan gets in the way of the power cables coming from the PSU. It was so annoying that I opted to uninstall the fan altogether. Also, for those of you with graphic(s) cards that are 10″+ in length, you will have a little bit of an issue squeezing them inside. It’s a shame though, as the case was designed with multi-GPU setups in mind. I would have thought NZXT would have done something about that with the Zero 2. Also, not so much of a problem but rather a con, fingerprints show up easily on the body of the case. I constantly found myself cleaning the case not only from fingerprints, but from dust as well. Those optional four 120mm fans installed on the left panel bring much more than air inside the case. I lost my cat a few days ago while I had the Zero 2 on my test bench only to find out two days later he got sucked inside the case. But that’s a story for another day.

Looking at the Zero 2 as a separate entity from the original Zero, it’s a good buy for people looking for a well equipped case without breaking the bank. Although, do keep in mind you will still need the four 120mm fans for the left panel which will set you back at least $40. In essence, NZXT have done nothing more than a bezel revamp and the removal of aluminum finishes in various areas around the case. With a name like Zero 2, I was expecting a little bit more than that.

We are trying out a new addition to our scoring system to provide additional feedback beyond a flat score. Please note that the final score isn’t an aggregate average of the new rating system.

• Performance 8
• Value 8
• Quality 7.5
• Features 8
• Innovation 6.5

Pros

+  Excellent cooling capabilities
+  Sleek look and finish
+  Pretty good value
+  Has nice features

Cons

– Power Button is a little flimsy
– No cable management features
– Four optional 120mm, and optional 80mm fans aren’t included
– Motherboard Tray not removable
– Can get a little tight for Graphics Cards that are 10″+
– Cleaning maintenance is high 

 The NZXT Zero 2 full tower gaming case receives an 7.5 (Good) out of 10.