Review: NZXT S340 Elite

by Parm Mann on 4 October 2016, 15:00

Tags: NZXT

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Conclusion

...while the original S340 serves as a bargain, the £90 Elite is a different proposition and faces stiff competition from NZXT's own H440.

NZXT has modernised its popular S340 chassis with the introduction of an Elite model that's better looking, superior in terms of cable management, and ideally suited to virtual reality enthusiasts.

A tempered glass side panel is an unmistakable attraction and that alone helps the S340 Elite stand out from the crowd. This is, in our estimation, one of the sleekest enclosures in its class, and compact mid-tower dimensions make it a sensible choice for users who can live without optical drives or numerous 3.5in hard disks.

Are there any noteworthy caveats? Well, front HDMI is useful for VR purposes, but that tech is still in its infancy and we wonder if USB Type-C would have served as a more popular choice at this point. Pricing could be a stumbling block, too, as while the original S340 serves as a bargain, the £90 Elite is a different proposition and faces stiff competition from NZXT's own H440.

Bottom line: attractive, well-built and easy to work with, the S340 Elite is another solid offering from NZXT, but if virtual reality isn't high on your list of priorities, the superior H440 looms large.

The Good
 
The Bad
Tempered glass side panel looks great
Good build quality throughout
Excellent cable management
Front HDMI is handy for VR
Compact for a performance mid-tower
 
Still no reset button
Noisy in stock configuration
Lacks front-facing USB Type-C



NZXT S340 Elite

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The NZXT S340 Elite mid-tower chassis is available to purchase from Scan Computers.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



*UK-based HEXUS community members are eligible for free delivery and priority customer service through the SCAN.care@HEXUS forum.



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

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Why have a headset stand/cable puck on the right side, when everything visual is on the left? Why route cables through and out the back where they loop in, so many years after Corsair proved it's a naff feature? Why on EARTH is there only one top fan mount?

VR-fancy gimmicks aside, it lacks too many of the basic features I'd normally require… possibly in an effort to force modern ways into becoming the standard, rather than letting what works continue.

I'll be passing on this one…
Ttaskmaster
Why have a headset stand/cable puck on the right side, when everything visual is on the left?

The stand is magnetic, so it can be placed on the front or right side. https://www.nzxt.com/products/s340-elite-black
Gunbuster
The stand is magnetic, so it can be placed on the front or right side. https://www.nzxt.com/products/s340-elite-black

Correct
Ttaskmaster
Why have a headset stand/cable puck on the right side, when everything visual is on the left? …

Gunbuster
The stand is magnetic, so it can be placed on the front or right side. …

Although given that most VR headsets aren't exactly attractive, I think placing it on the right, where it won't detract from the visuals of the case and your build, makes a lot of a sense….
Gunbuster
The stand is magnetic, so it can be placed on the front or right side. https://www.nzxt.com/products/s340-elite-black
Ohhhhhhh yeah…… missed that.
I like it even less now - Either it'll end up scratching my case, and/or it won't bear the weight and disaster will ensue! :D

scaryjim
Although given that most VR headsets aren't exactly attractive, I think placing it on the right, where it won't detract from the visuals of the case and your build, makes a lot of a sense….
Except that the visual side will either face to the left, meaning an awkward and inconvenient reach around (fnar fnar) the case to the “convenient” puck, or it will face forward like my current build, meaning having to mess around behind the case where there is limited space until you hit wall.

This, along with all the other lacking and wanting features… nah. Some nice ideas, but some naff ones and all at the expense of others that I'd want more.