Review: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite

by Parm Mann on 8 September 2011, 12:00 3.5

Tags: NZXT

Final thoughts and rating

NZXT claims to be a company built upon gamer's dreams, and in many ways, the Tempest 410 Elite is a testament to the manufacturer's beliefs.

Designed, it seems, exclusively for the stereotypical PC gamer, the chassis is best surmised in NZXT's own words; it's an "aggressive cooling solution" with a "large honeycomb steel mesh design, dual radiator support, and dual touch powered 120mm front fans". Oh, and the Elite variant includes a large side-panel window specifically for you to "show all your friends the true core processing power of your PC!".

All those statements are true, but they leave the Tempest 410 Elite targeting a very specific market. After all, if you aren't planning on using a thick 240mm radiator, what you're left with is a chassis that'll leak noise through large gaping holes.

Bottom line: The mid-tower marketplace is fiercely contested and there are better all-rounders available at little extra cost. But if you happen to like the looks, the Tempest 410 Elite is exactly what it set out to be: a mean-looking enclosure with gobs of cooling potential.

The Good

Dedicated room for a 240mm radiator
Good cooling potential
Quick-release front fans
Looks like a gaming chassis

The Bad

Feels more cramped than it should
Only one USB 3.0 port
Leaks noise
Looks like a gaming chassis

HEXUS Rating

NZXT Tempest 410 Elite

HEXUS Awards

NZXT Tempest 410 Elite

HEXUS Where2Buy

TBC.

HEXUS Right2Reply

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If it is water cooling you want then the Fractal Design Arc midi is a much better option for a similar price.

Having said that, if it is air cooling you want then this is a nice case, a bit of sound proofing foam would seriously reduce the noise factor. Still has too many HD holders for me (2 is fine) but that is just me

I like the front fan thing but NZXT cassis don't do it for me & the plastic feel of them is a no but on the other hand, friend that I know that have them say they are good for what they do & a price they can afford ! That you cant fault…

I bought the NZXT Vulcan last year for a tidy sum (think it was about £40?). Reasoning was I wanted a compact machine for LANs with a nice carry handle, but could also house high end components and provided excellent airflow. I'm still very chuffed with it and think it's an excellent little mATX case. It can fit dual 5970, and 6x 120mm fans from memory (2 front, 2 top, 1 back, and 1 side). It also has a build in fan controller for 2 fans, and push button on/off orange glowing top fans which are supplied with the case. Excellent price really.

The case is definitely a budget case - plastic front fascia, fairly thin steel etc. but the build quality was satisfactory given the price point, outstanding features and the high end components it can accomodate. I'd definitely consider NZXT in the the future.

NZXT have some great ideas. I have the Phantom model which is an excellent case apart from a poor quality built in fan control system. Pity that NZXT have some difficulty in their design team about recognising the need to include at least a couple of USB3 slots in case production .
Last I heard a few months ago they were still dithering about upgrading the Phantom to USB3 in spite of users suggesting this . One USB 3 here is just mean.

NZXT have a really nice range cases. I always think the're the nicest of the bunch. Great review :)