NZXT Panzerbox Mid Tower Case Review

Installation


The PSU is usually the first component we install during case reviews, but we did things a little backwards with the Panzerbox. Instead, we started with the motherboard installation, which was a total breeze thanks to the removable motherboard tray. We had no issues whatsoever getting the board and video cards installed. Much like the good old Lian-Li PC-60 series cases from years ago, the Panzerbox allows a good portion of the system to be built outside of the case.


Once the hardware was installed on the motherboard tray and the video cards were secured, the tray felt much sturdier and didn’t flex nearly as much.

The 120mm exhaust fan conveniently plugged into a standard 3-pin fan header on the motherboard. Buyers without spare motherboard headers can also utilize the built-in 4-pin molex connector on this fan.


Reinserting the motherboard tray with the installed hardware was a non-event. It slid easily back into place and everything cleared the openings. It should be noted that not all system configurations will work well with the Panzerbox motherboard tray. The opening at the back of the case is not very large, and motherboards with varying socket locations may pose an issue. The very popular DFI LanParty NF4 series boards are a perfect example, with a mid-board socket location. Most boards with somewhat standard socket locations shouldn’t pose an issue.

All hope is not lost if a motherboard/heatsink combination fails to clear the rear opening though. The motherboard can still be installed with the tray fully inserted, just like a case without a removable tray.

As far as heatsink clearance through the tray opening is concerned, we measured a maximum of about 6.5 inches. Considering a Thermalright Ultra-Extreme measures in at about 6.3 inches, most tower heatsinks should clear the opening, but will definitely be close.


NZXT makes installing a hard drive into the Panzerbox a snap. Simply insert, screw and mount. No fussy drive caddies, just good old fashioned thumb screws.

The only negative aspect of mounting a hard drive into the lower drive cage is that the drives are positioned in such a way that a good portion of the front intake fan is blocked. Although this will inevitably equate to excellent hard drive cooling, it will cause some degree of airflow restriction to the expansion slot area of the motherboard. Those interested in maximum video card cooling should mount their drives in the upper location.


The second optional hard drive mounting location still receives some airflow from the large 190mm intake fan, but does not block airflow to the video cards like the lower location does. Unfortunately, from a cable management and convenience perspective, this location is not the greatest. The drive protrudes quite a bit into the case and makes accessing the 24-pin ATX connector a bit of a challenge.