So what has NZXT been up to
lately? Well, quite a bit. Back at
COMPUTEX 2007, we saw a bunch of neat new things that our friend and NZXT
Designer
Johnny Hou were up to. However, today, we're going to have a look at a case
that was released earlier this year that mixes design and functionality into a
very affordable package.
One of the things that makes the NZXT DUET Midtower HTPC case unique is not
the shiny aluminum front faceplate and smoked glass window that resembles a
Centurion from Battlestar Galactica, but the fact that the DUET has a dual
personality. It works as both a vertical HTPC case as well as a mid-tower case.
The DUET comes in two color choices, black and silver. Today we'll be
looking at the silver version of the case and we'll also be basing our review on
the mid-tower configuration.
Specifications
|
MODEL |
DUET |
|
CASE TYPE |
MID TOWER HOME
THEATER/DESKTOP CHASSIS |
|
DIMENSIONS (W x H x D) |
455 X 148 X 455 mm
|
|
COOLING SYSTEM |
Bottom, 1 X 80 mm Fan
(Optional)
REAR, 2 X 80 mm Fans Included
SIDE PANEL, 2 X 120mm Fans ( Optional )
|
|
DRIVE BAYS |
6 DRIVE BAYS
2 EXTERNAL 5.25" DRIVE BAYS
1 EXTERNAL 3.5 " DRIVE BAYS
3 INTERNAL 3.5" DRIVE BAYS or 1 INTERNAL
3.5" BAY and Dual 120mm Fans
SCREWLESS RAIL DESIGN |
|
MATERIAL(S) |
SECC STEEL CHASSIS
|
|
EXPANSION SLOTS |
7 |
|
POWER SUPPLY |
400 WATT PS2 ATX 12V (
OPTIONAL ) |
|
WEIGHT |
5.0 KGS (W/O Power) |
|
MOTHERBOARD SUPPORT |
MOTHERBOARDS: ATX,
MICRO-ATX, BABY AT |
Features
- Supports all Video cards less than 8" in length
- Fits Full-sized ATX Motherboard and Power Supply
- Aluminum plated front panel
- Small, compact, and silent design
- Dual positioning, vertical or horizonal depending on home setup
- Two standard 80mm fans
- USB 2.0, Firewire, Intel HD audio and mic support
- Two external 5.25 drives
- One external 3.5 drive
- One internal 3.5 drive and dual 120mm setup or Three internal 3.5 drives
and no 120mm fans
- Dual use vents for cooling or expandibility, install either dual 120mm
fan capability or dual hard drives
Looking at the size of the case, it wil be a tight fit for a full size ATX
board and longer video cards more than 8 inches in length. However, the
case is no longer or taller than some smaller midtower cases, though it is
definitely shorter if you were to use it in an HTPC desktop style configuration.
Since we're setting it up as a mid-tower, this will give the case a very slender
profile standing up.
What's In The Box?
Inside the box, we get a few standard items which include:
- Motherboard standoffs and miscellaneous screws
- Toolfree optical drive bay rails
- Motherboard speaker for beeps and bleeps
- Rubber feet
- Instruction Manual
The manual contains a good number of pictures and diagrams to assist in
assembly. Hopefully they'll come in handy if we get into a bind.
Real-Time Price and Stock Check
