Final Thoughts

So it appears that despite the HTPC Desktop looks, the NZXT Duet makes a pretty nice looking mid-tower setup. At at $69.99 street price (though I’ve heard $29.99 at a couple places), it’s an absolute bargain for a case with this type of finish. The shiny aluminum front cover and the smoked glass covering the Hard Drive activity and power LED add a really classy touch to the case. I’ve seen cases at twice the price that don’t look this good.

Performance wise, it definitely shined in our setup. Our testing revealed a quiet and temperately behaved system that kept things cool. I definitely have to insist on using the 120mm case fans. I’ve never had good luck keeping a system quiet using 80mm fans and if you can use 120mm fans, definitely go for it. As far as setting up the case, we had some very minor issues, but nothing that would prevent us from recommending this case to anyone looking for a sharp looking case for a mid-range HTPC or mid-tower system.

Pros

• Great looking in a Battlestar Galactica Centurion sort of way.
• Dual use as either a desktop HTPC or mid-tower case.
• You can use 120mm case fans for max airflow.
• Priced right at $69.99 but can be found for less if you look around.

Cons

• Why not include 120mm fans stock for max performance and noise reduction?
• Aluminum door is super sharp and can cause bloodletting.

Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

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