When NZXT came out with its H510 and H510 Elite chassis in 2019, the cases quickly became popular options for builders. The simplistic look appealed to buyers and the base variant was affordable at just $80. But the intake was never impressive with steel or glass panels, so we’re excited to see the updated H510 Flow. It’s basically the same case, but with a mesh inlet on the front.
Indeed, the H510 Flow solves the biggest problem that the earlier H510s had. But the price has also gone up. Initially, it was set at $75 MSRP, but according to NZXT, the new tariffs on imported goods and additional shipping costs with the pandemic have resulted in the company pushing the price up to a massive $110.
Let’s see if the H510 flow is worth us Best PC Cases list.
Specifications:
| Type | Mid Tower ATX |
| Motherboard support | Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 18.1 x 8.3 x 16.9 in (460 x 210 x 428 mm) |
| Maximum GPU Length | 14.2 inches (360mm) |
| CPU Cooler Height | 6.5 inches (165mm) |
| External coves | |
| Internal Bays | 2x 3.5″ |
| 2x 2.5″ | |
| Expansion Slots | 7x |
| Front I/O | 1x USB 3.0, optional USB-C, 3.5mm audio/microphone combo |
| Other | 1x tempered glass panel |
| Front fans | 1x 120mm (up to 2x 140mm, 2x 120mm) |
| behind fans | 1x 120mm (up to 1x 120mm) |
| top fans | None (up to 1x 140mm) |
| bottom fans | |
| side fans | |
| RGB | New |
| damping | New |
| Guarantee | 3 years |
Functions
If you take a quick look at the H510 Flow, you’ll see that the style is simple – very rectangular, with nothing but clean lines and a neatly tinted glass panel.
The IO of the case emerges and consists of a headphone/microphone combo jack, a USB Type-C port, and a USB 3.0 Type-A port. At the original price of $80, this is great connectivity, but at the new $110 price, I would have expected at least a second USB 3.0 Type-A port.
The front intake mesh offers a generously large perforation, but behind that is a filter to ensure your system doesn’t get too dirty. And the PSU has its own filter that pulls out from behind the case.
The case is made of painted steel and while that is not unexpected for a case of this caliber, I am not impressed with the finish. There are multiple paint finish defects on the edges of some panels, and the side panel on the cable management side is built quite roughly, leaving gaps in the panel that allow Tesla owners to feel good about their cars.
Internal layout
It peeks into the case and is also one of the simplest ATX cases, with a large top compartment for an ATX motherboard, GPUs up to 14.5in (360mm) high and CPU coolers up to 6.5in (165mm) high.
The front of the case can accommodate up to two 140mm fans or a 280mm radiator, and the bracket can be removed for easy installation. The rear exhaust supports a 120mm fan and the top can support a 140mm spinner. Two 120mm Aer F fans are included, installed at the intake and exhaust locations.
But this one isn’t complete, and I’m having a problem with the top exhaust. Not only is there no room for a 240mm AIO, the mount isn’t recessed – so if you’re installing a fan, the screws protrude from the top of the case. That’s not a pretty face. And if you don’t have an exhaust fan installed there, the lack of a filter can lead to dust build-up.
Turn around to the back and you’ll find the PSU room and cable management area. Here’s room for the largest ATX power supplies, two 3.5-inch drives in the HDD caddy and two 2.5-inch drives in SSD sleds. The cable management bar that NZXT is known for is also present.
Now that the tour is all over, let’s move on to assembling a system in the H510 Flow.