[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
NZXT is a brand known for providing cost-effective products, and, at USD 55, the new Tempest 210 mid-tower case is the perfect expression of the company’s vision. Let’s see if it is a good option or if you should pass.
One of the highlights of the Tempest 210 is the impressive number of fans you can install in it: eight. The product comes with only two installed, which is not bad at all when we consider its price.
Figure 1: NZXT Tempest 210 case
Figure 2: NZXT Tempest 210 case
The left-side panel has a mesh, supporting two 120 mm fans. Instead of having fixed holes for these fans, the case has slits, allowing you to move the fans to the exact position where you want them, better matching the internal component you want to cool down. There is no air filter attached to this mesh.
Figure 3: Left-side panel
[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]
The front panel of the NZXT Tempest 210 has three external 5.25” bays, all using meshed covers with air filters.
Figure 4: Front panel
The case supports two 120 mm fans on its front panel, as you can see in Figure 5. In order to keep the cost down, the case doesn’t come with these fans.
Figure 5: Support for two 120 mm fans
The product comes with an air filter for these fans. In Figure 6, you can see this filter removed from the front panel.
Figure 6: Air filter
The case comes with one USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0 port and the traditional audio jacks. The number of USB ports is low, and they are too close to each other, preventing you from installing two thumb drives at the same time. The USB 3.0 port uses a cable with an internal connector, so you don’t need to connect this cable to a USB 3.0 located on the rear panel of your motherboard.
Figure 7: Buttons and connectors
[nextpage title=”The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels”]
The top panel of the NZXT Tempest 210 allows the installation of two 120 mm or 140 mm fans, and the case comes with one 140 mm sleeve bearing fan installed (Xin Changfeng DF1402512SEMN). See Figure 8. Unfortunately, NZXT doesn’t publish the specifications for this fan. This fan uses a three-pin connector, so you can monitor its speed. The fan’s power cable also has a standard peripheral power connector, in case you prefer to connect the fan directly to your power supply instead of connecting it to your motherboard.
Figure 8: Top panel
The bottom panel allows the installation of one 120 mm fan, but the case doesn’t come with an air filter for it. The second mesh you see in Figure 9 is for the power supply fan.
Figure 9: Bottom panel
The rear panel and the interior of the NZXT Tempest 210 are painted black.
The power supply is installed on the bottom part of the case.
The NZXT Tempest 210 comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel, which is a riffle bearing model (Xin Changfeng D1202512RFLN). Unfortunately, the only information NZXT gives about this fan is that it spins at 1,200 rpm. You can replace this fan with an 80 mm model, if you want. This fan uses a three-pin connector, so you can monitor its speed. The fan’s power cable also has a standard peripheral power connector, in case you prefer to connect the fan directly to your power supply instead of connecting it to your motherboard.
There are seven expansion slots, using vented covers.
This case has two holes for hoses of liquid cooling solutions. Even though you need to break their covers in order to use them, the case comes with two rubber covers for you to close them, improving the aesthetics of the product.
Figure 10: Rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the NZXT Tempest 210.[nextpage title=”Inside the NZXT Tempest 210″]
Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties.
Figure 11: Overall look
Figure 12: A view behind the motherboard tray
In Figure 13, you have another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using regular screws, but at least they are black. The NZXT Tempest 210 supports video cards up to 13” (330 mm) long, but if a hard drive is installed right in front of the video card, this clearance is reduced to 9.1” (23
0 mm).
Figure 13: Overall look
The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. Note that it can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it.
If you install a power supply up to 7.1” (180 mm) deep, you can install a 120 mm fan on the bottom panel.
Figure 14: Power supply compartment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The NZXT Tempest 210 has three 5.25” external bays and eight 3.5” internal bays, all using tool-less installation mechanisms. A 2.5” bay is also available. See Figure 16. The number of hard drive bays is impressive for a budget case.
Figure 15: Disk drive bays
Figure 16: The 2.5” bay
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the NZXT Tempest 210 include:
- Style: Mid-tower
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors derived from this one
- Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
- Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
- Available colors: Black
- Side panel: Meshed
- Dimensions: 17.7 x 7.7 x 19.6 inches (450 x 195 x 497 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 13 lbs (6 kg)
- Gross weight: 15.5 lbs (7 kg)
- Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, eight internal 3.5” bays, and one internal 2.5” bay
- Expansion slots: Seven
- Maximum video card length: 13” (330 mm) or 9.1” (230 mm), if a hard drive is installed in front of the video card
- Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
- Fans: One 120 mm fan on the rear panel (1,200 rpm) and one 140 mm fan on the top panel
- Optional fans: Two 120 mm fans on the front panel, one 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the top panel, two 120 mm fans on the left panel, and one 120 mm fan on the bottom panel
- More Information: https://www.nzxt.com
- MSRP in the US: USD 55.00
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The NZXT Tempest 210 is an amazing case for its price. If you are on a budget or want to save money, the Tempest 210 is a terrific option.
Strong Points
- Meshed bay covers with air filters
- Vented slot covers
- Air filter for the front fan
- A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
- Support for eight 3.5” hard drives
- One 2.5” bay
- Supports a total of eight fans
Weak Points
- No air filter on the left-side panel
- No thumbscrews for fastening expansion cards
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