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Voltage regulator temperatures show why this builder prefers to put the radiator (and its extra fans) on top, as the N515 fell well behind the H7 Flow’s clear win...
The NZXT H7 Flow is capable of handling not one, but two 360mm radiators — one on the front and another up top. The rear panel has a 140mm fan and radiator mount, atop of seven horizontal PCI slots. There aren't any vertical slots with the NZXT H7 series. Finally, we've got the single tempered-glass window panel, which showcases everything instead within the case. A one-piece front-panel button/LED connector, HD Audio, USB 3.x Gen 2 (for the Type-C port), and USB 3.x Gen 1 (for the Type A ports) complete the front-panel cable selection. With the front panel being perforated, the H7 Flow’s right side panel can be completely closed off. Unlike the H7 and H7 Elite, the H7 Flow does not require a perforated right side panel for airflow, allowing NZXT to ship this model with a plain right side panel. And behind the motherboard is where NZXT's years of experience truly shine. The cable management with this case (and other NZXT H7 series cases) is in a league of its own. It's exceptionally good and makes it possible for even novices building their first computers to put together a tidy rig.
NZXT’s user-friendly approach shows during setup. The H7 Flow gave me an extra advantage of installing six fans, ahead of installing my motherboard. It’s roomy enough for builders to experiment with different fan placements. I had no trouble fitting my ATX size Z690 Elite AX DDR4 motherboard on pre-screwed standoffs. Let alone a liquid AIO cooler on the roof of my H7 Flow. Those pop-out panels reveal tight columns to screw radiators on.
While temperatures were higher than they could have been with better access to air, NZXT was comfortable at the time to mix form with function. For the new NZXT H7 range, the company has redesigned how the cases both take and exhaust air. The NZXT H7 Flow is the biggest change here with the perforated front panel. Cables and headers are also included with the H7 Flow. As per PC case tradition, NZXT includes built-in headers for its power button and USB. The H7 Flow gets bonus points for putting all individual power plugs into a single F-Panel. The all-inclusive F-Panel works well with motherboards. It also saves a tedious job of plugging one tiny header at a time. Although, for some questionable reason, NZXT has left out the reset button. “White is easily the best change for PC owners upgrading from traditional cases.” I've gone into some detail about the NZXT H7 series refresh in my NZXT H7 Flow review, but the goal NZXT's designers had in mind was to keep the same look but refine the cooling performance. This was carried out by adding a new side vent for the front fans to gain access to more cool air, as well as a redesigned top panel. The NZXT H710i measured in at an average of 73 C for gaming on the aforementioned CPU. Stress testing through benchmarks saw temperatures approach 90 C at bursts before settling in the mid-80s. The NZXT H7 saw a reduction in the temperature of about 5% across the board. Gaming saw an average of 71 C, which is better than the outgoing case, but still short of the N7 Flow.If you were looking at the front of the H7 and though “but where’s the airflow going to come from?”, the H7 Flow is the case for you. The H7 Flow is the same case as the standard H7, including the same fans out of the box, internal layout, and price point. There are only two differences between the H7 and H7 Flow, and those differences are the case’s front and right panels. Last year, we took a look at the NZXT H510 Flow, which delivered good thermals. However, the perforations on the top panel were limited to one 140mm fan. With the H7 Flow, we get a perforated top panel that extends far enough for 3x 120 or 2x 140mm fans, or one 360mm radiator. The fan support in the front has also been increased from the H710, from two 140 to three 140mm fans (or up to three 120mm). The rear supports either one 120mm or one 140mm fan. Practically speaking, the thumbscrew that secures the drive cage is what limits power-supply length to 233mm. A second set of tab holes and screw holes allows it to be moved about 19mm farther forward, but placing it there reduces the lower portion of the front radiator mount by the same distance. The 3.5-inch cage’s optional 2.5-inch mounts aren’t even included in the H7 Flow’s official specs, as those specs instead refer to a second set of 2.5-inch trays that we’ll cover momentarily. The excellent cable management, better thermals, and updated design make the NZXT H7 series one to watch out for.
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