Zalman Z9 plus vs NZXT M59 or something else ?
- Thread starter IC3
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Zalman Z9+ is a great case for £50, especially since it comes fully loaded with 4 fans and a fan controller - more than enough to adequately cool nearly any regular computer.
Not too sure what the Nzxt cases were like in comparison but I've not heard too many good things about their cheaper cases.
Also have a look at some of the Bitfenix cases, they look like a good alternative also.
Not too sure what the Nzxt cases were like in comparison but I've not heard too many good things about their cheaper cases.
Also have a look at some of the Bitfenix cases, they look like a good alternative also.
the Zalman Z9P is simply an awesome case for the money. I've had cases much more expensize than this and this is the best I've had by far 
The cable management is one of the best things about it, loads of room down the back for neat and tidy cables.
The cable management is one of the best things about it, loads of room down the back for neat and tidy cables.
I'd advise against the M59, afaik its just an NZXT gamma with a side window?
The gamma, well it reflected its £35 price tag. The cable management was somewhat pathetic, though routing holes there was next to no space behind the motherboard tray, meaning the flimsy side panel bulged with the amount of cables underneath it. Also the lack of removable HDD cages ment the longest GPU it can take is a mere ~10.4". Cooling was 'ok' I would say, it won't take any of the high end air coolers OR hydro series coolers (side panel hooks crush the rad).
TL;DR: the Zalman wins, a case a VERY nearly bought my self until the emergence of the 500R. For you're budget you may also want to consider the shinobi, which is a very popular case for good reason.
The gamma, well it reflected its £35 price tag. The cable management was somewhat pathetic, though routing holes there was next to no space behind the motherboard tray, meaning the flimsy side panel bulged with the amount of cables underneath it. Also the lack of removable HDD cages ment the longest GPU it can take is a mere ~10.4". Cooling was 'ok' I would say, it won't take any of the high end air coolers OR hydro series coolers (side panel hooks crush the rad).
TL;DR: the Zalman wins, a case a VERY nearly bought my self until the emergence of the 500R. For you're budget you may also want to consider the shinobi, which is a very popular case for good reason.
Doesn't bother me with my hardware
But there are front bay USB 3.0 things available if it's that important to you. They may well update it sometime soon, who knows!
I have the NZXT m59 and the cable management was very difficult and but apart from that i would recommend it to anyone. The night light on the front is very effective but can be a bit bright at night. Although if you are adding watercooling, the rad at the back of the case will prevent you from being able to mount a 120mm fan at the top of the case.
Personally i think the Zalman doesn't look anywhere nearly as nice as the NZXT because the side window is a lot more open on the NZXT but if you want functionality over looks then if i was you i would go for the Zalman.
Personally i think the Zalman doesn't look anywhere nearly as nice as the NZXT because the side window is a lot more open on the NZXT but if you want functionality over looks then if i was you i would go for the Zalman.
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i had an nzxt M59, its a great first case dont get me wrong, but soon after getting "used" to it, you will be wanting an upgrade. cable management was hard, (hardly any room behind the MOBO tray) it was quite a loud case, that seem'd to vibrate quite abit.
out of the TWO top 120mm fan mounts, if you have a DVD drive in the top slot, you wont be able to use the 120mm nearest the front, and if you have a rad on the back 120mm, you wont be able to use the other 120mm fan mount.
if i could go back, i wouldnt have gotten the nzxt, although it looks great, its not very practical.
out of the TWO top 120mm fan mounts, if you have a DVD drive in the top slot, you wont be able to use the 120mm nearest the front, and if you have a rad on the back 120mm, you wont be able to use the other 120mm fan mount.
if i could go back, i wouldnt have gotten the nzxt, although it looks great, its not very practical.
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Take a look at the corsair 300R and the Bitfenix shinobi. Both good cases. Both better than the NZXT.
kd
kd
I have a fan mounted in the front 120mm slot with a DVD drive in there fine. There is plenty of clearance although i can't mount a rear 120mm fan because of the rad.
