NZXT Tempest 210 Case Review - PAGE 5

The Tempest 210 is a great mid-tower computer case that was designed with the budget system builder in mind. Do not let that put you off from this case however, as a lot of important features that you would normally find only on high-end systems were retained in this design. With support for up to 8 different 120 mm or larger case fans, the Tempest 210 can really move some serious air. The cooling performance results speak for themselves, and the fact that this case is nearly as competitive with its bigger brother the Tempest 410 is also saying something.

There are still a few areas that NZXT should take a closer look at in order for the Tempest 210 to claim the crown of "Best Budget Mid-tower." The first would be to replace the poor hard drive retention system with something more solid, resilient, and easier to use. The tool-free system currently implemented would've passed for a good had it actually worked. Thankfully the old-fashioned screws and screwdriver were able to step up to the plate to deliver. Next would be my old beef about dust filtering. You'd think that if you went to the effort to filter one intake port that all the rest should be filtered, otherwise you are just spitting in the wind. That is unless NZXT intends every fan mounting that isn't filtered to have an exhaust fan anyways, which would simply be ludicrous these days.

The Tempest 210 has a MSRP of $54.99.

PROS:

• Budget case that does not skimp on performance or features
  
• Great dual 140mm exhaust fan design on the top of the case
• Solid, no-nonsense, styling and case design
• Lots of hard drive room for your storage needs
• Solidly built light-weight case to last a long time.
  
• Minimalistic designs for when you don't want your case to dominate a room

CONS:

• Poorly designed hard drive retention system
• Needs another two to three inches added to the case length.
• Needs another inch added behind the motherboard tray for cables
• No dust filters on the side or bottom fan ports