Overclocker Cafe - NZXT Adamas

NZXT Adamas

While I was taking the pictures of the bottom of the case, I noticed this silver handle. Not knowing what it was, I naturally pulled on it. I mean it was there, right?.

Imagine my surprise when I heard this 'pop' and the front bezel popped out. This was so very cool. Every other case I've had, you had to remove the front bezel from the inside. This design innovation alone makes this case something special. With the front bezel removed, we see that NZXT has remembered to use a filter on the front intake fan to help keep those dust bunnies from multiplying too much.

Since we have everything all apart now let's take a look inside this baby.

My first impressions of the inside were pretty favorable. NZXT has continued with the black paint scheme and molded looks. The drive cages have the same type of design that helps to catch you attention on the outside. The molded silver aluminum contrasts nicely with the black interior of the case.

The 5.25" drives can be installed using screws but NZXT does include two sets of drive rails that install on standard optical drives to allow these to snap in place. I admit to being a bit disappointed with this. Not only is the case advertised as having "tool free drive installation" when it's only half tool free, but the method that they used isn't what I would have expected from the company that designed the great tool free bays of both the Lexa and the Apollo. Those drive bay designs are head and shoulders above what we have here.

While the specs of this case say that it uses a tool free drive bay design, that is a bit misleading. The 3.5" drives are installed in the traditional method by using screws that are provided in the parts box with that case.

Now let's check out the back of the case. Remember when I told you to pay attention to the exhaust fan? Well here is where it comes into play. Because of the way the exhaust fan is mounted and the case designed, this is going to cause a few problems with installation of some boards. I would recommend removing the fan prior to installing the motherboard to keep it out of the way. More workroom this way and less potential headache.

Just below the fan are the expansion slots, and unfortunately NZXT has gone with the pop out slot covers. I have two problems with this. The first, of course, is that once you pop them out you're not going to be able to reinstall them. Secondly, they're not a tight fit which will affect the air circulation inside the case. For the price of this case, I would have liked to have seen at the very least, slot covers that completely cover the slot which are replaceable if not tool free.

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