The NZXT Phantom 820 Enthusiast Full Tower Chassis
Overview
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Summary:
Visually the NZXT Phantom 820 is sleek yet rugged, and very attractive to the eye with its gunmetal dark gray finish and smooth contoured lines. I especially enjoy the look of the entire case; the front bezel is by far the best I have seen yet from NZXT. Though it looks small, the windowed left panel is a perfect size and is not over-bearing. Despite its size, it does a great job showing off your build. The front I/O panels lighting features and built in fan controller, card reader, and USB 2.0 & 3.0 is the icing on the cake. I am not a big fan of doors on the front of my cases, but in this instance I have to say well done NZXT. Not only do I love the aesthetics of the door on the Phantom 820 and its magnetic latches, but I also adore what’s behind and inside it.
The build quality of the NZXT Phantom 820 is pretty remarkable for the price point; everything was really more than what I expected, such as removable washable filters throughout the case, the tool-less modular interior, and the nine expansion slots. The preinstalled 140 mm and 200 mm fans and potential for water cooling solutions NZXT has incorporated into the Phantom 820 are by far the best I have seen from them. Overall NZXT has exceeded my expectations in this regard. The ability to install any size motherboard, along with phenomenal cable management and the bi-directional fan on the HD cage, make this one of their best cases to date.
The nightlight on the back I/O panel, just like from their Switch 810, is an awesome addition as well. It makes cable plug-in at the back a breeze in poorly lit conditions. I simply love the easy access and removal of the filters for cleaning that it offers. Let me sum it up by saying the build quality at this price point, and the abundance of features that have been implemented into the Phantom 820, make this NZXT the king of the hill. Even when comparing it to their Switch 810, it’s a tight race, but the Phantom 820 wins by a nose. If you are in the market for a full tower chassis that’s very well built, whether you’re a seasoned or first time builder, I would highly recommend the NZXT Phantom 820 for your next build. At a price point of $249.99 with all the extras, it is worth the money spent.
The NZXT Phantom 820 reaps Pure Overclocks Editor’s choice award.
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