Review : NZXT H510 Flow

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Tests

Tests

Airflow:

Additional ventilation comes in the form of two Riing 14 fans from Thermaltake, placed in the top of the case, in extraction.

CPU airflow, original ventilation then completed :

We start first with the temperature of our CPU. We keep the front and the top of our test case. Let’s see if the airflow is sufficient for the good cooling of the Ryzen 7 1700X.

H510 Flow températures CPU 1

We start our series of readings with the temperature of the processor, which is done with a case in its configuration out of the box. In terms of temperature, we can see that the CPU has a tendency to rise quite high, over 70°C with a low speed fan. This is normal, the fan on the front panel only directs airflow to the bottom of the case, so our Dark Rock 4 does not benefit from any additional flow. On the other hand, at 12V, we feel that the additional air supply is greatly beneficial to our Ryzen 7 1700X.

Finally, we really need to add a grinder to the top of the front panel to get the best possible temperatures. By doing so, we get a little over 55°C.

CPU airflow original ventilation without front panel or top :

In order to ascertain the limiting factor in the story (and how much), we remove the top as well as the faceplate from the case. The goal here is to show the raw performance of the integrated ventilation.

H510 Flow Isolation température CPU 2

By removing the front panel, we inevitably gain in temperature, even if it is honeycombed or not. However, these gains remain moderate compared to other cases, even if the final temperatures remain higher than the competition. Remember, there’s nothing directing airflow to the CPU fan.

GPU airflow, original ventilation then completed:

We repeat the operation, but with measurements made on the graphics card. Here, we test with original ventilation and completed ventilation.

H510 Flow températures GPU 1

However, if having only one fan at the bottom of the front panel is not very pleasant for the processor, for the graphics card, it is a dream. Indeed, we get some of the lowest temperatures in the ranking, even at low rpm. On the other hand, at full speed, we could have better.

Finally, it will surprise no one, but the fact of completing the ventilation at the top of the front panel has almost no effect on the cooling of the GPU. Well, 3°C is still good to go.

GPU airflow original ventilation without front panel or top:

We redo the same test, but remove the front panel and the top of the case. Let’s see how this will affect the temperatures of the card.

H510 Flow température GPU 2

If we remove the front panel, we manage to reduce the temperature again on our old HD 7970. However, compared to the Elite version of the H510 the gains are more tenuous. It must be said that a perforated front panel, it breathes better than solid glass and it shows here.

Insulation:

Here we simply measure the noise emitted by our configuration when we run the CPU cooling and GPU cooling very fast.

NZXT H510 Flow isolation

Clearly, this H510 Flow is not the best insulating case. At the same time, this is easily understood: steel and perforated front panel, no need to go further. On the other hand, models with a glass front or with insulating material manage to retain noise better.

Noise of the original ventilation:

This time, we measure the noise emitted by the original ventilation of the case. For that, the configuration runs in idle ( CPU and GPU ventilation at minimum) while the readings are successively made in 5V, 8V and 12V on the case ventilation.

H510 Flow bruit

We finish with the noise generated by the basic ventilation. At this level, at full speed, the H510 Flow generates 38.5 dB at full speed, we will not lie, it is rather audible. However, what you hear the most is the air rushing inside the case.

Fortunately, by reducing the speed of the ventilation, the noise is already less present: 34 dB. Finally, we can afford to run the two fans at low speed to have no more noise.

Otherwise, you will have to pay attention to the noise of the hard disks if you have any. As it is, this model in no way masks the scratching or running noise of your HDDs.

Bottom Line:

In the grand scheme of things, this H510 Flow allows NZXT to offer a case with low airflow stress. We were able to see what it gave on our graphics card in particular. On the other hand, we can only advise you to add at least one fan at the top of the front panel if you want your CPU fan to be properly cooled. As it is, the ventilation mainly benefits the graphics card.

As far as insulation is concerned, there is no secret, perforated front panels are not the best in terms of noise reduction, on the contrary, and you can feel it on the sound meter. Moreover, it is difficult to have a good air flow and a top insulation.

Finally, the fans are still quite audible at full speed… Well, it’s mostly the airflow that you hear. Fortunately, as soon as you lower their speed, the noise quickly disappears.