NZXT Switch 810 Full Tower Chassis Review

If you are on the prowl for a competitively priced XL-ATX chassis or just want a full tower case with an abundance of features, NZXT’s Switch 810 is definitely worth considering.

The expansion options on this 595mm tall, 585mm deep behemoth are first class. 9 PCI slots, XL-ATX and E-ATX motherboard support, quad VGA capabilities and decent storage options will certainly cater for almost every user’s needs. Clearance for up to 350mm VGA cards or 495mm without the HDD cage, 190mm tall CPU coolers, 350+mm power supply units and 60mm deep radiators in the roof make the Switch 810 one of the most expandable cases in its price range. Storage options are underwhelming for a full tower chassis of this size, but are by no means insufficient, just decent.

Out-of-the-box cooling consists of 4 140mm fans with room to mount 6 more. Installed on the chassis’ roof is a cover which can have its slits opened or closed dependent upon your preference between airflow or quiet operation. While NZXT market this as a noise reducing feature, it isn’t in reality as the fan beneath is still spinning irrelevant of the slit position. Enthusiasts need not worry about any cooling limitations as the Switch 810 is capable of internally housing 420/360, 240 and 120/140mm radiators simultaneously. 7 fans can be powered via an innovative fan control hub which doubles up as a cable management measure. This hub has some limitations though as it is let down by its inability to control fan speed. Is the use of a simple voltage reducer which leads to a front mounted fan speed slider too much to ask for?

Unique features are what set the Switch 810 apart from its competitors. A front panel SD card reader is simple and effective; the front panel flap cover is thoughtful, albeit stiff to open; an LED illuminated rear IO panel is imaginative; the right-mounted HDD method saves time and a stealth DVD drive bay is aesthetically friendly. A hot-swap hard drive bay is another welcomed feature which could be a huge convenience but could also be even more effective if a tool-less drive installation method was implemented.

Available in both white and black, aesthetics and appearance are certainly going to be a point of discussion in the future. As with many of NZXT’s chassis designs, some people love them, others hate them. I personally think that the Switch 810 is very attractive. It features a sleek and elegant design which will appeal to users searching for an understated look. The side panel acrylic window also gives it some ‘bling’ factor for users who prefer that type of chassis. The Switch 810 definitely offers a good balance between head-turning style and subtle, elegant appearance.

Available for £149.77 at Scan and €169,90 at CaseKing, the NZXT Switch 810 is priced fairly competitively for such a feature-packed full tower chassis. It does have some stiff competition from Cooler Master’s similarly priced HAF X and Storm Trooper, Xigmatek’s popular Elysium and Akasa’s cheaper Venom Toxic. Due to the lack of a fan-speed control method though, unless you can withstand a fairly noisy computer 24/7, a fan controller is going to be a likely purchase soon after the Switch 810, making it a little less of a bargain than it originally seemed.

Overall, NZXT have designed an excellent and innovative chassis in the Switch 810. It is flooded with cooling potential, has plenty of expansion options and successfully implements worthwhile innovative features. At £149.77/€169,90 though, the Switch 810 does have some very worthy competitors. We can’t think of anybody who will be disappointed by the Switch 810, but its price tag does leave a potential buyer with an uncertain decision as to whether the Switch 810 is the chassis for them.