NZXT has been the go-to PC case manufacturer due to its modern, elegant, and intuitive PC case solutions. A great example of this is their H-series PC cases. Their sharp and boxy design, along with the materials they are made of, are simple yet luxurious. Moreover, their internal layout and cable management are among the best in the market.
Two of their best-selling cases are the H510i and H510 Elite. While both of these cases share a lot of similarities, there are key differences that you should take note of if you intend to buy one of them. That is exactly why we are going to compare the H510i and H510 Elite, so you will make a more informed decision.
NZXT H510i vs NZXT H510 Elite
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| Name |
NZXT H510i |
NZXT H510 Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Image |  |
 |
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX |
| Materials | SGCC Steel, Tempered Glass | SGCC Steel, Tempered Glass |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 210 x 460 x 428 mm | 210 x 460 x 428 mm |
| Weight | 6.8 kg | 7.5 kg |
| Front I/O Ports | 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C
1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1x Headset Audio Jack |
1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C
1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1x Headset Audio Jack |
| Dust Filters | Yes, all air intakes | Yes, all air intakes |
| Smart Device V2 | Yes | Yes |
| RGB Lighting Included | 2 integrated addressable LED strip | 2x Integrated Aer RGB 2 140mm Fans, 1x Integrated addressable LED Strip |
| Vertical GPU Support | Yes | Yes |
| Expansion Slots | 7 | 7 |
| Radiator Support | Front: 2x 140 or 2x 120mm with Pull
Rear: 1x 120mm |
Front: 2x 140 or 2x 120mm with Pull
Rear: 1x 120mm |
| Included Fans | 2 Aer F120 Case Version | 2 Aer RGB 2 140mm, 1 Aer F140 Case Version, 1 Aer F120 Case Version |
| Drive Bays | 2.5”: 2+1
3.5”: 2+1 |
2.5”: 2+1
3.5”: 2+1 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Form Factor
The NZXT H510i and H510 Elite feature a clean and modern design while maintaining a small footprint for a mid-tower ATX case. That’s why they are both loved by gamers and content creators alike. Building a computer for either use case is a breeze due to NZXT’s cable management solutions and large component clearances. The rear panel for cable management has an ample 19 to 23 mm of clearance. Their iconic cable cover is still present in both cases.
Smart Device V2
H510-series cases have the ‘Smart Device’ version 2 which is tucked hidden. This small black box is used to control fan speeds and the addressable RGB lights. NZXT advertises that it modifies the fan speed for an optimal noise-to-thermal balance, in conjunction with its CAM software. Since it is version 2, it sports a faster processor and added an LED plug than the previous version.
Ports and Drive Bays
The front panel ports in both H-series cases are also identical. Both cases have a single USB 3.1 Type-A, single USB 3.1 Type-C, and a headphone jack combo beside their power buttons. I am happy that NZXT added a Type-C port which is a welcome addition versus the previous generation. You can see these ports on the top of the cases. In terms of storage compatibility, both cases can easily accommodate a total of 6 drives. There is a hard drive cage hidden in the PSU shroud for your hard drives, while solid-state drives can be mounted on the SSD caddies located at the back.
Now we will look at the features that make the NZXT H510i and the NZXT H510 Elite different.
NZXT H510i vs NZXT H510 Elite – Differences
Materials
The minimalistic approach that NZXT followed made the H-series a fan favorite.
NZXT H510i
NZXT used SGCC steel to construct the frame of both H-series cases. The structural rigidity and soundness of both cases are attributed to this kind of steel. Moreover, you can highlight your computer components because both have large flush tempered glass panels. NZXT updated the mounting system of their tempered glass. Their tempered glass has pegs on the bottom that insert to the frame for support and a single thumbscrew to secure it in place. Thus, reducing the cost while also minimizing the risk of the tempered glass being shattered. Lastly, there are refinements that NZXT made that you will love like the redesigned SSD tray.
NZXT H510 Elite
Aside from all the refinements mentioned above, the NZXT H510 Elite also has a tempered glass front panel to showcase the RGB lighting on your fans. This front tempered glass panel is also removable. I hope that NZXT makes a mesh version of the front panel because tests have shown that there is an 8-degree temperature difference when you use the tempered glass front panel versus without. Lastly, this tempered glass gave the Elite a heftier weight of 7.5 kg versus the 6.8 kg of the H510i.
The Winner Is- NZXT H510 Elite
Included Fans
The advantage of getting a computer case with included fans is the reduced overall cost.
NZXT H510i
The NZXT H510i comes with fewer fans than the Elite. It only includes two Aer F120 fans (case version) which are 120 mm fans. One is of the fans comes attached to the top exhaust, while the other sits at the rear exhaust. Take note that both of these fans are the case version of the Aer F120. Therefore, it is noticeably noisier but still performs quite similarly. Lastly, both are not RGB
NZXT H510 Elite
Improve the thermal performance of your PC with the NZXT H510 Elite since it has more fans included out of the box. It comes with a single Aer F120 for the rear exhaust, a single F140 for the top exhaust, and dual Aer RGB 2 fans for the front intake. The included dual 140 mm RGB fans look amazing with its non-circular frame lighting. The thermals are indeed better on the NZXT H510 Elite due to this.
The Winner Is- NZXT H510 Elite
Addressable RGB
A gaming PC build is incomplete without the addressable RGB. The market is flooded with computer components with RGB. Even an SSD has RGB nowadays!
NZXT H510i
Although the NZXT H510i is two-thirds the price of the Elite, it has an extra addressable RGB strip. Thus, you can showcase the internals of your PC without spending more. The RGB strips can be addressed via the smart device V2 and NZXT CAM software.
NZXT H510 Elite
The H510 Elite only has a single RGB strip on the top. Thankfully, it is now fully hidden by the blacked-out section of the tempered glass panel. Aside from this single RGB strip, there is also RGB lighting in the rings of the Aer RGB 2 fans. With that being said, get the H510 Elite if you want more bling.
The Winner Is- NZXT H510 Elite
Pros and Cons
The pros and cons of the the the NZXT H510i and the NZXT H510 Elite will help us to determine which PC case is the better option.
NZXT H510i
Pros:
- Building a PC with both H510 cases are straightforward due to wide clearances and intuitive cable management.
- It has all the premium features you can find on the Elite such as the USB Type-C port, vertical GPU mount, and tempered glass side panel.
- Since the NZXT H510i is priced at 2/3 the price of the Elite, it is indeed a better buy.
Cons:
- You need to buy additional intake fans because the included fans aren’t enough.
NZXT H510 Elite
Pros:
- The H510 Elite justifies its higher price with the addition of a tempered glass front panel.
- The dual Aer RGB 2 fans are an added value since they cost expensive on their own.
- You can benefit from the improved thermals due to the additional more robust fans.
Cons:
- The tempered glass panels wobble a little bit considering it is in the premium price range.
The Final Verdict
The NZXT H510i and H510 Elite share so many characteristics since their frames are identical. If you want a PC case that can catch attention, go with the H510 Elite. Otherwise, you can save money and buy H510i if you have a tight budget. I think the H510 Elite can still give you a great value for your money with the tempered glass front panel and added fans. A single 140 mm Aer RGB 2 fan costs $29.99 according to NZXT’s official website. So, if you buy an H510i with two of these fans, then you will go over the price of the H510 Elite. In summary, both are great values for their price.