NZXT H500 vs H500i: Which PC case should you buy?

Sleek mid-tower

NZXT H500

Colorful upgrade

NZXT H500i

The H500 is a smashing mid-belfry PC case with some crawly features similar practiced airflow, back up for cable management, and it even comes with a front-panel USB 3.0 ports. If yous're not a fan of lighting and other PC mods, this is the case for y'all.

$72 at Amazon

Pros

Sleek design
Good airflow
Value
Cable direction

Cons

No Smart Device
No GPU mount

The H500i is a solid upgrade over the "normal" version. All that's different is the inclusion of NZXT'south Smart Device, which can hook up to LED strips and fans with full support for CAM software. Yous go the same proficient airflow, support for cable direction, and USB three.0 ports, but yous're paying more for the additional mods.

$92 at Amazon

Pros

Sleek design
Good airflow
Smart lighting
Cable management

Choosing betwixt the H500 and H500i comes down to how big your budget is, as well as whether y'all need (or desire) to install RGB lighting and connect uniform fans for CAM software to control everything. In that location's also the fact the H500i has vertical GPU mount support.

NZXT H500 vs H500i specifications

Both the NZXT H500 and H500i are nigh identical on paper, sporting the same dimensions, ports, build quality, tempered glass window side, and more. NZXT bundles 2 Aer F120mm fans with the H500 and H500i, which tin be installed when putting together your build.

	NZXT H500	NZXT H500i
Size	Mid-tower	Mid-tower
Fans	Front: 2x 120/140mm Top: 1x 120/140mm Rear: 1x 120mm	Forepart: 2x 120/140mm Peak: 1x 120/140mm Rear: 1x 120mm
Radiators	Front: up to 280mm Rear: 1x 120mm	Forepart: up to 280mm Rear: 1x 120mm
Material	SECC Steel Tempered Drinking glass	SECC Steel Tempered Glass
Motherboard	ATX Micro-ATX Mini-ITX	ATX Micro-ATX Mini-ITX
I/O	2x USB iii.i Gen ane Type-A 1x Headset audio jack 1x microphone jack	2x USB three.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1x Headset audio jack 1x microphone jack
HDD bays	2.5-inch: 2+one iii.5-inch: two+1	2.5-inch: 2+i 3.5-inch: 2+i
Filters	All intakes	All intakes
RGB lighting	-	✓
Vertical GPU	-	✓
Weight	6.6kg	half-dozen.8kg
Dimensions	210 x 460 x 428mm	210 x 460 x 428mm
Warranty	2-years	2-years

NZXT H500 vs H500i colorful differences

NZXT H500i

The H500 and H500i are mostly the same with both chassis coming with similar color options and internal layouts. While the "intelligent" model includes some RGB lighting strips and Smart Device, there'south also the inclusion of a vertical GPU mountain. This kit allows you lot to mount your GPU vertically, showing off the fans and overall design of the GPU while likewise providing improve clearance between it and the motherboard.

The RGB strips are part of the latest HUE family of NZXT products, providing illumination for the entire case. The coin required for these additional features really works out to be a better value compared to buying the H500 and necessary NZXT RGB kit thereafter. There is a slight drawback to having an RGB kit included with the example, but that's only if you want to use a tertiary-party lighting solution.

While the Smart Device is a great add-on to make the H500i price easier to digest, information technology would have been expert to come across the vertical mount back up implemented into the baseline H500. You lot'd need to put upwards with colorful lighting furnishings or remove the kit altogether, which would make the additional price harder to justify.

When you only want a decent instance

If all you lot care about is grabbing a PC case that looks good and works well as a base of operations for some killer builds, expect no further than the H500. If RGB lighting isn't quite your thing, this version of the H500i will salve y'all money and weight.

Sleek mid-tower

NZXT H500

Splendid mid-tower PC case for stunning builds.

NZXT has done a great job with the aesthetics of the H-serial and the H500 is a great middle footing for well-nigh PC builds. If you want your PC to expect as good equally it runs, this is a killer option.

Become with the H500i to create a light bear witness

When the standard H500 is a little too dull for those who want to go all out with lighting and other case mods, the H500i is a solid upgrade for the price. The boosted toll bags you the Smart Device, which can hook up to the included RGB strips and any compatible fans, likewise as vertical GPU mounting support.

Colorful upgrade

NZXT H500i

For those who love packing in RGB lighting and more than into a PC.

The i, continuing for "intelligent", is an advanced version of the H500, taking everything that makes the case so good and adding full support for NZXT'due south Smart Device, so you can claw up all your LED strips and fans.

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