NZXT Rogue SFF Gaming Chassis

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by Colin Huckstep on January 18, 2008 in Cases & PSUs

If on the search for a great-looking gaming chassis that’s also portable, NZXT might have you covered. Their “SFF” label might be a bit of an understatement though – this case is far from being small. Despite that, it looks good, offers a whack of functionality and is definitely worth a look.

Page 3 – Thermal Testing, Final Thoughts


Before we jump into our testing results, here are the specs of the completed machine:

  • CPU Athlon 64 X2 6400+ (@3.2Ghz)
  • Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H
  • Memory: A-DATA Extreme Edition DDR2-800 CL4 2x1GB
  • Video: Sapphire 512MB ATi HD2600XT
  • Storage: Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATAII
  • PSU: Antec SU-380 380W
  • Etcetera: Windows XP Pro, Hauppauge PVR-150

Thermal testing is a fairly subjective test, given the number of variables involved. For this testing I’ll be comparing the Rogue against my reference case the AccoustiCase 340. This is my everyday user case, primarily because it is very quiet. I run the AccoustiCase with the same Antec SU-380 and two Evercool Evergreen 120mm fans. I tested the Rogue using the stock three fan configuration as well as with the additional two Evergreen 120’s.

Given the negligable difference in temperature between 3 fans and 5 fans, and the increase in noise, I wouldn’t really recommend using 5 fans. The Rogue significantly out performs the AccoustiCase at the expense of some additional noise. Still, the Rogue is reasonably quiet for what it is. I wouldn’t want to sleep in a room where it was running, but I could certainly live with it in a room I was working in.

Final Thoughts

Overall I think NZXT built a nice case with the Rogue. However, I feel they missed the mark a bit. I can’t honestly call the Rogue a small form factor case as I could nearly fit two Shuttle XPC cases inside. In reality NZXT has simply created a massive case with a non-standard layout.

If you’re looking for something that is a different than the norm, then the Rogue may be for you. The case is well built, though a bit heavy. The carrying strap makes what would be an awkward case, simple to carry – though the quality of the strap left something to be desired.

The Rogue is capable of fitting pretty much anything you could imagine putting in it. Living up to its slogan of “Enormous Power Within”. So if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary and don’t mind spending $150 to get it, the Rogue may be right up your alley.

    Pros

  • Well Built
  • Reasonably Quiet
  • Outside the Norm
    Cons

  • Somewhat Expensive ($150)
  • Heavy
  • Poor quality on the Carrying Strap

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