NZXT Phantom 530 – The Next Phantom

NZXT’s Phantom series of PC chassis was introduced in 2010 to generally rave reviews. Encompassing four distinct models (the original Phantom, the smaller 410, the larger Ultra Tower 630, and the even larger Ultra+ Tower 820), the series featured distinctive aesthetics, good cooling performance, and great value across different price points.

As good as the original Phantoms were, though, NZXT hopes its new Phantom 530 is the start of even better things to come.

The company says that the new Phantom 530 “was meticulously designed from the ground up for a refreshing new design that is uncompromising in every way.” It also notes that, with the new case, “the NZXT design team painstakingly took every beloved aspect of the original and made it even better.”

To wit, the new Phantom keeps the same aesthetics as the original. It has similar styling cues: The asymmetrical cut-outs on the front face of the case and on the left side panel, the door panel hiding the optical bay, the top-mounted I/O. The new case’s top surface, though, is symmetrical, peaking in the middle; the original Phantom’s treatment of the top-rear vent area was more stylized, with the vents angled and higher on the right side of the case than on the left.

While there are subtle changes to the Phantom 530’s exterior, the interior sees even more evolution. For instance, it features fully modular and interchangeable hard drive cages. It also has a smart SSD mount on the back side of the motherboard tray, as well as NZXT’s innovative rear I/O LEDs. The Phantom 530 also has a single channel 30W fan controller with an integrated 10-port fan hub. This is just as well, since the new case can support up to ten fans. Out of the box, it has one 200mm fan mounted up front and one 140mm fan installed at the rear exhaust position. Optionally, you can mount up to two 120mm/140mm fans at the front, two 120mm fans on the bottom, one 140mm fans on the side panel, either two 200mm/140mm or three 120mm fans up top, and one 120mm/140mm in the interior.

NZXT says that the Phantom 530 has up to 70% more cable management space compared to the original as well as increased options for liquid cooling systems.

The company has set an MSRP of $129.99 for its new Phantom 530, which will be available for sale imminently.