Detailed Exterior Features

The top of the Tempest Evo features a rather simplistic design, with 2 USB 2.0 ports, audio jacks, and a single eSata port. The two USB ports seem a little too close to each other, but two thumb-sized USB keys should fit no problem.

The top exhaust fans are positioned to suck air straight from the CPU coolor. All fans can be individually removed, each with its own 3-pin fan-control connector, both male/female 4-pin molex power supply cables. In the end you will probably find yourself connecting bunch of the fans together, and looping them around the case to reach the PSU at the bottom. This is probably the hardest part if you love cable management and want to keep the case looking clean.

The bottom stands are rubbery and will keep the steel body of the NZXT Tempest Evo safe from scratches. There is also a PSU vent for allowing extra air flow. Unfortunately there is no dust filter on the bottom.

The entire front section of the case can be removed to reveal drive bays and fans. It will require a hard tug to get off the first couple times. Taking off the front of the case also happens to be the only way to remove the mesh. Slightly inconvenient, but that depends how often you swap your external bays.

The fans can be taken off by loosening four screws. Each fan is covered by a removable dust filter, a nice plus for watching to details. The wires for the front LED's are looped in from the bottom of the case, which is great because it leads straight to the PSU. Right behind the fans are the HDD drive cages, which will be kept cool by the two fans blowing fresh air straight at them.

The external design of the NZXT Tempest Evo is quite well thought out. The design and color, as well as small details have been refined. With major components sitting right next to the case fans, and dust filters located at most of the critical locations, the chassis seems promising so far. Let's take a look at the interior now.

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