NZXT offers the H9 Flow in three versions. The first is a $169.99 base model (no “RGB”) with three ordinary fans up front and one in the rear. Our $209.99 RGB test model comes with three RGB-equipped fans up front, but uniquely encased in one combined fan “unit” (more about which later) that NZXT calls its RGB Core Single Frame design; the rear fan is a single RGB spinner. Last, a top-end RGB Plus model ($289.99) includes a second RGB Core Single Frame triple-fan unit on the case bottom.
Traditional front-fan cases have the advantage of blowing air directly onto the components that those fans are intended to keep cool, but side-radiator cases (like Lian Li’s O11 Vision Compact) offer better views of internal components for showcase-PC builders. Seen previously on models like NZXT’s own H6 Flow and the more recent APNX V1, angled fan mounts like those on the H9 Flow RGB offer the best of both worlds. All three cases also share a dual-chamber design, in which the case is wide enough to fit the power supply mounting area behind the motherboard tray. That, in turn, moves the angled fan mount far enough to the right to give onlookers a straight view from the case’s front window to the front edge of the motherboard. The H9 Flow RGB is merely the first such case we know of to support the rear-facing connectors of MSI’s Project Zero and Asus’ BTF -style motherboards.
NZXT seems to think that you’ll want the H9 Flow RGB on your desk, as its headset (headphone/microphone combo) jack, USB 3.x Type-C and dual Type-A ports and power button are all lined up along the bottom, too far down for floor-tower users to reach. The power button has a clear ring that lights to indicate when the system is powered up.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
A raised floor behind all these features provides a 25mm-deep hole into which users can flush-mount up to three 140mm cooling fans.
The bottom panel’s fan mount, mentioned above, is covered from beneath by a filter that slides out, as shown below. From this angle, we can also get a good view of the recessed fan mount’s hidden cable passages, as well as those that feed the lower edge of standard and rear-facing motherboard connectors.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
From the back we can see that the H9 Flow RGB’s power supply mount hides directly behind the motherboard’s I/O panel. The case has ATX’s standard number of expansion slots (seven), and the slot panel is boxed into the case rather than sticking out the back. Above the slot panel. the exhaust fan is mounted to long slots that allow for more than 40mm of vertical adjustment.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
We also see below how generous the space is above and below the motherboard, as the H9 Flow RGB is designed to hold thick radiator and fan combinations in both locations. The H9 Flow RGB has room for a group of slightly oversize enthusiast-class motherboards that are too large to call ATX (such as the ASRock X870E Taichi Lite), but the mounting area lacks mechanical support for the 13-inch depth of full-spec Extended ATX (EATX) boards. Boxed-in sections designed to partially hide the upper and lower cables of standard boards are functional for most boards up to 10.9 inches deep, but the forward cable passage for such boards must be opened up by removing a filler panel.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
A closer look from the other side of the boxed-in section north of the motherboard area shows two large cable passages. These allow cables like the ATX12V/EPS12V and fan connectors to reach the motherboard’s top edge. We also see a narrower slot just below the upper fan mount, which is a convenient, out-of-sight place to route the fan cables of any top-mounted radiator combo.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Lowering our view angle lets us focus on things like the swinging/removable four-drive 2.5-inch tray, the power supply tray, and the removable dual 3.5-inch drive cage.
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(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Extra holes on the opposite sides of the removable 3.5-inch cage allow it to optionally fit 2.5-inch drives.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)
Also compatible with the case’s top or bottom mount, the 140mm-by-420mm triple front fan is the H9 Flow RGB’s most unusual feature. The three fans are a one-piece unit, and a single black connector breaks out into NZXT RGB, standard ARGB, and PWM fan connections via an included adapter. It makes for a super-clean, neat look.
(Credit: Thomas Soderstrom)