NZXT Phantom Window Panel News?

[Mumbles37]

It's been several months since Tom said in a video that NZXT had promised to release a windowed side panel for their Phantom. People have casually mentioned it in posts here and there. I have scoured the internet and even tried emailing NZXT, but I can't find anything new...

Does anybody know anything about this? Is there any news here?

 

[Mumbles37]

Guess not! Oh well, back to waiting impatiently...

 

[darkshadow]

I mean I hope they do, cause I have a black Phantom and I seriously want the window. Maybe you should try asking on the nzxt forum.

 

[C3mods]

I haven't heard anything about them bringing out a windowed side panel yet. I am on the nzxt facebook page and their website all the time and haven't read anywhere about it. But I have one that I am going to mod, take out the opening where the 200 side fan goes and put a window in it.

 

[Mumbles37]

Yeah, thanks guys. I've asked the same question on the NZXT forums but all I get is a guy called David Mack evading my questions about it, saying how there is no demand for a window, and talking about how cool the case keeps his hard drives.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to go down that road as well, C3mods. Time to buy that dremel!

 

[Grizzly]

Yeah, thanks guys. I've asked the same question on the NZXT forums but all I get is a guy called David Mack evading my questions about it, saying how there is no demand for a window, and talking about how cool the case keeps his hard drives.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to go down that road as well, C3mods. Time to buy that dremel!

Surely you'd be better off using the cutout that's already there?

Then all you gotta do is remove the mesh stick in some plexi and boom you've got a Phantom with a window!

 

[Mumbles37]

Surely you'd be better off using the cutout that's already there?

Then all you gotta do is remove the mesh stick in some plexi and boom you've got a Phantom with a window!

Yes, that is very true...and even a window just in place of the mesh is a huge improvement...

...but I'm greedy, and selfish, and stubborn! I want to see more motherboard real estate!

 

[alicarve]

I have read somewhere on their forums that they went against the idea of a window due to it affecting the airflow too much

 

[Mumbles37]

I have read somewhere on their forums that they went against the idea of a window due to it affecting the airflow too much

Yes they've given me that line a few times already...

but I don't see it personally. The Phantom's airflow is pretty lackluster without some modification, what with the two side 120mm fans blowing right out the mesh on the other side of the case and the optional front fan doing absolutely nothing because of the 3.5" bays... I've got a side 200mm fan but really all it's doing is hitting the back of my video card since its positioning is so far toward the top-left of the panel. It does absolutely nothing for the CPU. I'd rather have that area closed and force air through the case and out the back exclusively from the front.

But that's almost beside the point--if so many people want the window, why not give it to them? I mean, even if it meant losing a couple degrees I'd still get it (although based on my crude personal experiments I'm convinced it will help my airflow). And besides, they pwomised Tom!

On a funny side note, every time I post something about airflow or windows over there, the admin comes on and tells me how great the Phantom cools his hard drives. "I have the 140mm installed here and my HD temps are 1C above room temp!" With 3 fans cooling the HDDs and 0 feeding the CPU cooler from outside the case you'd really hope the HDDs would be cool

 

[stevebarnes15]

Time to get the dremel out then lads by sounds of things?,seriously debating doing mine myself.

 

[BARRYWB]

Tip: click inside this box to load the editor

 

[BARRYWB]

I must join NZXT forum and join you in asking the same question.

Maybe if enough ask, NZXT may just listen. We the “customer” what a side window for the Phantom.

 

[Mumbles37]

Indeed we do!

I actually just went out and bought a dremel anyway and cut a bigger window hole in the side panel as well as some sheet plastic for the window. Should be all finished very soon, and I'll put up a project log or something here or in the Rig Gallery when I'm finished.

 

[stevebarnes15]

Nice one mate,will be good to see how it turns out.What are you planning fixing the window in with?,screws, or rubber beading?

 

[BARRYWB]

Indeed we do!

I actually just went out and bought a dremel anyway and cut a bigger window hole in the side panel as well as some sheet plastic for the window. Should be all finished very soon, and I'll put up a project log or something here or in the Rig Gallery when I'm finished.

Look forward to seeing it

 

[Mumbles37]

Nice one mate,will be good to see how it turns out.What are you planning fixing the window in with?,screws, or rubber beading?

Well, although I would have liked to do it with screws or bolts because I like that look, I made the window rather large (the whole size of the black mesh minus 2 mm) so I'm planning on fastening it with double-sided tape. I've tested this on the right side panel mesh and it looks good so I'm hoping it'll be ok with the left side panel, too. Will know tonight as it's ready to be assembled.

 

[Mumbles37]

Finished the window, it can be seen here.