Product Listing

NZXT Phantom 630 Ultra Tower Chassis - Tall, Grey and Handsome

By Wong Chung Wee - 5 Aug 2013
Launch SRP: S$288

NZXT Phantom 630 Ultra Tower Chassis

The New Phantom Sans Chiseled Look

Just three years ago, in 2010, NZXT launched their Phantom series of PC casings. With its chiseled facade and hefty presence, the casing cut a cool look above the rest of the full tower competitors. It also featured a generous bundle of cooling options. NZXT have gone from strength to strength, by introducing new interpretations of design concept behind the Phantom series. We managed to review the first incarnation of the Phantom and we walked away impressed with its avant-garde appearance and the designer's attention to details.

The NZXT Phantom 630 is the new ultra tower chassis from the company. With its updated facade that removed the angled looks of the old Phantom, it also features a revamped interior.

Fast forward to the present, we are presented with the ultra tower Phantom 630 that measures 630mm in height. It towers over the first Phantom by 87mm! We approached NZXT to ask them about the exact difference, besides the physical dimensions, between a "full" and an "ultra" tower chassis. They replied they were the first to coin the term "ultra casing", to differentiate these larger casings from the standard sized full tower ones. NZXT also pointed out their 600 series casings are marketed as "ultra" casings while the 800 series are termed as "ultra plus" casings. Whether such naming conventions would catch on is anyone's guess, but yes, the casing is a bit larger than a standard full tower chassis.

Regardless of the size, we managed to get our hands on the Gunmetal Phantom 630, and at first glance, the chassis sports a subtle angular look, with a pleasant smooth look. We can also see its bundled white cooling fans clearly through its black metal mesh coverings. Read on as we delve deeper into the Phantom 630.

NZXT Phantom 630 Specifications
  NZXT Phantom 630
  NZXT Phantom 630
Launch SRP
  • From S$288
Casing Dimensions and Specifications
  • Dimensions: 245mm x 627mm x 600mm (W x H x D)
  • Material: SECC steel / ABS Plastic
  • Case color: Gunmetal
  • Weight: 12.3kg
  • MB support: EATX (347mm x 272mm), ATX, mATX, XL-ATX
Drive Bays and Expansion Slots / Ports
  • 4 x 5.25-inch drive bays
  • 2 x 2.5-inch slots
  • 1 x 3.5-inch large drive cage (for 3 x 3.5-inch drives)
  • 1 x 3.5-inch medium drive cage (for 2 x 3.5-inch drives)
  • 1 x 3.5-inch small drive cage (for 1 x 3.5-inch drive)
Case Cooling
  • Front: 1 x 200mm fan or 2 x 140mm fans (1 x 200mm fan, pre-installed)
  • Side: 1 x 200mm fan (pre-installed)
  • Top: 2 x 200mm fans or 3 x 120mm fans (1 x 200mm fan, pre-installed)
  • Bottom: 2 x 140mm fans (optional)
  • Rear: 1 x 140mm fan (pre-installed)
  • HDD Drive Bay: 1 x 140mm fan (optional)
Power Supply
  • Takes in standard PS2 ATX PSUs (optional)

 

Exterior Design

In terms of its construct, the casing is made up of SECC steel and ABS plastic. SECC steel is galvanized steel that is electroplated with paint for a smooth and even finish. As such, we can see that the casing already boasts of quality composite materials with good finishing. The empty chassis weighs in at 12.3kg and has the following dimensions; 245mm (width) x 627mm (height) x 600mm (depth).

The top view of the Phantom 630. There is a bundled 200mm cooling fan, behind the wire mesh of the top panel.

With the casing's large proportions, the cooling capacity built-in to the case is equally impressive - there are no less than three 200mm fans that are strategically placed on the casing's front, top and side panels respectively. The next point of interest is the casing's top control panel with an array of I/O ports:-

There are two flushed buttons, of the same gunmetal color as the chassis. The larger one is the power button, and the smaller one is the reset button. There is a small rubber button to control the LED lights of the rear I/O ports, and the larger rubber switch controls the fan speeds. The pictured fan speed notification with its LED lighting shows the fans at medium speed.

The LED lights are controlled by the button at the top control panel. They may be useful in low-light conditions when you need to scrutinize the rear I/O ports, or the ports of your expansion cards. It's a handy frill when you're likely to place the case under a desk.

A large rubber switch on the control panel toggles the speed of the fans through three settings: low, medium and high. Just next to it is a fan speed display that would indicate the fan speed settings. In terms of front panel I/O connectivity, there are a total of four USB ports (twin USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connections respectively, headphone and microphone input ports.

We see a pair of blue USB 3.0 ports and two black USB 2.0 ones. The headphone and mic ports follow accordingly.

But enough of us parading its top face as the front facade is probably what makes or breaks your casing purchase decision half of the time.With the below photos, you can better notice the subtle, and yet strong lines that define its facade. You can also notice the bundled front 200mm intake fan while its front panel door gives access to four 5.25-inch drive bays and an SD card reader.

Don't you feel that the Phantom 630's facade bears a strong semblance to a Cylon? (Hint: Battlestar Galactica)

On the back of the case, you'll find a 140mm exhaust fan, nine expansion slots and the bottom-mounted PSU opening.

Behind the front panel door lies four 5.25-inch drive bays. We need not bash out any mesh covers as the drive bay cover is easily removed with a quick push of its rubber release catch. Note the SD card reader above the bays which supports SDHC and SDXC card types.

Next, we moved to the bottom of the chassis where we removed the two filters for a clearer look at the cooling options.The vents at the rear are for the bottom-mounted power supply unit (PSU). Nearer to the front of the chassis, there are options to mount up to a pair of intake 120- or 140mm fans.

The removable bottom filters feature a fine plastic mesh and it felt firm to the touch. The front bottom fan filter can be easily removed, perhaps a little too easily as we accidentally removed it while shifting the chassis. The rear fan filter prevents dust from being sucked into the casing through the PSU's intake fan since the the PSU is mounted at the bottom of the case.

This is the front rear filter that covers the optional bottom intake cooling fans.

The rear bottom filter serves the cooling fan of the bottom-mounted PSU.

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8.5
  • Aesthetics 8.5
  • Functionality 8.5
  • Usability 8.5
  • Value 8
The Good
Flexible cooling and installation options
Generous bundle of cooling fans
Central control for fan speeds
The Bad
Side metal panels attracted fingerprints
Heavy and difficult to move
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