Design & Features

This large case is loaded with features, some of which are quite unique and impressive.  Let's have a detailed look...

The Outside

Starting with the front, the hinged door is primarily made of plastic but has a very unique aluminum faceplate with a strip-like LED hidden within.  This is honestly the one design feature that truly makes this server case unlike the norm.  Moving to the top front, you'll find the two power/status LEDs and a very small power button.  Despite the fact that it is obviously designed as a server case, there's a nice hidden I/O extension panel with your usual gaming ports, including USB extension ports.  The key difference here is that it does feature an eSATA port for maximum convenience.

Open the front door and it will reveal all external 5.25" bays, one which has a 3.5" adapter already installed.  Unlike some full tower cases that have five, the Whisper has a total of seven external bays.  The bottom front is where you'll find a honeycomb style steel mesh design for the included front intake 120mm fan.  However, unlike some cases I have reviewed, the fan is not modular and will not allow you to pry off the grill for maintenance.  A design similar to the one found on the Silverstone Kublia would have been nice.

Moving on to the back, there's plenty here that makes this case quite unique.  First off,  it clearly indicates this is one of those inverted cases in terms of your hardware install.  Unlike some cases, you have have the I/O opening on the top and the PSU mount on the bottom.  A closer look at the middle section reveals two rubber outlets supporting external watercooling solutions.  Also, in addition to a top mounted 120mm fan, there are two additional 80mm exhaust fans located right above the PSU mount.

The Inside

It is only when you remove that side panel and have a look inside when you start to really appreciate its clever design and high level of component support.

**click to enlarge**

Storage support is really one of the two main areas of focus and the Whisper certainly does not disappoint.  Starting with external storage support, this case has a total of seven external bays, one of which comes with a 3.5" adapter.  They all feature a somewhat clever tool-less design I will elaborate on further in the next section.

Taking a much closer look inside, you'll instantly be impressed by the sheer number of internal drive bays.  The Whisper has a whopping 9 internal drive bays, all of which are conveniently located near the front and rear fans for proper heat dissipation.

As far as cooling goes, the Whisper sports a front and rear 120mm fan for efficient heat dissipation.  Note that the front fan that is included is an LED fan, designed to accent the its overall design via its lighting effect.  In addition, you also have two fairly thick 80mm fans located right above the PSU for added cooling.

In addition to its highly impressive storage support, the second main area of focus is noise, and NZXT has managed to take every simple yet rare opportunity to provide just that.  In fact, as long as these products have been on the market, I'm still quite surprised as to how a majority still don't take such simple measures.  All that is required to further eliminate unwanted noise it to add some noise dampening foam and focus on the main components that are capable of producing vibration.  NZXT has done just that with the Whisper and not only do both side panels feature 10mm dampening foam, but the drive bays have special rubber grommets and even the PSU have special rubber housing to eliminate vibration.

Next:  Install & Performance