NZXT S340 Elite or Phanteks Eclipse P400S ?

[Engr62]

I'm looking to purchase either the NZXT S340 Elite or the Phanteks Eclipse P400S very soon. My current case is a Rosewill Redbone, and my system consists of:

i7-4770K
ASRock Z87 Pro 3 Motherboard
Cooler Master Seidon 120M AIO cooler
32gb DDR3
HIS Radeon HD 7970 IceQ X
Intel 730 480gb SSD
LG 12x Blu-ray Drive
3x 3.5" HDD (1x 1TB, 1x 3TB, and 1x 4TB)

The Redbone is a pretty nice case, but I've been trying to reduce my system temperatures by adding case fans lately with only marginally better temperatures. It's really time to upgrade the case.

I know that I'll have to give up my Blu-ray drive with either one of these cases, but I have an ASUS USB 3.0 external 12x Blu-ray burner that I purchased a little over a year ago on a whim that I've never used. I hate to add to the clutter of my desk with an external Blu-ray drive, but I'm sure I can live with it. I'll have to as I still use my drive quite a bit.

I'd really like input from owners of these cases--especially those that may have had both of these cases at one time or another. Tell me what you like or don't like after "living" in this case for a while.

Here are my pros/cons:

NZXT S340 Elite:

Pro:
+ Asthetics -- This is the best looking case of the two (I like straight lines rather than curved or angular)
+ Size -- I like the size of the case (part of which is the front face is flat)
+ Extras -- magnetic puck is nice (although I don't really know that I'll use it)
+ Placement of top/front USB 3.0 ports
+ Cut outs in PSU shroud for cable routing

Con:
- No DVD/Blu-Ray Drive support (neither case has this)
- Limited 3.5" HDD Mounts (holds 2 in the bracket, with 1 mounted on the PSU shroud). I'm afraid having the drives stacked like this may cause them to run too hot. Plus, I can't add any more HDDs than I've already got.
- Cable management clips -- I'm not sure how well these will hold based on some of the reviews.
- No dust filter on top of case

Phanteks P400S:

Pro:
+ 3.5" HDD tray holds 2x -- Plus, 4 more HDD trays can be added (not sure of the cost of these)
+ Cable management -- velco straps look like they'll stay in place better
+ Room in from of case (without additional HDD trays)
+ Extras -- LED lighting built in.

Con:
- Asethetics -- I'm not a big fan of the angular/curved front, but maybe it would grow on me. I don't like that it angles out at the bottom.
- Can only handle 2x 3.5" HDD out of the box -- additional trays at an additional cost
- Cut outs in PSU shroud are not as big or located as well as the S340
- Addition of extra 3.5" HDD trays will block front fans

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I would really like to hear from anyone that has either one of these cases and regrets getting it--would just like to hear about anything that just really bothered you once you started using it for your system.

 

[atarione]

I like the looks of the 340 much much better... I haven't used either case my own case is a NZXT H630 (white) which I have had for 4+ yrs..great case..good looking.

NZXT support was very nice to me, I was gutted when I made a mistake and something fell onto one of the side panels of my case denting/scratching it. I called them wanting to buy a replacement side panel (explaining the mistake honestly (totally my own fault).. but they RMA'd a new side panel for free... In so doing they have guaranteed I will at least look at them first for my next cases/ cases for friends.. and recommend them... I think the NZXT is quite attractive and looks to be good value for money.

 

[Engr62]

Thanks for the information.

I ended up ordering the NZXT S340 Elite (Red/Black). Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be happy.

 

[guitarslingerchris]

My experience with the NZXT cases, both the S340 and the H440, are that they are really nice cases and well thought out with a lackluster execution. I fully believe that I am biased and have been spoiled by buying expensive cases for well over a decade but when captive thumbscrews aren't captive and the threads feel like you're stripping them and are brutally difficult to turn by hand and the finish isn't smooth it just wears on me for a case that is north of $100. Do I think it's worth it? Kinda but just not for me. Building in the cases is great aside from dealing with the screws so the features are excellent but the fit and finish just isn't there. Maybe I'm expecting too much at that price point but honestly on average I find Phanteks cases to be better for the money but the styling is all preference. My buddies' P400S is immaculate and everything feels great but my Enthoo Primo is lackluster in the screw/threads department but the finish is excellent everywhere.