NZXT Updates Price of N7 Z370 Motherboard

[btarunr]

Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers since the launch of the new N7 Z370 motherboard, today NZXT is announcing a change to the product and a price reduction from $299.99 to $249.99, both effective immediately.

"We were surprised-and humbled-by the PC gaming community's reaction to our new N7 motherboard. Our focus on simplifying the assembly process for users building their own gaming PC and our unconventional, minimalist approach to design that makes the motherboard disappear into the case has really resonated with people," says Johnny Hou, NZXT's founder, and CEO. "The feedback we received was, that while the thoughtful layout and beautiful all-metal cover are appealing, the price is a bit too high. We've taken steps to address that today with changes to the configuration and price."



Unlike competitive Z370 motherboard offerings, NZXT originally planned to bundle LED light strips and extension cables in the box. To be able to offer a lower price, these have been removed from the product. NZXT will also sell its N7 motherboard through a more limited channel, lowering the overall cost of operation and allowing the MSRP to be further reduced.

In a strong vote of confidence in the quality of its newest product, NZXT is also increasing the warranty period it offers to the consumer.

"We also heard from the PC gaming community that they are concerned with our ability to produce a high-quality motherboard. We are working with ECS, a company that produces motherboards for some of the world's largest OEMs," continues Johnny, "We are very confident in our quality. And to help allay the fears of the community, we are increasing our warranty from 3 to 4 years."

The NZXT N7 Z370 ATX motherboard is expected to be available from select retailers in the North America and Europe by the end of January*. Customers who have pre-ordered the motherboard will automatically receive the discount prior to shipping.

The NZXT N7 Z370 Motherboard includes the following exclusive features:

• Powered by CAM, NZXT's control, and monitoring software
• 2 RGB lighting channels using HUE+ technology
• 9 digital PWM fan channels based on GRID+ technology
• All-metal motherboard cover finished using the same paints and processes as their cases
• Optional heatsink covers finished matching NZXT's case colorways (matte white and black, as well as glossy red, blue, and purple)

Since the first production runs of the motherboards have already been shipped, initial buyers may find LEDs strips in the package. All future manufacturing runs will remove the LEDs strips and extension cables from the box.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[T1beriu]

Translation: people said we are crazy for asking $300 for this motherboard.

 

[dj-electric]

Thing's a joke even at 250.
This board is 149-169 level

 

[Chaitanya]

Even at that price its overpriced turd at best.

 

[PLAfiller]

Thing's a joke even at 250.
This board is 149-169 level

The armor is like 10-20 bucks alone . To be fair, I like the idea for an armor. I wouldn't mind buying one aftermarket/bundled with a MB, but these are rare commodity. I am guessing their initial price is so high, because they don't have scale of production kick in. After all, NZXT uses a sub-supplier/partner -> ECS and then calculate their own R&D + the markup on the parts. No wonder they started from 300 bucks. But that's just my guess.

 

[bug]

According to newegg, the initial MSRP would make this the fourth most expensive Z370 board. Definitely not how you enter a market (unless you're Apple).
The new MSRP still places this in top 10 among 50+ boards...

 

[laszlo]

expensive but v.nice ; can hardware be sexy?

i'm sure is looking great in a fully transparent case..

 

[[XC] Oj101]

Hey, that motherboard has been hiding on their website for a while actually https://www.nzxt.com/products/h700i-matte-white

 

[Chaitanya]

Hey, that motherboard has been hiding on their website for a while actually https://www.nzxt.com/products/h700i-matte-white

Why go that far its been in plain sight with the press release of Hx00i series cases and was sent to all press outlets.
https://www.techpowerup.com/237933/nzxt-introduces-the-h-series-cases

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Im trying to reserve judgement until people actually get it in their hands and look a the UEFI, how it overclocks etc. So Ill wait for Jayztwocents and LTT to take a look a it.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

I really like the look of this board...
I really like the CAM software suite...
I really wish I was in the market for this right now but I'm not..
I also really hope NZXT continues to do stuff like this especially since this board hit the market at probably the worst time possible and it may give them the wrong impression...

With over inflated GFX and memory prices I just don't think people are going to be as willing to opt for something that costs as much for internal appearance...

I would... If timing had been a little better.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

INC Corsair with a motherboard with built in LINK/Commander/Lighting Node Pro!

 

[Th3pwn3r]

Im trying to reserve judgement until people actually get it in their hands and look a the UEFI, how it overclocks etc. So Ill wait for Jayztwocents and LTT to take a look a it.

That's too logical, terrible post.

I really like the look of this board...
I really like the CAM software suite...
I really wish I was in the market for this right now but I'm not..
I also really hope NZXT continues to do stuff like this especially since this board hit the market at probably the worst time possible and it may give them the wrong impression...

With over inflated GFX and memory prices I just don't think people are going to be as willing to opt for something that costs as much for internal appearance...

I would... If timing had been a little better.

Even if it doesn't sell like crazy this will steer the competition/market to boards that look like this or so I believe. We're in a time of aesthetics.

INC Corsair with a motherboard with built in LINK/Commander/Lighting Node Pro!

That would be great but Corsair would tax heavily for that I think. The board would probably need some extra power too.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

We just need a motherboard made OUT OF rgb already.

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

The armor is like 10-20 bucks alone . To be fair, I like the idea for an armor. I wouldn't mind buying one aftermarket/bundled with a MB, but these are rare commodity. I am guessing their initial price is so high, because they don't have scale of production kick in. After all, NZXT uses a sub-supplier/partner -> ECS and then calculate their own R&D + the markup on the parts. No wonder they started from 300 bucks. But that's just my guess.

R&D costs for NZXT? I doubt it....as this is their first foray into mobo's, I would assume that they probably chose "off the shelf" parts/designs from ECS's catalog and I'm almost certain there's absolutey nothing proprietary or "from scratch" on this motherboard. Why is that? Capitalism...as much as many would like to think quality, and other factors determine what gets made or not, the paramount deciding factor is profit in defining our physical reality (a.k.a. dialectical materialism,) plain and simple. As this is NZXT's first product like this, the goal would be to keep R&D costs to a minimum, if not zero as what this motherboard really represents is NZXT's attempt to determine the "strength"/brand awareness/"mentia" of their brand and whether it can colonize new market sectors. Additional evidence of this can be seen in the motherboard's design, which obviously attempts to achieve the aesthetic of the "other".

What that means is that, NZXT purposely made this board to be "anti" board in terms of its looks with respect to what's already on the market, and that's because it offers nothing new, innovative or daring with respect to its hardware/components/functionality(not referring to its aesthetics like the Mr. Potatohead style "armor"). If I remember correctly, the board's debut youtube video didn't make any mention of specific, high quality components, new or improved overclocking features, implementation of a previously, "only seen in the workstation/commercial market" piece of I/O (e.g. 10GBase-T LAN), etc. The vast majority of motherboards (mainstream market segment, as it is the most competitive and has the largest T.A.M.) looks almost identical in terms of layout and style and usually only differ in I/O and the color way, then the manufacturer will try and differentiate or "one up" each other with a certain singular unique features/utility. This is done by the biggest manufacturers like Asus with, what marketing types call, "top of mind awareness" of their brand as they're hoping it nudges (or forces) the consumers into basing their purchase on irrational, superficial distinctions like brand, and how the consumer "feels" toward that specific brand and lastly, on whatever "defining" feature they've chosen to distinguish their product [which are usually nothing more than a lot of marketing hype]. It'd cost a lot of money and time to have created something from scratch, and arguably, way too much of a financial risk for NZXT, especially considering this is an item with high manufacturing costs with respect to almost every other product they currently offer, and most likely, a much larger minimum order quantity from ECS, not like a $30 fan hub or something. Just look at how they hastily lowered the price by $50, they wouldn't have done so if they did not have the "headroom" in the board's standing cost/profit differential, which yet more evidence that it's nothing but "off the shelf" components and hardware design.

By no means am I criticizing or bad mouthing NZXT, in fact, what I'm saying is that they've made their attempt at this new market with the least risky means at their disposal(financially speaking). Also, I'd be willing to guess that NZXT's decision to go with ECS was based, first and foremost, on options, or lack there of....I don't know for sure, but I bet Asus or MSI don't entertain such business arraignments and wouldn't be willing to unless it was a partnership (e.g. EVGA and Kingpin, Asrock and Nick Shih, etc) of mutual publicity. Secondly, I can't really think of any large PCB manufacturer off the top of my head that would already have inventory (or easy access through established relationships) of Z370 chipsets on hand like I'm sure ECS, which again, lowers NZXT's required minimum investment into this mother as I'm sure it allowed ECS to enforce much smaller minimum order quantity on NZXT

 

[Dave65]

You can't polish a turd, pepper!

 

[Crustybeaver]

We just need a motherboard made OUT OF rgb already.

 

[peche]

nzxt making motherboards now? introducing their 1st one with an insane price tag?
nice start nzxt, indeed

 

[Ruru]

Weird, I don't think that this is insanely priced. Tho for me, 200eur is the maximum what I would pay for a motherboard, I've seen much more expensive motherboards, and they're not overpriced IMO.

I might be the only one who thinks that.

 

[Chaitanya]

Its a garbage board.