A Closer Look - Outside

Taking a first look at the chassis, it comes with the same body as on the H230, but instead of going the sound-encapsulating route, the Phantom 240 delivers the same design elements we have seen in NZXT's larger cases.


The cover on the front swings open to the right, ideal for those placing the system on their desk with the window facing their workspace. The rear holds the bottom-mounted PSU bay, and the Phantom 240 also comes with the same high-quality paint job we have come to expect from NZXT.


The main side panel features a large window, so you can show all of your hardware off. The panel on the other side side is completely solid—devoid of any vents or windows.


Metal mesh roughly covers half the Phantom 240's front of the Phantom 240. It does not feature a dust filter, so smaller particles can enter the chassis as time goes on. Behind the door are three 5.25" drive bays with the same locking mechanism as on the more expensive NZXT cases. This contraption allows the user to remove and replace the front covers with ease.


Taking a closer look at the rear, the PSU bay is in the bottom. The bay is multi-directional, so you may install the unit with the fan facing up- or downward. Above that are the motherboard's seven expansion slots and a 120 mm fan. Two small openings right below the fan allow for water-cooling tubes to be routed out the back of the chassis.


The top of the Phantom 240 feature a look similar to that of its larger brothers, though it bulges our quite a bit more. Half the top comes with a metal mesh to mimic the front, but there is no dust filter anywhere, so dirt can enter the chassis freely, and noise can exit it as well. The I/O has also been placed here and consists of two USB 3.0 and the usual pair of audio plugs. Below it, on the top panel's black piece are the power and reset button and a long power LED that wraps around the chassis's top edge. You may even pull the chassis's top cover off to reveal two fan-mounting possibilities for either 120 mm or 140 mm units.


A basic dust filter out of metal mesh protects all openings on the Phantom 240's underside from dirt. While this is good, I am not a fan of this very basic approach as a proper filter would have been nice.