External Overview
The NZXT Tempest EVO is an upgraded version of the original Tempest. Some features in the upgrade are a black internal paint job, smoked window, better cable management, vented expansion covers, white fan blades, and additional watercooling holes. I’ve been using the original Tempest for my rig ever since I reviewed it nearly two years ago. I was very happy with the original, but when I got a hold of the EVO I had to switch my system over to it.
The front panel, composed of plastic, has nine external 5.25” bays with wire mesh covers. Two almost triangular pieces stick out on either side of the front panel with one side having slits in it for HDD activity LEDs and both having acrylic slits down the side for blue LED luminance.
On the top of the case rests a flat surface about the size of a normal hand. Beyond this mark are the easy access ports which include two USB, an eSATA, and audio/mic jacks in addition to the power and reset buttons. Further back on the raised area houses two 120mm exhaust fans with white fan blades all being protected by a black wire mesh.
The side window panel is made of a smoked acrylic and has a trapezoidal shape. A 120mm blue LED fan rests on the left side of the window.
The back panel, unlike the original Tempest, is completely black. Some new features added are the four water cooling holes and mesh expansion slots. Like most cases the Tempest EVO includes a rear 120mm exhaust fan.
The four water cooling holes are up from the two from the original Tempest. Of course this case has a bottom mounted power supply.
Both side panels are secured by the two thumb screws that hold them to the case.
