High-end hardware fits in neatly, as illustrated by our dual-GPU test platform, however the S340's budget-friendly intentions are still present on the pricier Elite. Drive support is slightly enhanced, with NZXT adding a third 2.5in SSD tray to the PSU shroud, and there are still two 3.5in hard-disk bays positioned at the end of the PSU compartment. Ample room to work with and either a Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX or ATX motherboard will slot in with ease. In keeping with the 2014 model, the 2016 refresh supports a CPU cooler standing up to 161mm in height, while graphics cards can measure up to 364mm in length. Not a great deal has changed on the inside, though that's by no means a criticism. Handy if virtual reality is your thing, however it's a shame NZXT hasn't addressed any other lingering I/O concerns - there's no reset button (as was the case with the original S340) and the Elite sadly doesn't introduce front-facing USB Type-C. Magnetically secured to the case, it allows for headset cables to be wound around its centre and effectively serves as an elaborate mount on which to hang your VR head unit. The strange-looking item attached to the side panel in the above picture is, in case you were wondering, a 'headset and VR cable management puck'. The integrated HDMI cable is pre-routed through a small slot at the back of the chassis where it's easily connected to a compatible graphics card, and the VR-friendly additions don't stop there. The front I/O panel is now home to HDMI-out and a further two USB ports in a layout which NZXT reckons is well suited to a streamlined VR experience. Read our affiliate policy for more info.A large glass panel is a key contributor to the increased price, yet there are other tweaks throughout. Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Or, any one of these 23 cases (opens in new tab), spanning all sorts of shapes and sizes, might tickle your fancy. If you're looking for a case for your new rig, there's a lot to like about the NZXT S340 Elite, and £75 is a decent price (opens in new tab). Alternatively, there's plenty of space for liquid cooling too, with the case supporting two 140mm or 120mm radiators at the front, or a 120mm radiator at the back. As for cooling, there are 120mm fans at the top and rear, and you can add a couple more fans at the front, either 120mm or 140mm. Elsewhere, there's room for three 3.5-inch drives. You can mount a couple of 2.5-inch SSDs on top of the PSU shroud, and the Elite adds an extra mounting option in front of it. Inside the case you'll find extra cable management thanks to interior clamps and cutouts, and there's a steel bar which splits the front intake from the rest of the case. You can also split the puck apart for longer cable coverage.
This doubles as a cable management device, and a handy place to hang your headphones or a VR headset. The most unique addition is that of a magnetic puck (which can be removed if you don't like the look of it stuck to the side of your PC).
You'll also get a couple of extra USB 2.0 ports on the front panel in addition to the existing pair of USB 3.0 ports and audio / microphone ports. Some of the new features the Elite brings over the older S340 include a larger tempered glass side panel, if you enjoy looking at the innards of your PC.
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