The H1 PC case from NZXT shown above can cause a short circuit due to a hardware deficiency. In the worst case, this will cause a fire. The problem has been known for two months, but the supposed solution has now caused a stir and criticism.
What exactly is it about? The case, which is reminiscent of an Xbox Series X, also uses a so-called riser card for the installation of the graphics card because of its rather unusual shape. Put simply, it relocates the PCI Express connector on the mainboard to a different location.
The design and material of the riser card mean that one of the screws required for fastening can inadvertently make contact with the PCI Express connections. This carries the risk of a short circuit and even a fire, as GamersNexus shows in the following video:
Link to YouTube content
NZXT initially reacts with new screws
The beginning of December 2020 is NZXT in a blog post addressed the problem. To be on the safe side, it was recommended not to switch on the PC until the appropriate repair kits have been sent.
Alternatively, there were also brief instructions on how to remove the corresponding screw (see the following picture). The repair kits were finally shipped in late December. At the beginning of January 2021 it was finally said that the problem was solved and the housing was ready for sale again.
Why is NZXT criticized for this? The repair kits contain nylon screws that can no longer cause a short circuit. However, this does not take into account the problem that not everyone has to use these screws to install the riser card.
The much safer alternative to solving the problem, on the other hand, consists in revising the riser card, for example in increasing the distance between the screw hole and the contacts or in additional shielding.
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The best PC cases for gamers in comparison
Alternatives in our purchase advice: If you don’t want to wait for the new riser cards for the H1 or if you don’t like the case in general, you will definitely find another promising candidate in our recommendations for PC cases.
Criticism on Youtube lets NZXT give in
This has again taken GamersNexus as an opportunity to sharply criticize NZXT for this approach. This is the title of the corresponding video »NZXT is Irresponsible & Dangerous: H1 Riser Fire Risk should be recalled«.
This criticism is also related to the fact that GamersNexus has repeatedly pointed out the problem to NZXT and shared the findings from its own tests with NZXT. The opportunity to react before the video was published was therefore given several times, but not used.
At the end of the day, the GamersNexus videos still had an impact: the CEO of NZXT was in one new blog post publicly apologized to the customers and also to GamersNexus host Steve Bruke. Sales of the enclosure will again be stopped and new riser cards will be created.
