It has been more than five years since we first looked at the NZXT Guardian case.  Back then NZXT was a fresh new face with an innovative take on chassis design.  Today NZXT is a global powerhouse with multiple award winning chassis designs to choose from.  The Guardian 921 chassis is the latest incarnation of the now classic design.  We found the original Guardian case both innovative and a good buy over all.  Lets see if the current generation Guardian stacks up!

NZXT packaging has always let the product design speak for it's self.  The Guardian 921 packaging is no exception.  The box is attractive a displays all the critical data you might need to make an informed purchase.  The 921 is only offered in black with blue lighted accents.

NZXT, a company built on realizing the dreams of gamers worldwide, is proud to announce the Guardian 921, a gaming chassis in the NZXT Crafted Series. Building off of the original Guardian's success, the Guardian 921 features a robust set of features for the budget conscious PC Gamer. Designed with a futuristic and sleek curves, the Guardian 921 is the perfect chassis to show off your gaming chassis. ~NZXT

The Guardian 921 is part of NZXT's Crafted Series of cases.  The design may be loosely designed off the original but the 921 brings active temperature monitoring to the sub $100 market.  The 921 also trades some of the more gaudy elements from the 2004 design in favor of a much cleaner black windowed design. Lets take a closer look at the features.

Features:

• NZXT Crafted Series Design: NZXT's latest addition to the Crafted Series takes cues from gaming culture with elegant curves and a newly designed clear side panel
• Spacious Interior and Solid Construction: Built from solid .88mm and 1.00mm steel, the Guardian 921 gives the user ample space for large, high-end video cards and space for up to four internal hard drives
• Constant Temperature Monitoring: Three temperature probe monitoring system allows the user to constantly gauge thermals within the system at all times to prevent overheating
• Multimedia and peripheral inputs: E-SATA, Intel HD audio, mic, and two USB inputs are standards with the guardian 921 allowing for maximum peripheral input
• Silent Cooling: Comes standard with 3 120mm fans installed to maximize cooling performance with minimal noise

Specifications:

MODEL	GUARDIAN 921
CASE TYPE	MID TOWER STEEL CHASSIS
DIMENSIONS (W x H x D)	206X459X522 mm
COOLING SYSTEM	FRONT, 1 X 120 mm BLUE LED FAN [Included] REAR, 1 X 120 mm FAN [Included] SIDE PANEL, 1 X 120 mm BLUE LED FAN [Included]
DRIVE BAYS	9 DRIVE BAYS 3 EXTERNAL 5.25" DRIVE BAYS 2 EXTERNAL 3.5 " DRIVE BAYS 4 INTERNAL 3.5" DRIVE BAYS SCREWLESS RAIL DESIGN
MATERIAL(S)	SECC STEEL CHASSIS
EXPANSION SLOTS	7
POWER SUPPLY	400 WATT PS2 ATX 12V ( OPTIONAL )
WEIGHT	8.2 KGS (W/O Power)
MOTHERBOARD SUPPORT	MOTHERBOARDS: ATX, MICRO-ATX, BABY AT

The overall design of the Guardian 921 brings to mind lighting elements from the Lexa and a front bezel similar to the Zero.  This award winning linage puts the budget friendly 921 in good company. 

The left side features a large set of acrylic windows and a single 120 mm fan lit by blue LED lights.  The fan is covered with a fine metal mesh and mounted with a set of black plastic clips.  NZXT has placed he ports on the right side as well.  This comes in handy for installations where the window is displayed out, or for LAN party bragging, but can be a bit hard to get to in many desks.

The right side is completely plain.  Despite the indent on the side panel, the lack of thumb screws only reinforces this site was meant to be left alone.

The back is dominated by another black 120mm case fan.  The mounting can be used for smaller fans but I don't think you will use them for anything short of an after market radiator.  NZXT has included two pre-cut and grommet holes for watercooling at the bottom right.  The inclusion shows how closely NZXT listens to the needs of custom PC enthusiasts.