After over three years of research and development, Hyte is still persistent in releasing the Z90 full-mesh chassis someday. Targeting maximum breathability, optimal temperatures, and low noise levels, the so-called ‘Impossible Airflow’ case has thus far proven extremely hard/expensive to manufacture.
Looking like an organic alien spaceship ready to fuse itself to your desk, the Z90 is fully covered with mesh openings aimed to maximise breathability. The idea is to circulate air with as little pressure and resistance as possible to ensure low noise levels and great hardware temperatures.
This mesh is topped by organic-looking blades, which are the source of Hyte’s troubles in making mass production viable. It seems that manufacturing these parts is tricky at reasonable cost, especially if Hyte wants to keep the uninterrupted finish that gives the illusion of continuity. Aside from their unique style, Hyte claims that its ‘Louvered Blade Ventilation’ reduces exhaust impedance, facilitating the most efficient thermal design and cooling performance of any case it ever made. Bold claims.
But that’s not all, the Z90 features the brand’s unibody FA20 Duo fans, which combine two large 200mm LCP fans into a single frame. This 42mm-thick fan is powered by 6-pole motors and sits on the bottom part of the chassis, directly feeding the GPU with fresh air. Hyte claims the FA20 can deliver over 175CFM of airflow while remaining quieter than human breathing. Very much depends on the human, of course, but suffice to say; they reckon the case will be whisper quiet in most scenarios.
Those happy to accept a little more noise in favour of cooling credentials could add another 2x200mm set in the front, up to 3x120mm fans on the side, and a single 140mm on the rear. For heavy graphics cards, the Z90 also includes a support bracket that integrates seamlessly while enabling easy fitment.
The keen-eyed among you may have spotted the frame/mesh resemblance to the X50 case. Well, that’s intentional as the X50 is a direct result of the Z90’s development, reusing the rounded frame and case internals while skipping the complicated organic-looking ridges which envelope the mesh core of the Z90. A clever way to make use of existing moulds and manufacturing lines to recoup some of the development cost.
Speaking of which, the X50 is also getting a new orange colour, adding to the already extensive list of hues on offer. I think I still prefer the Matcha Milk (green) that Chris reviewed in November, but orange sure does catch the eye. Again, you will find the same well-ventilated chassis with zero sharp corners and excellent hardware compatibility at $159.99.
The Z90 on the other hand is still in development limbo with no insurance if it will ever see the light of day. What is certain is that Hyte would love to bring it to market, and we’d love to see it, just not at the $10,000 prototype cost.
