How to Package your BLD PC for RMA Service

This article will cover how to properly package your NZXT BLD system for shipping.  If you received approval for an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization), you are required to follow these guidelines to ensure safe delivery of your PC to our warehouse.

Failure to properly package your system may result in damage to the system or internal components and may result in your warranty being marked as void.

What do I need to package my PC?

All NZXT BLD systems will ship with dedicated packing materials to ensure that the system is safely handled in transit.  We recommend holding onto these packing materials for the full term of your PC's warranty.  These materials will include the following:

• Outer Shipping Box
• 2-inch thick "egg crate" gray foam pads
• Inner NZXT Case Box
• 2 NZXT Case styrofoam blocks
• Internal Packing Materials
  • For older NZXT PCs, this will be 1-2 Instapack® Quick RT expanded foam packets.
  • For newer NZXT PCs, this will be 1-2 specially cut foam braces

Note:  If you are missing any of your original packing materials, please reach out to our Customer Support team to request a replacement packing material kit.  Our team will provide you with a link or invoice where you can purchase a packing material kit specific to your PC's case model.

If you would prefer to source your own packing materials locally, we would recommend the following:

• A large, double corrugated ("double-wall") cardboard box
  • This box should have a minimum of 3" of space on all sides of the computer
  • The box should be rated for a weight of 40+ lbs.
• 2-inch thickness or greater "egg crate" foam pads
  • These will be used to fill the void space between the PC and the case box
• 1-2 Instapak® Quick RT Expanding Foam Packets
  • For systems built in the H5, H7, H510, and H710 cases we recommend both a Size 10 and Size 20 packet depending on your PC's components.

We do not recommend using the following materials, as they can result in shifting of the package in transit which can result in severe damage to the system:

• Shipping Blankets
• Bubble Wrap
• Packing Peanuts
• Folded Cardboard
• Newspaper

Whether the packing materials are reused, purchased from NZXT, or sourced locally we recommend using heavy-duty 3" side packing tape rated for at least 60 lbs. to properly seal the package.  Please do not use masking tape, the system must be properly sealed or the courier will not accept the package.

I purchased a Packing Material Kit, but the materials are different than what I originally received, what do I do?

If you purchased a Packing Material Kit from our website, you may have only received a single shipping box with additional foam pads and the expanding foam packets.  The included foam pads will be cut specifically to match your case model.  We will cover how to use this set later in the guide.

How to Package an H5 or H7 Series PC

If your PC shipped in an H5 or H7 series case, this section will cover how to properly package your system.  These systems will include:

• Custom PCs built in the following cases:
  • H5 and H5 Elite
  • H7, H7 Flow, and H7 Elite
  • H510, H510i, H510 Elite, and H510 Flow
  • H710 and H710i
• Player: One series
• Player: Two series
• Player: Three series (excluding H9 Player: Three Prime)
• Starter series
• Streaming series
• Creator series
• Foundation series

To prepare your system, remove the glass side panel from the PC and place it on its side.  If you have placed any personal components or effects in the PC (i.e. capture cards, display figures, etc.) please remove them from the PC at this time.  NZXT is not responsible for any lost or damaged personal components or effects left in PCs sent for RMA.

If you have the original Instapak® Foam or Foam Braces that were included with your PC, align the packing materials with the Graphics Card and ensure that the card is securely wrapped by the foam.  For systems that shipped with a single foam brace, the brace should be secured at the furthest right side of the graphics card to minimize vibrations in transit.

If properly inserted, the foam brace will cover the right side of the graphics card and help eliminate vibrations.

If you purchased a packing material kit or replacement Instapak® foam, we will need to activate the package in order to properly fill the PC.

How to use Instapak®Quick RT Packets 

1. Completely unfold the Instapak® Size 10 bag and place it on a firm, flat surface.  Take note of the activation areas at the bottom of the bag marked A and B.
2. Press firmly on the Component A "Press Here" on the bag until you hear a small "pop sound to let you know the seal has been broken.  Do not grip, squeeze, or twist the bag to activate, as this can cause the solution to rupture.
3. Mix Component A with Component B by quickly pressing the A and B sections firmly back and forth 10-20 times each.  After a moment, you will hear another "pop" indicating that the foam is activated and the bag will begin to expand.
4. Quickly place the Instapak® bag over the Graphics Card with the activation sections between the Graphics Card and Power Supply shroud, then close the case using the glass side panel to allow the bag to expand and fill the area.
   Please note:  During this step, the Instapak® will become very warm and release steam.  Please to not block or touch the area at the top of the bag labeled VENT.
   Please do not attempt to "stuff" the Instapak® into the area below the GPU, as forcefully pressing the bag can cause it to rupture and damage components.
5. Allow the system to sit for at least 5-10 minutes before removing the glass.  If properly done, the Instapak® should have filled the area beneath the Graphics Card and wrapped around to the top of the card to provide a protective cushion.
6. Repeat the above steps for the Instapak® Size 20 bag, placing the bag in the area above the GPU.  If your system shipped with an air cooler and not an AIO Liquid Cooler, the packet should be placed to the right of the air cooler tower.

For a demonstration of the using the Instapak® product, please check out the video linked below:

The above video also demonstrates how to pack your system if you only received a single Instapak® bag with your packing kit.

Once the Instapak® are inserted and cured, they should look like the PC in the example below.

Please note:  Some systems may not include two Instapak® bags and will instead include a single bag formed to wrap around the GPU.

I only received 1 Instapak® Quick RT instead of 2, what do I do?

The overall steps will be the same as the above guide, however instead of placing the packet strictly to the bottom of the card we'll want to wrap it over the GPU so that the vented section is above the graphics card so the foam wraps around the card safely.

Packaging the System (Original Packing Materials)

If you kept your original packing materials, please use the following steps:

1. Place the included Styrofoam blocks on the top and bottom of the PC.  One of the two blocks should have cutouts specifically for the feet on the bottom of the case.
2. Place the PC in the Case Box, making sure that the front of the case faces the top of the box.  This will ensue that the case box will properly close.
3. Seal the Case Box using your heavy-duty packing tape.
4. Place a single sheet of egg crate foam into the Outer box.
5. Carefully lay the Case Box into the Outer Box.  If you printed an NZXT RMA Agreement form, please place this on the Case Box.
6. If there is an air gap between the two boxes, use the included case foam to fill the gap.
7. Place the remaining egg crate foam sheet on top of the Case Box.
8. Seal the Outer Box using your heavy-duty packing tape.

If done properly, your system should fit together as shown below.

Packaging the System (Packing Material Kit)

If you received a replacement packing material kit, please use the following steps:

1. Place one of the two sheet of egg crate foam into the Shipping Box with the "egg" side facing inward.
2. Arrange the four smaller egg crate foam sheets along the outer walls, making sure that the "egg" side is facing inwards.
3. Carefully place the PC in the center of the 4 egg crate foam sheets.  If placed properly, the case will be securely kept in the center.
   If you received additional small foam sheets to hold the case, place them to help minimize the case's movement.
4. If you printed an NZXT RMA Agreement, place it in the box now with the PC.
5. Place the remaining large egg crate foam into the Shipping Box with the "egg" side facing inward.
6. Seal the Shipping Box using your heavy-duty packing tape.

Packaging an H9 Series PC

Packaging an H9 series system is a bit more involved than with our other systems, so we highly recommend watching the video below to safely package your PC.  Unlike other BLD systems, H9 systems may only be packed in a single box.

Important Note:  Systems built using the H9 Elite case will include an additional foam pad that goes under the top glass.  This pad must be inserted prior to shipping the PC or it can result in severe damage to the top radiator mounting plate.

Shipping your NZXT PC for RMA Service

Once your system has been packaged, you will need to drop it off with the courier locally.  If you were provided with a pre-paid shipping label, please locate the nearest location for the specified courier and directly drop off the package with an attendant.  Please do not ship the PC using an unmanned drop box, it is highly recommended to have the package scanned at the time of drop off and obtain a receipt confirming that the PC has been handed to the courier.

I don't have a printer, how can I get my shipping label?

If you received a prepaid shipping label and do not have access to a printer, you can take the digital label on your phone to the courier location where they will print it on your behalf.  The process will vary from location to location, but will involve either the courier scanning the digital label or asking you to forward it to an in-house email address so they can print it.

Do you have any questions not covered by this guide or need further assistance?  Please feel free to reach out to our Customer Support team and one of our friendly support agents will be there to assist you.

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