Joined on 04/18/12
Great case! Obvious flaws.
Pros: Very crisp look and design to this case. Like the way it looks, like the mesh top and front panel, and I like the sleek look. This case has a ton of cooling options as well, two 140mm/120mm top fans, two 140mm/120mm front fans, two 140mm/120mm side fans (however, I'd recommend not using these because it interferes with larger graphics cards) and a 120mm rear exhaust fan. This case comes with removable dust filters, which I never use because they never seem to get dusty. It also features three tool-less 5.25" drive bays which could either be a good or a bad thing. Five, 3.5 or 2.5" hdd/ssd drives which are removable, and a gap for longer graphics cards between the two systems. Front panel USB-3 connectors, and audio jacks and a non annoying LED system. I would say there are definitely tougher cases on the market for the money, but might not offer you the benefits that this case might offer to someone looking for a smaller form factor case. Some SERIOUS Corsair quality here. I like the fact that my motherboard didn't have to be forced onto the stand-offs on the motherboard tray, it just dropped right in there. Also the area behind the motherboard tray is huge, I could mess with my heatsink while the motherboard was attached to the case. Great options, I know some cases limit the accessibility for aftermarket heat sinks, but this one doesn't!
Cons: I read a lot of reviews before buying this product, and while I'm very impressed with the final product, I think there is one thing that remains to be desired, and that is the cable management section behind the motherboard. Many reviewers for this product claimed that it had "tons of space" behind the motherboard, and tons of cable management options. Definitely not the case, I ended up purchasing some red cable extensions, and didn't use them because there would be no room for all the cables behind the motherboard. Also, any boards using a 4/8 pin PCI motherboard connectors you're in for a treat, you need to route them elsewhere because there's no room for them above the motherboard. SIDE PANELS. This is weird because usually Corsair products are all around awesome. The side panels are tough to remove. Built in standoffs. This is a weird one, it really didn't bother me, but for some users it might be a negative. I would say there are definitely tougher cases on the market for the money, but might not offer you the benefits that this case might offer to someone looking for a smaller form factor case.
Overall Review: Definitely a solid 4/5 eggs. Just a few things I overlooked before purchasing this case. I'm definitely happier than disappointed though, but that comes from an enthusiast.
Great cooler!
Pros: Where to start.. Well, I purchased this to replace a Corsair H55 water cooler, since it was having intake troubles with my case. Mounting this cooler was a piece of cake, the only trouble I ran into was when the directions clearly stated to not place the cooler, the only way that it would fit into my case.. No big deal! It's structure lets you blow air over your memory dimms, but in this case, I couldn't. Cooler looks awesome with my ITX build, very clean almost car engine look. Wish I could upload a picture.. The fan that comes with it isn't half bad either, I'd prefer one that had a little higher air flow but I don't really mind this one. Polishes off the look you know? It's a 120mm fan, but the cooler also supports a 140mm fan?! Awesome! Very nice mounting kit as well, Cooler Master really has some nice set ups. Rubber grommets to hold the cooler tight against the board without scratching or breaking bending the board. Comes with directions that are actually pretty easy to follow, and also comes with thermal paste! Now for the tiny technical bit! My 4770k is running around 28-32 C idle. And around 45-56C under 50%-70% load. I haven't pushed it past that, and I'm running stock speeds right now. Running the fan at full speed as well. - Intel core i7 4770k - Gigabyte z87n - Ripjaws 2133mhz (4g modules) - Bitfenix Prodigy - Samsung 840pro/Kingston hyperx 120's - EVGA GTX 770sc - Rosewill Fortress 750 plat.
Cons: These might be important to some.. Be careful you ITX users. It doesn't hang over your dimms, unless you've purchased a sick APU and you don't need a graphics card? You're going to be putting that thing the ONLY way they tell you now to. Not a problem though! It works great, and I don't mind the placement. Cooler master paste was a little runny? Didn't like it. I have no idea why they would give you a smaller fan, when it clearly can fit a 140mm fan.. That just didn't make sense to me, now I just need to buy another one. It's going to be a beast though.
Overall Review: GREAT cooler. Great for smaller builds too, you can cool a lot with this guy. Awesome purchase too, I always love the kind prices from Cooler Master.
Pricey? But worth it!
Pros: I know what you're thinking already, over 15$ for fans?! Wait! Don't stop! Get these! They make AWESOME replacement radiator fans, or intake/outtake fans. Seriously. I've read some reviews saying they strip, and don't work.. Or they have problems laying flat.. Let me tell you, I have no problems. I mounted them in my Bitfenix Prodigy, and they just suck air like crazy. Awesome quite design and air flow. Nice packaging too.
Cons: Maybe this is a problem, they have 4 pin adapters, not the typical 3 pin system fan adapter. And there's no molex adapter in the box if you need it, luckily I had one! So I was good. No dock, just weird..
These are zip ties..
Pros: Go read another review lol. These are zip ties!
Cons: Seriously, why are you still reading this?
Seriously tough.
Pros: I have to say, the second I opened the box, I felt like I was holding a beast. Tough little motherboard! Very important for those buyers who want some quality. Where do I start.. - 2133mhz ram support, awesome! Contrary to some other reviews. - VERY SIMPLE BIOS. Seriously, for some of you other users, this is a godsend. Restarted after a fresh windows install, delete delete delete delete delete.. BIOS. Click, click.. 2133 frequency. Select. Done. Profile made. - WiFi? Cool feature, really like it. I take this thing places, and it's a nice touch. - Great peripheral interface. Tons of USB3, USB3 header and USB2 header adapter, HDMI, DVI, WiFi, and PS2 for you older uses.. - Great support from Gigabyte, I found their site very simple and easy to navigate. I downloaded the drivers needed, and was on my way! Why I choose Gigabyte. Well, I've had an Asus board before, loved it! But the only ITX board that I wanted to get was an LGA 1150 (Since I got a processor courtesy of Intel) and it wasn't reviewed very well.. And it was pretty expensive. I was aiming for a rig under 600$ (I already have this and that laying around) and even though I went over, I'm glad this board was so kindly priced.
Cons: The installation guide, every time. You know when you're almost done with everything and it's time to attach the power button cables, and hdd leds? Yeah, that time. I have no idea where they got the diagram for the motherboard.. But it's nothing like on that actual motherboard. However, no egg dock if you're like me and you've done this a time or two you know what to do! It's basically the same. NO "POWERED BY GIGABYTE STICKER". What the hell man. Get it together Gigabyte. I need that, and I haven't gotten a response from their website about it, maybe they think I'm joking but it's a big deal ;]
Awesome case!
Pros: Where do I start.. - Case body. Very solid. Feels awesome, doesn't "stain" with finger prints, solid body material, nice grate on one side for blower style graphics card (i.e. ACX EVGA cards), mesh grates for front panel, and top panel (on top of two 120mm fan slots), and awesome internals. All the reviews I read said there was tons of space, and areas for 2.5" drives, as well as a rack for 3.5" drives. Great style for whatever you're looking to build (gaming solution, home theater solution, ext). Space for larger graphics cards, as well as case length (my last itx case claimed to fit 10" graphics cards, but it didn't fit mine.. I believe it should have said 10" reference cards, that made sense). - As far as fans are concerned it's certainly not lacking. 120mm, or I believe 140mm rear intake/outtake fan slot, two top 120mm fan slots (that actually could fit my Corsair h100i, I actually bought a very high rpm fan and replaced the stock fan in an h55 for extra outtake fan slot-age :D), a front panel 120mm, OR 200mm fan (I only had 240mm fans laying around, and they're a little too big, maybe it's just form factor, don't quote me on that one..). - Right now I have a HyperX Kingston 120g solid state, and a Samsung 840 pro 120g solid state mounted on the side panel of the case. Awesome, awesome idea. Get those ssd's out of the way, they don't get very hot. Other than that, there's another 2.5" mount on the very bottom of the case, if you remove the 3.5"/2.5" brackets for other peripherals. I opted to remove the 5.25" drive bay and just leave the mesh guard there, I had purchased a fan controller, which I would HIGHLY recommend since most ITX boards have 1 or 2 fan slots, but it was full form factor, and I decided to just let the fans go full speed. I have a Rexus high flow 3000rpm fan attached to a corsair h55, and IT'S LOUD. You could try their Bitfenix recon touchscreen fan controller, it's around 40$.
Cons: These are honestly just me being picky, no egg docks here, just things to think about. Mesh guards, with smaller mesh guards.. I removed them the second I got it. If you have enough air flow, you don't need to worry about dust filtration. I suggest removing the top panel mesh cover during heavy sessions (drops my internal temps by almost 5C). Also, PLEASE READ EVERY REVIEW. This case has trouble with atx power supplies. You NEED a non modular power supply (I purchased the Rosewill Fortress 750 platinum and it was a doozey to get mounted). This case has trouble routing large cable bundles through the psu bottom mount holes. Seriously, my friend and I had to cut a larger hole to compensate for it. Again, not an egg dock but the stock slot holes are useless for larger power supplies. Might be an issue. Also the "legs" are plastic, not metal. Which sounds stupid, but I really didn't like it. There should have just been little feet on it.
Overall Review: Great case! Some trouble here and there, it's a pain to get all the cables inside and if you're like me you just want everything perfect.. But I'd buy it again if I needed! Great support from the guys are Bitfenix too.