Cooler Master’s HAF X

[sygnus21]

Cooler Master’s HAF X

Well for the second time I’ve come off of my usual name brand company items. First I left Intel to go with Gigabyte’s X58A-UD5 motherboard, now I’ve left Antec to go with Cooler Masters’ HAF X PC Case.

Quick story, I’ve been using Antec cases since 2000 and recently grew tired of my P182 since the case temps were getting out of hand. At any rate I was going to get the Antec P193 but was put off by its styling, and then I saw the HAF X… I was sold!

This is one HUGE rock solid case nice looking case; and I can’t stress this enough…. This case is ridiculously quiet as is; that’s with the stock 4 fans running at full speed. The 4 fans are….

1 Front bottom 230mm 700RPM 19dBA (Red LED), 1 Top 200mm 7000RPM 19dBA, 1 Rear 140mm 1200RPM 19dBA, 1 Side 200mm 700RPM 19dBA. There’s also a spot at the top of the case for another 200mm fan if needed.

Add to this my 860-1200RPM Noctua CPU Cooler fan , my ATI 4890’s fan running at 27 percent idle, and ultra quiet power supply, this makes for one quiet system.

I’ve heard people say they wish they could turn off the LED of the front fan on the Cooler Master HAF 932, well Cooler Master provides an on/off button for the HAF X at the top of the case, just above the reset button, left of the Power On button. Cool.

In addition to the standard ports… USB 2.0, FireWire, e-SATA, there’s also two USB 3.0 ports. However the current method of connecting the 3.0 ports to the mother board is to route the included USB 3.0 cables out the back of the case through one of the water cooling holes (Cooler Master provides 3 instead of two for this very reason) and connecting them directly to the 3.0 ports on the back panel.




If you have no need for the 3.0 ports you can convert them to 2.0 by replacing the 3.0 cables with the 2.0 supplied adapter cable and connect it directly to the motherboard like a standard 2.0 connector.

And speaking of supplied cables, you also get a 6 inch 8-pin extension cable for the ATX 12V power connector, should the power supply’s cable fall short. They didn’t miss a beat here!

Another thing that’s nice about this case is the fact that it comes with two hot-swappable bays with the connections interface built into the slots. Just hook up your Molex connector and SATA cables to the PCB board, add a drive to the drive tray and slide it into a slot… wholla! You’re connected!




I did find a quirk though I’m not sure if it’s my board or what, but when I connected two hot swap drives, one canceled out the other out. In short, when I had hot swap A installed, then installed hot swap B, A disappeared; When I removed B, A reappeared. Hmmm…. Some more research is in order here.

The cable management on this case is a dream; there’s plenty of room on the other side of the case for wire management, and in fact the side panel is bulged to give extra room for cables. There’s also plenty of tie down spots to hold cables. The case even comes with a cover to hide the cables coming out the back of power supply. Well played Cooler Master! Here's my cable management...




Please note the dimensions on the box are backwards. They state that the (H) height is 21.7 inches, and the (D) depth is 23.2. It’s actually the other way around, the height is 23.2 inches and the depth is 21.7




This mistake kind of messed me and I subsequently had to remove a support shelf from my computer desk. Ironically it was the height concern that made me pass on the Corsair 700D.

At any rate since I had to remove the shelf that meant installing the wheels that came with the case as I clearly didn’t want it sitting on my carpeted floor. Adding the wheels raises the case about an inch and a half off the floor. However unlike the rest of the case, top, front, side, the bottom vents do not have dust screens. So….

To those familiar with the HAF 932, this improves upon (added dust screens) and adds (Hot Swap bays) to its success. This is an enthusiast’s case that’s ready to accommodate any setup out there to date, including very tall CPU heat sinks, extra large motherboards, and multiple double slotted long GPU setups.

At this point in time I have no complaints as it more than suits my needs. I wanted something to help control my temps while keeping silent about it; this case does me just fine in both areas.

With its improved air flow over my Antec P182 my overall temps have been lowered by 3 degrees while being far quieter. Here's my system.... I’m quite pleased



BTW for those considering Corsair’s 800D, do yourself a favor and at least look at this case! And it’s price

Review… Cooler Master HAF-X review

Peace.

 

[pparks1]

Quick story, I’ve been using Antec cases since 2000 and recently grew tired of my P182 since the case temps were getting out of hand.

With its improved air flow over my Antec P182 my overall temps have been lowered by 3 degrees while being far quieter.

When I read about temps being out of hand..I expected a bit more than 3 degrees difference. Pretty sensitive about those temps, huh?

However the current method of connecting the 3.0 ports to the mother board is to route the included USB 3.0 cables out the back of the case through one of the water cooling holes (Cooler Master provides 3 instead of two for this very reason) and connecting them directly to the 3.0 ports on the back panel.

Yeah, it's a bit tacky....especially for people crazy about wiring.

It is a really nice case. I personally could do without the side window...but it seems those are all the rage these days.

 

[sygnus21]

Pretty sensitive about those temps, huh?

Yeah I am/was but I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to get lower than where I am right now with my current CPU cooler so... Right now my Idle temps are 41, load temps are 73ish. However my room temp is a constant 80F/23C

As long as the CPU isn't frying I'm cool

It is a really nice case. I personally could do without the side window...but it seems those are all the rage these days.

So can I, but for what the case does and offers, I can look past a side window

Besides I've been wanting to upgrade my case anyway, next will be my Video card, then I'll be done with the upgrades for awhile.... maybe

 

[blackroseMD1]

It's funny, when I first saw the pics, without reading anything, I would have sworn that was a Thermaltake case. The power button and front slots look almost identical to my V9 Black Edition, and it has almost the same fans.

Nothing like a great case, is there sygnus?

 

[sygnus21]

Yeah I lovin this case. For me cable management and air flow are the biggest factors I look for in a case now; obvioulsy looks and functionality factor in as well. This case has it all

 

[erica647]

I've been drooling over this case for a while now... hoping the price will come down some.

 

[blackroseMD1]

I really love that the connection interfaces are built into the slots...if I hadn't just bought a new case, I would totally go after this one.

 

[sygnus21]

Yeah the connection slots are a real convenience, which has allowed me to retire the powered sata baracket that Gigabyte sent me



I just can't believe how quiet this case is. It's definitely quieter than my Antec P182 with the stock fans removed in favor of a couple of 120mm S-FLEX SFF21E’s and 2 120mm Enermax Magma fans installed. It's also cooler.

 

[smarteyeball]

next will be my Video card, then I'll be done with the upgrades for awhile.... maybe

Now, where have I heard that before ? .... oh yes, that's right - me - constantly

Congrats on the new case mate

Looking good and it's an improved 932 - what's not to love?

 

[A Guy]

Wow looks great, and what a clean install. Good on ya and your new toy

A Guy

 

[sygnus21]

Thanks guys.

next will be my Video card, then I'll be done with the upgrades for awhile.... maybe

Now, where have I heard that before ? .... oh yes, that's right - me - constantly

Well.... I do have to slow down. The wife was non too pleased as she watched me sign for the case as UPS was delivering it. Really was hoping it would be delivered before she got home from work but

She thinks I’m spending too much money on computer upgrades as is, so a new video card will have to be a deep undercover acquisition

LOL even my daughter noticed the case.... then promptly reminded me of her upcoming birthday.

Hmmm..... if nothing else, the case is definitely noticeable

 

[mpcrsc562]

That's a very nice case you got there!

Too bad my HAF 932 is still too new or I'd look into one of those...

Edit: Question to sygnus21 (and I guess to anyone else who has the HAF series case): Do you have your case with the feet or with the wheels? I ask because I found that included wheels are very, very cheap! This is one of the best items I have added to my case: http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[sygnus21]

The HAF X comes with wheels. I haven't experienced any issues yet. Fingers X'd

 

[sygnus21]

Another thing that’s nice about this case is the fact that it comes with two hot-swappable bays with the connections interface built into the slots. Just hook up your Molex connector and SATA cables to the PCB board, add a drive to the drive tray and slide it into a slot… wholla! You’re connected!

View attachment 83991 View attachment 83992

I did find a quirk though I’m not sure if it’s my board or what, but when I connected two hot swap drives, one canceled out the other out. In short, when I had hot swap A installed, then installed hot swap B, A disappeared; When I removed B, A reappeared. Hmmm…. Some more research is in order here.

I found the problem.... It was.... O.E. - Operator Error

Both drives do show up when installed. I just missed the second one.

All is good and working as advertised

 

[smarteyeball]

Edit: Question to sygnus21 (and I guess to anyone else who has the HAF series case): Do you have your case with the feet or with the wheels? I ask because I found that included wheels are very, very cheap!

I just use the stock wheels - granted they aren't the highest quality - but then again I don't really need to roll it anywhere

But riding it is definitely out of the question

 

[Everlong]

It is definitley a nice case. I'm thinking of getting a new case soon, even though as much as I love my CM690, it is getting quite cramped in there and the two cases I have my eye on are the HAF or the CM690 II Advanced.

 

[Kipper]

We were fortunate that Cooler Master allowed us at PureOC forum to review the HAF-X.

I found the HAF-X to be a great case at the price point with so many upgraded features over its predecessor the 932.

If you are interested you can read my full review of the HAF-X here.

 

[sygnus21]

Here's the AMD version of the HAF X …. YouTube - HG - Computex 2010 - Coolermaster - HAF X and Cooler

Also want to add that the features of the HAF X rival Corsairs 800D but is $80 cheaper!

Corsairs Obsidian 800D – 279.99
Cooler Master HAF X - $199.99

Also, it’s been said that the HAF X is better for air cooling while the 800D is more geared for water cooled systems. #164 - Q&A: Cooler Master HAF-X vs. Corsair 800D Case? | Rodney Reynolds

BTW, Neither the 700D or 800D currently support USB 3.0, yet.

@pparks1...

However the current method of connecting the 3.0 ports to the mother board is to route the included USB 3.0 cables out the back of the case through one of the water cooling holes (Cooler Master provides 3 instead of two for this very reason) and connecting them directly to the 3.0 ports on the back panel.

Yeah, it's a bit tacky....especially for people crazy about wiring.

Question - How do I use the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports?

Answer - HAF X is the first available full tower chassis with USB 3.0 support. Currently the NEC controllers on USB 3.0 motherboards do not support a standardized header. To use the USB 3.0 ports, route the extension cables from the I/O behind the motherboard and through the rear hole in the motherboard tray. You can then use one of the three rubber water cooling ports on the rear of the chassis to meet the USB 3.0 port on the motherboard. As soon as a better solution is released with a standard USB 3.0 motherboard header on chip, Cooler Master will provide the internal header USB 3.0 cables as a free part exchange.

How do I use the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports? - Cooler Master

 

[EpicThorn]

Well, I have found my new case , now how to get it without the wife noticing..........
While my current case has decent airflow and keeps cool during the colder Melbourne months, the summer gets quite hot and since I dont have an aircon, I need my case to be cool.

 

[Nemix]

Nice configuration, sweet and simple; just my style.