Cooler Master HAF X vs Corsair Graphite 760T

[Noojabez]

Dear members,

Last week I ordered a computer with the following case with:

Cooler Master HAF X

Unfortunately it's not in stock and the expected delivery date is 27th of may which to me seems to be a long wait. Apparently the site wasn't up-to-date while ordering a whole computer (to be assembled by them) including this case.

To be honest I HATE waiting especially knowing I am off next monday and was expecting to have my computer this week to play Witcher 3

So they offered me a choice between a few other cases but the following seemed like the best option but it's €30,- more.

Corsair Graphite 760T

I was wondering if the cooling of this case is similar or better since I couldn't find any VS or reviews with both cases put to the same test. I do love the side-door design.

Any other comments about both cases would be nice as well.

Thanks for reading and replies.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

First, I have a bias in favor of the HAF cases, so my objectivity is questionable. I have three HAF 922 mid-towers, and a CoolerMaster Stacker mid-tower.

The HAF X is a FULL TOWER case. It has the potential for three (3) 200mm fans -- great intake airflow -- and probably includes at least 2x 200mm in the box.

The Graphite 760T is a MID TOWER case, is a nice-looking and probably very functional case, but you only get two 140mm fans with places to mount them. There may be spare, option mounting points for 140mm fans, as for 2x 140mm in the top, but you only get the two intake fans and the rear exhaust fan. For either of those, you'll spend some extra ducats on decent fans.

The airflow potential of EITHER that HAF X or the HAF Mid-tower 922 will be greater than that for the 760T.

If it were me -- I'd freakin' WAIT and get the HAF X. If it were you, it could be the same for a lot of folks . . . who want . . . different strokes.

Put it another way. I'm planning to build a water-cooled (custom . . water-cooled) rig over the next year for an i7-5820K processor. I'd LOVE to have the HAF X. But I NEED a mid-tower, or at least -- want to try fitting all the parts in one. Who knows? I might change my mind and clutter this crowded room with a huge case like the HAF X. For every other reason, it would be ideal.

PS you get three large fans with the HAF X in addition to the exhaust fan, one of which is a 230mm fan. That's what you expect from a Cadillac flagship model.

Dear members,

Last week I ordered a computer with the following case with:

Cooler Master HAF X

Unfortunately it's not in stock and the expected delivery date is 27th of may which to me seems to be a long wait. Apparently the site wasn't up-to-date while ordering a whole computer (to be assembled by them) including this case.

To be honest I HATE waiting especially knowing I am off next monday and was expecting to have my computer this week to play Witcher 3

So they offered me a choice between a few other cases but the following seemed like the best option but it's €30,- more.

Corsair Graphite 760T

I was wondering if the cooling of this case is similar or better since I couldn't find any VS or reviews with both cases put to the same test. I do love the side-door design.

Any other comments about both cases would be nice as well.

Thanks for reading and replies.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Wait a minute... they want to offer you a worse case for MORE money? :thumbsdown:

If anything, they should be offering you a discount for having to wait. I've owned a HAF-X. It's a great case with excellent cooling and an extreme amount of space.

You'll want to wait for the HAF-X, trust me on this. I know it sucks not to have your rig for the holiday weekend, but the HAF-X is worth waiting an extra week for. I can't believe they want to charge you more for the Corsair Graphite 760T. That's just nutty.

 

[XavierMace]

Maybe it's just me, but I've never been a fan of Coolermaster's aesthetic choices. They're like the ricers of computer cases. It's not that it's a bad case, it's just got too much plastic and bling on it. Corsair's are a bit more subdued.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Maybe it's just me, but I've never been a fan of Coolermaster's aesthetic choices. They're like the ricers of computer cases. It's not that it's a bad case, it's just got too much plastic and bling on it. Corsair's are a bit more subdued.

That may well be. It could be the "aesthetics of 200mm fans." But the effectiveness of the garish fans and their huge vents had been enough to allow me delaying any flirtation with water. Conversely, I'd seen some recent threads here over the "intake vs exhaust" radiator-orientation in which our colleague touted his dual-processor, 24-core/48-thread Xeon system with a couple 300mm fans.

For the plastic and SECC steel, it's not likely to be a longevity factor: the computer sits under your desk, and you're not supposed to kick it around on the soccer field.

Sometimes the sidepanels on the HAFs have a warp to them, and it takes extra care to seat them properly to avoid bulges and crevices. Less likely for the HAF X of HAF 932 . ..

 

[Aristotelian]

That may well be. It could be the "aesthetics of 200mm fans." But the effectiveness of the garish fans and their huge vents had been enough to allow me delaying any flirtation with water. Conversely, I'd seen some recent threads here over the "intake vs exhaust" radiator-orientation in which our colleague touted his dual-processor, 24-core/48-thread Xeon system with a couple 300mm fans.

For the plastic and SECC steel, it's not likely to be a longevity factor: the computer sits under your desk, and you're not supposed to kick it around on the soccer field.

Sometimes the sidepanels on the HAFs have a warp to them, and it takes extra care to seat them properly to avoid bulges and crevices. Less likely for the HAF X of HAF 932 . ..

I own an HAF-X and unfortunately over time the side panel has slowly warped to an extent that I cannot slide it back in any longer. So it leans against the side of my case. Not to knock the case solely based on my experience, but I'll be going another route for my next build.

 

[XavierMace]

That may well be. It could be the "aesthetics of 200mm fans." But the effectiveness of the garish fans and their huge vents had been enough to allow me delaying any flirtation with water. Conversely, I'd seen some recent threads here over the "intake vs exhaust" radiator-orientation in which our colleague touted his dual-processor, 24-core/48-thread Xeon system with a couple 300mm fans.

For the plastic and SECC steel, it's not likely to be a longevity factor: the computer sits under your desk, and you're not supposed to kick it around on the soccer field.

Sometimes the sidepanels on the HAFs have a warp to them, and it takes extra care to seat them properly to avoid bulges and crevices. Less likely for the HAF X of HAF 932 . ..

Those aren't mutually exclusive goals. Take a look at the alumimum PowerMac/MacPro or LianLi V1000L cases. It's basically one big grill like the Coolermaster but manages to look sexy while doing it.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Those aren't mutually exclusive goals. Take a look at the alumimum PowerMac/MacPro or LianLi V1000L cases. It's basically one big grill like the Coolermaster but manages to look sexy while doing it.

I'll revisit the LianLi unit. I remember that model-code.

I have a philosophy of my own since I bought my CM Stacker Mid-tower and modded my '95 ProLiant super-box. "A case is just a box in which to install components, reduce noise and use optimal airflow." They're also a sort of investment, since they can be re-used.

There are some beautiful cases for the right price. But I often think of dremel-ing the sheet-metal. So it's a trade-off between the expense, the risk, and the narrowed strategy that results from modding -- unless one plots to make the mods reversible.

 

[XavierMace]

I'd also say the NZXT H440 Razer edition is close to fitting in that category as well. Still has some bling lighting but it's a nice clean case without cheap looking plastic all over the place.

I know a lot of people with similar philosophies but after years of building systems, I changed mine. It's SOOOOO much nicer working with a good case than a cheap case. Fit, finish, features, and layout are so much better. Cable management, decent removable drive trays, side panels that don't fight you, thumb screws, etc. Admittedly cheaper cases have probably gotten a bit better over the years but old habits die hard.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'd also say the NZXT H440 Razer edition is close to fitting in that category as well. Still has some bling lighting but it's a nice clean case without cheap looking plastic all over the place.

I know a lot of people with similar philosophies but after years of building systems, I changed mine. It's SOOOOO much nicer working with a good case than a cheap case. Fit, finish, features, and layout are so much better. Cable management, decent removable drive trays, side panels that don't fight you, thumb screws, etc. Admittedly cheaper cases have probably gotten a bit better over the years but old habits die hard.

Did you ever use or build with a HAF? ALL of those convenience features are there. Bottom 3.5" drive cage has flexible plastic slide-out trays with full-face latches and HDD/2.5"-adapter fittings with rubber shock absorbers. The worst part of the side-panel is it's standard tongue-and-slot fitting that requires placing the panel in a more precise orientation before sliding it forward to lock in place. I think we'd all appreciate latched and hinged side-panel "doors," but then you have to take extra measures to mount fan devices and keep them silent.

The upper 5.25" bays have sliding latches and locks, and seldom any problem in seating your typical optical drive, hot-swap bay, 3.5" adapter with front-panel access -- any of those things.

Cable management has plenty of opportunities. The only downside to those cases is the dull black plastic fascia, switch and port housing, and the SECC steel. I think I have only one out of my three HAF 922s that has the noticeable "warp" in the right-sidepanel fitting, but it only requires a little extra care in remounting the panel to get a precise fit and tight seam fitting with no hint of any irregularity in the intended sheet-metal shape.

And of course you get your rubber-grommetted holes for water-cooling conduits . . .

You pay less. My sample has flaws that are of hardly any consequence.