• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Corsair 550D in stock at NewEgg!

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Mine came today along with the H100. I picked this case cause it had the sound dampening capacity and could fit the H100 rad.

It'll probably be a few days before I have the time to sit down and do the proper migration. Will update then.
 
Dustin @ Anandtech.

Thanks for making me feel stupid for my recent purchase.

Your pal,

TA

PS - Why do reviewers nitpick these cases so much? Jheez. Most of the crap he complained about doesnt even apply to me. I'll open the front door on the case maybe twice a month - usually just to rip a CD or install a game. I used my DVD drive so little I took it out for a month just to improve air flow in my GD05.
 
I did the migration this weekend, but hit a couple of snags.

First, the H100 is DOA. The lights on the pump will not come on, and the fans will not turn when plugged in to the controller (they will when plugged into the mobo fan headers, but holy crap maximum rpm is loud and I cannot seem to slow them down). The pump is making a really loud ticking noise and it gets louder every few seconds, have been scared to leave it on for more than 30 seconds.

Second, the 4 pin mobo power connector on my modular PSU, as others have said, is too short to reach up to the top corner to wire it under the backplate. I have it snaked under the GPU and up the backside where it just barely reaches. Is there anywhere I can buy replacement cables/extensions for my modular OCZ PSU? How have other people dealt with the short 4 pin cable?

Another snag was the PCIE/GPU power cables. Too short to reach the top PCIE slot (when passed under the backplate), so I seated the card in the lower one slot, which I believe is only 8x. IIRC the performance hit is minimal (like 1-3%), but that is also preferable because the top slot is so close to the CPU and memory that it creates a heat well. Spacing them apart puts the GPU directlyi nline with the top front intake fan, which is unblocked because I pulled the top HD cage out.

I will post pictures when I get the machine up and running again.

In summary though I would say these things:

The 550D is BIG. Its a mid tower on steroids.

The 550D is a fanastic case with good airflow even in default mode w/ all silencing material.

As others have said, Corsair does an excellent job with installation design and documentation. If they wanted to go above and beyond, they could give installation suggestions for common annoyances, but for the most part, the case is idiot and hassle proof.

One exception would be trying to install the radiator & fans after the mobo. It is really tight and I wish I had done the rad first. I suspect that to be the case with most mobos, though the fan headers on the edge of my board are a complete PITA to get to with those rad fans installed.

Last, and probably best advice - do not install a mATX board in this case unless you want headaches. Most of my problems are due to a cramped board form factor and a modular PSU w/ short cables/cables with excess, unneeded leads.
 
The_Advocate said:
Is there anywhere I can buy replacement cables/extensions for my modular OCZ PSU?
Click to expand...

Sure. Here's one for $4 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812198005

The 550D is BIG. Its a mid tower on steroids.
Click to expand...

This is interesting. Hadn't realized it before but it is 20.9" x 8.7" x 19.5" , while Fractal R3 is only 20.52" x 8.17" x 17.32". Difference: 0.38" x 0.53" x 2.18" (or 1cm x 1.3cm x 5.5cm). Not a huge difference but enough to make it seem bigger
 
Last edited:
lehtv said:
Sure. Here's one for $4 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812198005
Click to expand...

Thanks. I still want to replace the other modular power cables on my PSU. A lot of waste there.

This is interesting. Hadn't realized it before but it is 20.9" x 8.7" x 19.5" , while Fractal R3 is only 20.52" x 8.17" x 17.32". Difference: 0.38" x 0.53" x 2.18" (or 1cm x 1.3cm x 5.5cm). Not a huge difference but enough to make it seem bigger
Click to expand...

The last mid tower I owned was a now ancient Antec SX830 (been using SFF boxes since then). However, I checked, and the dimensions on that were roughly the same - 20.6"(H)x8.1"(W)x18.6"(D)

It's still deeper than anything I have used before. Coming from my GD05, it's gargantuan.
 
For $150 I really don't think this case is worth it anymore. Fractal Define R3 gets you pretty much the same functionality for $110
 
Don't forget about the $20 for shipping🙁 Where the R3 has no shipping and looks very nice also🙂

May plug the trigger on that one.
 
Got mine w/ free shipping and rebate.

Going to post some pictures soon. Got my replacement H100 installed in it and everything is humming along smoothly. (some love for Newegg - they overnighted a replacement for me - no charge!)

Stress testing @ 4.5 Ghz, playing BF3.

After 1:51 of play time, GPU (950 Mhz core) is holding steady at 66° and CPU firm at 47°.

That's pretty solid for that OC.

The case is quiet, with the exception of the dual fans on the H100 venting the top. They are loud, even on medium. I may try to replace them.

Big thumbs up from me. Just need to do some final tweaking to get it like I want.

It also looks awesome. That silver I/O panel actually looks cool w/ the power LED on.
 
Last edited:
I've been waiting for a case like this ever since the 800D launched...I really don't need a case that big but I loved the design
 
No way that this can live up to the wait, but here goes...

I didnt do all the feature shots of the case because I thought they had been done to death in reviews.

1) Pre-build (old vs new):

P1000269.jpg


Protective plastic is still on the 550D.

2) Current rig crammed in the GD05

P1000270.jpg


3) Drives removed in GD05:

P1000273.jpg


P1000272.jpg


4) Ready for the install:

P1000274.jpg


5) Mounting the Asus mobo & H100:

P1000275.jpg


Tiny mATX board in a big case. Blurry pic, but I wanted one of the scale. Do yourself a favor and get an ATX board for this case. mATX is too crammed. Too many wiring compromises.

P1000276.jpg


Here is a clean look at the mobo/H100 install. I tried plugging the rad fans into fan headers. The Asus mobo ran them at max speed despite my custom fan profiles. Sounded like a jet engine. Couldnt take it for more than a day so I eventually plugged them back into the pump.

6) First wiring job - crap, but I wanted to make sure things worked:

P1000290.jpg


7) Final wiring job. 4 pin power cable still too short. I had to run it up underneath the GPU and backside of the mobo. Ordering an extension so I can run it under backplate. Also, noticed that GPU is in 2nd PCIE slot. BF3 benchs are down 2-3% @ 8X.

P1000291.jpg


That's all for now. I apologize for the shit photography and for not taking any of the exterior. Exterior actually looks great. It's my favorite part of the case. Clean lines and even the Asus ROG I/O plate looks awesome. The front power LED sets off the silver I/O front I/O panel. I will try to take some pics.

If there's another view you'd like, just ask.
 
Last edited:
The stock fans are solid. They are quiet and seem to move a good amount of air.

Right now, ambient temp is cool to warm, and the front of the case has been consistently very cool to the touch. The intake fans keep it very cool. My GPU is also running about 15° C cooler even at max load. As I said, the current position of the GPU in PCIE #2 puts it directly in line with the unobstructed top intake fan so I am getting very direct airflow there.

Again, coming from mutliple SFF boxes, so skewed perspective, but I would say that the default fans do a really solid job. I am guessing you might wanna add another fan for SLI. It also doesnt hurt that I have my H100 fans on exhaust so I have a bit of a bottom to top airflow pattern in the case. That may not be ideal due to GPU heat, but it's working just fine.
 
Last edited:
Right now, ambient temp is cool to warm, and the front of the case has been consistently very cool to the touch. The intake fans keep it very cool. My GPU is also running about 15° C cooler even at max load.
Click to expand...

Wow!
 
Look at where I had it crammed before... perspective. It was hitting 80° regularly before.. now it settles in around 65° C.

That difference was the reason I changed cases.
 
TheAdvocate said:
The stock fans are solid. They are quiet and seem to move a good amount of air.

Right now, ambient temp is cool to warm, and the front of the case has been consistently very cool to the touch. The intake fans keep it very cool. My GPU is also running about 15° C cooler even at max load. As I said, the current position of the GPU in PCIE #2 puts it directly in line with the unobstructed top intake fan so I am getting very direct airflow there.

Again, coming from mutliple SFF boxes, so skewed perspective, but I would say that the default fans do a really solid job. I am guessing you might wanna add another fan for SLI. It also doesnt hurt that I have my H100 fans on exhaust so I have a bit of a bottom to top airflow pattern in the case. That may not be ideal due to GPU heat, but it's working just fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and pics. Are you using the stock fans in their stock config (2 intake 1 out)? I picked up my 550D yesterday, but am waiting on mobo/CPU/GPU in a few weeks when IB comes out. Played with the case a bit yesterday and it's really nice, excited to use it and it's a huge step in from my P180 especially on the internals/cable management.

I'm planning on running stock fans plus an extra intake at the bottom position in front of the PSU for 3 intake, 1 out positive pressure setup.

I paid $121.96CAD by price matching DirectCanada.com to NCIX.com and no shipping (since I just select in-store pick up as shipping option and stop by the NCIX near my office to grab it).
 
I have all the case fans stock plus the two H100 fans on exhaust at the top of the case. Case airflow pattern is bottom to top. So 2 in, 3 out, including the H100 fans.

The loudest fans are the H100 fans. There is no sound dampening for them at all, and the top of the case is essentially open. I really cannot hear the case fans because of them.

I toyed with adding another intake fan on the bottom, but I dont seem to need it. I think removing the top HD cage made a big difference in overall airflow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top