What is your opinion on this case ? COOLER MASTER HAF XB

[MentalIlness]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119265&Tpk=Cooler%20Master%20HAF%20XB

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think it's pretty sharp! I like the layout but, I haven't heard anything about it's thermals.

 

[MentalIlness]

I think it's pretty sharp! I like the layout but, I haven't heard anything about it's thermals.

Ive been reading some reviews, and yea im looking for the thermals as well. I have a FX 8120 to put in there.

 

[lehtv]

This case should work great for SLI setups since there won't be a lower card heating up the upper card. The heat from the case will just rise straight out of the case, or even better: install a 200mm exhaust on the ceiling.

 

[Kenmitch]

Does look like a interesting case. I wouldn't worry about temps with it at all.

Only drawback I see is it might not be the best choice for those whom are clumbsy, have little kids, or pets that might wanna hang out on top of it....Due to possible liquid spills.

 

[Z15CAM]

possible liquid spills

My PC area was in the Basement. My Wife had a 200 Gal Aquarium above me on the Main Floor - You Guessed it when the Aquarium BROKE. After that My PC was on the Main Floor and her Aquarium in the Basement ;o)

Aside from destroying all my Electronic Equipment, I also had to resurface the whole main flooring - Never Again - LOL

 

[tracerbullet]

I think that looks awesome - interesting but functional layout and neat looking. That said I wouldn't get it, mostly because I stick mine under my desk and like them tall and narrow. If that shape works for you definitely go for it.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I just ordered one of these myself. I plan on using 140mm front fans instead of the stock 120mm. Coolermaster also sells a glass top as an option.



There is a great HAF-XB modders thread over at Techpowerup.com

 

[TwoAlpha]

I bought one about a month ago and really like it. Running an i7-3770 with Antec Kuhler 620. Originally had push pull but this last weekend changed the radiator to a single fan pushing in from the outside. The PS is cooled by it's own 120mm pulling from the bottom.

Up front I put two Cougar PWM fans that turn about 800 (but will spin up as needed) and in back I have a Cougar non-PVM for the water cooling radiator. Up top I installed a Cooler Master 200mm exhausting vertically. The stock 120mm front fans were definitely NOT quiet and the factory Antec 120 on the cooling system was quite loud as well.

I have since unplugged the right side front fan since it's not really needed in my configuration so I have only one front fan running blowing over the card slot area - the RAM and VRMs get cooled by the radiator fan and the 200mm drawing from the front and sides upward. I'm trying to balance quiet with cool.

The 3770 never goes over 60C at stock and hits 65-67C at 4.5GHz when running prime95. My factory overclocked single fan eVGA 560Ti gets up to about 80C which is the limit of my comfort zone but it's not excessive.

It really is a SOLID case - very well made. Keeping cabling neat is super easy since you have the entire underside of the MB tray to organize it. The xDock 3.5" HD trays are more solid than I thought they would be and work well. I have one HD I keep there for work area to minimize SSD wear and the other is set to hot swap in BIOS for archiving to HD.

My only cons - if you can call them cons - (1) not a lot of room between my power supply and the removable 3.5" bay backplane but I only have to cable this once (2) getting 2.5" drives cabled after the build requires small hands to reach behind the 2.5" tray in the lower half. That's it. Everything else about the case is top notch.

If you're looking for a well built case with great thermal performance that's easy to tinker inside, the HAF-XB fits the bill. If you're looking to build an *absolutely* silent system, the abundance of ventilation holes in the case lets out some fan noise but nothing excessive. The loudest fan in my system is the video card and it's only noticeable when the office is dead quiet. My HAF-XB site on my desk about two feet from my head.

I would definitely buy another.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Good to hear, TwoAlpha.

I plan on using 140mm fans up front for good airflow and low noise. I'm also going to use a 120mm Gentle Typhoon as the rear exhaust instead of the stock fan. I have two 80mm blue LED fans I'l use on the bottom exhaust just for show.

I'm building this little by little as I find good deals on components. So far I just have a Seasonic X750 Gold I got for $90 AR, and a run of the mill ASUS DVD-R/W.

 

[MentalIlness]

I'll be picking one of these up in two weeks. Very sharp looking.

I always wanted a cube style case. But they were mostly for Micro ATX setups.

Bout time :whiste:

Now I don't have to build one.

 

[Skott]

It reminds me of a Mountain Mod case only cheaply done. Those little 80mm fan blowholes are probably my biggest gripe about it. 80MM? Seriously? Bleh!

 

[MentalIlness]

It reminds me of a Mountain Mod case only cheaply done. Those little 80mm fans are probably my biggest gripe about it. 80MM? Seriously? Bleh!

Where do you see 80mm fans ? It says it comes with 2 x 120mm fans. Unless Im missing something.

 

[Eureka]

Wow, I'm actually half tempted to ditch my 650D for this. It looks good for a CM case.

 

[Skott]

Where do you see 80mm fans ? It says it comes with 2 x 120mm fans. Unless Im missing something.

It doesn't come with the fans. On the back down below there is two blow holes for 80mm fans if you need extra air/exhaust. That was what I was talking about. Sorry about the confusion. I fixed it my original sentence a bit better

 

[MentalIlness]

It doesn't come with the fans. On the back down below there is two blow holes for 80mm fans if you need extra air/exhaust. That was what I was talking about. Sorry about the confusion. I fixed it my original sentence a bit better

I see now. No clue how I missed those on the back bottom. Needless to say, you were right though.

Wonder if some Silverstone AP fans would do good in this case ?

 

[MrK6]

This would make a fantastic HTPC/gaming center PC. I'll have to remember it and thanks for the details TwoAlpha! :thumbsup:

 

[T_Yamamoto]

The XB is actually really awesome looking.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Case came today!

 

[lehtv]

So is it a case, a test bench, or a lan box? Decide already

P.S. what is that on top of the package, a Wolverine glove?

 

[dma0991]

Rip open the box with them claws. Rip it open like its your first day of Christmas. :twisted:

 

[MrK6]

Bah, they spelled "LAN" as "Lan."

 

[Jabrono]

My only gripe is the lack of 3.5 inch bays, but with today's multi TB hard drives it shouldn't be an issue.

Temps are nice an low with a Phenom X4 955 BE @ 4GHz sitting at 29C at idle and 40C under load.

Awesome case! I love mine.

 

[Skott]

So is it a case, a test bench, or a lan box? Decide already

P.S. what is that on top of the package, a Wolverine glove?

Too big for a lanbox IMO. I'd hate to lug something that big around anyway.

 

[Spades45]

it looks nice but these cases aren't generally all that useful/practical