Corsair Carbide Series Air 540 - The Perfect Case?

[RobertVanGilder]

I just saw the Carbide 540 by Corsair and it's just like the Caselabs cases but dirt cheaper! The way that the PSU, optical drives and ssd's are hidden, is just amazing! Just imagine a Tri-Sli WC Build with acrylic tubing in that! It would look soooo clean!

 

Anyways what do you guys think? Is this the perfect case (for the money) or is it just another new design that people won't buy?

 

 

(Images from Overclock.net)

[DontUSASme]

The design for me is a bit "meh."

[Blade of Grass]

Not doing it for me, I think it looks quite ugly and isn't that revolutionary.

[Bleedman0xx]

Ugly design, IMO.

[Common_Courtesy]

Sure its a good idea having the power supply and hard drives at the back but dear god the case is ugly.  

[RobertVanGilder]

True. It is basically a box but all that space it has..two dual 280 rads.. If only it was aluminum and the outside was a bit better looking..but that would raise the cost..

[Deus Ragno]

Not particularly appealing indeed. I'd say the insides are pretty solid and so is the size and shape. But texture, color and aesthetic features don't work for me.

[Nischi]

I have to say I really like it, maybe not the most beautiful design, but quite an interesting layout. Seems to have a window on the side to boot.

[That Norwegian Guy]

It seems a bit inefficient. Especially, I think they could have fitted either way more HDD cages or way more ODD bays. The latter would be better as you could use a backplane to turn it into HDD hotswap if you wanted.

 

But the case itself is easily the best thing Corsair has done in the last few years. The material may be a bit meh, and it may be a bit boring, but at least it's not fail black brushed aluminium. The window is also an excellent size and thankfully doesn't have a retarded swooping shape or lame fan grills in it.

[Legion]

Ugly side would happen to be on the front :(, Much prefer the 330 if I'd to pick one of the two.

[#Banana]

yeah i loved it so much i ordered it on corsair. maybe ill beat linus to an unboxing. ill have to use my phone though lol.

[Akula]

Looks server grade to me, not convinced.

[#Banana]

Not particularly appealing indeed. I'd say the insides are pretty solid and so is the size and shape. But texture, color and aesthetic features don't work for me.

yeah it was the insides and the water cooling options that sold me. not so much the look. im going to see about modding the grills.

[CountChoculitis]

I like it but I am also a silence freak so idk if I could live with the noise. For pure performance it looks like it would be great for air cooling.

[Victor Golf]

wow. I liked the looks of my 500R when I got it but now there is a double wide case? Awesome!

[Genecidalic]

I prefer the 350D over this case its just idk weird looking

[w_km]

I prefer the 350D over this case its just idk weird looking

Says the googly-eyed batman...

 

I like the industrial design, but it better be backed up by some good build quality....although it looks like too much plastic.  Although the $140 price tag is a plus.  I'm most intrigued by the functionality and hope other manufacturers create non-tower full ATX cases.

[Rhotis]

It seems a bit inefficient. Especially, I think they could have fitted either way more HDD cages or way more ODD bays. The latter would be better as you could use a backplane to turn it into HDD hotswap if you wanted.

 

But the case itself is easily the best thing Corsair has done in the last few years. The material may be a bit meh, and it may be a bit boring, but at least it's not fail black brushed aluminium. The window is also an excellent size and thankfully doesn't have a retarded swooping shape or lame fan grills in it.

 

I think the point of not having that stuff in there was ti have 100% unrestricted air coming from the intakes.  Basically take a look at the FT03.  Take a look at the 2 unrestricted fans.  That is what they were going for without rotating the mobo.  Appearently their numbers justify doing it that way in testing so I would not call it insufficient.  Looks to be plenty of room for drives for the typical user.  Two easy to place mechanicals and easy room for a few SSDs.  

 

My biggest knock on the case is the way the top and front sections are with the thick plastic "lines".  I would have rather seen something like say the front and top of the fractal arc midi,  or the front of the 650D from Corsair in that area.  I think it would have looked MUCH cleaner and much more professional.  

[pzt]

will prob buy! its like a cheaper caselabs m8. Just sick of my switch 810 and need something all of my components will fit in!

[TheMightyNoob01]

I really like the design, but it could do with some make-up. Cable management heaven.

[Gecko]

I am getting one and mading it for home server!

[bchampion96]

Not sure, why everyone doesn't seem to like it. I think it's really nice and I would buy it. 

[Alex Dimitri]

This is awesome case (functionallity wise) rather ugly by default......but there`s a beauty in it after all....just imagine mods possible to do with this !

I`m getting this one for my next rig, for the price it`s hard to find better and more functional (in sense of dividing good looking/and extra ugly parts of PC) case !

Amazing design......now i just need to figure out what i`m gonna replace that ugly gray plastic with :P

[Rhotis]

Not sure, why everyone doesn't seem to like it. I think it's really nice and I would buy it. 

 

I like the big window on the side and the untraditional setup means no ugly HDD cages visible through that massive window.  

[Kajornkeat]

It looks like a vertical test bench. Kinda cool but not for me XD