Corsair AIR 540... Opinions

[TheYoungEnthusiast]

Hey there,

 

I am starting this topic to see what you guys think of the new Corsiar Carbide AIR 540 case. The case, as usual for Corsair appears to be built of good quality materials and assembled well. After watching a few videos on it I was interested in buying it for a future build and water cool with it. But then I watched the HardwareCanucks review and that sort of changed my mind. Why, you may wonder?

 

Corsair has been including PSU fan filters on many cases for a long time now, but for some reason, they have failed to include one on this case. I know its not a big deal to some, but on a $150 case from a reputable manufacturer, I expect to get all the bells and whistles that are on their other cases. Also, I am concerned about the clearance in the front. If you have a long graphics card that is watercooled, you may not be able to put a radiator thicker than 30mm in the front. I am not upset about this nor to I intend to come across as a whiner, I just though Corsair would consider these things.

 

That's my two cents (in case anyone gives a ****), thanks for reading and feel free post a reply saying your opinion on this new case.

 

HardwareCanucks Review

[atrash]

They say that it is optimised for air cooling but it has the same functions and orientation just like every other cases.except for that compartmentalised space which is not even fully utilised and is just a waste of space.a mediocre attempt to sell mediocre designed case to fanbois.

and what's up with only one filter?

[TheYoungEnthusiast]

They say that it is optimised for air cooling but it has the same functions and orientation just like every other cases.except for that compartmentalised space which is not even fully utilised and is just a waste of space.a mediocre attempt to sell mediocre designed case to fanbois.

and what's up with only one filter?

One filter is pretty sad, and I do agree with you on that one.

[HeathCliff]

I'm actually not fussed about the filters. With a bit of modding, the space behind the tray can hold 2-3 rads. just cut the radiator template on the side panel, stick on some aftermarket dust filters and voila! Also after watching oc3d's unboxing, he claimed it may fit a alphacool rad. I so need one of these...

[atrash]

I'm using a white carbide 500R and even that has 3 fan filters for 6 120mm fans.all that marketing bs bout air cooling optimization when my 200mm sidepanel fan can do the same thing just fine.they should lower the price and add more fan filters then it'd be slightly worth buying

[HeathCliff]

I'm using a white carbide 500R and even that has 3 fan filters for 6 120mm fans.all that marketing bs bout air cooling optimization when my 200mm sidepanel fan can do the same thing just fine.they should lower the price and add more fan filters then it'd be slightly worth buying

fully agree with you there. they also should do something about the 2 hotswap bays on the bottom. if you have negative pressure in your case...you are practically screwed.

[atrash]

fully agree with you there. they also should do something about the 2 hotswap bays on the bottom. if you have negative pressure in your case...you are practically screwed.

 

seal up/replace with fan mounting points for that bottom part and put tonnes of 3.5" hot swap bays on the other side+some active cooling solution.

[onionring]

the air 540 is a haf xb but not ugly...

would lover if fractal made such a cube like case because i like the form factor but nor the amount of plastic and the windows will just get scratched up in 2 sec.

[CoolBeans]

They didn't put a fan filter on the psu intake because in their test it didn't collect any dust

[onionring]

you can buy a silverstone magnetic filter for 5$ too...

putting fan holes instead of hdds would heave been nice tho.

[Nit3Rid3R]

I completely love this case, though it doesn't have a premium quality like the obsidian series case, and I really wish they actually make an obsidian series version of the case (steel and aluminium like the 800D, unf). 

 

But anyway, this case is just perfect, all cable management goes into the back, you never have to put much of work onto cable management, you don't have to see the PSU. There is however one very big downside to this case for me, it only has 2 HDD mounts. I really wish Corsair fixes this in the future, make some HDD cage or something, because I am pretty sure you can get a few HDDs into the back of that case. 

 

Other than that, the case is an 8/10. 

[TheYoungEnthusiast]

I completely love this case, though it doesn't have a premium quality like the obsidian series case, and I really wish they actually make an obsidian series version of the case (steel and aluminium like the 800D, unf). 

 

But anyway, this case is just perfect, all cable management goes into the back, you never have to put much of work onto cable management, you don't have to see the PSU. There is however one very big downside to this case for me, it only has 2 HDD mounts. I really wish Corsair fixes this in the future, make some HDD cage or something, because I am pretty sure you can get a few HDDs into the back of that case. 

 

Other than that, the case is an 8/10. 

I do agree about the hard drive issue. Two mounts is still to little for people who run regular HDD. Not everybody is running on all solid state

[Hazy125]

I don't think they hit the nail on the head with this one, I don't think it has the visual appeal of the 800D for instance. And while you could easily purchase cheap fan magnetic fan filters, you shouldn't have to. For such a price tag things should be included default. Also the case seems to be more optimised for adding large radiators rather than air flow

[LinusTech]

Unboxing coming soon. I like it!

[godsarmy]

Should be an epic case, good for water or air!

[iruixos]

Unboxing coming soon. I like it!

 

As do I. I can't believe the guy in the HC video was complaining about a flimsy side-panel when the entire damn panel is a window, like what do you expect? Double-glazed glass windows? C'mon...

[IsaaX]

I got in early on the Air 540 when Corsair did their pre-order a few weeks ago. I love this case! I transferred from a 600T. I haven't had any issues with dust entering from the bottom where the two hot swap trays sit probably because I have positive pressure in the case. As for the vent on the side panel where the PSU sits, i slapped on one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999257

however it doesn't cover the entire vent vertically. 2 rows of holes will be exposed. The width covers it perfectly though.

[o0odellero0o]

air filter can buy easily.
bottom HHD cage look ok but I would prefer water block at there.
I would always direct cool my HHD / SSD since they went hot.

 

[nelodiavolo]

This would have been my next case if I didn't already have my 350D. I get that people want fan filters everywhere but I am pretty sure it was a cost saving measure and chances are that it would not collect too much dust given that its laying on the side. I think the price is pretty good at about $130 and a few omissions are to be expected. It's not perfect but its a great version one that I am sure will be improved at some point.

[JaeDee884]

I like it, I love my Haf XB, but this would be much better suited! 

[matin94]

This case is all i want, its basically a 900D but smaller and awesome, cant wait for it to release!

[TheYoungEnthusiast]

Unboxing coming soon. I like it!

Glad to here it! :)

[iruixos]

This would have been my next case if I didn't already have my 350D. I get that people want fan filters everywhere but I am pretty sure it was a cost saving measure and chances are that it would not collect too much dust given that its laying on the side. I think the price is pretty good at about $130 and a few omissions are to be expected. It's not perfect but its a great version one that I am sure will be improved at some point.

 

I have a 650D and my next build will likely feature CrossfireX again, which is why I had my eye on this case. Gonna add either AP&SP120's or Noctua's. :)

[IPCharger]

I'm sorry but the 900D has waaaaaaay more space. The AIR 540 is just a mid tower case with some components at the back.

[kizoku_95]

Even though this is from corsair this case is full of compromises and has been cheaped out on the build quality and is not what you can expect from corsair and the design also is poor as shown in the video and this case is one of them which you need to stay out of and that this case is only for those with a poor taste.