BassAddict
New Member
Hello everyone! I bought this Corsair Carbide 500R, and I am VERY impressed so far! I haven't had the chance to put my build into it yet, but I am anxious 
The reason I bought this case is because of the innovative features over my Antec 1200. Even though the 500R is a Mid tower, it is only 2 inches shorter and .3 inches narrower than my 1200, and it packs full tower functionality! Also, it was made for compatibility with the H100 CPU cooler, which will sit on top of the case with the removal of the cover mesh.
The overall feel to the case is that it is well built!
- Both side panels protrude for the use of cable management ease on one side, and for the use of larger CPU air coolers on the other side.
- The HDD bays are removable, which will support very long video cards, and provide better airflow throughout the case.
- The top cover mesh just "clicks" open with a push on the middle of the mesh toward the front of the case.
- It has a bottom mounted PSU (A must for me)
- It has a built in 3 speed fan controller and a built in On/Off switch for the fan LED's
Keep in mind: There will be more photos to come! This is just the initial phase of the review.
EDIT: For some reason, I can only upload 5 photos..
EDIT II: There are some photos that I wanted uploaded, but I am unable to properly load them with my photo limit imposed. Maybe I should take lower res photos? I started with 12 MP and moved all the way down to 1.3 MP (What these photos were taken with) The res of the photos are 960x1280. Size ranging from 112KB to around 216KB.. Do I have to provide even lower res photos to load more?
EDIT III: I am also new to reviewing in general.. Take it easy on me!
Edit IV: This is an update (09/28/2011): You can view all of the photos taken here: Computer Forum public photos - BassAddict. I wanted to give an update on the cooling performance and setup. So far, my ambient temps went from 35-38*C (Antec 1200) to 23-26*C (500R). I believe the main reason was because the lack of good cable management in the 1200, and for the fact that the bay is removable..
I ended up using two of the case fans from the 1200. I placed one fan next to the PSU as an intake, drawing air from the bottom of the case, and the other fan as an intake on top of the case next to the H50 to provide airflow over the Memory modules.
One thing that I noticed (not sure if I am exactly correct about it though) is that the Antec fans seem to have more CFM than the Corsair fans. Also, the 200mm case fan on the side of the case on the mesh doesn't feel like it is producing the cooling that I was hoping for, and so, I might take that fan out and replace it with two 120mm or 140mm fans or the 230mm from the 1200 case. Also, I might replace all of the fans in the case with the Antec fans. Or, I will buy all new case fans with 75 CFM or higher. I am just picky about my air cooling, and so, you can take this little tid bit with a grain of salt
Basically, the only con that I found with the case is that the all of the screws that were holding something together were over-tightened, and had flat threads on one half of every single screw.. They must have been in a hurry with these new cases. Luckily, I have a Tool and Die background, and I had a tapping set to re-tap the screws
Here is a list of the Pro's and Con's that I came up with:
Pros: I would like to start out by saying that the whole concept and design of the case is down right awesome!
- Installation of a CPU liquid cooler H50 (Supports H100) was flawless! The top cover mesh opens with a "click" by pushing down the center toward the front of case.
- The HDD bays are completely tool-less. There are plastic round pins to simulate a screw. Just pop in the drive and push it into the bay.
- The 5.25" Optical bays are also tool-less. It is literally push in and it snaps into place.. Easy!
- The HDD bays are removable for greater airflow and higher customization.
- The cable management... IS. Awesome! The right panel (motherboard side) protrudes enough to allow for greater cable management. The grommets add a classy look, as well.
- So far, I have 6 intake fans (two on top, two in front, one on bottom next to PSU, and one on side of mesh panel with one exhaust fan to create positive air pressure.
- My overall ambient temps have been lowered thanks to the cable management, and bay removal.
- The stock fan lights can be turned on and off via a button in front of the case.
- There were extra screws, standoff's, and what-not included
Cons: - Every single screw that was holding something in, was over-tightened.. The threads were flat on one side of every screw. Even on the thumb screws.
-------------------------------------------
This is where the H50 to H100 is compatible. It would sit here with the fans exhausting into or out of the case, depending on, what you prefer.
As you can see, the side panel mesh comes with a 200+ mm fan, but there are various locations that are pre-built into the mesh paneling for 120 to 140 mm fans.
Here is the side shot inside the case. I took the middle HDD bay out to show the room for very long video cards, and better airflow at the same time! Also, the case comes with pre-installed motherboard stand-off's! Antec? Are you taking notes?
There is also a box of extra screws and stuff for the case in a white box in the lower HDD bay. Also, the HDD bays are SDD compatible.
Placing the H50 CPU cooler on top of the case
My thermal paste came out a little sloppy.. It has been sitting on the shelf for over 2 years though.. My rice sized drop turned into a sloppy mess of mush, but my temps are idle at 26*C and 50*C load, so I'm happy!
The H50 is installed! The fan is exhausting into the case, which I am not too happy about, but my temps are Ok for now. When I get the H100, I will have the fans exhaust out of the case, and just leave the cover mesh off.
120 mm intake fan is installed next to the H50
Inside view of the fan setup
This fan will reside next to the PSU
I have my HDD installed on the bottom tray of the case. There was no need for screws! Just place the HDD into the HDD tray, and put the tabs of the dummy screws into the holes of the HDD. Easy
My Antec HCG-900 PSU is attached to the case..
Right side view of the cable management behind the motherboard..
Photo of the cable management so far..
All cables are routed through the grommet above the 120 mm fan
Installed the PCI-e connecters to the GTX260
The.. Computer Runs! The battle over Static Electricity was won by BassAddict!
And, here's my sign..
The reason I bought this case is because of the innovative features over my Antec 1200. Even though the 500R is a Mid tower, it is only 2 inches shorter and .3 inches narrower than my 1200, and it packs full tower functionality! Also, it was made for compatibility with the H100 CPU cooler, which will sit on top of the case with the removal of the cover mesh.
The overall feel to the case is that it is well built!
- Both side panels protrude for the use of cable management ease on one side, and for the use of larger CPU air coolers on the other side.
- The HDD bays are removable, which will support very long video cards, and provide better airflow throughout the case.
- The top cover mesh just "clicks" open with a push on the middle of the mesh toward the front of the case.
- It has a bottom mounted PSU (A must for me)
- It has a built in 3 speed fan controller and a built in On/Off switch for the fan LED's
Keep in mind: There will be more photos to come! This is just the initial phase of the review.
EDIT: For some reason, I can only upload 5 photos..
EDIT II: There are some photos that I wanted uploaded, but I am unable to properly load them with my photo limit imposed. Maybe I should take lower res photos? I started with 12 MP and moved all the way down to 1.3 MP (What these photos were taken with) The res of the photos are 960x1280. Size ranging from 112KB to around 216KB.. Do I have to provide even lower res photos to load more?
EDIT III: I am also new to reviewing in general.. Take it easy on me!
Edit IV: This is an update (09/28/2011): You can view all of the photos taken here: Computer Forum public photos - BassAddict. I wanted to give an update on the cooling performance and setup. So far, my ambient temps went from 35-38*C (Antec 1200) to 23-26*C (500R). I believe the main reason was because the lack of good cable management in the 1200, and for the fact that the bay is removable..
I ended up using two of the case fans from the 1200. I placed one fan next to the PSU as an intake, drawing air from the bottom of the case, and the other fan as an intake on top of the case next to the H50 to provide airflow over the Memory modules.
One thing that I noticed (not sure if I am exactly correct about it though) is that the Antec fans seem to have more CFM than the Corsair fans. Also, the 200mm case fan on the side of the case on the mesh doesn't feel like it is producing the cooling that I was hoping for, and so, I might take that fan out and replace it with two 120mm or 140mm fans or the 230mm from the 1200 case. Also, I might replace all of the fans in the case with the Antec fans. Or, I will buy all new case fans with 75 CFM or higher. I am just picky about my air cooling, and so, you can take this little tid bit with a grain of salt
Basically, the only con that I found with the case is that the all of the screws that were holding something together were over-tightened, and had flat threads on one half of every single screw.. They must have been in a hurry with these new cases. Luckily, I have a Tool and Die background, and I had a tapping set to re-tap the screws
Here is a list of the Pro's and Con's that I came up with:
Pros: I would like to start out by saying that the whole concept and design of the case is down right awesome!
- Installation of a CPU liquid cooler H50 (Supports H100) was flawless! The top cover mesh opens with a "click" by pushing down the center toward the front of case.
- The HDD bays are completely tool-less. There are plastic round pins to simulate a screw. Just pop in the drive and push it into the bay.
- The 5.25" Optical bays are also tool-less. It is literally push in and it snaps into place.. Easy!
- The HDD bays are removable for greater airflow and higher customization.
- The cable management... IS. Awesome! The right panel (motherboard side) protrudes enough to allow for greater cable management. The grommets add a classy look, as well.
- So far, I have 6 intake fans (two on top, two in front, one on bottom next to PSU, and one on side of mesh panel with one exhaust fan to create positive air pressure.
- My overall ambient temps have been lowered thanks to the cable management, and bay removal.
- The stock fan lights can be turned on and off via a button in front of the case.
- There were extra screws, standoff's, and what-not included
Cons: - Every single screw that was holding something in, was over-tightened.. The threads were flat on one side of every screw. Even on the thumb screws.
-------------------------------------------
This is where the H50 to H100 is compatible. It would sit here with the fans exhausting into or out of the case, depending on, what you prefer.
As you can see, the side panel mesh comes with a 200+ mm fan, but there are various locations that are pre-built into the mesh paneling for 120 to 140 mm fans.
Here is the side shot inside the case. I took the middle HDD bay out to show the room for very long video cards, and better airflow at the same time! Also, the case comes with pre-installed motherboard stand-off's! Antec? Are you taking notes?
There is also a box of extra screws and stuff for the case in a white box in the lower HDD bay. Also, the HDD bays are SDD compatible.
Placing the H50 CPU cooler on top of the case
My thermal paste came out a little sloppy.. It has been sitting on the shelf for over 2 years though.. My rice sized drop turned into a sloppy mess of mush, but my temps are idle at 26*C and 50*C load, so I'm happy!
The H50 is installed! The fan is exhausting into the case, which I am not too happy about, but my temps are Ok for now. When I get the H100, I will have the fans exhaust out of the case, and just leave the cover mesh off.
120 mm intake fan is installed next to the H50
Inside view of the fan setup
This fan will reside next to the PSU
I have my HDD installed on the bottom tray of the case. There was no need for screws! Just place the HDD into the HDD tray, and put the tabs of the dummy screws into the holes of the HDD. Easy
My Antec HCG-900 PSU is attached to the case..
Right side view of the cable management behind the motherboard..
Photo of the cable management so far..
All cables are routed through the grommet above the 120 mm fan
Installed the PCI-e connecters to the GTX260
The.. Computer Runs! The battle over Static Electricity was won by BassAddict!
And, here's my sign..
Last edited:
) I'll probably shell out the money for a nice Corsair full tower.
