Cooler Master HAF-XB Chassis Detailed

[btarunr]

On Monday, gaming PC builder CyberPowerPC blurted out pictures of a fascinating new cubical case from Cooler Master. The case turns out to be the HAF-XB. Measuring 442(W) x 330(H) x 423(D)mm, the case supports ATX, micro-ATX, and mini-ITX motherboards, and features a compartmentalized design. The motherboard tray is arranged on the top compartment, along the plane of the base. The top compartment is spacious enough for CPU coolers that are 180 mm tall, and graphics cards that are 334 mm long. Two 120 mm front intake fans and a 120 mm rear spinner maintain positive air pressure within the compartment.

The bottom half of the case is dedicated to storage and PSU bays. These include two 3.5-inch hotswap SATA caddies, which can be internally converted to six 2.5-inch bays, and two 5.25-inch drive bays. In addition to the push-pull fans of the top compartment, the case features a 200 mm top exhaust, and provision for two 80 mm rear exhaust fans. The case is expected to be priced at US $100. Find a complete review at the source.



Source: Benchmark Reviews

[TheLostSwede]

At least they got rid of the carrying handle that was used on the original design of this, imho very fugly case

[Jstn7477]

I think this case looks fairly decent IMO, almost like a fancy tech bench but it's a tabletop case. Unfortunately, it probably takes twice the horizontal footprint that a tower does (not doing the math at 2:15 AM).

[james888]

Function over form in my book...
I think I would like a handle on top. The handles on the side seem good enough for picking it up.

I wonder how thick a 240 rad you could fit in there. I guesstimate about 170mm. Enough for any 240mm rad with push pull.

For those who don't want to do the math. 17.4 x 13 x 16.7 inch

[okidna]

Review @ TweakTown : http://goo.gl/Bk5aN

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

DO WANT! I have been missing my HAF-X and this may be the answer!

[Capitan Harlock]

i have see the review on youtube from hardwarekanuks xd.
is not that bad if you want a full atx case but in little form factor.

[micropage7]

yeah that makes me want boxy case, and thats kinda nice if support various of board so you dont need to worry

[HammerON]

Interesting...
I like the design. Room for water cooling

Originally Posted by [H]@RD5TUFF

DO WANT! I have been missing my HAF-X and this may be the answer!

Been watching your BitFenix build:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=172279

Would like to see what you could do with this case

[cavemanthreeonesix]

I rly like the dimensions of this cube, would be excellent if they also made a more understated exterior, something that could sit in the front room and not look out of place as the watercooling potential seems great

[t77snapshot]

Originally Posted by okidna

Review @ TweakTown : http://goo.gl/Bk5aN

This review was done by sneekpeet himself Thanks bro!

Originally Posted by Capitan Harlock

i have see the review on youtube from hardwarekanuks xd.
is not that bad if you want a full atx case but in little form factor.

I like hardwarekanuks video reviews, they also mentioned that CM will be selling windowed side panels for this case as well.

Originally Posted by cavemanthreeonesix

I rly like the dimensions of this cube, would be excellent if they also made a more understated exterior, something that could sit in the front room and not look out of place as the watercooling potential seems great

It is quite obvious that the HAF series was very successful and that this case is marketed towards all those HAFans out there, so I see why CM didn't go with a more sleek simpler exterior design. Maybe they will release a less rugged looking one in the near future, but I do like this new case and it looks like a fun gaming/water-cool build for those who are not into the huge towers nowadays.

[cavemanthreeonesix]

Originally Posted by t77snapshot

It is quite obvious that the HAF series was very successful and that this case is marketed towards all those HAFans out there, so I see why CM didn't go with a more sleek simpler exterior design. Maybe they will release a less rugged looking one in the near future, but I do like this new case and it looks like a fun gaming/water-cool build for those who are not into the huge towers nowadays.

Yeh totally agree, alot of people love the haf tower cases and for good reason. I do hope in this shape, CM see the possible market potential as a HTPC case and make a future iteration thats a bit more subtle. I sadly doubt it will happen as thats not the market CM try to cater for so we'll probably end up with another over engineered and triple the price lian li in the near future.

Would be great if silverstone attempted a small cube case

[t77snapshot]

Originally Posted by cavemanthreeonesix

Would be great if silverstone attempted a small cube case

Not 100% cube, but close.

[THE_EGG]

Originally Posted by t77snapshot

Not 100% cube, but close.

Yeh, the SG07 and SG08s are great. Size of a shoebox LITERALLY, and are well constructed without weighing too much. And best of all the PSU is already in it saving money and saving the hassle of trying to find a decently powered PSU that would fit in a tiny case.

[wrathchild_67]

From the Tweaktown review using a 7950 in this case, it doesn't look like the case could hold a Geforce 690 and have something like a Corsair H100 mounted in the top/front of the case... Well this case is out of the running for me.

[AthlonX2]

Theres plenty of room in the front for a double thick 240 rad like the XSPC RX240,depending on your gpu length of course

[camoxiong]

WOW, nice case

[PopcornMachine]

Interesting design. Could put a 2x120 rad up front.

Edit:

Still waking up when I first saw this, and thought it was Micro ATX.

Now that I've seen more detailed pictures, I realize what the have done. It's what I've thought about doing if I ever built a scratch case.

They took a standard mid-tower and redesigned it with the one half for the motherboard and one half for PSU and storage. All they did different was make the 'storage side' the bottom.

There are lots of modding possibilites here. Looks like a very fun case.

[ViperXTR]

wow, been looking for this kind of case, board lying horizontally while accommodating tower CPU coolers

[t77snapshot]

Yes, it is quite a fine design and may be a future build for me. I like the hotswap bays too!

[eidairaman1]

YASTPC anyone?

[DaveK]

I can't help but imagine how bad ass this would look on my desk...if only I had the extra cash to mess around with

[TRWOV]

It sure looks different. With different panels it would make a killer gaming HTPC.

[trickson]

I like it I wished I had one. Would be perfect for me.

[t77snapshot]

The HAF XB has arrived at the Egg !!!! COOLER MASTER HAF XB RC-902XB-KKN1 Black Steel bod...

Originally Posted by TRWOV

It sure looks different. With different panels it would make a killer gaming HTPC.

Cooler Master will be featuring "windowed side panels" to purchase separately. I think it would look nice to also mod a solid windowed top panel as well, overall it would cut the acoustics down and show off your stunning hardware nicely.