A Closer Look - Outside

Taking a first look at the Obsidian 450D, it does fit right between the 350D and 550D in terms of size - even though some may argue that the Obsidian 550D is not really a part of the family. The 450D can hold an ATX board, while the 350D is limited to mATX variants. On a larger scale, the 750D can gulp up an XL-ATX motherboard, so the 450D does, once again, fit. I am not considering the 650D in this comparison as it is a case of the old Obsidian generation, and it costs more than the 750D despite its lower model number.


The 450D's front looks just like that of its brethren as you could line them up next to each other for a perfect fit. Corsair has done an excellent job with the whole chassis family in that regard. Turning the chassis around, it does remind of the Carbide 300R, and the interior and exterior are also different enough to, as we will see, warrant a higher price tag.


The main side-panel of the 450D comes equipped with a fairly large window that should give you a nice view of all the hardware within. Its other side is covered in a solid panel with no extrusions or air vents.


Corsair has lined the entire front of the case with Aluminum, but its underlying structure is out of plastic. While both the 350D and 750D were completely solid, this chassis has an air vent in the front, which should improve overall airflow. It can easily be removed as it is held in place by two push pins. Removing the panel allows you to easily access both 140AL fans.


Turning the chassis around, the PSU bay is located at the very bottom. You may install the power supply with the fan either facing down- or upward since the bay comes with two sets of mounting holes. Each protected by a separate cover, the seven motherboard-expansion slots are above the PSU bay. At the very top are a 120 mm exhaust fan with rubber mountings and three possible ways to route water-cooling tubes out the back of the case. However, Corsair does not provide the rubber rings, so you have to get those yourself. I already mentioned that the rear is slightly different to that of a normal case. Corsair has, instead of maximizing internal space, placed the fan-mounting possibility about 10 mm deep into the chassis, which means that you have that much less room around the motherboard for large CPU coolers, and I have seen plenty of tower and top-down coolers that come really close to the fan in the rear, which may even force you to remove the unit entirely.


Almost the entire top of the chassis is covered by a metal sheet of flexible mesh. The mesh is held in place by magnetic strips that line all four edges. The strips are quite strong, so you will not have to worry about the mesh falling off during transport, for example. Underneath the mesh is an elaborate air vent with holes for either 3x 120 mm or 2x 140 mm fans. You may also install a 360 or 280 mm radiator here. Tipping the 450D over, there is a large dust filter on its underside; it is also held in place by magnets, but its grip is not quite as strong as that of the mesh on top, although it should suffice.