Corsair Obsidian Series 800D

facepalm

I don't know if you're trolling, but whatever. Aluminum also looks much nicer and is much easier to mod, which is something enthusiasts like. Obviously, you don't really care about the way your things look, but others do. Brushed aluminum is super sexy.

I will agree with you on the window, though. It's a geek thing. No one really gave a damn about my computer when I had a window in my old case. it's something that's only for you.


But anyway, I think this case is overpriced. Lian Li has a full aluminum case with hot swap HDD rack for $300.It also has a door, like the corsair case. Also looks better thanks to having a consistent design. I mean, why would you guys make the front panel brushed aluminum and the side panels steel with a matte black finish? That looks horrible and it's not uniform at all. It is a deal breaker for me. It just looks like you guys ran out of aluminum or something. Most enthusiasts, I think, would've preferred full aluminum to the hot-swap rack you guys going on, and even then, Lian Li has a full aluminum case with the same features at the same price. Obviously they know how to keep their costs down.

I have the RocketFish Lian Li. I don't know if I'd ever have bought it unless it was on clearance for $50. I've never spent over $100 on a case. But as I get more and more into modding and overclocking, and into looks (I mean I look online and see some amazing ideas that I'd like to try myself), I wish I had a stellar cable management system. If this Lian Li case had a fantastic cable management system in place I wouldn't even be looking at this Corsair, especially at $300. I mean, you can mod the crap out of this case. For cable management, however, it's a little more difficult because it doesn't have a removable tray. Cutting the holes is still doable, but it would take quite a bit of work, and even if I did cut wire management holes, there is a ridiculously small amount of room on the other side of the tray, because this is not as wide of a case as the actual Lian Li it's based on. I love the full aluminum, and I know I could paint the inside black, but the Corsair is already done.

I know there's a lot of these "little" things I could do by hand myself, and probably do a decent job at it, but my time is extremely valuable. I don't get a lot of hours to spend drilling holes, painting, and cutting a case that's not set up the way I need it set up. I enjoy the system assembly, overclocking, software setup, and gaming much more, and so what precious time I get to "play" I want to be hooking up hoses for a watercooling setup, or installing that new CPU to overclock the crap out of, or testing out a new RAID setup ... not painting and cutting holes.

If this case gives me virtually everything I would want in a case, or mod myself, then it's saving me hours of work (plus the extra cost of a windowed side panel that I'd have to buy if I went for a Lian Li or Coolermaster case), then it will be worth $300 to me. I still think with so much cheaper steel rather than aluminum it should be $250 instead, though.
 
I have the RocketFish Lian Li. I don't know if I'd ever have bought it unless it was on clearance for $50. I've never spent over $100 on a case. But as I get more and more into modding and overclocking, and into looks (I mean I look online and see some amazing ideas that I'd like to try myself), I wish I had a stellar cable management system. If this Lian Li case had a fantastic cable management system in place I wouldn't even be looking at this Corsair, especially at $300. I mean, you can mod the crap out of this case. For cable management, however, it's a little more difficult because it doesn't have a removable tray. Cutting the holes is still doable, but it would take quite a bit of work, and even if I did cut wire management holes, there is a ridiculously small amount of room on the other side of the tray, because this is not as wide of a case as the actual Lian Li it's based on. I love the full aluminum, and I know I could paint the inside black, but the Corsair is already done.

I know there's a lot of these "little" things I could do by hand myself, and probably do a decent job at it, but my time is extremely valuable. I don't get a lot of hours to spend drilling holes, painting, and cutting a case that's not set up the way I need it set up. I enjoy the system assembly, overclocking, software setup, and gaming much more, and so what precious time I get to "play" I want to be hooking up hoses for a watercooling setup, or installing that new CPU to overclock the crap out of, or testing out a new RAID setup ... not painting and cutting holes.

If this case gives me virtually everything I would want in a case, or mod myself, then it's saving me hours of work (plus the extra cost of a windowed side panel that I'd have to buy if I went for a Lian Li or Coolermaster case), then it will be worth $300 to me. I still think with so much cheaper steel rather than aluminum it should be $250 instead, though.

All the new 2009 Lian Li cases have holes for cable management. Almost all of them have removable motherboard trays, and the corsair doesn't.
 
On a case that is that large a removable motherboard tray just isn't necessary. The tray is just one more thing that can rattle inside the case and I believe a case with out a removable motherboard tray is sturdier. I like them in smaller cases but in the large ones, I just don't feel like they are worth while.
 
On a case that is that large a removable motherboard tray just isn't necessary. The tray is just one more thing that can rattle inside the case and I believe a case with out a removable motherboard tray is sturdier. I like them in smaller cases but in the large ones, I just don't feel like they are worth while.

I think removable motherboard trays are useful either way, particularly when companies like EVGA put their cpu socket in a non-standard place. It makes swapping heatsinks/cpus easier.
 
Well, I watched all the videos on the Corsair and I guess I'm a bit confused, being a n00b to watercooling; In the case where he's got the Hydro 50 installed, is that all you need? Or was that just for show, and you need all the other stuff (the blue hoses and radiator you saw in the other case) to complete the system?
 
Well, I watched all the videos on the Corsair and I guess I'm a bit confused, being a n00b to watercooling; In the case where he's got the Hydro 50 installed, is that all you need? Or was that just for show, and you need all the other stuff (the blue hoses and radiator you saw in the other case) to complete the system?

it looks like the blue WC setup in that case is cooling the ram and the video cards. theyre just showing you how you can use the case to WC very easily, while still suggesting that you should buy the H-50. :)
 
Well, if that is true, then I will most definitely buy it for cooling the cpu. It looks pretty easy to setup, which is what I'm looking for, plus the good temps. I plan on getting a 965 so hopefully the Hydro will be able to cool it just as well. I probably won't be overclocking the chip so I should be safe. Then, maybe as time goes by I'll look into wc the ram and graphics cards. Now all I have to do is make sure my Silverstone's cables can reach where they have to. What is the best way to figure that out?? Just measure the cable lengths?

Wooohoo, I'm pretty excited, can you tell?! :D

UPDATE. Checked Corsair's site and they claim they used an oc'd 965 so I should be golden.
 
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I probably won't be overclocking the chip so I should be safe.

then why bother watercooling it ? the heatsink you get with that processor is good enough, hang on let me rephrase that, the heatsink you get with ANY processor is good enough for stock speeds.
 
i like the case. im just concerned about price point. zalman tried a case with that 300 on up price on one of there cases and im not sure how well it sold either. i cant wait to see that corsair case in person for closer inspection.
 
i like the case. im just concerned about price point. zalman tried a case with that 300 on up price on one of there cases and im not sure how well it sold either. i cant wait to see that corsair case in person for closer inspection.

A lot of Lian Li and Silverstone full tower cases go for over $300, and they are doing fine.

Anyway, hopefully corsair will improve on the next revision. For the next revision, I'd prefer aluminum with even the inside being a black brushed aluminum for a super sexy look. I'd also hope for a removable motherboard tray. I'd also like if they put an integrated fan controller, and the option for stealth drive bays to cover our crappy looking optical drives.
Maybe even offer a case without hot-swap to cut on costs because it really isn't a compelling feature for me (i'm sure others love it though).

If they could do something like that combined with what they already have, I'd be willing to drop $400 or even $500 on a case like that no problem...
 
All the new 2009 Lian Li cases have holes for cable management. Almost all of them have removable motherboard trays, and the corsair doesn't.

That is because it is about as useful as tits on a boar. Removable trays sound great on paper but they are hardly useful. I have used Lian Li cases for years. You know how many times I have used the removable tray option? Twice. Yup two whole times. Unless you are board swapping all the time what is the point? More over if the case has a good and roomy interior design what use is it? The Corsair case is enormous, what would you gain from a removable motherboard tray. Ummmm nothing...
 
I tend to use the motherboard tray often since I like to tinker and change parts at least a few times a month. Its pointless If you're just a regular consumer where you build the pc and use it until its time to do a major upgrade.
 
That is because it is about as useful as tits on a boar. Removable trays sound great on paper but they are hardly useful. I have used Lian Li cases for years. You know how many times I have used the removable tray option? Twice. Yup two whole times. Unless you are board swapping all the time what is the point? More over if the case has a good and roomy interior design what use is it? The Corsair case is enormous, what would you gain from a removable motherboard tray. Ummmm nothing...

That's my thought as well. Apparently case manufacturers generally agree as almost all the larger cases, and certainly nearly all E-ATX compatible cases seem to lack the feature in question. Having built many systems in such cases I can safely say that a removable motherboard tray wouldn't have really been of any value to me in the course of those builds.
 
A tray would be useless for me, because of my watercooling.

to pull out a tray I have to unhook all my lines.
so I can see why the feature is not included in a case marketed towards watercooling.
 
That is because it is about as useful as tits on a boar. Removable trays sound great on paper but they are hardly useful. I have used Lian Li cases for years. You know how many times I have used the removable tray option? Twice. Yup two whole times. Unless you are board swapping all the time what is the point? More over if the case has a good and roomy interior design what use is it? The Corsair case is enormous, what would you gain from a removable motherboard tray. Ummmm nothing...

The fact you used two times is enough for me frankly. It's always nice to have the option whenever you made need it even if rarely, and I believe I mentioned earlier it's useful for when you want to swap cpus/heatsinks on motherboards with the CPU socket in a non-standard place, which would render that cut out hole in the motherboard tray useless.
 
I believe I mentioned earlier it's useful for when you want to swap cpus/heatsinks on motherboards with the CPU socket in a non-standard place, which would render that cut out hole in the motherboard tray useless.

Did you actually read what you wrote? If the cut hole in the tray is useless what good exactly do you think a removable motherboard tray would be? You assume the removable tray has a properly positioned hole to access the mounting plates on the back of a motherboard as well. Just because the tray comes out does not mean that you get better access to the back of the board. In fact my Lian Li doesn't have a cut out at all on the tray. You have to pull out the tray and then remove the board to access the back of the board.

I agree 100% with Dan's opinion that they just aren't worth it and are more likely to induce unwanted vibration than to serve a useful function.
 
Did you actually read what you wrote? If the cut hole in the tray is useless what good exactly do you think a removable motherboard tray would be? You assume the removable tray has a properly positioned hole to access the mounting plates on the back of a motherboard as well. Just because the tray comes out does not mean that you get better access to the back of the board. In fact my Lian Li doesn't have a cut out at all on the tray. You have to pull out the tray and then remove the board to access the back of the board.

I agree 100% with Dan's opinion that they just aren't worth it and are more likely to induce unwanted vibration than to serve a useful function.

Um, yeah, because you put a lot of scientific research as to whether or not it will increase vibration. That's why you see a bunch of people complaining about vibration in their cases with removable motherboard trays.

Anyway, I really like coolermaster's implementation on the 840 where everything rolls out, even the graphic cards. You cannot possibly something like that wouldn't make swapping cpus/heatsinks easier. Look it up in one of 3dgameman's videos. It is hardly useless.
 
Um, yeah, because you put a lot of scientific research as to whether or not it will increase vibration. That's why you see a bunch of people complaining about vibration in their cases with removable motherboard trays.

Anyway, I really like coolermaster's implementation on the 840 where everything rolls out, even the graphic cards. You cannot possibly something like that wouldn't make swapping cpus/heatsinks easier. Look it up in one of 3dgameman's videos. It is hardly useless.

I never said it would vibrate for certain. It is just one more thing that can. The main reason I don't like them is because they are useless in larger cases and don't add much to the convenience of working with the system. It provides for a weaker structure which has to be compensated for or ignored.
 
Um, yeah, because you put a lot of scientific research as to whether or not it will increase vibration. That's why you see a bunch of people complaining about vibration in their cases with removable motherboard trays.

Actually empirical data would suggest that it would vibrate. I can say from first hand knowledge, owning a Lian Li case with a removable tray that yes it does. Mine doesn't bother me because the case is acoustically dampened throughout.

How a removable tray is better than just popping the side for swapping a video card I just don't know either. If you open the side of your case to disconnect anything before sliding out the tray you have already defeated the purpose of using the tray with a video card, like it or not that is a fact.

It doesn't matter I suppose you are predisposed to your opinion and nothing anyone can say will move you from your position.
 
Actually empirical data would suggest that it would vibrate. I can say from first hand knowledge, owning a Lian Li case with a removable tray that yes it does. Mine doesn't bother me because the case is acoustically dampened throughout.

How a removable tray is better than just popping the side for swapping a video card I just don't know either. If you open the side of your case to disconnect anything before sliding out the tray you have already defeated the purpose of using the tray with a video card, like it or not that is a fact.

It doesn't matter I suppose you are predisposed to your opinion and nothing anyone can say will move you from your position.

I know how I work. If a case had that nice roll-out option for the motherboard tray, I'd definitely use it anytime I do any hardware changes no matter how big the case is. I guess it is all personal preference.
 
Um, yeah, because you put a lot of scientific research as to whether or not it will increase vibration. That's why you see a bunch of people complaining about vibration in their cases with removable motherboard trays.

Anyway, I really like coolermaster's implementation on the 840 where everything rolls out, even the graphic cards. You cannot possibly something like that wouldn't make swapping cpus/heatsinks easier. Look it up in one of 3dgameman's videos. It is hardly useless.

The ATCS840 does have a nice rolling motherboard tray however you still need to take off the side panels to get to the screws holding the motherboard tray in. The side panels also keep the tray in. If your taking off the side panels you still have plenty of room to swap out heatsink/video cards with the room and the cutout for the cpu. I'm definately going for a Corsair case for my next build. Redbeard is there the possibility to swap the 140mm fans to 120mm fans?
 
The ATCS840 does have a nice rolling motherboard tray however you still need to take off the side panels to get to the screws holding the motherboard tray in. The side panels also keep the tray in. If your taking off the side panels you still have plenty of room to swap out heatsink/video cards with the room and the cutout for the cpu. I'm definately going for a Corsair case for my next build. Redbeard is there the possibility to swap the 140mm fans to 120mm fans?

I know about the cutout but it is useless if the CPU socket is in a non-standard place. Either way, I'd still roll it out.
 
then why bother watercooling it ? the heatsink you get with that processor is good enough, hang on let me rephrase that, the heatsink you get with ANY processor is good enough for stock speeds.

Well for one, so I can learn a new technology and get some experience with it, reduce the noise levels some more, and get the temps even lower, so call it peace of mind.

Speaking of acoustically dampened, would it be hard to put some noise dampening foam or some other material on it? Or is it not feasible, say because of the window for example?
 
Well for one, so I can learn a new technology and get some experience with it, reduce the noise levels some more, and get the temps even lower, so call it peace of mind.

Speaking of acoustically dampened, would it be hard to put some noise dampening foam or some other material on it? Or is it not feasible, say because of the window for example?

the fan on the h50 runs at 1600rpm, so you'll need to connect it to a fan controller in order to reduce the noise, but you would sacrifice lower temps.
 
Well for one, so I can learn a new technology and get some experience with it, reduce the noise levels some more, and get the temps even lower, so call it peace of mind.

Speaking of acoustically dampened, would it be hard to put some noise dampening foam or some other material on it? Or is it not feasible, say because of the window for example?

You wouldn't really learn anything about the technology, its an enclosed product in 2 pieces. Also the fan's not gonna be very quiet cooling that CPU with a 120mm rad, you'd get nice temps and learn a lot from a real loop, but obviously it costs more and isn't so simple to install.

It's a piece of cake to put sound dampening material in a case, just don't put it on the window lol. You don't even really need it if you have some nice quiet fans on a fan controller, my ATCS 840 for example, is quiet with the stock speed fans and no controller.
 
You wouldn't really learn anything about the technology, its an enclosed product in 2 pieces. Also the fan's not gonna be very quiet cooling that CPU with a 120mm rad, you'd get nice temps and learn a lot from a real loop, but obviously it costs more and isn't so simple to install.

It's a piece of cake to put sound dampening material in a case, just don't put it on the window lol. You don't even really need it if you have some nice quiet fans on a fan controller, my ATCS 840 for example, is quiet with the stock speed fans and no controller.

OK see, now you've confused me. What 120mm radiator fan? Oh wait, you mean there's a fan you can't see (from the video) on the Hydro 50, on the other side of the radiator? Well, OK you're right; still, I would like to start the move away from air cooling anyway:D I feel water cooling or even phase change may be the wave of the future? And your point about the other types of systems not being that easy to install is what concerns me. The simpler the better I always say :p

I was reading on Koolances website about the technology and on their charts they describe the best (price per performance ratio) materials for a water block. I see they have diamond as the top heat mover. Money aside I would love to see what kind of heat a diamond surface area on a water block would move. LOL!:D Money not aside how much do you think a diamond water block would cost? 1 hundred thousand, 2 hundread? HAHAH
 
OK see, now you've confused me. What 120mm radiator fan? Oh wait, you mean there's a fan you can't see (from the video) on the Hydro 50, on the other side of the radiator? Well, OK you're right; still, I would like to start the move away from air cooling anyway:D I feel water cooling or even phase change may be the wave of the future? And your point about the other types of systems not being that easy to install is what concerns me. The simpler the better I always say :p

I was reading on Koolances website about the technology and on their charts they describe the best (price per performance ratio) materials for a water block. I see they have diamond as the top heat mover. Money aside I would love to see what kind of heat a diamond surface area on a water block would move. LOL!:D Money not aside how much do you think a diamond water block would cost? 1 hundred thousand, 2 hundread? HAHAH

If you want to try some watercooling without breaking the bank, there are a couple of kits on special at Thermaltake's store. I know some people say their performance isn't any better than a top air cooler, but I have a friend that's always had good luck with TT's watercooling stuff, even though it's "budget" product:

http://www.thermaltakestore.com/bigwater-735-7350075.html

http://www.thermaltakestore.com/liquid-cooling-speical-clw0075--clw0007500380009.html

You might need a different waterblock depending on your CPU, but those prices are really good for a beginner's watercooling kit, and you will have everything you need to get started, as well as some instructions on how to set it up, although probably not with the best English grammar!

Edit: Also noticed their noise dampening kit is on clearance:

http://www.thermaltakestore.com/noise-dampening-kit-a2384-discontinued-2384.html
 
I feel water cooling or even phase change may be the wave of the future? And your point about the other types of systems not being that easy to install is what concerns me. The simpler the better I always say :p

not true at all. air cooling is so effective and so simple that it will always be the standard. water cooling is for enthusiasts more for fun and/or for quiet than for anything. you can take an i7 to 4.5GHz on air easy with a TRUE, higher with the TR IFX-14. if you "always say the simpler the better" then i do not recommend water cooling and especially not phase change ever for you. the corsair H-50 will work fine for you though as it is a very simple install.

Please don't use ThermalTake stuff for WCing. It's garbage that can cause you problems and you'll have hated trying it in the first place.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835108109&Tpk=swiftech ultima

More expensive but better parts, build quality, and easily reusable/compatible with other WC parts

thats a nice kit. def buy that over the tt crap for anyone whos looking.
 
not true at all. air cooling is so effective and so simple that it will always be the standard. water cooling is for enthusiasts more for fun and/or for quiet than for anything. you can take an i7 to 4.5GHz on air easy with a TRUE, higher with the TR IFX-14. if you "always say the simpler the better" then i do not recommend water cooling and especially not phase change ever for you. the corsair H-50 will work fine for you though as it is a very simple install.



thats a nice kit. def buy that over the tt crap for anyone whos looking.

The Swiftech kit a good kit for someone looking to get started. I've got a couple of them.
 
Probably already answered, but I'm lazy... What is the sealed CPU cooler used on the first demo machine in the video?
 
Probably already answered, but I'm lazy... What is the sealed CPU cooler used on the first demo machine in the video?

corsair H-50. mentioned in my post 2 up i think. :D its reported to perform very well, although thats with a 1600 rpm fan. im not sure if its available yet... may have to ask redbeard. frozencpu "has" it for $85, but its out of stock. idk if that means sold out, or not yet in stock.
 
Hopefully nothing too good, I just ordered an 850HX... -_- Now I want one of these...

Might have to put all my I7 stuff in my LianLi K7 to tie me over until I get the case I want...
 
I know about the cutout but it is useless if the CPU socket is in a non-standard place. Either way, I'd still roll it out.

Removable trays are also nice in EATX cases when you're installing dual processor boards that you bolt the heatsink to the tray/case. It was a hell of a lot easier installing everything in my TJ09 by removing the tray then it would have been to try and do everything inside the case.
 
Removable trays are also nice in EATX cases when you're installing dual processor boards that you bolt the heatsink to the tray/case. It was a hell of a lot easier installing everything in my TJ09 by removing the tray then it would have been to try and do everything inside the case.

That's true. I hadn't considered that. My last several dual processor boards didn't require that. My D5400XS uses standard LGA775 heat sink and fan mounting hardware. My Tyan K8WE didn't require that either.
 
Just FYI - we're retooling some pieces which is delaying the case a bit. Feedback from you guys after seeing it at Computex was that there were a few changes we could make to improve it - (ie - making the CPU backplate cutout larger and more compatible) so we're going to fix that stuff before release.
 
Just FYI - we're retooling some pieces which is delaying the case a bit. Feedback from you guys after seeing it at Computex was that there were a few changes we could make to improve it - (ie - making the CPU backplate cutout larger and more compatible) so we're going to fix that stuff before release.

Any ETA... I was really looking to ordering one (Just ordered the rest of my build right now)
 
Just FYI - we're retooling some pieces which is delaying the case a bit. Feedback from you guys after seeing it at Computex was that there were a few changes we could make to improve it - (ie - making the CPU backplate cutout larger and more compatible) so we're going to fix that stuff before release.

Really glad to hear it.
 
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