Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Airflow Series Review @ [H]

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FrgMstr

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Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Airflow Series Review - It's big. It's black. In fact it's "Obsidian!" Corsair's new 750D computer case is actually all steel and brushed aluminum, not volcanic rock. Corsair's take on the 750D Airflow Series is that it is easy to build in and has all the features you need rather than a plethora of bells and whistles that only look good on a spec sheet.
 
Case looks pretty much same old, same old.

It's too bad that Corsair cases haven't been modified for a good while.

I have a 600T and an 800D. The 750 is just a little smaller 800.

I'd do away with the 5.25 bays and modify the HDD cages, or do away with them too.
The design hasn't changed in at least 3 years, this would increase air flow and make more room for radiators.

The review is excellent as always, but I don't see this as an award winning case design anymore. Just my 2 cents.:D

There are much more innovative designs out in the world now.
 
I actually recently bought a 750D, and I have an airflow upgrade kit coming.

It wasn't my first choice. I bought a Fractal Design Define S, but it turns out my motherboard is a SSI CEB form factor, not ATX, and it didn't fit! :eek:

So I picked up the 750d on sale at microcenter, and it has been great.

Once I receive the airflow kit, it should be the same as the case under review here.

I have a Corsair H110i GTX in push-pull exhausting out the top, and plan on getting two HG10 N980's once they launch and exhaust them out the front using two H90's.

I was very impressed. Mucb easier install than my old Silverstone RV03 that was falling apart.

19728457178_ac57e36e08_c.jpg


 
I really wish they made this and the smaller one the 350d with no 5.25 bays. Would be great for water cooling and air flow.. Really who uses a cd drive any more.
 
Makeroflostsouls said:
I really wish they made this and the smaller one the 350d with no 5.25 bays. Would be great for water cooling and air flow.. Really who uses a cd drive any more.
Click to expand...

The fractal Design Define S I initiall bought didn't have 5.25" bays, and this was actually a selling point for me.

When my motherboard didn't fit in it and I picked up the 750D at Microcenter instead, I actually wound up appreciating the 5.25" bay (at least one of them)

Without it, I wouldn't have had anywhere to install my fan controller!

Sunbeamtech%20Rheosmart%206%20Fan%20Controller.jpg


The 5.25" bay may impede air flow a little bit, but I can't imagine it would make a huge difference. I have a fan blowing out the top above the 5.25" bay, and it seems to be pulling just as much air as the rear two fans do...
 
Oh, and having very recently done my build with this case, I absolutely love the screwless 2.5 and 3.5" drive mounts. Such a great idea. The thumb screws on the PCIe slots were great too.

This case was a joy to work with. Lots of space, no bloody knuckles, plenty of cable routing options. I'm not even good at cable management, and mine wound up looking good.

It was difficult to fit the H110i GTX in push pull though. If I were to do it again, I would install the radiator and fans before installing the motherboard. I kept banging into the same capacitor on the motherboard and was actually worried I'd break it off, but it wound up being OK. I appreciated that Corsair threw in 4 extra radiator screws with the case for push pull, but 8 would have been better for my purposes with the H110i GTX.

I wish the fan slots on the bottom and on the back had dust filters, as I plan on blowing in the bottom and back, and exhausting through the front. I will have to get some after market filters.

Some things I liked with the Fractal Design Define S case that were missing in the 750d though, were the excellent heavy padded door panels, and captive thumb screws. I always lose those damned thumb screws, so making them captive on the Fracal Design case was great.

All things considered, the 750D worked out great for me, and I can't wait to get the airflow kit, HG10 N980's and H90's to complete the build.

Probably the best case I have completed a build in.

Only thing I don't really like is the 5.25" bay covers. Install anything in the bays, and the front panel disappears completely, even on the sides next to the bays, leaving this awkward and ugly gap.
 
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Here is my custom loop:



The rad is 2x140 and thin. You can't fit 30mm fans for push pull even with a thinner rad on the top. You have to find thin 140mm fans and I found exactly one model when I was looking in February. Overall, I am happy with it.
 
Zarathustra[H];1041764256 said:
Oh, and having very recently done my build with this case, I absolutely love the screwless 2.5 and 3.5" drive mounts. Such a great idea. The thumb screws on the PCIe slots were great too.

This case was a joy to work with. Lots of space, no bloody knuckles, plenty of cable routing options. I'm not even good at cable management, and mine wound up looking good.

It was difficult to fit the H110i GTX in push pull though. If I were to do it again, I would install the radiator and fans before installing the motherboard. I kept banging into the same capacitor on the motherboard and was actually worried I'd break it off, but it wound up being OK. I appreciated that Corsair threw in 4 extra radiator screws with the case for push pull, but 8 would have been better for my purposes with the H110i GTX.

I wish the fan slots on the bottom and on the back had dust filters, as I plan on blowing in the bottom and back, and exhausting through the front. I will have to get some after market filters.

Some things I liked with the Fractal Design Define S case that were missing in the 750d though, were the excellent heavy padded door panels, and captive thumb screws. I always lose those damned thumb screws, so making them captive on the Fracal Design case was great.

All things considered, the 750D worked out great for me, and I can't wait to get the airflow kit, HG10 N980's and H90's to complete the build.

Probably the best case I have completed a bild in.
Click to expand...

The other problem with this case, and with my 600T as well is the 8 pin CPU connector.
I see in your build you brought the cable up the front.
If you wanted to route that cable from behind, one it would need an extension, and second I bet it would not fit because the rad is in the way.
You'd have to put the cable in place before installing the radiator.:D
 
magoo said:
The other problem with this case, and with my 600T as well is the 8 pin CPU connector.
I see in your build you brought the cable up the front.
If you wanted to route that cable from behind, one it would need an extension, and second I bet it would not fit because the rad is in the way.
You'd have to put the cable in place before installing the radiator.:D
Click to expand...

Yeah, I debated stopping the build and going to MicroCenter for an extension, but they were about to close, and it would have been a race against time.

You can't really tell from the pictures, but there are holes in the corners you can squeeze things through around the radiator. I'm not concerned about fitting it if I get one.
 
CompMage said:
Anyone got links on who has it for sell yet? Just want the front panel.
Click to expand...

If you already have the case and just want the airflow kit, the only place I was able to find mine, when I ordered it a week ago was in the Corsair Store, here.

$14.99 + $4 shipping.

Ordered it 7 days ago, didn't ship until Tuesday. Is actually sitting on my door step at home right now, waiting for me.

I'm probably not going to bother installing it until I get my two HG10 N980's and H90's and do it all at once. The case has plenty of airflow as is right now.
 
magoo said:
Case looks pretty much same old, same old.

It's too bad that Corsair cases haven't been modified for a good while.

I have a 600T and an 800D. The 750 is just a little smaller 800.

I'd do away with the 5.25 bays and modify the HDD cages, or do away with them too.
The design hasn't changed in at least 3 years, this would increase air flow and make more room for radiators.

The review is excellent as always, but I don't see this as an award winning case design anymore. Just my 2 cents.:D

There are much more innovative designs out in the world now.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, this case looks the same as the 650d I had for Sandybridge.
 
Zarathustra[H];1041764316 said:
Yeah, I debated stopping the build and going to MicroCenter for an extension, but they were about to close, and it would have been a race against time.

You can't really tell from the pictures, but there are holes in the corners you can squeeze things through around the radiator. I'm not concerned about fitting it if I get one.
Click to expand...

My 800 came with an extension, thankfully.

Yes there are slots in the 800D as well as you describe.

The 600 T also has them, but a combination of a push-pull radiator and a really large Maximus VI motherboard heatsink forced me to fish the extension in before installing the radiator and I still lost some skin on my knuckles.:eek:

Honestly I do ljke Corsair cases, but their design is just getting stale.:D
 
I bought a 700D and have used it for years. However my last new case was an NZXT Switch 810 because it came in white. I am utterly sick and tired of black cases.

That was before 780T White case came out. I wish Corsair would build MORE white cases, and please god a Full or Super Tower Red one.
 
Well, my airflow kit came in, and it took all of 2 seconds to install...

19967410200_6ac400daea_c.jpg


I like it.

I have to admit, in the past I never would have bought LED fans, as I've always found them too gaudy, but I accidentally bought 5 of these "white" LED Corsair SP140L's and I feel like they work without feeling too "tricked out" in this case.
 
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mls1995 said:
Totally agree, this case looks the same as the 650d I had for Sandybridge.
Click to expand...

You guys must switch cases a lot more often than I do :p

My last case was my Silverstone Raven RV03, I bought when it launched in mid 2011...

I tend to buy a case and keep it until it falls apart, swapping the parts inside.

Hoping I'll still be rocking this 750D proudly in 2020 :p
 
Makeroflostsouls said:
I really wish they made this and the smaller one the 350d with no 5.25 bays. Would be great for water cooling and air flow.. Really who uses a cd drive any more.
Click to expand...
A LOT of people still use optical drives. I would like to see them stealthed away better though. There are also a lot of other uses for 5.25"/3.5" bays.
There are some really great SFF cases I'd buy IF they had just one optical bay.
 
mynamehere said:
A LOT of people still use optical drives. I would like to see them stealthed away better though. There are also a lot of other uses for 5.25"/3.5" bays.
There are some really great SFF cases I'd buy IF they had just one optical bay.
Click to expand...

What for?

I like having 5.25" bays, but only for fan controllers.

I'm trying to figure out the reason for still having an optical drive in 2015...
 
Zarathustra[H];1041765117 said:
What for?

I like having 5.25" bays, but only for fan controllers.

I'm trying to figure out the reason for still having an optical drive in 2015...
Click to expand...

Some of us still buy CDs. To rip CDs to FLAC. I can't believe some people have NO Optical Drive at all.
 
qdemn7 said:
Some of us still buy CDs. To rip CDs to FLAC. I can't believe some people have NO Optical Drive at all.
Click to expand...

I have a portable one. I break it out once every year or two when I need to install an OS that won't behave when put on a USB stick.

Other than that, I never use it.
 
Zarathustra[H];1041765117 said:
What for?

I like having 5.25" bays, but only for fan controllers.

I'm trying to figure out the reason for still having an optical drive in 2015...
Click to expand...
Not everyone gets all their media "pre-ripped" or stream everything.
 
I've recently done builds in a 750D and a Fractal Design R4. Overall, I'd say that the Fractal Design case was higher quality, and had a slightly more refined design. That said, the 750D is a very good case, and was a joy to build in. I recently added the high air flow front panel, and I'm very happy with the change.
If I go ahead with a Skylake build, It'll be in the 750D.
 
Nasgul said:
Glad to see you have a giant 450D.

I will never accidentally buy an LED fan. I bought 2x140mm and 1x 120mm AF (with the rings) for my 450D.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Optical drives........still so useful. Not only to install software/drivers for your rig but also to burn videos, photos and very important files on a disc.

I much rather have my most important files on a disc then a flash drive.
Click to expand...

You can always buy a portable optical drive.
I have a portable DVD drive via USB, it works fine and it's there when I need it, which isn't often lately.

I also like white LED fans. Look, you spend hours making sure all the cables are hidden/routed, install custom water cooling, have a big-ass window on the side of the case, to look at what?
A giant black hole?
Light is necessary, IMO.
 
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Nasgul said:
Glad to see you have a giant 450D.

I will never accidentally buy an LED fan. I bought 2x140mm and 1x 120mm AF (with the rings) for my 450D.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I wanted the SP line, not the AF line, as in myoriginal plans they were going to be pushing air through radiators (not pulling out like I am doing now) and it turns out the SP140L's only come with LED's. I didn't notice they were LED fans until after I ahd ordered them. I was thinking I could cut the wires to the LED's if I needed to, but once installed I wasnt too bothered by them.

They really arent as bright as they show up in pictures. (Anything backlit always is exhaggerated when you take a picture of it, I was trying to offset it by shining a lot of light on the front of the case)



mynamehere said:
Not everyone gets all their media "pre-ripped" or stream everything.
Click to expand...


Ahh, I see. I haven't bought a CD (or any video media on disc) since the 90's.

I do appreciate high quality encoded files (though I feel FLAC is excessive) but I am way too lazy to rip everything myself. These days the "extreme quality" setting in Spotify is good enough for me. They aren't lossless, but they are indistinguishable from lossless formats to me.

The funny part is I mostly use it to listen to music I already own on CD, but the CD's just collect dust in a box in the basement. I haven't discovered much (any?) new music I like since the mid to late 90's.


Nasgul said:
Optical drives........still so useful. Not only to install software/drivers for your rig but also to burn videos, photos and very important files on a disc.

I much rather have my most important files on a disc then a flash drive.
Click to expand...


I wouldn't put too much faith in those burned backups. Optical discs degrade scarily quickly. I also don't trust flash media.

All of my data gets stored on my NAS in a ZFS redundant RAID 60 equivalent setup, and is then synced automatically to crashplan as my offsite backup.
 
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I love my 750D. I'm just about to order that high airflow front cover for mine. It's nice that Corsair is offering this cover as an upgrade.
 
Astral Abyss said:
I love my 750D. I'm just about to order that high airflow front cover for mine. It's nice that Corsair is offering this cover as an upgrade.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was a nice touch that they kept their existing customers in mind, when they upgraded the 750D. They probably don't make too much money on these upgrade kits. It would have been easy to just not do it.

This, and their impressive warranty coverage over the years has given me warm fuzzies when it comes to being a Corsair customer.
 
Zarathustra[H];1041766044 said:
All of my data gets stored on my NAS in a ZFS redundant RAID 60 equivalent setup, and is then synced automatically to crashplan as my offsite backup.
Click to expand...

Theres cautious and then theres overkill. You however are basically OCD
 
BlueSaber80 said:
Theres cautious and then theres overkill. You however are basically OCD
Click to expand...

You say that until you have lost unrecoverable data, and then you never say that again.

Prior to meeting me my Fiance and her ex husband kept all of their videos and pictures of my stepson on the hard drive of a Macbook Air. That drive died 2 years ago, and was replaced. it has been sitting in a foil bag ever since. I decided I was going to try to recover it. I got a USB ZIF SATA adapter, but unfortunately the drive fails to spin up.

So, now I am looking around at forensic data recovery companies, and the prices are steep. Typically its a non-refundable $100 diagnostic fee, and recovery starts at $600, if straight forward. If not straight forward, we can be talking a few thousand bucks, and there is o guarantee. Those files may be lost forever.

It simply isn't worth it to not properly back up.

Having a redundant RAID array is not a backup. It's just the first step in securing the data. It will protect against hard drive failures, but not against accidental deletions, file system corruption, fires, floods, etc.

It is absolutely crucial to have a secure off-site backup on top of redundant drives. Optical media degrade way too quickly for this purpose. They are also kind of small. I would need almost 2,000 single sided writable DVD's in order to back up my data.

The worst experience would be to need your backup one day only to find that it is damaged and unrecoverable.
 
Yeah, I don't trust farking anyone with my personal data in the cloud. I keep my backup drive in fireproof safe and call it good enough. Then again, I don't have a wife or kids to worry about either, its just little me
 
BlueSaber80 said:
Yeah, I don't trust farking anyone with my personal data in the cloud. I keep my backup drive in fireproof safe and call it good enough. Then again, I don't have a wife or kids to worry about either, its just little me
Click to expand...

That's why I AES encrypt it first separately from the crashplan app, with a key only I have.

If anyone at crashplan wants to look at my data, they'd only find gibberish gobbledygook. :p
 
I am most likely will be getting this case, I have been looking into it a few times and have not found a better case for my needs. Mind you, I am running a case that I have bought back in 2007...Aluminus
I've also been looking into NZXT, but so far the 750D wins for me.
 
This is a great case. Just finished moving from my Lian Li. Everything neat and tidy. No problem with the ATX line on the Corsair HX850i. Long enough to easily go out thru the grommet by the PS and then up the back and over the top. And putting everything in place? Zip tie heaven!
 
this case needed a better front panel so props for finally putting out the add-on after two years and after incorporating it into the 450D at launch. don't see the point in relaunching the case as this add-on is sold in their webstore long before any stock of this "airflow edition" went out to stores. a quiet repackaging of the 750D would have been fine as opposed to adding over $30 to the cost for a $15 front panel. glad they decided against the blue LED fans.
 
PureBlackFire said:
this case needed a better front panel so props for finally putting out the add-on after two years and after incorporating it into the 450D at launch. don't see the point in relaunching the case as this add-on is sold in their webstore long before any stock of this "airflow edition" went out to stores. a quiet repackaging of the 750D would have been fine as opposed to adding over $30 to the cost for a $15 front panel. glad they decided against the blue LED fans.
Click to expand...

I agree, but marketing strategy ^_^
 
Just want to echo this is a great case and an effortless build compared to my previous two cases (Silverstone FT02B, Antec P180B). The only minor quibble is the steel is noticeably lower quality than my others but then again it quite a bit cheaper as well. Highly recommended.
 
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