Corsair Obsidian 350D Review

Written by Antony Leather

May 20, 2013 | 09:09

Tags: #best-micro-atx-case #matx #micro-atx

Companies: #corsair

Corsair Obsidian 350D Review

Manufacturer: Corsair
UK price (as reviewed): £94.99 (inc VAT)
US price (as reviewed): $104.99 (ex Tax)

We've been waxing lyrical about small form factor hardware for a few years now and for very good reasons. Motherboards such as Asus' Maximus V Gene proved some time ago that micro-ATX motherboards offer just as many features and and are just as overclocking-friendly as full-size motherboards. While it and other mATX boards may lack a couple of PCI-Express slots, you can still use a discrete sound card and even splash out on a dual-graphics system.

Following this trend, we've seen a few micro-ATX cases recently, and in fact there's a move towards even smaller hardware, with mini-ITX now a viable option, with both some cracking motherboards and cases.

Corsair is usually one to be quick off the mark with new products such as all-in-one liquid coolers, but the latest addition to its Obsidian case range, and the first Obsidian micro-ATX case, is only Corsair's second in this dinky form factor. There's also the glaring omission of mini-ITX too - a hole that pretty much every other case manufacturer has covered. We digress, but thankfully Corsair is looking to cement its place in the micro-ATX category, just as it did recently in the super-high end arena with its flagship water-cooling case, the Obsidian 900D.

Corsair Obsidian 350D Review Corsair Obsidian 350D Review
Click to enlarge

The Obsidian 350D isn't exactly small. It's taller and wider than the Fractal Design Core 3000, which supports full-size ATX motherboards, and NZXT's micro-ATX Vulcan is significantly smaller all round.

Perhaps the reason for this is the design choice - it looks like a mini Obsidian 900D, with a near-identical front panel and chunky frame. There are two external 5.25in bays, with the third cover providing access to a large removable dust filter. The power button is located just below the front lip of the case, between the usual mini jacks and two USB 3 ports, which sit above the top 5.25in bay.

Corsair Obsidian 350D Review Corsair Obsidian 350D Review
Click to enlarge

Two models were available at launch - one with a side window and one without, although the cost difference is negligible. As some of you picked up in the Obsidian 900D review, Corsair is perhaps being a little overzealous with the size of the side panel, with the Obsidian 350D again showing a couple of drive cages through the window, though it's a little less glaring than the Obsidian 900D. However covering these areas up would mean the window would end up being little more tham a vertical slit as it's not a deep case, plus as bit of judicial modding can easily cover the exposed drive bays with something more attractive.

Specifications
  • Dimensions (mm) 210 x 450 x 440 (W x D x H)
  • Material Steel, aluminium
  • Available colours Black (reviewed)
  • Weight 6kg
  • Front panel Power, reset, 2 x USB 3, stereo, microphone
  • Drive bays 2 x external 5.25in, 2 x internal 3.5in, 3 x internal 2.5in
  • Form factor(s) Micro-ATX, Micro ATX
  • Cooling 2 x front 120/140mm fan mounts (1 x fan included), 2 x top 120/140mm fan mounts (fans not included), 1 x 120mm rear fan mount (fan included)
  • CPU cooler clearance 180mm
  • Maximum graphics card length 350mm
  • Maximum PSU length 200mm
  • Extras Removable dust filters

Discuss this in the forums
YouTube logo
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review

October 14 2021 | 15:04

TOP STORIES

SUGGESTED FOR YOU