Performance Analysis
The Corsair Carbide 500R returned results that were very good for a case with it's configuration - a smattering of 120mm fans plus a large side panel fan. It's cooling was mid-table in the CPU load test, but it was mainly bettered by larger, more expensive, high-airflow cases such as SilverStone's FT02 and Cooler Master's HAF X. Antec's One Hundred did knock 4°C of the CPU delta T, but the 500R was a little quieter at its maximum fan speed where it managed a delta T of 51°C.
At its minimum fan speed, the fans were very quiet indeed, and this only saw the CPU delta T rise 1°C to 52°C. The GPU delta T of 42°C at maximum fan speed, was again a mid-table result but the difference here was very slim indeed, with a majority of cases we've tested using our current gear obtaining a GPU delta T between 40°C and 44°C. Reducing the fan speed to minimum saw the GPU delta T rise to 45°C - again a small sacrifice for the reduced noise levels if you prefer your PC to be seen and not heard.
Conclusion
As with many cases that are watercooling-friendly, the Carbide 500R doesn't break any records as an air cooled case. However it's far from bad, managing to keep up with some of the high airflow cases we've tested. However its not in cooling that Corsair's case impressed us the most. It's the fact it ticks nearly every box as far as pleasing the enthusiast goes.
It has USB 3, an integrated fan controller, enough room for large graphics cards and SSD mounts as standard. It also sports numerous fan filters, is kitted out with four fans out of the box and also supports a mid-range water-cooling system, be it Corsair's H100 or a custom kit of your choosing.
The latter is particularly flexible for such a small case; we say small because compared to the likes of the Xigmatek Elysium and co, it is. The best part, though, is that it costs £85, which is right on the money to give cases such as the Fractal Design Define R3 and Cooler Master CM-690 II a good run for their money. If you're looking for case that's very capable out of the box and won't say no when it comes to dabbling with watercooling, the Carbide 500R could be just what you've been looking for.
The Corsair Carbide 500R returned results that were very good for a case with it's configuration - a smattering of 120mm fans plus a large side panel fan. It's cooling was mid-table in the CPU load test, but it was mainly bettered by larger, more expensive, high-airflow cases such as SilverStone's FT02 and Cooler Master's HAF X. Antec's One Hundred did knock 4°C of the CPU delta T, but the 500R was a little quieter at its maximum fan speed where it managed a delta T of 51°C.
Click to enlarge
At its minimum fan speed, the fans were very quiet indeed, and this only saw the CPU delta T rise 1°C to 52°C. The GPU delta T of 42°C at maximum fan speed, was again a mid-table result but the difference here was very slim indeed, with a majority of cases we've tested using our current gear obtaining a GPU delta T between 40°C and 44°C. Reducing the fan speed to minimum saw the GPU delta T rise to 45°C - again a small sacrifice for the reduced noise levels if you prefer your PC to be seen and not heard.
Click to enlarge
Conclusion
As with many cases that are watercooling-friendly, the Carbide 500R doesn't break any records as an air cooled case. However it's far from bad, managing to keep up with some of the high airflow cases we've tested. However its not in cooling that Corsair's case impressed us the most. It's the fact it ticks nearly every box as far as pleasing the enthusiast goes.
It has USB 3, an integrated fan controller, enough room for large graphics cards and SSD mounts as standard. It also sports numerous fan filters, is kitted out with four fans out of the box and also supports a mid-range water-cooling system, be it Corsair's H100 or a custom kit of your choosing.
The latter is particularly flexible for such a small case; we say small because compared to the likes of the Xigmatek Elysium and co, it is. The best part, though, is that it costs £85, which is right on the money to give cases such as the Fractal Design Define R3 and Cooler Master CM-690 II a good run for their money. If you're looking for case that's very capable out of the box and won't say no when it comes to dabbling with watercooling, the Carbide 500R could be just what you've been looking for.
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