Cooler Master presented the newest member of its HAF family to us months ago in the Tom's Hardware office. Its HAF XB is a unique hybrid between a desktop case and a bench table, with two levels for different components. Today, we're reviewing it.
Cooler Master visited the Tom's Hardware office in Culver City, CA before introducing its HAF XB. Company representatives proudly showed off the design, which was unlike anything we had seen or used before. I'll fully admit to being dubious that a configuration consuming so much horizontal space would take off. And yet, when I talk to enthusiasts or stop by booths at trade shows, I'm seeing a lot of the HAF XB.
The appeal is that the case lets you put your storage and power supply on one level at the bottom of the case. Your motherboard and other platform components sit on the top level of this double-decker enclosure, enjoying unobstructed airflow from the front to the back. Depending on the version you buy (one has a mesh top and the other is windowed), even more hot air can be pushed out. You can clearly see how this would be a nice setup on a test bench like the ones we use every day.
Of course, it's easy enough to work inside the HAF XB with a top and side panels that can all be removed. This makes the case's role as an open bench system even more appropriate. And because it has your motherboard lying flat, it'd be pretty ideal for keeping a liquid nitrogen-cooled platform stable and self-contained, too.
But even if your end goal is a regular desktop PC cooled by air or closed-loop liquid, Cooler Master's HAF XB does, in fact, have a lot to offer. As you can see, it's pretty darned spacious and even accommodates a couple of hot-swappable hard drives. Want a pair of compact water coolers? You can do that. Suffice it to say that, despite some initial trepidation, this chassis positively surprised us with its many well thought-out details.
Again, the HAF XB is available in two versions. One has a window on top of the case, while the other one employs a mesh top with the option to install a 200 mm case fan.
Packaging
Cooler Master's HAF XB is spacious inside, but won't break your delivery guy's back with unwieldy packaging. Two recessed handles on the sides make transport easier, too. The box features a thin film finish that conveys quality on the outside, and the back boasts a small illustrated guide to the case's unique features.
Unfortunately, the inside of the box does come packed with Styrofoam to hold the case securely in place. Once you pull the HAF XB out, you'll need to break out your vacuum cleaner.
In the Box
Cooler Master's included accessories shouldn't leave you wanting. The only trouble you'll run into is locating them all, since they're hidden in the lower hard drive bay. Pull the extras out, though, and you'll find a detailed and well-illustrated manual that walks through the installation step-by-step, and in nice print quality. There’s also a familiar assortment of screws that match the case for installing add-ins and accessories, plus a handful of cable ties and eight side rails for the tool-less 2.5” drive installation.
Two drives can be installed in the bays using hot-swap connectors, and a separate drive cage accepts storage devices that don't require this functionality. Cooler Master goes so far as to bundle a Piezo speaker and a small hexagon bit that lets you fasten the motherboard spacers with a normal screwdriver.
- Introducing Cooler Master's HAF XB
- The HAF XB's Technical Specifications
- First Impressions And External 360° Picture Gallery
- Cooling And Dust Protection
- PSU Installation And Cable Management
- Optical Drive Installation
- Hard Drive And SSD Installation
- Motherboard And Graphics Card Installation
- Benchmark System And Conditions
- Results: Temperature And Noise Level At Full Fan RPM
- Results: Temperature And Noise Level At Reduced Fan RPM
- The Little Case That Could
Create a new thread in the UK Article comments forum about this subject
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0 Hidejakjawagon , 21 August 2013 10:00Dust filters on the front and bottom, but nothing for the massive holes in the sides (or the mesh on the top if you choose that version)?
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0 HideThermalV , 21 August 2013 13:09Honestly would rather have the corsair 540 if I wanted compartmented components and I'm not a fan (haha) of the horizontal layout but hey it will have it's fans (haha).
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0 Hidechriscornell , 21 August 2013 14:55Ugly and not that practical tbh. I would rather go with a Mini tower if I went to LAN-parties more often than I do.
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0 HideKent Tonnesen , 25 August 2013 07:57hello do this case suppert sli ?
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0 HideKent Tonnesen , 25 August 2013 07:57hello do this case suppert sli ?




