Monday, June 3rd 2013
Corsair Carbide Air 540D Makes Both Side Panels Equally Important
Corsair isn't without a contingent of new cases at Computex. A star attraction in its suite is the Carbide Air 540D. Pictured below, this somewhat cubical cases partitions the motherboard tray vertically from compartments that hold the PSU and drives. This partitioning makes sure peripheral/drive power cable doesn't clutter the motherboard tray area. The part with the motherboard tray is more airy than the other, with stripes of perforated metal running the front and top. This portion features provision for two front-facing fans, two on the top (with enough clearance for a 240x120 radiator), two bottom intakes, and a 140 mm rear exhaust.
The case can hold ATX and EATX motherboards, with eight expansion slot bays. The space below the motherboard tray and the bottom of the case, can either be used to expand storage with two 3.5/2.5-inch trays, or a second 280x140 radiator. All cables from the motherboard compartment can be routed through the valved holes to the other part of the case, which holds a long PSU bay, two 5.25-inch drive bays, and a couple of detachable drive cages holding multiple 3.5/2.5-inch bays. Corsair plans to launch the case some time in July.
Source:
Hermitage Akihabara
The case can hold ATX and EATX motherboards, with eight expansion slot bays. The space below the motherboard tray and the bottom of the case, can either be used to expand storage with two 3.5/2.5-inch trays, or a second 280x140 radiator. All cables from the motherboard compartment can be routed through the valved holes to the other part of the case, which holds a long PSU bay, two 5.25-inch drive bays, and a couple of detachable drive cages holding multiple 3.5/2.5-inch bays. Corsair plans to launch the case some time in July.
34 Comments on Corsair Carbide Air 540D Makes Both Side Panels Equally Important
Seeing this, I think the layout can work, it's just that Corsair haven't been very efficient about it. Plus, of course, they've made it hideous.
The most ridiculous thing happened in Cooler Master's HAF XB is having a 2.5" internal drive cage instead of 3.5" when there is plenty of space, and Corsair however makes this happen again in their new Carbide 540 case.
For a typical setup with one ODD, only three 3.5" drives can be installed at maximum (the two 3.5" hot swap trays provided + converting the remaining 5.25" bay to hold a 3.5" drive). This is definitely insufficient while many people having ATX or EATX builds (or in other words, adopting mid-tower or larger cases) do usually run quite a few 3.5" HDDs rather than 2.5" for storage or whatsoever.
The deficiency of 3.5" bays in HAF XB is already well discussed and keeps some potential buyers off purchasing the case. Even many of those purchased had modded the case to fit more 3.5" HDDs. I am a bit surprised that Corsair lets the new Carbide 540 follow the same route as the HAF XB.
Welcome to TPU, hokkiev. Nice post, I missed the similarity after a casual look at the 540, but you went right to the potential flaw that will be a deal-breaker for many (I have 4 x 3.5 hard drives and need a couple more). And as you pointed out, it's been done, without much success. But perhaps Corsair build quality and reputation will help out, and the fact that 4 TB drives are available and getting cheaper. Thanks again for the intelligent observations, and keep 'em coming!
Though Lian Li has also revealed PC-D600/D7000/D8000 (giant!) cubes with a vast amount of drive bays, I hardly find them attractive because the price being at least the double of Carbide 540 can be expected, and personally I think both the layout and look of Lian Li's cases are not as elegant as Carbide 540.
If the Carbide 540 could have provided at least one (two is definitely perfect) removable internal 3.5" drive cage with 2.5" compatibility besides the hot swap trays, as well as the flexibility to put the case in both desktop and tower orientation, it would be the masterpiece, and I would certainly be happy to make the purchase even it costed some bucks more.
The width of the case and its dual-chamber design made us want to focus on airflow on the main chamber, with as little restriction as possible. As a result, we went with large open mesh, bent in between high profile "ribs" for structural support. It was bold and somewhat polarizing, but in the other designs we had, the "big metal box" look just came across too awkwardly.
If the Air 540 sells well and the demand is high, we may do an Obsidian version - it would be somewhat challenging based on the ID but it'll all be based on demand.
I really appreciate the effort of you and Corsair on giving such an elegant case coming with brilliant ideas. However, as I said in my previous post, I truly can't see the point of providing an internal 2.5" drive cage instead of 3.5" one, or am I missing something?
540D is definitely not a small case. Getting only two dedicated 3.5" drive bays in such a large case is hardly convincing especially to those demanding users building ATX/EATX machines, while 3.5" HDD is absolutely the mainstream for expanding storage capacity in desktop computers.
I understand it is impossible to satisfy everyone, but replacing the removable 2.5" cage with a 3.5" one simply won't upset anyone. :toast:
I hope this disputable drive bay arrangement can be revised (the deal-breaker as Hood said) as this is the only critical flaw in the well designed 540D particularly for many of those the product targets at, and I think this would be the most significant move making the 540D selling well. :rockout: