Corsair iCUE 4000D RGB Airflow

[Darksaber]

With the launch of the AF120 Elite RGB fans, Corsair took the opportunity to relaunch the 5000D and 4000D cases as iCUE editions featuring the new cooling units. We take a walk down memory lane and see how the enclosure and its thermals compete, after two years, with the new fans in the mix.

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[dirtyferret]

The RGB makes the airflow faster

 

[Thundra74]

This will be the last restyling of this pc case before the arrival of the new model.
It is an outdated product with the addition of some led lights

 

[Chrispy_]

The compatibility issues with roof-mounted 280mm AIOs is a pretty serious oversight these days. The case needs to be about 5-6mm wider to not be a problem with your typical 25mm radiator and motherboard VRM heatsinks.

I've been using the 4000D for a while and clearance was so tight I had to Dremel a few mm off my motherboard's VRM heatsink and swap to low-profile RAM. It's a decent case but when the competition doesn't have these issues and sells for less, it's a disappointment that simple clearance problems like this weren't resolved. Top-mounted radiators are preferred over front-mounted, and 280mm is the largest size that typically fits in the roof of any case and therefore more desirable. The fact this case won't actually fit one because it's too narrow is something that cannot be overstated for anyone intending to use liquid cooling.

 

[RandomWan]

The compatibility issues with roof-mounted 280mm AIOs is a pretty serious oversight these days. The case needs to be about 5-6mm wider to not be a problem with your typical 25mm radiator and motherboard VRM heatsinks.

I've been using the 4000D for a while and clearance was so tight I had to Dremel a few mm off my motherboard's VRM heatsink and swap to low-profile RAM. It's a decent case but when the competition doesn't have these issues and sells for less, it's a disappointment that simple clearance problems like this weren't resolved. Top-mounted radiators are preferred over front-mounted, and 280mm is the largest size that typically fits in the roof of any case and therefore more desirable. The fact this case won't actually fit one because it's too narrow is something that cannot be overstated for anyone intending to use liquid cooling.

I went with a slim 240 and fans up top with a thicker 360 up front for my open loop (it clears with Dominator RAM with no modifications). I prefer actual mid-tower cases as opposed to the large mid-towers they sell these days, so I planned around the case.

It all comes down to doing your research and know what your goals are ahead of time instead of just grabbing parts off of a shelf. With this case, you should be taking advantage of the space up front and using a 360. You can get away with using a 240/280 up top, but it was clearly designed with the intent that people only mount fans up there and the radiator "fitting" was an afterthought (and probably marketing inspired) instead of the plan.

 

[Garrus]

There was already a cheaper RGB version with flat glass. All this does is marry the RGB fans to the airflow version, and massively increase the price to $160 USD in CAD. Ouch. No thanks. $110 and I'm sold on it.

 

[Gmr_Chick]

I went with a slim 240 and fans up top with a thicker 360 up front for my open loop (it clears with Dominator RAM with no modifications). I prefer actual mid-tower cases as opposed to the large mid-towers they sell these days, so I planned around the case.

It all comes down to doing your research and know what your goals are ahead of time instead of just grabbing parts off of a shelf. With this case, you should be taking advantage of the space up front and using a 360. You can get away with using a 240/280 up top, but it was clearly designed with the intent that people only mount fans up there and the radiator "fitting" was an afterthought (and probably marketing inspired) instead of the plan.

The problem isn't really with just picking parts off the shelf, it's that Corsair states that a 280mm AIO will fit on the roof of this case when it clearly won't - that's a HUGE oversight, especially when somebody buys the case and a 280mm AIO (because that's what Corsair states will fit), goes to top mount the rad and discovers that the stated spec was completely wrong.

 

[RandomWan]

The problem isn't really with just picking parts off the shelf, it's that Corsair states that a 280mm AIO will fit on the roof of this case when it clearly won't - that's a HUGE oversight, especially when somebody buys the case and a 280mm AIO (because that's what Corsair states will fit), goes to top mount the rad and discovers that the stated spec was completely wrong.

It says a radiator will fit, which it can (depends on the motherboard). There's no guarantee of fitting a fans given, just that the radiator can fit. With a mini ITX board and low profile RAM, you could probably fit a 280mm AIO with it's fans. I'll have to take a look a the clearances to confirm that last part, but a 30mm x 280mm radiator by itself can fit.

 

[Icon Charlie]

Hard Pass.

 

[Ando]

I went with a slim 240 and fans up top with a thicker 360 up front for my open loop (it clears with Dominator RAM with no modifications). I prefer actual mid-tower cases as opposed to the large mid-towers they sell these days, so I planned around the case.

It all comes down to doing your research and know what your goals are ahead of time instead of just grabbing parts off of a shelf. With this case, you should be taking advantage of the space up front and using a 360. You can get away with using a 240/280 up top, but it was clearly designed with the intent that people only mount fans up there and the radiator "fitting" was an afterthought (and probably marketing inspired) instead of the plan.

I also have a top mounted 240mm radiator, and there is ample room for taller ram/VRM heatsinks than what I have. Probably not an issue with a thicker option like a liquid freezer II 240 even. It is a bit tighter than one would like; you will struggle to access anything on top of the motherboard without taking the radiator out. Camera focused on the metal mesh, but it's still good enough to get the point accross. You'd have to have some rather obscenely tall heatsinks to cause a conflict.
From what I can see a 280 might just barely fit in my build, so I can see how one might run into problems. You can technically front mount it though, right? It doesn't look as nice, but you wouldn't be totally screwed.

 

[Ruru]

As I have the "original" 4000D, I agree that it should have two USB-A connectors on the front. But this caught my eye, "and Corsair has added a plastic cover on the opening for the front radiator", at least mine came with the cover and I've had the case for about 1½ years.

 

[wheresmycar]

ive always liked the look of this case hence more variants the merrier. Although reading some of these comments... 280mm AIO installation being problematic on top kinda sucks... but not a huge biggie with air coolers still kicking b-u-t-t. Although Corsair needs to revise the specs and list the limitations or in the least add caution as it would be a huge bummer buying into one and hitting a brick wall.

I've considered picking one up in the past and would have installed one of my 280's on top... and i don't like surprises.

 

[Minus Infinity]

What cheap bastards can only offer 1 USB type A port and only USB 3.0 at that.

 

[lelepark68]

Did someone already buy this case and can confirm that the tg side panel is less tinted than the original 4000d? Corsair support keeps telling me they're identical ._.

 

[Cvaria]

I combined the the ICUE 4000x RGB with the front grill of the standard 4000D on my latest build. I dod that grill swap because i was going air-cooled/Hyper 212 vs dealing with an AIO. I love it.

I ordered the grill directly from Corsair. And I replaced the stock fans with Corsair LL120s

 

[Chrispy_]

I went with a slim 240 and fans up top with a thicker 360 up front for my open loop (it clears with Dominator RAM with no modifications). I prefer actual mid-tower cases as opposed to the large mid-towers they sell these days, so I planned around the case.

It all comes down to doing your research and know what your goals are ahead of time instead of just grabbing parts off of a shelf. With this case, you should be taking advantage of the space up front and using a 360. You can get away with using a 240/280 up top, but it was clearly designed with the intent that people only mount fans up there and the radiator "fitting" was an afterthought (and probably marketing inspired) instead of the plan.

I've made an existing 280mm radiator fit in the roof. Can't research purchases for the stuff you already bought in the past, at least not without Doc Brown's special Delorian.

My issue, as others have already noted, is outright lies on Corsair's product page for the 4000-series cases. Roof-mounted 280mm radiators are advertised as compatible in three seperate places. You'd think they'd have tested that before talking about it so much!

It's not the RAM clearance that's the issue, it's that the mounting for a 280mm radiator fouls the motherboard. Corsair's mounting position doesn't even clear the IO cutout for the motherboard. Literally every ATX-compatible motherboard ever manufacturer has hardware there - if it's not the PS/2 ports on ancient 25-year-old boards, it's the VRM heatsinks of modern boards.

It says a radiator will fit, which it can (depends on the motherboard). There's no guarantee of fitting a fans given, just that the radiator can fit. With a mini ITX board and low profile RAM, you could probably fit a 280mm AIO with it's fans. I'll have to take a look a the clearances to confirm that last part, but a 30mm x 280mm radiator by itself can fit.

As mentioned above, they mention a radiator WITH fans on three entirely separate occasions.

 

[Gmr_Chick]

What cheap bastards can only offer 1 USB type A port and only USB 3.0 at that.

Be Quiet's Pure Base 500 FX shares a similar lackluster front panel offering. The original Pure Base 500 DX, however, does have at least 2 USB A ports on the front panel. Why they felt the need to "downgrade" by offering only 1 USB A and put 1 USB-C in place of the second A port is beyond me.

 

[Chrispy_]

Did someone already buy this case and can confirm that the tg side panel is less tinted than the original 4000d? Corsair support keeps telling me they're identical ._.

Why would they change the tint? It's the same case using the same components as the original 4000D, which is still in production.
The white variants of the 4000 and 5000-series cases come with untinted glass, but the border is white so it wouldn't look right on a black case.

Why they felt the need to "downgrade" by offering only 1 USB A and put 1 USB-C in place of the second A port is beyond me.

Apple.

 

[RandomWan]

I've made an existing 280mm radiator fit in the roof. Can't research purchases for the stuff you already bought in the past, at least not without Doc Brown's special Delorian.

My issue, as others have already noted, is outright lies on Corsair's product page for the 4000-series cases. Roof-mounted 280mm radiators are advertised as compatible in three seperate places. You'd think they'd have tested that before talking about it so much!

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It's not the RAM clearance that's the issue, it's that the mounting for a 280mm radiator fouls the motherboard. Corsair's mounting position doesn't even clear the IO cutout for the motherboard. Literally every ATX-compatible motherboard ever manufacturer has hardware there - if it's not the PS/2 ports on ancient 25-year-old boards, it's the VRM heatsinks of modern boards.


As mentioned above, they mention a radiator WITH fans on three entirely separate occasions.

Only the middle graphic specifically states with fans. The other two leave room to interpret that it includes fans, but don't necessarily read as the same as a 'with fans'. I would have to confirm what space would be available for including fans, but a 280mm x 30mm radiator will fit with my current ATX motherboard and RAM.

 

[lelepark68]

Why would they change the tint? It's the same case using the same components as the original 4000D, which is still in production.
The white variants of the 4000 and 5000-series cases come with untinted glass, but the border is white so it wouldn't look right on a black case.

Apple.

The review mentioned that the tg panel has changed

 

[Chrispy_]

The review mentioned that the tg panel has changed

Ah, I skimmed and missed that.
Looking at the photos on page 3, the tint looks identical to my original 2022 4000D so perhaps the super dark tint only existed in very early 4000D samples.

 

[Ando]

Ah, I skimmed and missed that.
Looking at the photos on page 3, the tint looks identical to my original 2022 4000D so perhaps the super dark tint only existed in very early 4000D samples.

My case that was bought in late 2021 has the darker glass panel, so they were doing it for the first year at least.
I quite like the "blackout" look it gives the case when the computer is turned off.