New Cooler Master HAF 912 Case Countdown

[Kantastic]

i hear the price will be really reasonable for a HAF series

The legitreviews link said $60.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Ok, I got a few bits of news to add here, which might get me in trouble
There will be multiple versions of the 912, including models that are black inside.
So this also means that there will be different price levels depending on the model in question.
I can't say too much, but considering the MSRP's I've seen, the 912 will be popular.

With regards to mATX, petition CM, they're not really interested in mATX so unless they get a lot of demand for it, they won't make such a case.

 

[motasim]

With regards to mATX, petition CM, they're not really interested in mATX so unless they get a lot of demand for it, they won't make such a case.

How can I send petition to CoolerMaster? Can it be through a thread in TPU forums? What in your opinion would be the most effective way?

 

[TheLostSwede]

http://www.coolermaster.com/contact.php?page_id=6 Try one of their contact emails to start with and give them your suggestions.

If that doesn't work, well, maybe something a bit more organized might help, but that requires a bit more involvement than just one person.

I've tried pitching a gaming focused mATX case to them for what, three years now, no avail...
Supposedly there isn't enough demand for such a product, well, at least not according to CM, despite the fact that there obviously is...

 

[TheLostSwede]

Oh and all three 912 models will be sub $100 and there'll be space for up to 12 drives and six fans...

Ok, that really is all I can say for now, but for a budget case, the 912 is pretty spectacular.

Edit: My bad on the fans, it's six, not eight

 

[copenhagen69]

8 fans? I thought it was 6 ... where are the other 2 coming from?

 

[motasim]

http://www.coolermaster.com/contact.php?page_id=6 Try one of their contact emails to start with and give them your suggestions.

If that doesn't work, well, maybe something a bit more organized might help, but that requires a bit more involvement than just one person.

I've tried pitching a gaming focused mATX case to them for what, three years now, no avail...
Supposedly there isn't enough demand for such a product, well, at least not according to CM, despite the fact that there obviously is...

If CM don't know what's best for them why should I bother :shadedshu , they should learn from the huge success of the NZXT Vulcan case and build a decent mATX gaming case. I will look elsewhere!

 

[kurosagi01]

I think i will consider buying that case if its cheap i think it doesn't look that bad but i wonder what the interior be like i am hoping good cable management.

 

[TheLostSwede]

If CM don't know what's best for them why should I bother :shadedshu , they should learn from the huge success of the NZXT Vulcan case and build a decent mATX gaming case. I will look elsewhere!

Well, because if no-one tells them that there's a demand, how are they supposed to know?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Plenty cable management options, but bear in mind only so much can be done on a case in the price range that this will end up in. They've added more space between the motherboard backplate and the right side panel to make it easier to put the cables behind the back plate.

Judging by what I've seen, I think this case is going to be a big seller as long as not too many objects to the design.

I saw the prototypes of the original HAF and I'd gone with the one that didn't launch, but alas it wasn't my choice.

The 912 actually has a couple of features that no other HAF case features and as far as I know, no other CM case. Only a few more days to wait

 

[copenhagen69]

Plenty cable management options

The 912 actually has a couple of features that no other HAF case features and as far as I know, no other CM case. Only a few more days to wait

yep great cable management like always ...
and i like that one feature that can help with space problems

 

[TheLostSwede]

Well, unlike you I'm not under NDA, but I'll most likely get a ton of shit if I post more than I already have.

I never liked the looks of the HAF series, but hey, I guess that's one of the good things with having choice, right?

Feature wise I think the cases are pretty solid, I just want something that looks a bit more "plain"

I really don't think anyone will be disappointed buying the new 912 models as there's plenty on offer for the money. I'd go as far as to say that in terms of features, the 912 easily competes with models that cost twice as much.

Now I don't know anything about the build quality, as I haven't actually had any hands on time with a final model.

 

[motasim]

Well, because if no-one tells them that there's a demand, how are they supposed to know?

There is something called "Market Research" through surveys and many other means, I think that CM people are familiar with the term. Also, CM have to be blind not to notice that all of the computer-tech-related websites published reviews of the NZXT Vulcan and most of them even published reviews of the In Win Dragon Slayer, which are both mATX gaming cases and definitely constitutes raising a warning flag. Also, Thermaltake have revealed the Armor A30 in a recent exhibition (which is a gaming mATX case), so if all of the above doesn't get CM moving, then an e-mail from me, or even a petition signed by a hundred persons certainly won't.

 

[oBaMaHuSSein]

This kills me...really.

I mean you walk into uncle walrus mart and see a nice microwave or small refridge unit ...and you see ALOT of electronics and parts that cost $$ and there retail around 60$-90$.

...and then I walk into fried guys electronics and see a "computer case" - which is punched sheet metal ($1.50), some screws (.25c), some more punched sheet metal (.50c) and some molded plastic ($2.50) and lastbut not least - a couple of fans - which by all means are probably the most expensive parts of the setup at say 2 bucks a pop - sooooooo you ad that all up and you get MAYBE $9 to $10 bucks total - no LEDs, no LCD screens, no air compressors, no chillers, no microwave units, no microwave safe glass sheets, touch pads ....You see where I'm going with this? and some of these "cases" there retailing for ~150$ bucks?????

HOW the hell does ANY computer case company have a legitimate retail price above $30 bucks for ANY case?- taking into consideration oveseas shipping in containers, packing and what not I don't see anything that would warrant anything over the $30 bucks for a whammy dammy git r' done zingo matic case.

I mean that is a serious RIP-OFF and it really truly needs to be addressed to these company's

 

[mdsx1950]

The HAF 912 doesn't look thaaaat bad. It's good for a budget case. Switch some of those fans with nice LED fans and the case should look good.

 

[TheLostSwede]

motasim, I'm sorry to say this, but Taiwanese companies work in very different ways and logic doesn't always apply. Market research is an expense that is hard to justify in Taiwan as it's not easy to translate it into sales figures and as such no manager would ever approve of it. Most Taiwanese companies would never approve of anything that can't easily be translated into sales. CM sadly isn't much different. They talk to their distributors and resellers and that's where they get all their information from, rather than communicating with the actual end users that buy their products.

There might be some changes at CM in the future as I know they're working on some stuff, but we'll see how it goes.

As for the cost of a case, well, that's a different matter, but sure, steel cases don't cost that much to make, but they're usually made in far smaller quantities than microwaves, as not as many people buy cases. You can pick up plenty of $30 cases, but they'll be crap, just like a $60 microwave...

 

[Icejon]

motasim, I'm sorry to say this, but Taiwanese companies work in very different ways and logic doesn't always apply. Market research is an expense that is hard to justify in Taiwan as it's not easy to translate it into sales figures and as such no manager would ever approve of it. Most Taiwanese companies would never approve of anything that can't easily be translated into sales. CM sadly isn't much different. They talk to their distributors and resellers and that's where they get all their information from, rather than communicating with the actual end users that buy their products.

There might be some changes at CM in the future as I know they're working on some stuff, but we'll see how it goes.

As for the cost of a case, well, that's a different matter, but sure, steel cases don't cost that much to make, but they're usually made in far smaller quantities than microwaves, as not as many people buy cases. You can pick up plenty of $30 cases, but they'll be crap, just like a $60 microwave...

Recently i've seen some CM reps emerge on certain forums asking for suggestions and answering customer issues. With some effort it seems CM is paying attention to its customers. This could be the reason of its success and growth compared to Antec and TT. Checking the DF-85 vs HAF X, it seems that the HAF series are what people want to buy. Now with the HAF 912, it seems they are ready to give people a HAF they want at any price point from $59 to $199.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Do you know for what CM office they work for? As unless it's for the HQ in Taiwan, they can ask as much as they want, but it's not too likely that any feedback will be turned into products. Then again, the HQ does listen to feedback from its regional offices, so maybe, just maybe...

 

[Icejon]

Do you know for what CM office they work for? As unless it's for the HQ in Taiwan, they can ask as much as they want, but it's not too likely that any feedback will be turned into products. Then again, the HQ does listen to feedback from its regional offices, so maybe, just maybe...

Here is a link of one person: http://www.overclock.net/member.php?u=131981

From what I understand the HAF line was designed in the USA for USA specifications. Thats why in 2008 it was revolutionary and became so popular.

 

[TheLostSwede]

From what I understand the HAF line was designed in the USA for USA specifications. Thats why in 2008 it was revolutionary and became so popular.

Who spoon fed you that load of BS? It was designed in Taiwan, as I said in a previous post, I saw both of the original HAF designs before they decided which one to go for. The one they decided on was the model they expected to be the more successful of the two in the US market, hence the very angular shape of it. The other was a bit different with a bit smother edges. Imho it was a better design, but I guess it wasn't quite as distinctive.

My own small contribution to CM is the vertical expansion slot, something that was a good idea until manufacturers started to add additional slots at the rear below the first seven. Still useful in some smaller cases though. It was at the same time that I told them that a mATX gaming case was going to be a must have, but alas, three years on, nothing...

I know they considered making one for CM Storm, but as most of the people at CM Storm went and started BitFenix, I really don't know if that will ever become a product. It was being pushed back in favour of other products, so I guess CM didn't really have much interest in making a mATX gaming chassis...

 

[Icejon]

Who spoon fed you that load of BS? It was designed in Taiwan, as I said in a previous post, I saw both of the original HAF designs before they decided which one to go for. The one they decided on was the model they expected to be the more successful of the two in the US market, hence the very angular shape of it. The other was a bit different with a bit smother edges. Imho it was a better design, but I guess it wasn't quite as distinctive.

My own small contribution to CM is the vertical expansion slot, something that was a good idea until manufacturers started to add additional slots at the rear below the first seven. Still useful in some smaller cases though. It was at the same time that I told them that a mATX gaming case was going to be a must have, but alas, three years on, nothing...

I know they considered making one for CM Storm, but as most of the people at CM Storm went and started BitFenix, I really don't know if that will ever become a product. It was being pushed back in favour of other products, so I guess CM didn't really have much interest in making a mATX gaming chassis...

I worked for a major PC customer for Cooler Master in 2006-2008. In the 2007-2008 time, they would always survey us for all the interesting ideas for a new case. This case later became HAF. While the market leads design or design leads the market, I tend to say it was our feedback that brought the HAF 932 to light in its current form. I bet the rounded HAF 932 would have been more well received in the world, but I never saw it.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Well, that's very possible as I don't know where the ideas came from, but I know for a fact that it was designed in Taiwan. CM wanted a case that would be popular in the US market and I guess they succeeded quite well... Obviously in at least part thanks to the feed back from your company.

As I said above, CM does listen to its major distributors/customers, but not so much to end user feedback as they ought to. But then again, what company does? I guess many companies don't believe that their customers know what they want from a product and as such they don't deserve to be asked about it. This goes for just about anything that's being manufactured, not just cases. It's actually quite sad to see how little most companies care about consumers with regard to this. Instead we're being told what to buy via huge advertisement campaigns and what not...

Did I mention that I'm something of a cynic?

 

[pantherx12]

100 bucks is budget for me. When I think high end I think Lian-Li

I think over-rated when I hear Lian Li Not a fan of marketing Aluminium cases as high end ( Aluminium is cheap regardless of a lovely paint job)

Now a case made of stainless 1.5mm steel would be High End XD Anything you could drop from a window and break the floor yet the case is fine is good.


As for this 912, can't believe they had a count down for it looks awful : /

Eh I wish I worked for one of these case companies, I could make them something nice : [

 

[TheLostSwede]

Do you speak Mandarin? Do you want to move to Taiwan? If yes, then I'm sure I can get you a job at CM, if no, well, then sorry...

 

[pantherx12]

Curse my lack of Language skill!