[Official] Cooler Master HAF-XB Club!

[1ceTr0n]

I suppose that's possible, but odd just to do the tray...

 

[1ceTr0n]

Some updates on my "Dark Wind" build


FINALLY after two different orders and eating restocking fee's, I got the fans with the look and noise/airflow ratio I wanted. I'm very happy with these Gelid Silent 12fans as they move about the same amount of air as my Gentle Typhoon AP-13's with even less noise thanks to the rubber grommets. They came nicely sleeved and I removed the label on the fan hub for a cleaner look. They look real good and have just the right amount of white that I wanted to make the case interior pop out

Also got the lighting done at last thanks to great NZXT lighting kit from Frozen cpu. Took awhile to figure how to lay it for the best subtle lighting to go with the red LED's and getting it to stay put with the included cable clamps but I finally managed it.

Coming up i've got the window panel coming soon along with either Corsairs new cable kit or going with a Bit Fenix cabling with silver metallic coloring instead of white that I think will really help make the inside really stand out an look unique among other cases. Also got some cabling clean up to do along with the LED mod on the front panel. Also looking at getting a custom ROG decal shipped if I can manage it, so stay tuned!

 

[1ceTr0n]

The Green Machine project is now complete

http://themodzoo.com/forum/index.php?/topic/118-project-green-machine/page__st__72

 

[HammerON]

Wow!

 

[kayan]

Hello everyone, I'm new here.

I have my very own HAF XB waiting for me at home, when I get back from vacation tomorrow, so you can throw me on the owner's club

I like the modding that a bunch of people have done here, the Black/white/red is really sexy (and I was thinking of doing something similar), the lime green is really awesome looking too...

Anyway, a question for any owners: how are the stock fans? Loud/quiet? Is it necessary to upgrade them right away, or is the cooling sufficient?

 

[evaseeker]

Hello

I have been thinking of getting the case, but i cant swallow the fact that it have limited space for 3.5 HDDs.

I mean, i can understand this for a mAtx or mItx case, but not for a case that can fit ATX boards.

what we will do with those lovely SATA ports!

2 with x-dock is not really enough, again for mAtx or mItx cases it is understandable to need 2 SSDs and 1-2 HDDs

i don't want to sacrifice the 5.25 bays for 3.5 drives.

anyone think it is possible to shift one end of the 2.5 cage a bit to make it bigger, by drilling two holes.

 

[tastegw]

^
How many drives do you really need?

Those two xdock slots are designed to be easy in easy out, so if you really needed more space for 3.5's you could always just pull one out and swap it in a few seconds.

But if u really need more than 2 3.5" drives installed perm, them modding the case is possible, there is plenty of room downstairs for that.

But the way I see it, buy a case that fits your needs either right out of the box, or easy to get it the way you need it. Buying a case and then trying to install a build into it that it just wasn't design for isn't a good idea.

 

[evaseeker]

^
How many drives do you really need?

Those two xdock slots are designed to be easy in easy out, so if you really needed more space for 3.5's you could always just pull one out and swap it in a few seconds.

But if u really need more than 2 3.5" drives installed perm, them modding the case is possible, there is plenty of room downstairs for that.

But the way I see it, buy a case that fits your needs either right out of the box, or easy to get it the way you need it. Buying a case and then trying to install a build into it that it just wasn't design for isn't a good idea.

Thanks a lot for your reply!

i get that i can do that, but it shouldn't be an issue in an ATX case, almost all ATX cases have at least 4 slots.

If i dont need lots of slots for HDDs then probably i will use a mITX or mATX case with corresponding board, not an ATX case with severe limitation with a ATX board with gazolian of wasted SATA ports.

 

[1ceTr0n]

Anyway, a question for any owners: how are the stock fans? Loud/quiet? Is it necessary to upgrade them right away, or is the cooling sufficient?

They move good airflow but a pretty damn noisy, especially when the are SO many better fan options. I ripped them out of my case within minutes of testing them and are now replaced with Gelid Silent 12s

 

[1ceTr0n]

Hello

I have been thinking of getting the case, but i cant swallow the fact that it have limited space for 3.5 HDDs.

I mean, i can understand this for a mAtx or mItx case, but not for a case that can fit ATX boards.

Huh? This case swallows ATX boards just fine and even some e-ATX boards.

 

[evaseeker]

Huh? This case swallows ATX boards just fine and even some e-ATX boards.

hah, that was my point?

if the case is designed to accommodate ATX boards, then it is a total waste of a board SATA ports if i can only use 2 3.5s on the x-dock.

in other words, i can understand if a case have limited space for 3.5 drives if a case is designed for smaller boards, but this one can be used for bigger boards but with the same limitation of smaller boards in regard to 3.5 drives.

 

[kayan]

They move good airflow but a pretty damn noisy, especially when the are SO many better fan options. I ripped them out of my case within minutes of testing them and are now replaced with Gelid Silent 12s

Well, that's disappointing, but not unexpected. I want to get a cool color scheme going, but I need to decide on something first, before I order replacement fans/lights/etc... Thanks for replying to my question!

Did you have any issues mounting the Gelids? I heard some people have had issues with fans, but I think it was mostly because they didn't read that only CM fans can be used in the 200mm slot ;-)

 

[tastegw]

hah, that was my point?

if the case is designed to accommodate ATX boards, then it is a total waste of a board SATA ports if i can only use 2 3.5s on the x-dock.

in other words, i can understand if a case have limited space for 3.5 drives if a case is designed for smaller boards, but this one can be used for bigger boards but with the same limitation of smaller boards in regard to 3.5 drives.

With SSD's becoming more reliable and cheaper than ever, I ask again, why do you need more room for 3.5" drives?

This case wasn't designed to be your typical atx case, if you want a hundred hard drives, look at something else. There is already room to support up to 7 drives total, here are the possibilities :

3x 2.5" + 2x 3.5" + 2x 5.25"
3x 2.5" + 4x 3.5"
3x 2.5" + 3x 3.5" + 1x 5.25"
5x 2.5" + 2x 5.25"
5x 2.5" + 2x 3.5"
5x 2.5" + 1x 3.5" + 1x 5.25"
7x 2.5"

I'm pretty sure I missed some, but that's plenty IMO, I'm pretty sure when designing this case they didn't have in mind " can we make room for 5 100gb velociraptors?"

In today's HD market, large capacity drives are cheaper than ever, SSD's are cheaper than ever also, I don't see much reason to hoard a bunch of drives into a gaming high air flow case.

 

[1ceTr0n]

As taste pointed out basically, if your a data whore, this case isn't for you.

 

[1ceTr0n]

hah, that was my point?

if the case is designed to accommodate ATX boards, then it is a total waste of a board SATA ports if i can only use 2 3.5s on the x-dock.

in other words, i can understand if a case have limited space for 3.5 drives if a case is designed for smaller boards, but this one can be used for bigger boards but with the same limitation of smaller boards in regard to 3.5 drives.

Uh, you can put 4 more SSDs in the other drive cage so thats 6 drives total which is the max Sata ports alot of ATX boards have

 

[kayan]

Wow, this case is sexy. :-D

Do you guys want empty >>to>> fully built pics as I go? I plan on starting tomorrow, when I get my new moBo, CPU, and Ram. Once the basics are in I plan on swapping out fans, and adding some form of lighting down the road.

Another question for existing owners: Can anyone confirm if the NZXT Kraken x60 will fit inside this thing, somewhere?

 

[pathfindercod]

I currently have my system in a CM Storm Trooper. I want to move it to this case. My motherboard is an Gigabyte Assassin 2 (x79, 12inches x 10.39inches). I also am using a CM Hybrid 1300watt PSU (7 inches long).

You guys think these two items will fit?

 

[kayan]

I currently have my system in a CM Storm Trooper. I want to move it to this case. My motherboard is an Gigabyte Assassin 2 (x79, 12inches x 10.39inches). I also am using a CM Hybrid 1300watt PSU (7 inches long).

You guys think these two items will fit?

#1 - that's the same case I'm moving from. Hated it. Loved the handle on top, but hated everything else about it. Wish I'd paid the restock fee and just stayed with my HAF 932.

#2 - I can measure out the inside, for the mobo tomorrow, and also the PSU.

 

[1ceTr0n]

Cooler Master just posted a bunch of pics on their Facebook page from there CES 2013 booth. Damn, they had some hot chicks but they also had some nice custom rigged HAF XB's as well! That blue one reminds of a case mod I did years ago and its given me some more ideas for my " Dark Wind" build

 

[pathfindercod]

#1 - that's the same case I'm moving from. Hated it. Loved the handle on top, but hated everything else about it. Wish I'd paid the restock fee and just stayed with my HAF 932.

#2 - I can measure out the inside, for the mobo tomorrow, and also the PSU.

Thank you! That would be a big help.

 

[t77snapshot]

Cooler Master just posted a bunch of pics on their Facebook page from there CES 2013 booth. Damn, they had some hot chicks but they also had some nice custom rigged HAF XB's as well! That blue one reminds of a case mod I did years ago and its given me some more ideas for my " Dark Wind" build


http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/coldhoth/Computer/cm5-1.jpg


http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b573/coldhoth/Computer/cm4-1.jpg

Thanks for sharing, but man.. those first 2 are some outrageous looking mods! lol! Don't get me wrong, there are different and very well done. Just not my cup of tea

 

[1ceTr0n]

Well I just gone doing a basic comparison test after getting my window at long freaking last. I simply loaded up skryim and pointed my character to a static view of the mountains and forest let the game sit for a few minutes while it leveled out the load and temperatures and simply compared the temperatures showing on my GPU and CPU gadget meters.

All in all, I couldn't tell a woo haa of a difference temperature wise between the window and non window on my particular setup. GPU cored stayed at 59c-60c and CPU cores were bouncing around between 48c-51c either way. You mileage will likely vary with your equipment and set up.

 

[kayan]

I currently have my system in a CM Storm Trooper. I want to move it to this case. My motherboard is an Gigabyte Assassin 2 (x79, 12inches x 10.39inches). I also am using a CM Hybrid 1300watt PSU (7 inches long).

You guys think these two items will fit?

Hey, I've got some info for you Sorry I didn't get around to posting these yesterday.

Just a reminder, the case comparison is a CM Storm Trooper vs a HAF XB.

According to the HAF XB case manual the max PSU size would be 180mm. These are the dimensions of mine: 5.91" x 6.89" x 3.39"....The height was a really TIGHT squeeze, I probably could have not screwed it in and it would have (mostly) stayed in place. Thank God for open flexing on the side of the rails that plugs into the PSU.

I now just need to do some cable management and then install some lights. In my opinion, the 2 pre-installed 120mm fans aren't too loud (I can hear my H80 over them), and they move LOTS of air.

 

[pathfindercod]

NP and thank you. Finally got a hold of CM tech support. He said if it'll fit in the trooper it'll fit in the XB. My CM 1300watt psu and assassin 2 board will fit fine. So now to get it ordered thank you for taking the time to post, great pictures and write up.

Hey, I've got some info for you Sorry I didn't get around to posting these yesterday.

Just a reminder, the case comparison is a CM Storm Trooper vs a HAF XB.

According to the HAF XB case manual the max PSU size would be 180mm. These are the dimensions of mine: 5.91" x 6.89" x 3.39"....The height was a really TIGHT squeeze, I probably could have not screwed it in and it would have (mostly) stayed in place. Thank God for open flexing on the side of the rails that plugs into the PSU.

I now just need to do some cable management and then install some lights. In my opinion, the 2 pre-installed 120mm fans aren't too loud (I can hear my H80 over them), and they move LOTS of air.

 

[1ceTr0n]

Finally got around to swapping out the stock red LED for HDD activity last night. What a pain, at least mostly cause I didn't have a nice soldering stand to use so it was a combination of doing it all by hand and trying not to burn the crap outa myself and melt wires I didn't want but it looks much better now rather then dual red LED's one the front panel. "Dark Wind" is almost finished!


Pretty straight forward and even positive and negative is labeled

Two solder joints, shouldn't be that bad....

El cheapo tools of the trade

Was a real pain to get that sucker out so I had to break it apart for each solder joint to melt with my crappy solder gun, but eventually no more red LED. Just a matter afterwards of clipping new white LED leads and gently soldering them into place one at a time

While I was at it, I melted the glue holding the HD audio cable and removed it as I never use them anyway and one less cable to clean up and hide

Sooooo much better!