Assembly

Installing the mainboard is an easy task. Simply screw it down with the parts provided. As you can see, there is plenty of space for even the largest CPU coolers and graphics cards, while all the cables can be routed through one of the openings in the mainboard tray.


Installing a 3.5 inch hard drive is a simple matter of snapping the tray unto it and sliding it into the desired slot. With a 2.5 inch one, you have to remove one metal pin and are then able to screw the drive unto the tray, which can then be pushed into the bay just the same.


Once ready, just slide the trays back into the case until they snap into place. These hold rather well, so you won't have to worry about the drives during transportation. All connectors face toward the motherboard tray, so that you can nicely route and hide the cables.



To gain access to the front drive bay covers, one has to remove the entire front. This also reveals that the two 120 mm fans have been placed behind the front frame of the chassis - unlike the ones in the 400R. Once the bay is accessible, just slide the drive in until the plastic lock snaps into place. We have seen similar locks in the 650D and 600T. While this one is not constructed as elaborate, it does the job just fine as well. You will not need to use any screws under normal circumstances.


Last but not least, installing the power supply proved blissfully uneventful. It fits perfectly and is held in place by the four black screws provided.


Once everything is connected, you can see that the cable management still works like a charm, even though there are less openings in the Carbide 500R compared to its more expensive brethren. All the mess is contained behind the mainboard tray.

Finished Looks

Once everything is installed, the Corsair Carbide 500R makes a great impression. The rugged, straight lines go well with the naturally square shapes of the drive bays. Thanks to the LED switch you may turn the lighting of the fans on or off. At the low setting the fans are nice and quiet, but on full power, they do emit a clean but noticeable "whooshing" sound.


One can clearly see the LEDs embedded in all the fans. These are bright enough to draw your focus at a dark LAN party, while not being too disturbing during normal operation.


The black optical drive fits the Carbide 500R nicely and the top compartment - albeit very simple - should come in quite handy at times.