2016 seems to be the year of tempered glass and RGB lighting as most companies have released products that fit into one of these two categories, so it isn't surprising to see these ideas incorporated into a single design. Corsair managed to do so without it looking tacky or over the top, which is not an easy task. The smoked tempered glass and clever RGB fan design made for a very nice finished product. Although the case looks very similar to a few others that are currently on the market, such as the Rosewill Cullinan we looked at recently, there really isn't that much you can do when you start to use tempered glass. Going crazy with the design increases the price exponentially and Corsair will want to hit a mass audience.

The plastic PSU shroud is a great addition to the case; without it, it would look a lot messier, especially when you can see everything through the glass. the addition of such a simple feature can change the entire look. Simple ideas such as the holes for the screwdriver around the expansion slots ensure that the user has a stress-free experience when assembling the build, a lot of tool-free brackets allowing for excellent functionality. Multiple fan filters around the case also ensure that it stays as dust free as possible, and the 30 mm of clearance due to large feet at the bottom will also help with this. Multiple fan- and radiator-mounting options give the user control over their cooling, and good airflow makes sure you can disperse the heat as needed.

Once assembled, the case looks great; it is sleek, clean, and functional, and the RGB fans have multiple lighting options that will allow users to change the look of their build at a touch of a button. The fact that this case comes with three RGB fans is a huge bonus. Without them, this case would be a little on the expensive side, but with these and the tempered glass, the $139.99 price tag is justified. In fact, it even surprised me a little.

It isn't all good news, unfortunately, as there is very little space behind the motherboard tray if you want to keep the SSD mounts. It is possible to work with these, but an extra 5 mm would have been preferable. Also, if using a larger PSU, you will not be able to make it fit without forcing the cables into some very unnerving positions.

Overall, the Corsair Crystal Series 460X is a refreshing take on a classic case, the glass and RGB fans giving the user the option to create some excellent builds. It is a clean and functional case dripping with great features and great aesthetics.