If you recall we recently did a preview of Cooler Master’s new flagship HAF series case known as the HAF X. Our early sample had some minor things to clean up and Cooler Master has taken our feedback to heart and come back with a production unit for us to beat up. We’re back with the final thermal testing results and confident we can provide you with accurate results of our experience with the HAF X enclosure. Like the conclusion to a cliff hanger, we bring you our findings!
A Quick Installation Update
We’re happy to report that any possible chassis component issues in our preview case were promptly addressed. While we noted that the plastic PSU cover tends to bind a little when sliding, it does get a little easier if you work it back and forth a bit. Plus, users can simply take it out and won’t cause temps to go up in your case. Just make sure you orient the PSU fan towards the bottom.
And, that large black plastic VGA retainer will come in very handy if you’re using the larger NVidia and ATI cards. I tried it out with the legendary HOT 8800 Ultra, a GTX 470 a GTX 480, the ATI HD 5870, and one very large ATI HD 5970. The great thing about the VGA shroud is that it can also be taken out if you don’t need it at all or if it doesn’t suit your needs.
Overall, it’s definitely a very configurable enclosure and with all the room, you have no excuse but to be able to tidy up your messy cabling. The Cooler Master HAF X is indeed in full launch mode and has been hitting the market at $199 US at places like NewEgg.
Test System Setup
This test system was created with the purpose of generating plenty of heat and noise and will become the basis of our long term case testing system. These components all have stock coolers and components so that we can deliver better real world results. Chances are that you will experience the same things. Here’s the break down of this new long term torture test system:
- Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition AM3 CPU (140W version)
- Motherboard: ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AM3 Motherboard
- Memory: Patriot ViperII 4GB 2000MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory Kit
- Graphics: eVGA 8800 Ultra 768MB Video Card
- Storage: 2 x 500GB Seagate 7200.11 Barracuda SATAII Hard Drives
- Power Supply: Antec Signature SG-850 850W ATX Power Supply
Not all the components generate tons of heat. But, the CPU, motherboard, and video card generate the most. They are also the most easily measurable and if either of them fail, the system will become unstable and crash which is why good design is important. The system we assembled for long term case testing is not a thermal friendly system at all, but is representative of some of the hot components we put into a case every day.
Thermal probes from a Zalman ZM-MFC2 Fan Controller were placed on the CPU, the back of the GPU, on the north bridge chip and on the top of the hard drive.
Now it’s time to see what FurMark and OCCT can do to wreak havoc inside the tank like HAF X Full-Tower Enclosure!
Thermal Testing Results
To start the process, Furmark and OCCT were started while the case fans remained unplugged till the internal temps reached 40C which isn’t too high. It took about 30 minutes to reach that temp due to the sheer size of the case and natural heat movement. Then, the fans were powered up for 5 minutes and the temps recorded.
As you can see, the case is able to keep the nuclear system reasonably cool. It’s not the lowest temps I’ve seen in large fan packed cases, but it’s not the highest. At least the graphics area intended to hold some of today’s hottest video cards will get the cool air needed. The nVidia 8800 ULTRA as some of you may remember was legendary for not only the insane price, but also, the insane heat it generated back in the day. It is still one of the hottest GPUs to date.
Noise Levels
Next, a trusty sound meter was used to record the system noise with the panel open and then with the panel closed. What this does is give us an idea of just how much noise the chassis can block. Due to the cavernous size and materials of the HAF X, there is some echo and a little vibration. And, of course, due to the larger the openings around the chassis, the system noise is able to escape more. Again, based on the theme of the case, that’s to be expected.
I also noticed that the chassis design and fan placement affect overall air flow. The light weight fans don’t seem to move air aggressively despite their size. When testing air flow, it actually seemed like air is being packed in to the case more than being directed. As long as there’s enough cool air filling up the inside, it shouldn’t be a problem. People looking for more performance from the HAF X can investigate fans with stiffer fins and look at units that provide much more directional air flow like Silverstone’s AP Penetrator series which are excellent as intake fans.
Final Thoughts
Based on our preliminary preview and our current up to date thoughts and test results, we still feel that the Coolermaster HAF X is not only an attractive full tower sized enclosure, but it has the right characteristics aimed to impress and accommodate enthusiasts and gamers. Whether you’re running multiple extremely hot video cards or not, the case gets the basic job done of providing cooling. Case modders will also enjoy the modular nature of the HAF X, leading to much more creativity in both color choices and modifications. The steel is also very easy to work with compared to other materials.
If heat does become an issue, users can add a fan up top in the empty vent port to guarantee full air flow. As mentioned earlier, users are welcome to use other fans to increase performance. Many options are available on the market and its just a matter of finding the right combination of fans. Cooler Master clearly did what they could at the $199 US price point, but if you’re willing to go nuts, you can definitely go to better than stock cooling on your own. Having said that, it really isn’t that bad for an enclosure of this size as fans do tend to struggle to move air around such a big space.
As it stands, the Cooler Master HAF X isn’t a noisy enclosure. And that may be due to the case fan selection which made a balance between heat and noise. Chances are that you’ll hear the components inside due to its cavernous size. Just pick quieter performance components or different fans to suit your needs. The case definitely has the potential to make your friends envious and the customization options will please more adventurous types and their Dremel tools.
Pros:
- Very quiet despite aggressive styling
- Front removable SATA drives trays that evacuate from the front
- Very cool military like theme
- Strong rigid construction
- Great tooless drive bay features
- USB 3.0 ports on the IO panel
- Water cooling friendly
- Unique side window
Cons:
- Case finish is a bit rough
- PSU cover binds when sliding
- Cooling fans are a bit of a compromise
Overall Rating: 8.5/10.0
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