Review: Cooler Master HAF XB
Category : Cases
Published by Marc Büchel on 18.01.13
With the HAF XB, Cooler Master presents a case which features a refreshingly different form factor. If we had to define what this product exactly is, then we'd say that we're talking about something similar to a cube case but mixed with ideas from a test bench. The interior of the case is split in two different compartments where the motherboard goes in the top part and power supply as well as hard drives have to be installed in the bottom area.
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On the following pages we will show you the strengths and weaknesses of the Cooler Master HAF XB.
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Preview
Specifications
| Model | Cooler Master HAF XB |
| Case Type | Mini Tower |
| Dimensions | 442 x 330 x 423 mm (W x H x D) |
| Material | Steel, Plastic |
| Color | White |
| 5.25'' drive bay | 2 x external |
| 3.5'' drive bay | 2 x 3.5'' via X-Dock 6 x 2.5'' via X-Dock |
| Expansion slots | 7 |
| Form factors | ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX |
| Weight | 8.2 kg |
| Cooling | 2 x 120 mm Front (2 Included) 1 x 120 mm Rear (optional) 2 x 80 mm Rear bottom (optional) 1 x 200 mm Top (optional) |
| I/O ports | 2 x USB 3.0 Audio in / out |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Front
Overview |
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| As most of you might know HAF stands for
High Airflow which implicates that Cooler Masters makes use of
components that allow for an increased airflow compared to cases from
other manufacturers. Therefore it's a small wonder that you'll find big
areas which have been built from perforated metal. One doesn't really
need to take a closer look at the front to see that it has been
optimized for the two 120 millimeter fans which have been placed right
behind it. Well visible at this point are the two USB 3.0 ports and the
power and reset button. Furthermore there is the connector for the
headphone and microphone. Basically the HAF XB offers two floors to put your hardware. In the ground floor you can find a hot swap cage, which is able to carry two 3.5 inch or two 2.5 inch drives. Right next there are two bays for 5.25 inch optical drives. Shifting you focus more towards the back of the case reveals the second hard drive cage, which is only capable of handling 2.5 inch drives. Furhtermore in this part of the case you find the space for the power supply. A closer look at the first floor shows that there is plenty of space for your motherboard as well as your other precious hardware. If you're familiar with hard drive carriages from Cooler Master than you're aware, that you had to bend them to place a hard drive. Nowadays there is click mechanism to put the drives into the cage. You can move the left side of the carriage so there is more space and afterwards you simply slide it back and that's it. |
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Back
Overview |
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| Next to the usual slot bezels, of which you're going to find seven in this case, there is space for two 80 millimeter fans, which has been placed on the right hand side of the PSU. Basically the back of this case is quite unspectacular. Both side panels as well as the top cover are being kept in place by two thumbscrews each. In the case of our sample one screw thread wasn't perfectly manufactured but we think that the final product will be flawless. One thing we don't understand is the fact that there are seven slot bezels instead of eight. In case of a testbench the likelihood that somebody is going to install four dual slot graphics cards is high compared to a standard ATX midi tower, therefore we would have expected to find eight bezels with this case. |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Right side
Overview |
 |
| The side panel feature very practical handles which makes it easy to move the case. In the top part of the case you can find handles to carry the case easily. Apart from that there are no notable features. The side panel itself has been metal from a metal sheet and offers sufficient stiffness. The handle is made from plastic and inside the case, attached to the chassis, there are reinforcements to ensure stability. Therefore you can also carry the case when it's fully loaded with hardware. Taking a closer look at the ground floor shows the hot swap cage and its connectors. There are two SATA ports as well as one molex power plug. In the back of the case there goes the power supply, which is not lying on the ground direclty. There is about two millimeter space between the ground and the power supply which allow the PSU to breathe appropriately. Another feature that is worth mentioning concerns cable management. There are lots of dedicated cable management loops. Basically you can attach each and every cable to the case using cable ties. |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Left side
Overview |
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 |
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| Like the left side panel, the right side panel is quite unspectacular. Analog to the right side panel you'll find ventilation holes as well as a handle bar. You'll also find the same reinforcements for the handle bar inside the chassis. Checking out the ground floor of the case once more shows the hard drive cage for the 2.5 inch drives. If you want to put drives in place you will have to attach them to plastic rails and then slide them in. Something else you can see is that there is tool free mounting for the 5.25 inch drives. | |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Top
Overview |
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| It isn't hard to see that the biggest part of the top panel has been made from perforated metal. Furthermore there are four holes where you can place a fan with 200 millimeter diameter. Another thing we like is the fact that you can install even todays biggest air coolers. Its not big deal to install a cooler which measures 170 millimeters in height. Also regarding graphics card this case offers plenty of space. You can place graphics accelerator with a length of up to 334 millimeter. Therefore it's possible to install todays high end graphics cards without having difficulties. | |
Bottom
Overview |
 
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| At the bottom you can find another ventilation hole which is right below the power supply. Furthermore it has been covered by a removable dust filter. Since it's made from plasctic it's easy to clean by just washing it with water. Checking out the four corners you find rubber feet giving this case a very safe stand. |
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums [pagebreak]
Conclusion
| General | + | - | |
| With the HAF XB Cooler Master has created quite an interesting case. In fact there have been courageous enough to try something new and the combined the idea of a testbench with a normal case. But to be honest we find it difficult to see who might buy this case in the end. On one hand it attracts enthusiasts who change there hardware often but on the other hand changing hardware isn't as easy as it is with an open testbench. | -
Design - High Airflow Case |
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| Manufacturing quality / Ergonomics | + | - | |
| The overall build quality is on a very good level. Cooler Master didn't make the mistake to go for super thin side panels to save weight. They use solid metal sheets. Furthermore there is a very solid basic structure and in the end you get a stiff case where you can be sure that you won't here any rattling noises at all. In terms of ergonomics we appreciate the many cable management loops, which allow you to wire the case very neatly. Something we don't understand is why Cooler Master equipped this case with only seven slot bezels. In case of a testbench the likelihood that somebody is going to install four graphics cards is quite high. But with the HAF XB it's not possible to use four dual slot cards. Furthermore we would have loved a feature that lets you remove the front plate where there are the two 120 millimeter fans attached. Like this it would be much easier to exchange modules in a memory test system. | - Build quality - Cable Management | - Only seven slot bezels - Accessibility of hardware | |
| Design | + | - | |
| Cooler Master provided the HAF XB with its very typical "High Airflow" design. Therefore you'll find a steel chassis which offers excellent stiffness as well as a areas with mesh design where you can actually see through. You get quite a clear view at your precious hardware. Overall we think Cooler Master has created a product which perfectly fits into their lineup and is a nice addition to their HAF products. | - Authentic Design | ||
| Recommendation | + | - | |
| With the HAF XB Cooler Master is courageous enough to try something new. We think that especially gamers as well as overclockers and enthusiasts will like this case since it offers not only high airflow but also easier installation of hardware. | - Gaming-PC - Enthusiast |
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| Rating | |||
| The Cooler Master HAF XB gets good four out of five stars. The case comes at a price point of est. CHF 109.- (est EUR 92.-). | |||
| Page 1 - Introduction | Page 5 - Left side |
| Page 2 - Preview | Page 6 - Top / Bottom |
| Page 3 - Front / Back | Page 7 - Conclusion |
| Page 4 - Right side |
Discuss this article in the forums
Redacted by: m.buechel@ocaholic.ch