Corsair 550D in stock at NewEgg!

[TheAdvocate]

Mine came today along with the H100. I picked this case cause it had the sound dampening capacity and could fit the H100 rad.

It'll probably be a few days before I have the time to sit down and do the proper migration. Will update then.

 

[lehtv]

Post pics

 

[TheAdvocate]

Dustin @ Anandtech.

Thanks for making me feel stupid for my recent purchase.

Your pal,

TA

PS - Why do reviewers nitpick these cases so much? Jheez. Most of the crap he complained about doesnt even apply to me. I'll open the front door on the case maybe twice a month - usually just to rip a CD or install a game. I used my DVD drive so little I took it out for a month just to improve air flow in my GD05.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I did the migration this weekend, but hit a couple of snags.

First, the H100 is DOA. The lights on the pump will not come on, and the fans will not turn when plugged in to the controller (they will when plugged into the mobo fan headers, but holy crap maximum rpm is loud and I cannot seem to slow them down). The pump is making a really loud ticking noise and it gets louder every few seconds, have been scared to leave it on for more than 30 seconds.

Second, the 4 pin mobo power connector on my modular PSU, as others have said, is too short to reach up to the top corner to wire it under the backplate. I have it snaked under the GPU and up the backside where it just barely reaches. Is there anywhere I can buy replacement cables/extensions for my modular OCZ PSU? How have other people dealt with the short 4 pin cable?

Another snag was the PCIE/GPU power cables. Too short to reach the top PCIE slot (when passed under the backplate), so I seated the card in the lower one slot, which I believe is only 8x. IIRC the performance hit is minimal (like 1-3%), but that is also preferable because the top slot is so close to the CPU and memory that it creates a heat well. Spacing them apart puts the GPU directlyi nline with the top front intake fan, which is unblocked because I pulled the top HD cage out.

I will post pictures when I get the machine up and running again.

In summary though I would say these things:

The 550D is BIG. Its a mid tower on steroids.

The 550D is a fanastic case with good airflow even in default mode w/ all silencing material.

As others have said, Corsair does an excellent job with installation design and documentation. If they wanted to go above and beyond, they could give installation suggestions for common annoyances, but for the most part, the case is idiot and hassle proof.

One exception would be trying to install the radiator & fans after the mobo. It is really tight and I wish I had done the rad first. I suspect that to be the case with most mobos, though the fan headers on the edge of my board are a complete PITA to get to with those rad fans installed.

Last, and probably best advice - do not install a mATX board in this case unless you want headaches. Most of my problems are due to a cramped board form factor and a modular PSU w/ short cables/cables with excess, unneeded leads.

 

[lehtv]

Is there anywhere I can buy replacement cables/extensions for my modular OCZ PSU?

Sure. Here's one for $4 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812198005

The 550D is BIG. Its a mid tower on steroids.

This is interesting. Hadn't realized it before but it is 20.9" x 8.7" x 19.5" , while Fractal R3 is only 20.52" x 8.17" x 17.32". Difference: 0.38" x 0.53" x 2.18" (or 1cm x 1.3cm x 5.5cm). Not a huge difference but enough to make it seem bigger

 

[TheAdvocate]

Sure. Here's one for $4 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812198005

Thanks. I still want to replace the other modular power cables on my PSU. A lot of waste there.

This is interesting. Hadn't realized it before but it is 20.9" x 8.7" x 19.5" , while Fractal R3 is only 20.52" x 8.17" x 17.32". Difference: 0.38" x 0.53" x 2.18" (or 1cm x 1.3cm x 5.5cm). Not a huge difference but enough to make it seem bigger

The last mid tower I owned was a now ancient Antec SX830 (been using SFF boxes since then). However, I checked, and the dimensions on that were roughly the same - 20.6"(H)x8.1"(W)x18.6"(D)

It's still deeper than anything I have used before. Coming from my GD05, it's gargantuan.

 

[fastman]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139012
$139 but $119 AR

Has the price jumped since yesterday? I see the price as $149 now with no mention of a rebate

I'm in the market for a new case and this looks like a winner still.

 

[lehtv]

For $150 I really don't think this case is worth it anymore. Fractal Define R3 gets you pretty much the same functionality for $110

 

[fastman]

Don't forget about the $20 for shipping Where the R3 has no shipping and looks very nice also

May plug the trigger on that one.

 

[lehtv]

True. It's $170 vs $110 now, no brainer really.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Got mine w/ free shipping and rebate.

Going to post some pictures soon. Got my replacement H100 installed in it and everything is humming along smoothly. (some love for Newegg - they overnighted a replacement for me - no charge!)

Stress testing @ 4.5 Ghz, playing BF3.

After 1:51 of play time, GPU (950 Mhz core) is holding steady at 66° and CPU firm at 47°.

That's pretty solid for that OC.

The case is quiet, with the exception of the dual fans on the H100 venting the top. They are loud, even on medium. I may try to replace them.

Big thumbs up from me. Just need to do some final tweaking to get it like I want.

It also looks awesome. That silver I/O panel actually looks cool w/ the power LED on.

 

[dmoney1980]

can't wait to see those pics!

 

[lehtv]

can't wait to see those pics!

It's not like you have a choice.

(Yeah, I can't wait either)

 

[HOOfan 1]

I've been waiting for a case like this ever since the 800D launched...I really don't need a case that big but I loved the design

 

[TheAdvocate]

No way that this can live up to the wait, but here goes...

I didnt do all the feature shots of the case because I thought they had been done to death in reviews.

1) Pre-build (old vs new):

Protective plastic is still on the 550D.

2) Current rig crammed in the GD05

3) Drives removed in GD05:

4) Ready for the install:

5) Mounting the Asus mobo & H100:

Tiny mATX board in a big case. Blurry pic, but I wanted one of the scale. Do yourself a favor and get an ATX board for this case. mATX is too crammed. Too many wiring compromises.

Here is a clean look at the mobo/H100 install. I tried plugging the rad fans into fan headers. The Asus mobo ran them at max speed despite my custom fan profiles. Sounded like a jet engine. Couldnt take it for more than a day so I eventually plugged them back into the pump.

6) First wiring job - crap, but I wanted to make sure things worked:

7) Final wiring job. 4 pin power cable still too short. I had to run it up underneath the GPU and backside of the mobo. Ordering an extension so I can run it under backplate. Also, noticed that GPU is in 2nd PCIE slot. BF3 benchs are down 2-3% @ 8X.

That's all for now. I apologize for the shit photography and for not taking any of the exterior. Exterior actually looks great. It's my favorite part of the case. Clean lines and even the Asus ROG I/O plate looks awesome. The front power LED sets off the silver I/O front I/O panel. I will try to take some pics.

If there's another view you'd like, just ask.

 

[dmoney1980]

looking good man, looking good! Thanks for posting the pix

 

[QuantumPion]

How are the stock fans on the 550D? I'm trying to decide whether to order some Noctuas or not.

 

[TheAdvocate]

The stock fans are solid. They are quiet and seem to move a good amount of air.

Right now, ambient temp is cool to warm, and the front of the case has been consistently very cool to the touch. The intake fans keep it very cool. My GPU is also running about 15° C cooler even at max load. As I said, the current position of the GPU in PCIE #2 puts it directly in line with the unobstructed top intake fan so I am getting very direct airflow there.

Again, coming from mutliple SFF boxes, so skewed perspective, but I would say that the default fans do a really solid job. I am guessing you might wanna add another fan for SLI. It also doesnt hurt that I have my H100 fans on exhaust so I have a bit of a bottom to top airflow pattern in the case. That may not be ideal due to GPU heat, but it's working just fine.

 

[lehtv]

Right now, ambient temp is cool to warm, and the front of the case has been consistently very cool to the touch. The intake fans keep it very cool. My GPU is also running about 15° C cooler even at max load.

Wow!

 

[TheAdvocate]

Look at where I had it crammed before... perspective. It was hitting 80° regularly before.. now it settles in around 65° C.

That difference was the reason I changed cases.

 

[QuantumPion]

Is it possible to put a SSD in the 5 1/4" bays so that you can remove both HD cages?

 

[TheAdvocate]

I think you would need an adapter of some kind.

 

[lehtv]

Nah, you need a velcro strap

 

[gramboh]

The stock fans are solid. They are quiet and seem to move a good amount of air.

Right now, ambient temp is cool to warm, and the front of the case has been consistently very cool to the touch. The intake fans keep it very cool. My GPU is also running about 15° C cooler even at max load. As I said, the current position of the GPU in PCIE #2 puts it directly in line with the unobstructed top intake fan so I am getting very direct airflow there.

Again, coming from mutliple SFF boxes, so skewed perspective, but I would say that the default fans do a really solid job. I am guessing you might wanna add another fan for SLI. It also doesnt hurt that I have my H100 fans on exhaust so I have a bit of a bottom to top airflow pattern in the case. That may not be ideal due to GPU heat, but it's working just fine.

Thanks for the info and pics. Are you using the stock fans in their stock config (2 intake 1 out)? I picked up my 550D yesterday, but am waiting on mobo/CPU/GPU in a few weeks when IB comes out. Played with the case a bit yesterday and it's really nice, excited to use it and it's a huge step in from my P180 especially on the internals/cable management.

I'm planning on running stock fans plus an extra intake at the bottom position in front of the PSU for 3 intake, 1 out positive pressure setup.

I paid $121.96CAD by price matching DirectCanada.com to NCIX.com and no shipping (since I just select in-store pick up as shipping option and stop by the NCIX near my office to grab it).

 

[TheAdvocate]

I have all the case fans stock plus the two H100 fans on exhaust at the top of the case. Case airflow pattern is bottom to top. So 2 in, 3 out, including the H100 fans.

The loudest fans are the H100 fans. There is no sound dampening for them at all, and the top of the case is essentially open. I really cannot hear the case fans because of them.

I toyed with adding another intake fan on the bottom, but I dont seem to need it. I think removing the top HD cage made a big difference in overall airflow.