When you buy a PC case from a company with a legendary name like Cooler Master, you might expect its primary purpose to be letting the heat out. Indeed, the initials of Cooler Master's HAF series chassis stand for High Air Flow, and the HAF 500 seen here is an exceptionally capable case from a thermal point of view. At $149.99, however, the HAF feels like it should be made of sterner stuff (read: more and stiffer steel) when you account for the full package. Still, this is a solid-performing chassis for those who put cooling before build quality.Glass and Steel, But Is It a Deal? The HAF 500 enclosure combines a tempered-glass panel on the left side with a painted steel sheet on the right, plus a mesh face panel up front. That last item covers two oversize 200mm intake fans that reinforce the airflow concept with bold presence. A top that's almost entirely open and covered in a mesh sheet further conveys the max-airflow message, while a front panel at the leading edge of the t...
Superior cooling will put the Cooler Master HAF 500 case atop many buyers' shopping lists, but its good looks and great ventilation come at a cost: lack of filters and lightweight build quality.
Superb heat removal; Integrated RGB/fan hub with active/passive RGB control; Supports up to two thick radiators up to 360mm; Supports oversize motherboards, cards, and power supplies
No filter for front fans; At only 21 pounds, thin materials undercut its price point