INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Looks and more specifically tempered glass panels and RGB lighting are the two things mostly sought after by consumers looking for a brand new PC case so as expected every manufacturer out there releases models in the market with these two features as their primary focus. Aside being expected however this isn't a bad thing, quite the opposite really. Acrylic window panels looked nice but leaving out their low cost (which in many cases was quite evident) they didn't offer the same "elegance" and clear view tempered glass panels do. As for RGB lighting well being able to change colors at will (when possible) to match those of your gaming peripherals or even the color of your room can't really be a bad thing right? Today CORSAIR launched yet another such model called the iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower Smart Case and it's also what today's review is all about.

   Founded in 1994, CORSAIR has grown from pioneering the high-performance DRAM market into one of the world’s leading providers of high-performance PC peripherals and components. CORSAIR offers a complete range of products to equip gamers, enthusiasts and e-sports athletes, including mechanical keyboards, precision gaming mice, wireless headsets, high-performance components that gamers use to build gaming PCs, and the CORSAIR ONE fully-integrated gaming PC. With a company-wide commitment to quality, innovative design, advanced features and high performance, CORSAIR products have won thousands of media and industry awards, earning their place in gamers’ hands and PCs following years of development and engineering by a team dedicated to building great products they themselves would want to use.

   The iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower Smart Case by CORSAIR is currently available in black and white colors and features front and left panels made by 4mm thick tempered glass, dual-chamber design, two vertical PCI slots (9 in total), removable air-filters (front/top/bottom) and three 120mm LL120 RGB fans (16 independent RGB LEDs/1500RPM/43.25CFM/1.61mmH2O/24.8dBA) placed at the front (and paired with the iCUE Lighting Node CORE RGB controller). The brand new iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower Smart Case is compatible with micro-ATX, mini-ITX and ATX sized mainboards and sports enough interior space for up to six 120mm fans (or three 140mm and one 120mm) and/or two 240/280/360mm radiators (top/front), two 3.5" and four 2.5" drives (or a total of six 2.5" drives), 370mm long graphics cards, 170mm tall CPU coolers and 180mm long power supply units. On paper the latest iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower Smart Case by CORSAIR looks great, time to take a closer look to see exactly what it has to offer.

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The iCUE 465X RGB arrived inside a plain cardboard box that has a product drawing at the front right over the product name and beneath the company logo.

 

 

The included color and bundle contents are placed on the left side just over two product drawings.

 

 

This time over we find the specifications table on the right side of the box in 9 languages.

 

 

An exposed drawing of the iCUE 465X RGB is placed at the rear of the box right over a list of the exposed parts in 8 languages.

 

 

Typically, the case is wrapped inside a plastic bag and placed between two thick foam spacers.

 

 

The bundle of the iCUE 465X RGB includes 6 cable ties, 6 small plastic bags with screws, spacers and standoffs and the user manual.

 

 

THE ICUE 465X RGB EXTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measuring 455mm in height, 467mm in depth and 216mm in width the iCUE 465X RGB is among the largest mid-towers we've ever reviewed.

 

 

Once again, the left side panel is entirely made out of tempered glass (just like with most recent models).

 

 

The fascia is largely open on both sides and at the front it also has a tempered glass panel.

 

 

Removing the fascia requires taking off 4 long screws first (the tempered glass is attached onto the plastic part of the fascia).

 

 

Behind the fascia CORSAIR has placed a removable air-filter and of course the three LL120 RGB fans past that.

 

 

The I/O is located just over the fascia and it includes the on/off power button, two USB 3.0 ports, headphones/microphone port and the reset button.

 

 

At the top we find a large magnetic air-filter and beneath it enough room for up to 2x120/140mm fans or an 240mm radiator.

 

 

Moving at the rear of the case we find an 120mm fan mount (unfortunately a fan is not included), 7 horizontal and 2 vertical PCI expansion slots and the PSU area.

 

 

A slide-in/out air-filter is also located just under the PSU area.

 

 

THE ICUE 465X RGB INTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the 465X RGB is among the largest mid-towers we've ever seen as expected it has ample interior space.

 

 

The three 120mm LL120 RGB fans take almost all of the front section and can be paired with an 240/280/360mm radiator (you will need to remove the bottom drive cage to fit an 360mm radiator).

 

 

Here we also see the two 2.5" mounts on the mainboard tray (however the drives get mounted on the other side).

 

 

The 465X RGB is a dual-chamber design case and as you can see the PSU shroud/cover is perforated at the top and also has an opening on the top left corner and a single rubber grommet for cable management.

 

 

As already mentioned, this case is compatible with micro-ATX, mini-ITX and ATX sized mainboards (the mainboard tray has 2 rubber grommets on it and 4 holes).

 

 

All 9 PCI expansion slots are held in place with regular screws.

 

 

Turning the case around we see the iCUE lighting node CORE RGB controller, two 2.5" drive mounts on the mainboard tray, two 2.5" drive trays, drive cage with two 2.5"/3.5" trays and the PSU area.

 

 

The drive cage can be removed (held in place via 4 screws at its base and one at the front) to allow for 360mm radiators at the front.

 

 

The 2.5" trays are made out of steel while the 2.5"/3.5" are made out of plastic.

 

 

BUILDING THE SYSTEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As always, the purpose of this section is not to build a functional system but rather to showcase what you can expect from the case at hand in terms of interior space.

Even with the drive cage attached there's plenty of room in the PSU area for models up to 1KW.

 

 

Both available rubber grommets are accessible with ATX sized mainboards.

 

 

For this review we used an 280mm radiator for the front but as mentioned many times already you can easily mount an 360mm one (up to 40mm in thickness) if you remove the drive cage.

 

 

At the top there's enough room for a 240mm radiator but do keep in mind that if you're using tall memory modules you may have clearance issues with the fans.

 

 

With enough room for 170mm tall CPU air coolers you are able to mount most models in the market today.

 

 

Without a front radiator you have enough room for up to 370mm long graphics cards (and with a radiator you have roughly 320-330mm).

 

 

NOISE LEVEL TEST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After giving it, much thought we decided on performing noise tests with each PC Case we receive by placing our ExTech HD600 vertically on top of each case to measure the noise levels emanating from the pre-installed fans at both 50% and 100% with the help of a fan controller (if the case doesn't have one we use our own).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The iCUE 465X RGB is one of the best-looking mid-towers we’ve ever used not only because of its two tempered glass panels but also because of its front LL120 RGB fans (the colors and modes of which can be controlled via CORSAIR’s iCUE software) and the two available colors (black & white). Looks is not the only aspect of the 465X RGB we all liked, interior space is also one of its strong selling points since it can hold up to ATX sized mainboards, 6 fans and/or 2 radiators, 6 drives, 170mm tall CPU coolers, 370mm long graphics cards and 180mm long PSU’s. The addition of removable air-filters in all the places where there are intake fans (front/top/bottom) is also something we always welcome.

   CORSAIR launched the iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower Smart Case earlier today for a price set at USD115.74 inside the USA (Amazon.com – imported from the UK so better wait for real US availability instead) and 124Euros in the EU (Amazon.uk). Of course, considering that the three LL120 RGB fans with the iCUE lighting node PRO hub (different than the CORE version however) alone cost roughly USD80/80Euros the price of the iCUE 465X RGB Mid-Tower Smart Case is certainly very balanced and that along with its airflow levels, build quality, looks and interior space are more than enough to get our Golden Award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Looks (LL120 RGB Fans / Tempered Glass Fascia & Side Panel)
- Airflow Levels
- Interior Space (370mm GPUs/170mm CPU Coolers/180mm PSU’s)
- Room for Up To 6 Drives (2.5/3.5”), 6 Fans (120/140mm) And/or 2 Radiators (240/280/360mm)
- Dual Chamber Design
- Top/Front/Bottom Air Filters
- iCUE Lighting Node CORE Hub (Software Controlled)
- Available In Black & White Colors

CONS

- No Rear Fan
- USA Availability (Currently)