Opinions

[SplicerTech]

Hey people, was registered here years ago but forgot my login info and have changed ISP's since then so i made a new account. been about 7 years since i built my last computer and ive got the bug to build another, Im trying to decide between the HAF XB EVO or the Air 540, I like the EVO because the MoBo lays flat and the drives are horizontal but i also like the Air 540 because its seems to have allot of room for WC radiators, even though the 540 MoBo is vertical i think ive seen some people modify theres and layed the box on the side so the MoBo lays flat, and info on what you did to do that would be nice, for those who own these cases whats your opinion, what do you like and dislike between these 2. Thanks in advance.

[El_Capitan]

I own both, and prefer the Air 540, but the HAF XB EVO is not bad - just different. You could use an AIO watercooler for the CPU with the HAF XB EVO, which would be good for the graphics cards, since then you could then fit a 200mm fan to exhaust any heat from a non-reference graphics card (else, you'd need to put the 200mm fan outside the case, or not use one). If you had a reference graphics card, you could use the 200mm fan to input cooler air into the graphics card.

 

So the HAF XB EVO is better if you're sticking with air cooling for your graphics cards, and using an AIO CPU cooler.

 

The Air 540 has a lot more options to play around with, especially with custom watercooling, but the side window only traps the heat in, so air flow really isn't that great for air cooling, imo. If you're going for custom watercooling, or just want to use watercooling for your graphics cards and don't care what you use to cool your CPU, then the Air 540 is the way to go.

 

Cable management is good on both, although replacing the PSU on the HAF XB EVO will be a lot more of a hassle, especially if you tidy up your cables with zip ties.

 

The one bonus with the HAF XB EVO is the ease of replacing your MB/CPU combo with something else. It's almost like a big test bench. Although you could do the same with the Air 540, that bonus is still better on the HAF XB EVO.

 

Anyways, I hope that helps in your decision process. Both are good solid cases, with a few fundamental missteps for enthusiasts, but for the majority of custom builders, you can't go wrong with either.

Edited April 14, 2015 by El_Capitan

[SplicerTech]

Thanks for the info, I plan on water colling the CPU and the Video card and do people still water cool the north bridge? havnt kept up on Mobo designs, I'm just in the process of getting the case and gonna stick my rampage II extreme and I7 930 in it for now. Im currently running the corsair H55 on my CPU but i plan on upgrading the whole system with multiple radiators. I'm in the research phase for parts but plan on buying the case in a few days.

[SplicerTech]

Ive also been looking at the Air 240 because i really want to build a micro water cooled system but i dont see a CD drive bay on the 240 and thats something i would want.

[El_Capitan]

You really don't need to watercool any part of the motherboard, not for a R2E. You might want to if you go up to a RIVE and plan on 4.8GHz or higher overclocks on a 3930K/4930K. If you're not going for a X79 or X99 CPU/MB combo, you really don't need excessive cooling anymore, aside from if you get Haswell CPU's. We'll see what Broadwell will be like in a few weeks/months, but in my opinion, your best upgrade would be delidded Ivy or Devil's Canyon CPU's. Really depends on what you use your computer for, and if you're buying new or used.

 

IMO, the Z77 chipset and Ivy Bridge K-series CPU's are the best performance for the money, still has the best features (Haswell and Devil's Canyon took a few key features out of their K-series CPU's), good overclocking, and easy to cool after delidding, but it's tough to find good motherboards for them these days, much less 3570K's in the $150 range. If you're buying new, you're pretty much stuck with Z97 motherboards and Devil's Canyon CPU unless you go X99.

 

However, if you're buying used, I have seen RIVE's and 3930K's going for under $500. A 3930K at 4.8GHz is not a stretch, and 4.6GHz for 24/7 is average. Can't say the same for a 4790K. Not to mention a new 4790K and decent Z97 motherboard is going to cost you around $550 or higher new, for similar or slower performance depending on the task. Plus, you'd need to delid the 4790K if you wanted to run it at 4.8GHz 24/7 depending on the voltages and cooling solution.

 

Lots of decisions to make, but imo, I still love the x58 systems, and would keep it going until they bite the dust.

[Bubbaxm2]

I own and have custom loops in both of those cases. I love both but if I had to choose, I prefer the Air 540 because it offers a few more options when watercooling than the HAF.

 

I like that the 540 can run two radiators if I want, a 360 up front and a 240 up top. These would have to be thinner and shorter radiators but it can be done. I also like that I have a few more spots to put a pump in the 540 than in the HAF. I ended up going with a dual bay res/pump combo on the HAF just because the HAF is so tight under the mobo where in the 540 I was able to mount a mcp655 pump/res combo just above the 2.5 hd caddy. Depending on the size of your video card, there is room to push/pull on both of them if so desired and can run a 280 radiator in both also.

 

Cons: I don't really like where the 3.5 drives sit on the 540 and honestly wish both had more slots for 3.5 drives than they do.

When using a 360 radiator in the 540 you will want to buy a thinner radiator and order up a couple 60* fittings if running any bigger than 3/8 tubing if you want to be able to retain the front 3.5 drive slot. I am told that 3/8 will come straight out and not hit but it would be real tight.

The included fans in both cases where too loud for me so I ditched them all in favor better and quieter ones.

 

Both very good cases though.

[SplicerTech]

Im a gamer and i dont need the best system out there, I just want a good solid system that i can moderately OC and run cool, I just started a new job and im living out of state in a hotel during the week and lugging aroung my current desktop is getting old quick, thats why im wanting to build a good water cooled micro system. i really like the cube designs. so may options out there compared to when i built my current rig 7 years ago, lol.