Corsair Announces New Mid-Tower Cases

Corsair is launching a brace of mid-tower cases to round out the Obsidian and Carbide series respectively. The new cases are priced at $89.99 for the lower-end 300R and $159 for the more expensive Obsidian lineup. "In the past, enthusiast PC builders had to make the choice between optimal noise reduction and superior cooling capabilities," said Ruben Mookerjee, VP and General Manager for Components at Corsair. "The Obsidian Series 550D changes the game, providing outstanding noise reduction along with carefully engineered cooling capabilities for even the most powerful PC systems."


The system includes two 120mm intake fans, a 120mm exhaust fan, up to six hard drives, and a full eight expansion slots. Corsair notes that "Other high-end features include magnetically-mounted dust filters and side panels that open with the touch of a button. The diamond-cut aluminum front control panel houses two high-speed USB 3.0 connectors and audio connectors."

The 300R packs in four hard drive bays, a total of five fan slots, and support for side-mounted fans. "Inexpensive, compact cases often fall short in builder-friendly features, airflow, or the cosmetic features that make great gaming PCs really stand out," continued Mr. Mookerjee. "The Carbide Series 300R hits the mark for an affordable, enthusiast-quality compact PC case. Its innovative features will be appreciated by both seasoned system builders and PC gamers who are taking the leap and building their first system from scratch."

The company's 700D and 800D have reviewed well, as have the later mid-sized models. These will likely do the same, though the fact that the $89 case is the cheap version recalls fonder days when $45-50 was enough to buy a horribly ugly case made of cheap plastic, over-the-top visuals, and a color scheme developed by a color-blind chimp and six weasels on acid.