Corsair Obsidian 650D Computer Case Review

Manufacturer: Corsair
Product Name: Obsidian 650D
Model Number: CC650DW-1
Price As Tested: $199.99

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Corsair.

The Obsidian 650D is Corsairs second attempt at a mid-tower case and the third case in the Obsidian line that started with the 800D almost two years ago. The 650D was created in response to the two biggest complaints about the 800D, which were price and size. Priced at $199 and now in a mid-tower design both issues have been addressed. At the same time the 650D has retained many of the same great features and aesthetics that made the Obsidian 800D so popular. While evaluating the Obsidian 650D Benchmark Reviews will see if it is worth of the Obsidian moniker it has inherited or if many of the features its older brother had have been lost in the transition to a smaller size.

When Corsair introduced the Obsidian 800D in early 2009 it drew interest from reviewers and users alike. Its sleek look, well thought out interior, and many features made users envy for it. Sadly it was prohibitively large, and at $300 outside of the price range of many enthusiasts. Over a year later Corsair brought out the Graphite 600T. With its mid-tower size, wonderful features, and $150 price, the 600T was exactly what many users were looking for in a case. Sadly the 600T changed the breathtaking aesthetics that many users enjoyed from the 800D. Corsair brought out the Obsidian 650D to correct that by combining the size and interior of the 600T, with the external aesthetics of the 800D.

When reviewing a case you have four major things you need to look at. First, you need to look at build quality because no one wants to spend hours putting hardware in a case only to find defects or to have parts that will fail months later. Secondly, you need to look at cooling because as the heat output of components goes up, so do cooling needs. Third, you need to look at the acoustics of your new case because as anyone who has worked on or near servers knows adequate cooling can come at an acoustic cost unless a company put expenses into preventing this. Lastly, you need to look at the ease of build, which depending on your system may or may not play a big role in your choice of case. If you like, I spend lots of time inside of your case modifying parts then you want a system that you can easily move around in while making modifications. On the other hand if you want to setup your system and leave it then this becomes less of an importance and therefore can be moved lower on the requirements for your case.

Corsair 650D Features

• Dual 200mm fans provide outstanding cooling for even the hottest components
• Easily accessible dust filters make maintenance simple and hassle-free
• Quick-release side panels make it easier than ever to upgrade your hardware
• Integrated fan controller lets you quickly adjust cooling performance and noise levels
• Four tool-free optical drive bays and up to six SSD-ready hard drive trays provide plenty of expansion
• CPU backplate cutout makes it easy to upgrade your CPU cooler
• Brilliant cable routing system provides a way to keep your system neat and tidy
• Adjustable drive cages can be removed and relocated to accommodate large video cards
• Room for long power supplies gives you peace of mind for future upgrades

Corsair 650D Specifications

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