Background: I just started learning how to build computer systems. I am a physician of a small medical practice that has three offices. I like to game and enjoy watching people on YouTube build computer systems. Thus, when our computer systems in our offices started to reach the end of their lives and needed to be replaced, I volunteered to use this as an opportunity to build the computer systems from the ground up.
The old computers for mostly Dell and HP systems that were running windows XP on fairly slow and small mechanical hard drives. The systems themselves were of such an age it wasn't worth it trying to replace individual components such as swapping in a solid-state drive into such an old system. Also I wanted to learn how to assemble a computer from the ground up and what better opportunity.
I started with a lot of research. I used websites such as part picker, Life hacker, Linus tech tips, and Tested. There are multiple others and YouTube is a fantastic resource.
Now to the case. The Corsair 540 is quite a well built device. It looks fantastic, it's more of a cube or square shape. Has a giant beautiful glass window to show off the pretty bits of your computer build. Is neither large nor small. It actually uses efficiently the space of the cube quite efficiently.
Here are my bullet pros and cons:
Pros:
-lots of flexibility for modding the case to your need
-well built - most screws used are thumb screws making assembly easy
-although others have dissed the tool-less assembly, I love it for it's simplicity and speed.
-designed to work well with Corsair coolers (again less hassles with assembly)
-awesome air flow design: good for over clockers or those builds with heat generating bits (Multiple mechanical hard drives, CPU, GPU ect )
-did I mention how pretty the case is?
-large area to work in behind the motherboard --section where wires are supposed to be hidden and routed along with optical drives + solid-state drives. Some have again not favored this design because it is a fairly large section, has little of the great air flow design of the rest of the case. I, however loved all the space to route cables, and hide bits I don't want displayed in the window. You could throw a fan in to exhaust heat but again airflow not great here.
-multiple USB3 / 2 ports - can never have enough
-comes with quality fans included: good airflow and quiet
- should be easy to clean and remove dust
Cons:
-shipped in a box with hard styrofoam front / back caps. Very cheap + poor protection for the less than gentle UPS delivery handling. I purchased four cases for my builds. Of the four cases one came with a box that had a large gash/dent. When I opened the package the window panel was shattered and thus the case had to be return. Also every time you remove the case with the Styrofoam generates an enormous static charge. I had several painful shocks taking the case out of the box. That said, Amazon is awesome with the return policy. Just follow the online instructions, drop off the damage goods at your local UPS store free of charge, and Amazon at the same time sends a new package free of charge rush delivery. My damaged goods only cost me about a day and a half in wait time.
-large cut out holes under the swappable hard drive bays: With the hard drives in place the holes are covered up but it does make the box look a little less in quality. They don't add to airflow or to aesthetic design.
-footprint of the case will limit where it can be placed: I am using these cases for computer builds for our billing department. They have limited desk space on top but large amounts of room underneath the desk. The Corsair 540 will fit nicely and look great underneath there - so I've already thought out the limitations here. Unless you have quite a large area of deskspace the 540 will not fit too well on top of your desk where you keep your monitor and keyboard. My other builds have space limitations. For example our nurses and the front desk check-in checkout area have very little below desk and on desk space so I have gone with a smaller case build.
Again I think most people looking at these reviews will see there is very little to complain about with the Corsair 540. I would read the reviews and notice the theme that repeats itself listed in most peoples' Cons remarks. They could be deal breakers for you when considering a case purchase.
After learning how to build about a dozen computers, I would have to say the money is well spent: saves time, effort, damage to your knuckles and fingers from poor quality material. Hi recommendation from me!
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