Cooler Master HAF 500 Chassis Review

Today Leo checks out the latest 'new' case from Cooler Master. It has had a busy week. Read the written review here: bit.ly/3AiVvqU
00:00 Start
01:02 So what is the HAF500 all about?
03:04 Front I/O / storage
03:50 Removing the top panel
04:40 The hardware for the build
05:27 Putting the system together
07:57 Motherboard install / drive bay issues
09:44 Fans and cables / GPU install
10:33 AIO install
11:54 Leo’s thoughts on results
14:35 Closing thoughts
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#coolermaster #haf500 #pccase

[@CuttingEdgeRetro]

Legend, can always rely on Leo to make a simple video fun, hilarious and informative.

[@KitGuruTech]

You can have a KitGuru Heart

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

100% agree. Love Leo.

[@swizzler8053]

It's better than Netflix. Love Leo and his reviews. Keep up the great work you guys and stay safe.

[@swizzler8053]

@@KitGuruTech Now I am jealous.

[@ghost_of_m403]

Thank you for the review. I'm surprised by the noise results, and I appreciate you including those tests.

[@oldmanian]

Please please please keep testing cases with E-ATX boards. More and more boards are EATX and finding out how cases live with EATX boards Is an area many folks don’t cover. Solid video. Love it.

[@happyfeet4506]

One of the very best video review channels on KZbin. 👍Leo the legend absolutely nails these reviews.

[@st4849]

The perfect review I was looking for! I've got a wider-than-ATX motherboard and a liquid cooler with an approx 5cm tall radiator+fans to go into the top area. Nice to see the same things built in without an issue.

[@weirdodude1173]

I love Leo's reviews! Thumbs up.

[@mikebidus7166]

Thank you , very nice review!

[@theoldpcgamer77]

I love the white H500p mesh so much i bought another one late last year for my new Alder lake build. The stock fans are quiet and weirdly nicer sounding than my last one. No need to faff with fan speed as at stock they are all quiet unlike this one it seems. Glad i didn't wait around to see how this case was. The H500p mesh has no issue in easily removing front or top panels unlike this new one. Seems like a bit of a dud if i'm honest.

[@BobMotster]

That moveable fan though. EDIT: And 200mm front panel intakes. I'm in heaven...

[@TheSjuris]

200mm intakes that have less airflow is an awesomely great idea.

[@deckard_2049]

@@TheSjuris bigger fans move more air, quieter than smaller ones, respectively. Bigger fans have less static pressure but as these are sitting behind unrestricted mesh it won't matter.

[@gscurd75]

So HAF the airflow of the front fans is blocked. But hey, at least it looks cool.

[@ivanbrasla]

My dissapointment is inmeasurable, and my airflow is ruined.

[@Zombie101]

Wow nice case!

[@Duvoncho]

It does have some nice things about it but that faffy front panel making for unpleasant maintenance, lack of sound deadening material and lack of door style hinges on side panels means that I still haven't found "The One" to replace my trusty Phanteks P600S.

[@jeremiesmith3597]

Very well done sir

[@BenK12345]

200mm fans should always be set to 100%, imo. they'll still be quieter than the rest of the fans in the system

[@Doobie3010]

Good,no-nonsense review.

[@meghasingh4267]

love your videos

[@quigonkenny]

I don't think they've changed that front cover retention method since the HAF originally came out. Which is saying something, because it wasn't really meant to be removed during a normal build, unlike the new model.

[@treefiddy727]

Yeah this won't be replacing my H500M. Except for the top panel and better ARGB hub location this seems like a step back.

[@onewondershow2]

I have 2 of the h500 mesh, it's been a very good case so far.

[@mitchisreal]

Yes I do the same on my Lian Li 215.

[@heavycloud6173]

if they added a removable fan bracket to the front so that the 200mm fans were truly getting all that air id buy this case, no hesitation

[@calebhenderson2156]

I wonder if you could buy the gpu fan bracket seperate, or the entire hd cage with it attached. It looks like it would fit the other h500 cases with the simialr layout

[@hemm2333]

Are there any other Cases similar to this best suited for E-ATX boards? Can we replace the front 2 fans with 3 120mm fans?

[@ChrisN1960]

I had the original Haf X case and built 4 different computers into it over the years, it was an amazing case all round. Even today it is still better than a lot of modern cases for building in and keeping things cool. I only changed it last year when I got the Lian Li 011 XL, which I think is another amazing case and will last me quite a few years. This new case from CoolerMaster is lacking in many area’s I feel.

[@onewondershow2]

Fantastic cases. I had the haf 922 and 932. Still have the 922

[@pwcorgi2000]

I'm still using my HAF X. (Great Case) I was hoping this would be good replacement because it has USB C, but sadly this case doesn't impress me. I believe I'm gonna go with Lan Li or Fractal Design. Cooler Master and Corsair doesn't really impress me anymore.

[@pwcorgi2000]

Although the CM694 looks very enticing. Has USB C port and two 3.5 drive bays.

[@CarlosDeBernardMrAgapi]

interesting case CC has put. they did cut corners but look ok to me also. nice.

[@TheSjuris]

For what it costs, it’s extremely expensive.

[@nekogod]

I've got the H500P and when I saw the thumbnail, I was like 'hey why are they reviewing my case again?!'

[@TheLightofOrion]

Hi sir I need your help, my friend got this case and having problems seeing where the fan hub connections are supposed to go , there's a sata connection which I assume plugs into a sata connection to the Power supply, but there is also the 4 pin fan connection , does that go directly into the fan header of the mother board? Also where does the ARGB wire that's also connected to the Fan hub go? Is it necessary?

[@lewisner]

It's a good idea to have a removeable PSU shroud. I recently bought a Be Quiet Pure Base 500DX and the non removeable shroud makes troubleshooting very difficult. I have the MSI Coreliquid 360R and I hate it because of the ugly mess of cables.

[@realonezx4841]

Can these 200's push any air with so many grills?? If Fractal Torrent was more affordable would be awesome.

[@mikep9418]

Merch link doesn't appear to be working :-(

[@guiltygamerxrd]

I love Cooler Master but they're really playing games trying to get us to care that they "brought back" the HAF. It never went away, just evolved into the H500. If the price is right I can see space for this in the market, but they should've just ditched the weird GPU fan. No one asked for that, no one wants it and I think the case would be a better value if they cut the price by removing it. Nice review!

[@Saiiddesigns]

Does this one has a wifi card ? I can't find one on mine, no way to connect to internet unless I use cable

[@XerxezsX]

You didn't mention how 30% of the 200mm fans in the front are blocked by the frame 👌

[@doge7314]

Can the front mesh be removed for cleaning purposes?

[@QuentinStephens]

I would have liked to see a build with an air cooler..

[@Herlander25]

doesnt that 200mm front fan cool the SSd bay,,why it need another Fan on it ?

[@badralyafeai3931]

If I remove the hdd cage, can i mount the extra fan on the bottom of the case directly?

[@sonnychiba8838]

Did you ever figure that out? What im wondering is where should the exhaust outlet be? That one single 120mm in the back?🤨

[@FiletCris]

i wish they would do a new design

[@lfsgf]

So what's the point of 200mm fans if the metal behind is blocking the sides of the fans, probably reusing older chassis made for 120mm/140mm fans. Couldn't they cut the metal behind so it matches the fans? Too much to ask, maybe...

[@KitGuruTech]

It's almost as though you are asking whether the 200mm fans are more about show than go

[@user-Cata7sti7ma7]

if you stay stock aka 150w. The 8 pin is enough. the second 8 pin is only if you heavly OC ( 240-300w)è. and seriously its stupid on Alderlake.

[@kendallmeaders906]

how about that case!

[@Deviantsoundz]

Don't see why they went with the 6 plastic tabs to attach the front panel, that seems annoying.

[@KitGuruTech]

It's simple to assemble at the factory and does not require separate fasteners. Line it up, snap it on, next.

[@Deviantsoundz]

@@KitGuruTech i was thinking more for removal, than again people buying this case got it because of the fans they come with. So them taking panel off seems unlikely.

[@ivelindimitrov1757]

I didn't realize Mr Bean was into computers.

[@fabitretter9688]

I don't want to criticize your sound test too much, but unfortunately no one can really use it without a proper reference. I would wish that the same mouse was always clicked and used for each sound test as a reference sound for the fans and as a comparison to other case manufacturers. Because nobody else knows how much amplification/gain is on the microphone or what frequencies it can pick up.

[@KitGuruTech]

The microphone is a Sennheiser MKE 600 and there are no changes to level or position so the reference point is me saying 'It sounded like this'.

[@durakis]

81 celsius, is this not really hot for a CPU?

[@KitGuruTech]

It's a Core i9-12900K running Cinebench R23 on all cores and the temps are absolutely fine. Lighter workloads such as gaming will see the temps fall back by 20 or more degres C.

[@durakis]

@@KitGuruTech thanks, makes sense. I should have paid more attention

[@djmccullough9233]

O.O "looking its age". Wow. Im still running an Antec 900 with that big ol 200mm chimney fan. god forbid how "OLD" you would think My case collection is.

[@medowucha]

Pricing is all over the top right now. roughly 165 Euro with shipping. Ouch. In the same price range as the be quiet 802. But build-wise? Nah. Really cocky approach.

[@MWcrazyhorse]

hmmm the 200mm fans are awesome for their size. But then they only spin at 800rpm?! Defeats the whole purpose of having massive air cooling. No? A 140mm at 1600rpm still shuvles more air. Or not?

[@Mihke]

Still with those shitty hidden latches??? My haf xb had the same garbage on it. I broke a couple of them in regular use.

[@MartinOlminkhof]

HAF way there?

[@KitGuruTech]

oh ohhh livin' on a prayer

[@RogerRamjetLips]

wow no fine dust filter, doing to be a disaster

[@OCMonke]

HAF

[@panaboy01]

No DVD drive No full tower this is a shame!!!

[@coolcat23]

Should you not have remarked on the fact that a considerable portion of the 200mm fans is just blowing against internal structure? Disappointing case with no proper GPU cooling. The HAF 700 Evo is much more interesting but sadly made too expensive by adding unnecessary bling.

[@martincowie4520]

No external drive bay = not interested... which is a shame because I like HAF cases... but my DVD/Blu-ray collection is more important to me.

[@martincowie4520]

@@KZbinTookMyNickname.WhyNot hmm watch em!? besides there's more to an external drive bay then drives...

[@pwcorgi2000]

I like the external drive bays too.

[@pwcorgi2000]

@@martincowie4520 Amen!

[@voswouter87]

Won't a shroud like that reduce your airflow and make life difficult for your power supply?

[@Kiki-lc3ng]

Why would anyone buy this when the regular H500 is available RIGHT NOW for under 100?

[@julianalmaytha5680]

Many thanks for the review! The case looks "not so HAF" by using two 200mm fans in front panel but not letting with holes to air pass through the metal plate. Should cause only turbulence insted of cooling.

[@GearsScrewlose]

So I guess this case isn’t HAF bad for a budget build? Lol.

[@hooroos0027]

:)

[@tacticalcenter8658]

Cooler master 200mm fans are not great, the worst thing is, you can't replace them cause no other 200mm fan has the same mounting holes. So your stuck with poo poo. The h500 platform overall is decent though. They need to do better by adding mounting holes for other 200mm fans.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

@@KZbinTookMyNickname.WhyNot Low static pressure. And I couldn't mount thermaltake 200mm fans due to mounting hole locations.

[@tacticalcenter8658]

@@KZbinTookMyNickname.WhyNot lol. Your ignorance is showing. Its okay though.

[@cosmic_cupcake]

The Noctua NF-A20 PWM fans seem to have the right mounting holes for cooler master cases, 154x154x30 mm

[@ph7neutral]

my CM H500p Mesh White is better! :) I hate ALL the plastic parts in this case (H500p) including the fans (all stock fans already in trash can), but this case is still one of the best! p.s.: i want try this MSI fans from this liquid cooler SO MUCH! they must be great! Cooler Master fans - I don't wish even to my enemy!!! :) be careful - CM fans is crap!

[@bosco9028]

Fractal Torrent is a better design. Look at how much of the 200mm fans air flow is being blocked into the case. Pointless. 140mm fans would have been better. With the Torrent all the airflow from the 180's goes into the case that is why it is the #1 when it comes to air flow cooling. I'm surprised the reviewer here total ignored that fact that so much of the 200mm fans on both sides are blocked by the frame.

[@KitGuruTech]

That's easily explained. The temperatures inside the PC under load were absolutely fine so the fact the 200mm fans don't make a lot of academic sense is neither here nor there. The case works in its own terms, so the fact it fails in theory is a side show to the points we raised. Leo

[@metaleater9]

Sorry but without a side panel fan its not a real HAF case.

[@DZ-og7pm]

This Case is definitely not a good evolution of the initial H500P and for its design as well as functional issues too expensive

[@01Gamemaster10]

9:34 And I dont think Coolermaster has to think about this. Because NOBODY who buys a expensive Eatx motherboard will buy this case. If you got the money for such a motherboard you also got the money for a better case. In my opinion this is just trying to find a mistake........witch isn`t is one in my opinion.

[@KitGuruTech]

a) This is hardly a budget case b) Cooler Master chose to list E-ATX on the spec

[@rvillanu589]

Sorry Cooler Master but this is not a HAF case. No side mesh and huge fan(s). Looks like everything else out there.

[@dennissmith1435]

Looks like a rip off of the Lian Li Lancool-215 Mesh.

[@panaboy01]

Don t call it haf 500😭😭😭

[@MandoMTL]

Just let the product line die already CM.

[@purefun65]

This case is bad. Those fans are restricted.

[@theskywalker8416]

worst case ever ngl !