Cooler Master HAF 500 Case Overview
Taking a first look at the HAF 500 it is a pretty large case with official dimensions of 516 x 224 x 510mm (LxWxH). While this case is a technically a mid tower it is on the large side for mid towers. We received the black version of the case, but it will also come in a white version.
Starting at the front of the case we have two very large 200 mm ARGB intake fans. The front of the case is all mesh (with no filter) so you are going to get quite a lot of airflow with these fans. The front bezel of the case can easily be popped off, it is made of plastic and feels a little cheap. If you don’t want to use the two included 200 mm fans the front of the case also supports three 120 mm fans, or two 140 mm fans, as well as radiators up to 360 mm.
Moving up to the top of the front of the case we find our buttons and connections. You have two USB 3.2 gen 1 Type-A ports, a hard drive activity LED, large power button, headphone jack, small reset button, and a USB 3.2 Type-C port.
The top of the case has a large magnetic filter on it. Removing it we see a ventilated panel that supports three 120 mm fans, or two 140 / 200 mm fans, as well as radiators up to 360 mm. The entire top panel of the case can be removed for easy mounting of fans or radiators.
On the main side of the case is a large tempered glass side panel. The panel does have a black frame around it, but it will pretty much show off all of your hardware inside your system. As you can see there are no screws on the side panel, well technically one that is a locking thumbscrews. The side panel uses a tool-less mechanism that we’ve seen on Fractal Design cases for a while now. Basically there is a notch at the rear of the case that you pull on and it releases the panel.
The opposite side of the case is just a plain steel panel that is held into place by two captive screws. I do have to say the steel on this case seems thicker and heavier than most.
Coming around to the back of the case we have a pretty standard design. There is a 120 mm ARGB exhaust fan, seven expansion slots, and of course our power supply mount on the bottom of the case. There is small filter that pulls out from the bottom of the case.
