SirJamesDTech - Cooler Master HAF X 942 Full Tower Case Review

[Frag Maniac]

Nice review James, I wasn't even aware it's a 942, but makes sense I guess. You forgot to mention it supports EATX though, for those whom don't know that's what form factor your MB is. I had a chance to view one of these close up at Fry's the other day.

A few things I don't like:

1) They still use that strangely shaped, I'll call it an hour glass w/ a horn on one end, bottom vent, yet despite claiming all intakes are filtered, it is not, and it's the hardest one to fit a filter on. DEMCIFlex in S. Africa said they are willing to sell the filter that fits that vent separately vs only in the 3 piece kit it comes with though, and it's only $8 USD.

2) The plastic tabs holding the front panel on looked dangerously skimpy to me. I'm a big fan of panels that use bulb ended split pillars that fit into holes in the case. They generally hold up much longer and are actually easier to snap on and off. Interesting to note that even the AzzA Solano 1000 I was talking about on this forum whom some were speculating was crap quality has such an attachment on it's front panel. Overall it's a far sturdier case than any CM I've seen in the ways that matter most.

3) Though easy to access, the lower side mounted HDD cage appeared to block a lot of air flow from the front fan. There's not a lot of side mount cages that offer great air flow though.

4) The casters look too small for a case this size, esp when fully loaded with gear. Nice they at least include some though.

Like you I still feel the positives outweigh the negatives on this case. Quite frankly I always wonder despite the size of a MB cutout if it will line up properly with most of the more common MBs when I see a case with one anymore. There's just been too many reviews of popular brand cases showing poor cutout alignment on common MBs. What I usually do is try my best to get a sideways shot of case and MB, and superimpose one into the other after making sure they match scale, with lineup marks for cutouts, side panel fans, etc, what ever needs measuring for worry of fit.

I could see how one would naturally assume it would fit the CPU backplate of that MB though. I mean EATX support is one of the primary differences that set it apart from the HAF 932, yet they didn't even check cutout fit on the only X58 EATX MB on the market, inexcusable!

Again, nice review. Good to see someone tell the big boys where they need to rethink their designs, esp the cutout and cable management space.