Corsair Obsidian 350D Case

Corsair Obsidian 350D is a high performance Micro-ATX CPU case. It offers extended expandability to build up a high end system at Micro-ATX level. Through this case, you can build up a compact high end system. This reduces the usage of a full size case that consumes space as well as it is not heavy to move. Compared to that Corsair Obsidian 350D is portable and offers enough space to hook gpu, liquid cooler and multiple system fans. Being a Micro ATX Case it has good space inside. This remains limited when it comes to storage. You can hook up to two hard drive of different size on it. The drive bay supports 2.5”, 3.5” and 5.25”. For those who are looking for file server solution it is necessary to go with high storage space drive. A combination of 2TB drive is enough to keep huge amount of data. 2 Drive ways an actually limited. I was expecting atleast 3 to 4 bays in it. For SSD there is a separate section available where you can add up to 3 SSDs. 350D is a performance case. An easy upgrade solution for those who want to move to a new case or who are planning to build a mid range gaming system. For cooling you can also add a liquid cooler in it with additional fan over the top side. The build quality is good. It is thick looks strong. It has a transparent layer on the right part from where you can see internal components. The case is smartly designed.

The case comes with a single 140mm fan which is mounted on the front side. And it also has a space left to add a 240mm radiator. Even if you are downgrading your case from full size to Micro ATX then have a look on Obsidian 350D. Before checking the case in more detail lets checkout the prime features.

Features:

• Micro ATX case for high-performance system
• Compact Size
• Superior Expandability
• Flexible Cooling Options

Specification:

• Brushed Aluminum Front Panel
• SLI / Cross Fire ready
• Five Expansion Slots
• Two 2.5”, two 3.5”, and two 5.25” tool free drive bays.
• Modular 2.5” SSD cage
• Front 140mm and rear 120mm cooling fans. Room for up to five fans total.
• Direct Airflow Path from front cooling fan to GPUs.
• Maximum ATX PSU length 180mm
• Maximum GPU length 380mm
• Maximum CPU Cooler Height 160mm
• Room for two 240mm radiators (top, front)
• Dual USB 3.0 ports

Design:

Corsair Obsidian 350D comes with limited set of accessories. It has a 4 set of screws used for different fan. There is a manual available with cable clips. The case itself has everything placed inside with smart cable management also.

At front as you can see in the images we have standard connectivity solutions. Two usb 3.0 ports are provided with audio control jacks. This includes an audio-in for headphone, audio output for mic and a reset button. Power button is placed in the center.

The front part is removable. You can remove it and add an optical drive. You can remove it completely and there are two panels available. This can be used to add optical drive from the front side. To remove the panels just press the locks inside and the front head comes out. Being a MicroATX case it gives you two slots only to add a dual optical drive. The entire front part that has all connectivity options comes outside. Due to which it is also quite easy to clean.

At the bottom side you have another opening. This opens up the internal 140mm fan which has a dust filter on the top side. Both are removable. After few months of usage any system would grab up a huge amount of dirt. Through this simple design you can clean it and wipe the fan properly so that it can work efficiently.

The 140mm front fan can see in the image below. This fan draws out air inside the box from the front side giving out more ventilation. There is a fan available on the backside also that moves the heat out. Air flow remains proper because of this huge size fan. The front closure has two parts where the first is a flat plastic panel that is applied over the dust filter. If you think your system temperature is going high you can open up the panel and keep it aside.

So you can see the front portion here which is simple and has enough opening to clean whenever there is good amount of dust. Also you can keep it open so that the system can perform cooler. This thing is helpful for a system that has multiple gpu and tight space inside that blocks the air flow. So you can leave the front part open with dust filter over it. At the sides we have nothing except a transparent panel. This does not help much in cooling but gives a classy look to the cause. If you have led fans it is fairly visible.

At the backside lies another fan and openings to add different gpu. The fan is placed on the top side while the slot of psu is at the bottom. You can add multiple graphics card on it easily. PSU placement at the bottom helps you to get more space near optical and hard drive connectivity. Two fan on Corsair Obsidian 350D looks good enough for keeping it cooler for gaming and extreme usage. And if you are planning to go for overclocking then a closed loop liquid cooler is a must.

At the top side you can see we have more space for adding two 140mm fans. You can also add a liquid cooler radiator on the same. If you think that existing cooling solution on the case is low then you have choice to upgrade. In total you have options to add up to 3 big size fan which is enough for any mid range system. I think adding one fan on top will keep the internal component cooler.

At the bottom side lays a dust tray which is placed just below the psu compartment. This dust tray will be helpful to clean the system without opening it again and again. Dust settle down at the bottom part as you shutdown your system. And it remains accumulated in the tray. Through which you can clean it instantly. Many psu today has an inbuilt fan that keeps the internal circuit cooler at time of usage. This dust filter helps to block the dust from getting inside.

Inside at the top right you can see the optical drive slot which is covered by front panel that has usb ports and audio jack. You can push it from inside to remove. In order to add the optical drive you have to remove the panel and insert optical drive from side. There are overall two slots available with simple lock. You can hook two drives in it easily.

Just below that lies the SSD part. You can add up to 4 SSD in that. This is a completely removable compartment. You just have to press it down and it will easily come out. You can place SSDs in it and hook it on your board. 4 SSDs slots are not really required here. Compared to that people look out for more regular size hard drive slot because here there are only two in this case.

Adding SSDs is quite simple. You can remove the complete compartment and insert a drive in it. It has a simple lock that holds the drive. It does not move or fell if you are moving the case. You can add the SSD as your default boot drive and expect amazing output from the same.

Just below that lie the regular drive bays. This two slots support three different hard drive sizes in terms of thickness. It supports 2.5”, 3.5”, and 5.25”. This is tool-less drive bays. But this is bit limited according to me. Atleast there must be 3 minimum so that you can use up your old drive also. Still this is enough if you only want two drives to use in the system. You can use a 2TB or 3TB single drive that offers you maximum space.

Both drive bays are smartly designed. It offers hassle free connectivity. The regular drive bay has drive holders. You just have to hook the drive in it and place the same inside the case. That’s all, your drive is ready to use. Corsair Obsidian 350D offers less management when it comes to cable and hardware setup. Everything is smartly placed that gives hassle free fast assembling solution.

Corsair Obsidian 350D features smart cable management. Most of the cables are tied on the backside of case. It does not remain visible. In the below images you can see cable routing holes. You can use a cable tie to hold them together and place them at the backside so that they do not block the internal space. The rubber gourmet is placed at all corners inside. So those from any angle you can push out the cable and place it properly. This is a requirement for every case. Regular Micro-ATX case does not offer you this kind of features.

Conclusion:

Corsair Obsidian 350D is durable and smart case. It has everything you need to build your mid range gaming system. Additional cooling fan keep the system cool and more options help you to add better cooling. It ideal for those who are looking a budget solution but with durable body and smart features. Like simple cable management, drive bays, and a bit of classic look. Overall this cabinet is good for regular usage also. It is not just limited gaming. The benefit of having this type of cause is, you can anytime go for upgrade without worrying our internal space. You can switch from air cooling to closed loop liquid cooling easily. While in other you less options for upgrade. Other small cases might lack some features which are needed today. Anytime you might feel that your existing system is slow or you are not getting the right gaming resolution. You went to market to buy a new gpu or liquid cooler but later on realize that this does not fit in the case. And you have to get a new one. If you have Corsair Obsidian 350D then you have very less to worry. Quality wise it is good and anyone can assemble third system in it. Most of this kind of case does not come with power supply which is a major drawback and makes it costly also. Budget cases compare to that offer an internal psu, so that you can instantly start. A budget is biked hiked here because after buying this case you have an added requirement of adding psu separately. But it reduces the cost of having dual fan. Storage solution is smartly implemented and enough space is left inside to add multiple gpu also. With cable management, it is also quiet easy to clean. Dust filters are placed at required part.

Pros:

• Durable Design
• Cable Management
• Compact Size
• Quick Cleaning

Cons:

• Only two Drive bays
• Not easy to replace front fan.