| Corsair Graphite 600T Computer Case |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Sunday, 20 February 2011 | |
Corsair Graphite 600T Computer Case Review
Manufacturer: Corsair Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Corsair. It seems that vanity has no limit, as there aren't many markets more entwined in style and appearance than the consumer electronics industry. It makes sense, since these are called Personal Computers, after all. Identity is everything to consumers, which is what makes computer cases such a personal choice for system builders. Corsair is helping to make these decisions a little easier for enthusiasts by offering their Corsair Graphite 600T computer case. Like most things that come from this performance-orientated company, the Graphite series of computer enclosures delivers what people want most. In this article, Benchmark Reviews investigates the CC600T model for functionality and value. Although desktop PC's have remained strong into 2011, the rest of the industry has gone small. Not in terms of interest or consumer base mind you, but more specifically with regard to actual product sizes. Notebook computers and smartphones have shrunk the industry year after year, and yet the demand for high-quality desktop computer hardware remains a big part of the overall market. Corsair built their brand name by offering overclockers and enthusiasts some of the best high-performance system memory components available, and using that momentous popularity they've expanded into audio, cooling, power supply units, storage devices, and computer enclosures. The Corsair Graphite Series provides full-tower features in a mid-tower sized case, with an emphasis on performance and style. Whether you are an expert or on your first build, the Graphite Series makes it easy to build a world-class gaming system. With excellent cooling from the dual 200mm fans, eight PCI-E expansion slots to accommodate multiple graphics cards, and plenty of room for large, power-hungry components, the Graphite Series 600T can handle just about anything you can throw at it. Impressively engineered and stylishly designed, the highly functional 600T is designed to make your system outperform, outlast, and outdo.
Graphite 600T Features
CC600T Specifications
Note: Features and specifications provided by Corsair. Closer Look: Graphite 600T ExteriorAs of 2011, Corsair offers two different lines of computer case: Obsidian and Graphite. Benchmark Reviews has already tested the Corsair Obsidian 700D, which is joined by the 650D and 800D model variations of the same premium design. In this review we test the Graphite 600T, a black mid-tower computer case for mainstream consumers. In addition to the standard Graphite 600T, Corsair offers a special edition white version that features a white exterior with both glossy and satin black accents, as well as an all-black interior and windowed side panel.
Corsair has a checklist of items they strive to deliver in their products, and the Graphite series of computer cases is not different. At the top is performance, an attribute that often earns Corsair products the reputation they now enjoy. Of course, you can't have a high-performance computer case without making some compromises, and with Graphite that compromise is size. Measuring 20" tall, the Corsair Graphite 600T adopts a standard mid-tower profile that reaches 23.3" deep and 10.4" wide. Four 5.25" expansion bays are available for optical drives, fan controllers, or whatever else fits your fancy. Removable metal mesh grills cover each expansion bay plate, as well as the drive bay cage fan.
Comprised primarily of painted steel components, the Corsair Graphite 600T sparingly uses molded ABS plastic accent pieces around the edges and base. The steel side panel doors lift up and away using tool-less handles that allow builders instant access into the enclosure.
One particular feature that separates the Corsair Graphite 600T from other computer cases is its ability to deliver eight total expansion slots - a huge perk for hardcore gamers with multi-card graphics hardware. While SLI/CrossFire are easily accommodated by most cases, Corsair's 600T extends itself to the realm of triple video card configurations.
Corsair positions the power supply unit at the bottom of the Graphite 600T, and enables the PSU to be mounted with the intake fan in either an upward or downward position. This allows the system builder to decide on drawing intake air from inside the Graphite 600T, or through the bottom of the case through a filtered vent.
A single 120mm fan occupies the upper-rear exhaust position, and can removed for products like the Corsair Hydro CPU cooler series. The Graphite 600T can fit an entire self-contained water cooling system inside the enclosure, or the 600T's soft rubber grommets can ensure hoses are handled with the utmost care for users wanting to mount radiators or chillers outside of the Graphite case. CC600T Detailed Exterior FeaturesViewed from above, the Corsair Graphite 600T offers plenty of breathable ventilation. Back in the day when an enclosure could offer positive (or negative) chamber pressure, builders had to ensure that their system would operate as desired by using various fan sizes. Now, with such large portions of surface area dedicated towards open vents, even the novice system builder can construct an effectively ventilated computer system.
The Corsair Graphite 600T user interface adopts an ergonomic approach to button and control layout. Flush-mounted power and reset buttons are located atop other controls, safe from accidental contact. There are four USB 2.0 ports located to the left of an integrated fan control dial, along with a single SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and IEEE 1324 Firewire port. Corsair's choice of positioning for the audio input and output jacks might have been better located below the other ports, since the cables for these devices with interfere with fan control and USB/Firewire access.
Positioned in front of the Graphite's internal drive cage, a foam filter is built into the removable fan grill for the front 200mm cooling fan. This panel is removable for easy cleaning, and snaps into place.
The power supply unit receives similar treatment, but instead of a foam filter a fine-pitch screen is used. This screen is integrated into the removable filter panel, and can be easily cleaned for reuse.
Corsair is readily aware that hardware enthusiasts are making the switch from hard disk storage to solid state drives. As a direct result, the removable drive trays house both 2.5" and 3.5" storage devices.
The Corsair Graphite 600T includes six plastic "drive caddies" with the CC600T model, which is more than most builders will require for building personal computer systems. For those wanting a fashionable pedestal server, the Corsair Graphite 600T is built ready for the task. Closer Look: Graphite 600T InteriorUtilizing the large internal volume afforded by a robust frame, the Corsair Graphite 600T delivers high-performance cooling features and numerous cable-routing channels to help system builders construct a system that truly stands apart from the mainstream. In this section, we'll cover the internal layout for the Graphite 600T.
Corsair includes a variety of pre-cut holes in the motherboard tray with rubber grommets, giving plenty of room behind the motherboard to route cables for an uncluttered interior. When grommets aren't necessary, such as the CPU backplate cutout, the sheet metal edges have been rolled to allow upgrading your CPU heatsink without worry of sharp edges.
There are also knock-out points above the motherboard to accommodate fan wires and other cables. An oval near the upper-rear corner of the motherboard tray allows system builders to cleanly wire power to the 4-pin P4 or 8-pin EPS motherboard receptacles. There is approximately 3/4" of clearance between the door panel and most portions of the motherboard tray, so thick primary cables will have room to flex and turn.
Corsair includes eight tool-less drive trays with the Graphite 600T. Each of these plastic trays releases from the cage by squeezing the tabs in towards the middle. Drives are fastened to the tray by using well-placed pins inserted into screw holes, instead of screws.
Users can remove the top drive cage on the Corsair Graphite 600T case, but the lower cage requires tools in the unlikely event you'd prefer not to have any trays installed. The entire cage system is cooled by a 200mm fan that is illuminated by white LEDs. Detailed Interior FeaturesIn this section, we inspect the fit and finish of a fully-equipped computer installation to illustrate how much room the Graphite 600T offers to demanding system builders. Using the EVGA X58 SLI X3 ATX motherboard (model 131-GT-E767-TR) with a collection of video cards and Corsair Dominator-GT memory, then pairing them with Corsair's AX1200 extended power supply unit, it still looks like there's plenty of room remaining inside the Graphite 600T.
Switching from the Corsair H50 to the new twin-fan/double-thick radiator Corsair Hydro H70 Liquid CPU Cooler, the Graphite 600T fits them both with plenty of room to spare. I measured approximately 7.0-inches from the motherboard to the side panel, so large air-cooled heatsinks will fit nicely. In the image above, power supply cables were routed behind the motherboard tray, while the image below illustrates cable management with a simulated non-modular PSU installation.
After installing a full-size ATX motherboard, there's approximately 3.5 inches of space between the closest edge and the drive cage column. For video card clearance, the Graphite 600T fits a 12-inch long Radeon HD 5970 with 1.75-inches to spare, thus giving a 13.75-inch span between the rear wall and drive cage column. The 'ceiling' fan on the Corsair 600T offers a compromise of location and size. Located just slightly behind the halfway point, this large white-LED 200mm fan gets as close as possible to the CPU and other components without leaving the central air channel.
With one 200mm fan drawing air in from behind the drive cage and another pushing it out through the top, the Graphite 600T offers a very strong airflow pattern for components positioned between them. This enables overclockers to enjoy a cooler internal operating environment, and prolongs the lifetime of other heat-sensitive components.
Since Corsair builds the Graphite 600T from steel and plastic, it weighs more than it looks. It's nearly 26 LBS empty, and once filled with components the total unit weight grows to over 35 LBS. In other words, the Graphite 600T is not a portable unit you'll be dragging around with you to LAN parties. At least not unless you eat your Wheaties. Corsair CC600T ConclusionIMPORTANT: Although the rating and final score mentioned in this conclusion are made to be as objective as possible, please be advised that every author perceives these factors differently at various points in time. While we each do our best to ensure that all aspects of the product are considered, there are often times unforeseen market conditions and manufacturer changes which occur after publication that could render our rating obsolete. Please do not base any purchase solely on our conclusion, as it represents our product rating specifically for the product tested which may differ from future versions. Benchmark Reviews begins our conclusion with a short summary for each of the areas that we rate. Performance is a difficult variable to quantify with computer enclosures because every system will be different, and the manufacturer may implement fan components supplied by various vendors with differing specifications. For these reasons, it's best to consider products of the same general profile size and purpose. Corsair's Graphite 600T is a steel mid-tower ATX computer enclosure designed for mainstream builders and enthusiasts. There's a single 200mm intake fan positioned behind the drive cage column, with a second 200mm fan exhausting air from the top and a 120mm fan positioned at the upper-back. In an enclosed environment this would create negative chamber pressure, but the Graphite series offers so much mesh ventilation that pressure is neutral. Appearance is yet another subjective matter, since this rating doesn't have benchmark scores to fall back on. In my opinion, the Corsair Graphite 600T looks very attractive without being too bold. It's the little things that earn my approval: soft edges around all corners, depressed 'spine' across the top, and a simple yet elegant grill system that stretches from the front to rear. My personal tastes usually run positive towards dark black-colored cases, but white cases catch my attention if they're designed right. With this in mind, the Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T computer case (model CC600TWM-WHT, not yet in stores) might help to offer something for everyone.
Craftsmanship and construction are two key components to the success behind Corsair's Graphite series. There are a lot of fancy computer cases on the market, many of which use expensive material (aluminum) to cover an otherwise weak design. Corsair has taken an affordable material (steel) and used their experience and design skills to produce a solid product that looks good without the extra costs involved. Like the Corsair Obsidian 700D we recently tested, the Graphite series of enclosures is equally durable, and could be considered the better-looking option between the two product lines. Functionality is where the Corsair Graphite 600T truly shines brightest. For a mid-tower ATX enclosure, the Corsair Graphite 600T delivers more than most builders will ask of it. Eight expansion bays are a rare commodity on mid-tower computer cases these days, and not too many enclosures with fit three double-size externally-exhausting video cards like the Graphite series can. The CC600T model lacks a side-panel window, but the white Special Edition model CC600TWM-WHT incorporates this feature. Most users will enjoy the ergonomic access to USB, Firewire, and eSATA ports from the forward top-mounted location. If there were design changes to be considered in future models, I would like to see a second SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port on this panel and to relocate the audio jacks to a position below the dial. As of late February 2011, the model CC600T Corsair Graphite 600T computer case sells online for $159.90 at Amazon or $159.99 at Newegg. This is near the top end of mainstream mid-tower pricing and might be considered too high, but the 600T certainly delivers on it's value and makes it well worth the premium purchase price. Still, we can't ignore how Benchmark Reviews has tested more than a few bargain-priced computer cases that delivered nearly as much for under $40.There's no shortage of options in the computer enclosure market, so budget-conscious consumers should take their time and shop around for discounts and deals. At the time of this writing, there was a limited mail-in rebate that reduced pricing on the Graphite 600T even lower. As I opine in our editorial's section, computer cases are continually shrinking with small form factor (SFF) creeping its way into vogue. So then, in a world of hand-held devices, it's nice to see Corsair keep the larger products looking sharp and performing at the top of their game. The Corsair Graphite 600T wasn't designed to be the cheapest case in town, because it takes material to offer eight expansion slots and clearance for extended-length video cards. It's true that the price is not exactly pandering to the budget market, but those cases usually fail to deliver the total package. Corsair delivers an original look that demands attention, and the Graphite series does this without going overboard by using obtuse angles and alien color schemes. Corsair's 600T is a great pick for hardware enthusiasts and functionality-driven system builders, and it earns our Golden Tachometer Award for overall excellence. Pros:
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Comments
before you tell us tri-fire is a waste of money.
Thanks for giving us a feel for how much space there is behind the mb. With a curvy side panel, your approximating was most appropriate.
I tend to like top intake rather than top exhaust. Can the 200mm fan be mounted far enough forward to mostly clear a big tower cooler like the D14?
As usual, great work.
For any questions about case specifics post them in the Corsair forums and hopefully Corsair_George can answer them. I do have some good news by the way. Corsair_George is working on an accessory side window cover for the black model.