Specs and initial thoughts
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model name | Cooler Master HAF 922 | |
| Case type | Mid-tower | |
| Dimension(W x H x D) | 253mm x 502mm x 563mm | |
| Weight | 8.7kg | |
| Available colours | Black | |
| 5.25in drive bays | 5 | |
| 3.5in external drive bays | 1 | |
| 3.5in internal drive bays | 5 | |
| Expansion slots | 8 (7+1) | |
| Side panel | Ventilation mesh |
|
| Material | Steel (SECC) and plastic/mesh bezel | |
| I/O panel | Audio / 2 x USB 2.0 / 1 x eSATA | |
| Cooling fans | 1 x 200mm front 1 x 120mm rear 1 x 200mm top 1 x 140mm bottom, 1x 200 side (both optional) |
|
| Mainboard support | mATX / ATX | |
| Tool-less design | Yes | |
| Protection | Shim for PSU | |
| Maintenance | Removable and washable filters | |
| LED | Red, front | |
| Price | £90, including VAT and delivery | |
A quick look at the specification doesn't reveal anything out of the ordinary, but then this is a chassis and innovation in this field isn't an everyday occurrence.
What Cooler Master is offering is a generous serving of everything. Looking at the spec, we've an ample number of drive bays, plenty of room for expansion, a well-equipped I/O and a tri-fan cooling system that should be more than adequate for most users.
Measuring 253mm x 502mm x 563mm, it's 10mm thinner and 58mm shorter than the big ol' HAF 932. The size reduction will, of course, bring with it a slimming of features - and we'll get to those shortly - but the smaller dimensions will appeal to those who value their space - or some of it, at least.
So, with so many chassis now offering similar functionality at a similar price, the make-or-break factor can be just aesthetics. Unfortunately for the HAF 922, it's something of a love-it-or-hate-it affair. HEXUS.community members have been quick to call the chassis ugly, but we disagree.
It's hard to get a good idea of the chassis from images alone, but in person, we reckon it looks a well-built, solid and formidable solution. Wider than most mid-tower models to accommodate the extra-large fan at the front, it looks worthy of its £90 price tag, and as users who generally stays as far away as possible from garish gaming systems, we find the HAF 922 somehow manages to express a sense of sophistication. In person, its largely-symmetrical lines give it a surprisingly sleek finish. Honest.
Looking at it head on, we've a largely-mesh front and the five 5.25in drive-bay covers are equipped with useful dust filters. Sadly, Cooler Master hasn't extended that anti-dust philosophy throughout the chassis as the huge 200mm red-LED intake fan at the front isn't filtered.
Similarly, filters aren't supplied for the optional bottom and side fans, either. The big fan, though, spins at a maximum 700rpm but louder than the rpm would intimate. Should you so wish, it can be swapped out for a single 120mm/140mm model.
At the top-most side of the front, we find the HAF 922's I/O panel.
A pair of USB ports, audio ports and eSATA make up the panel - that's almost everything the average user may need, but multimedia users in particular may miss the lack of FireWire. There's also no cover, and a simple pull-up flap could have made the case even sleeker, we reckon.