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LAS VEGAS--Corsair has revamped one of its most popular PC cases into a new, more customizable design. The Corsair Frame 4000D is reminiscent of the company’s original 4000D PC case we reviewed not long back, but it has far more interesting front and side panels, and a whole bunch of future potential. In time, this case should give you copious options to customize a PC build through accessories and fan-mounting flexibility.
The real stars are these customization options. The Frame 4000D's swappable panels, flexible mounting rails, and interesting inserts make it a DIY system builder’s potential dream case. Have a look at the video above for more; we've got a deeper rundown below, too.
A Base Frame to Customize
Right off the shelf, the Frame 4000D is a snazzy-looking ATX form factor case with a unique front panel. We very much like the design of the face, which is punched through with twists of metal in a wavy Y-shaped pattern, very unlike any other case face we've seen.
(Credit: John Burek)Corsair sells three basic configurations of the Frame: For $94.99, you can get a base model in black or white without any fans. Up that to $99.99, and you’ll get three non-RGB fans; for $109.99, those three fans will come with RGB LEDs.
(Credit: John Burek)It’s a quality case, but stop there, and you’d think this is still just any old ATX box. The most remarkable aspects of this case might come in the future, assuming Corsair starts shipping some of the optional accessories it showed in early form at CES. The front panel is slick, and, mind you, we'd be hesitant to swap it out, but you have four alternate front panels to choose from. In addition to the standard one, Corsair has metal and glass options, one that looks like wood, and another prototype with a more aggressive, edgy look with RGB LED lights.
(Credit: John Burek)That said, the standard panel with the Y-shaped grooves is likely the best option in terms of performance. As Corsair stated, it boosts airflow by up to 12%. But given the nifty look of some of these parts, you might be tempted. Cooling isn’t everything, after all.
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The removable motherboard mounting tray inside the case is also customizable. Corsair showed off several prototype trays that could be the start of something special. Assuming they come to market, you could swap the tray for a few skeletal metal options with different aesthetics, or a mostly transparent acrylic one.
(Credit: John Burek)If you opt for the Frame 4000D configuration that doesn’t come with fans, you’ll also have a wide range of options for adding your own, thanks to Corsair’s Infinirail mounting system. Infinirail makes several of the fan-mounting locations of this case adjustable and enables you to fit anything from 120mm to 180mm fans on the top panel and between 120mm and 200mm fans on the front.
(Credit: John Burek)The case also has a built-in adjustable support for your graphics card, which is helpful for long and heavy models.
Corsair's Not Done Improving the Frame
To complement these existing customization options, Corsair is working on other attachments for this case. One that's already done would go on the lower left side of the system: It's an elongated touch-screen display inside a mounting bezel. Corsair showed off this $249.99 touch panel, called the Xeneon Edge, which looks mighty cool and makes the system really pop.
(Credit: John Burek)Another option for this space is a "high airflow" panel that covers this lower third of the left side with a metal plate with Y-shaped cut-throughs, behind which you might mount a bank of fans or a 360mm radiator.
This case was officially released during CES and is now available for purchase, but you may need to wait a bit longer on those customizable accessories. They aren’t popping up yet on Corsair’s digital storefront, and some are officially in the prototype stage only. Watch out for a full review from PCMag later this year.