Corsair Obsidian 550D Mid-Tower Quiet Chassis Review

Before we dive into the meaty bits, let’s look at an overall shot with the panels removed. One feature that Corsair has carried over from the Carbide series of cases is a recessed motherboard mounting area that moves the motherboard away from the left side panel so that taller tower coolers can be used without running into clearance issues, especially if fans are installed on the left side panel. The rest of the motherboard tray features grommet-lined cable management holes down the side and in front of the power supply, a large cutout around the CPU area and a smaller hole in the top left for the 12v power connection.

Speaking of panels, both side panels have been given the same treatment as the rest and sport sound dampening foam to help keep system noise trapped inside the case.

Starting off at the lower front there are six plastic trays that can hold 2.5/3.5″ drives. Smaller drives are secured through the bottom of the tray with the included hardware while larger ones require no tools to install.

The drive trays sit in two removable drive cages held in place by thumbscrews. This allows users the flexibility to configure their system exactly how they want, whether they need tons of storage or unobstructed airflow from the front intake fans.

The top of the front interior is taken up by the 5.25″ drive bays. To keep the drives secure, Corsair has chosen its tried and true push latch locking mechanism, which allows for tool-free installation and removal.

Moving to the floor of the case shows four rubber-topped risers that will support the power supply unit. There’s been enough room left for larger, higher wattage power supplies, but at the expense of the optional 120/140mm fan that can be installed in front.

The back of the motherboard tray shows off another great feature that comes about thanks to the recessed motherboard area, a channel that runs along the bottom and up the left side. This is a great place to tuck cables and allows for a good amount of clearance so there shouldn’t be any issues putting the panel back on.

When it comes to bits and pieces, Corsair has included everything needed to build a system. There are screws to hold the motherboard and various drives, fans and radiators in place, extra motherboard standoffs, zip ties, stick on cable ties, a USB 3.0 to 2.0 converter and a brief manual. Even four extra hinges for the front panel have been included, which is a nice touch for those who are rough with their toys.

Having played with a case from each product line with the exception of the new Vengeance series, I’m looking forward to slapping some gear into an Obsidian series case again, so let’s get started.