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Review: Corsair Graphite Series 380T

by Parm Mann on 29 August 2014, 14:00

Tags: Corsair

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacic5

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Conclusion

Corsair Compact Chassis Comparison

 
Graphite Series 380T
Dimensions (H x W x D)
320mm x 260mm x 397mm
356mm x 292mm x 393mm
290mm x 277mm x 351mm
Compatibility
Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX
Mini-ITX
Mini-ITX
Expansion Slots
4
2
2
Maximum GPU Length
290mm
290mm
290mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height
120mm
150mm
95mm (with optical drive)
Maximum PSU Length
225mm
160mm
180mm
5.25in Drive Bays
-
-
1
3.5in Drive Bays
3
2
2
2.5in Drive Bays
3
2
2
Included Fans
3 x 120mm
1 x 140mm, 1 x 120mm
1 x 140mm, 1 x 120mm
Total Fan Mounts
9
5
5
Notable Extras
Dual Orientation
Fan Controller
Aluminium Accents
Price
£70
£95
£70

Browsing Corsair's own product line puts a couple of interesting facts into focus. Historically speaking, the Carbide Series prioritises value for money, the Obsidian Series is designed as a premium option, and the Graphite Series is something of a middle ground.

However, when it comes to small-form-factor, the boundaries are blurred and it's hard to argue against the Carbide Series Air 240's specification sheet. It's roughly the same size as the other two options, yet can house either a Mini- or Micro-ATX board, has double the expansion slots, more drive bays, and a greater number of fan mounts. On top of all that, the dual-chamber layout makes it easier to work with.

The Graphite Series 380T makes a visual statement - and it does admittedly look cool - but it is a case of form over function. And that, really, is what it comes down to. If you love the way it looks, and we suspect many gamers will, then the 380T can be used to put together a powerful Mini-ITX PC with eye-catching aesthetics, high-end gaming credentials and a level of portability that makes it suitable for LAN parties.

Quick-release side panels, an integrated fan controller and a choice of colour options all work in its favour, and the fact that the case can house a 240mm radiator and a GeForce GTX 780 Ti means the 380T ticks most of the boxes that enthusiasts really care about.

Bottom line: the Graphite Series 380T a mighty attractive Mini-ITX chassis for gamers, but we can't shake the feeling that the Carbide Series Air 240 is more flexible and available for less money.

The Good

Almost guaranteed to turn heads
Available in a choice of colours
Carry-handle makes it ideal for LAN parties
Roomy enough for a full-size graphics card
Has liquid-cooling potential
Integrated three-step fan controller
Quick-release side panels

The Bad

Small side-panel windows limit internal view
Relatively big, for a Mini-ITX chassis
Cable management can be tricky
Cramped PSU bay


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Corsair Graphite Series 380T

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TBC.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Nice review, it is a decent case. Seems like the 250D but morphed a bit.
But although I really like this case, I am sorry, but it reassembles a funky stereo player too much :O_o1:
2 words…mecha bee
1 words… honeycomb
I kind of like it and quite possibly the thinking is to have different colours as do Aerocool (Dead Silence) and Bitfenix (Prodigy) for their small form factor cases.
It is though (and the two mentioned above) to big, SFF cases seem to be mimicking smart phones in getting bigger in size.
An ITX motherboard is 170mm x 170mm, any case mounting one in the horizontal plane should not be much wider than 200mm, the Prodigy gets closest at 250mm, the Aerocool is 265mm and thats capable of taking a micro atx board in the horizontal plane which makes it 27mm narrower than the Corsair.
I really like the idea of a small form factor PC and for my next build I see this as a serious option to consider, though I can't believe that I am already planning my next build lol but then again, I'm always planning my next build.

I like the look of the case, I think it has great presence, I don't like how awkward it looked to build with, and yet having the option to add a 120mm AIO liquid cooler and a GTX780Ti does make the case quite appealing, ultimately I think the negatives outweigh the positives for me and in this respect I think the Carbide 240 would be the better case out of the series, first it offers more versatility, it can be used with the clear panel facing up or to the side and is better value for money. The only thing that might sway me towards the 380T is the carry handle on the top.