[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The Corsair Graphite Series 230T is a mid-tower case with three 5.25” bays, four 3.5” bays, four 2.5” bays, support for 280 mm radiators, and a transparent window at the left panel, coming with a very affordable USD 80 price tag. Let’s take a look at it.
The reviewed case can be found in orange, gray, and black. The black model is also available with solid left panel, with no transparent window. We analyzed the orange model with transparent window, which carries the part number CC-9011038-WW.
Figure 1: Corsair Graphite Series 230T case
Figure 2: Corsair Graphite Series 230T case
The orange model actually has a black front panel. Only the side, top, and bottom panels are painted in orange.
Let’s take a closer look at the case in the next pages.
[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]
The front panel of the 230T has three 5.25” bays with solid plastic covers. The lower side of the panel is meshed, with an air filter.
Figure 3: Front panel
The front of the case’s metal structure can be seen in Figure 4. Here are two 120 mm transparent fans with orange LEDs (model A1225M12S, 1,200 rpm, 18 dBA, 32.95 cfm, 4.56 W).
Figure 4: Front panel removed
Figure 5 shows the inner side of the front panel, where you can see the air filter.
Figure 5: Front panel
At the top portion of the front panel there are two USB 3.0 ports, the traditional audio jacks, and the reset and power buttons.
Figure 6: Connectors
[nextpage title=”The Top Panel”]
On the top panel, the case has room for two 120 mm or 140 mm fans, being also compatible with 240 mm or 280 mm radiators. The holes for the fans have rubber inlets, which are great for absorbing vibrations.
Figure 7: Top panel
[nextpage title=”The Bottom and Rear Panels”]
The bottom panel of the Corsair Graphite Series 230T has room for one 120 mm or 140 mm fan. There is also an air filter for the power supply. This filter slides into a slot, being removable without the need to lift the case.
Figure 8: Bottom panel
Figure 9: Removing the air filter
The rear panel and the interior of the Corsair Graphite 230T are painted in black. The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case.
This case comes with seven expansion slots with vented covers.
The product comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel (model A1225M12S, 1,200 rpm, 18 dBA, 32.95 cfm, 4.56 W).
Figure 10: Rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the Corsair Graphite Series 230T.
[nextpage title=”Inside the Corsair Graphite Series 230T”]
Each panel is attached to the chassis using one black thumbscrew. Unlike most cases, the side panels are removed by sliding them forward.
The motherboard tray has a huge cutout for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, and three holes for you to route cables behind it. Another highlight of the case is the presence of a 0.7” (18 mm) clearance between the motherboard tray and the right-side panel, allowing you to store the cables behind the motherboard tray. The Corsair Graphite Series 230T supports ATX and smaller form factor motherboards.
Figure 11: Overall look
Figure 12: A view behind the motherboard tray
In Figure 13, we have another overall look inside the case. Notice that the top panel supports the installation of two 120 mm or 140 mm fans. The case also supports radiators up to 280 mm in length there.
Expansion cards are fastened using black, metallic thumbscrews. The Corsair Graphite Series 230T supports video cards up to 12.6” (320 mm) long. You can install CPU coolers up to 6.5” (165 mm) tall.
Figure 13: Overall look
The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. It can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As shown before, there is an air filter for the power supply fan.
The case supports the installation of a 120 mm or 140 mm fan on its bottom panel. As already shown, the bottom air filter does not cover this optional fan.
If you install a 140 mm fan in the bottom panel, you will be able to fit power supplies up to 6.9” (175 mm) deep, but if you do not install a fan here, the case is compatible with power supplies up to 12.6” (320 mm) deep, which is more than enough to accommodate most power supplies available on the market.
Figure 14: Power supply compartment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The Corsair Graphite 230T has three external 5.25” bays, four internal 3.5” bays, and four internal 2.5” bays. All the bays have locking mechanisms that allow you to install devices without the use of screws or tools.
Figure 15: Disk drive bays
The 3.5” and 2.5” bays are available in a plastic cage, as you can see in Figures 16 and 17.
Figure 16: 2.5” bays
Figure 17: 3.5” bays
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Corsair Graphite Series 230T include:
- Style: Mid-tower
- Application: ATX and smaller form factors
- Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
- Power supply: Does not come with the product
- Available colors: Orange, black, and gray
- Side panel: Transparent window at the left panel (solid panel option available in the black model)
- Dimensions: 17.3 x 8.3 x 19.7 inches (440 x 212 x 500 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 13.3 lbs (6.05 kg)
- Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, four internal 3.5” bays, and four internal 2.5” bays
- Expansion slots: Seven
- Maximum video card length: 12.6” (320 mm)
- Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.5” (165 mm)
- Fans: Two 120 mm fans on the front panel and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel
- Optional fans: Two 120 mm or 140 mm fans on the top panel, one 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the bottom panel
- Extra Features: Air filters for front and power supply fans, support for radiators up to 280 mm long on the top panel, tool-free locking mechanism for all drive bays
- More Information: https://www.corsair.com
- Average Price in the U.S.*: USD 80.00
* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
If you are looking for a case that allies high quality and simple construction, low price, good ventilation, ease to set up, support for up to four 2.5” drives and up to 280 mm radiators, the Corsair Graphite Series 230T is an excellent choice.
Strong Points
- Excellent construction quality
- Good cost/benefit ratio
- Great ventilation setup out of the box
- Very easy to set up a system inside it
- Air filter for the power supply and front fans
- Supports four 3.5” and four 2.5” devices
- Support for 240 mm or 280 mm radiator on the top panel
- A huge cutout in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
Weak Points
- Plastic drive cage looks a little cheap
- Does not support 140 mm radiator on the rear panel
- No anti-vibration mechanism for hard drives
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