Page 2 – Physical Look – Outside
Like many other gaming cases on the market, the Corsair Frame 5000D RS ARGB I am reviewing today comes with a tempered glass side panel. The use of tempered glass lets you show off all your ARGB components inside, though it can quickly get messy if you leave fingerprints on it. Unlike the Corsair 5000D we reviewed a few years ago, the glass panel on the Frame 5000D RS ARGB does not extend across the entire side of the case. As you can see from the photo above, the glass covers the motherboard chamber, while the PSU chamber is enclosed by a steel panel with a mesh grill. This design promotes better airflow for the PSU area, while still allowing you to display your ARGB hardware in the main chamber. The opposite side panel is made of steel with a matte black finish, featuring a large mesh grill that provides airflow for any fans or radiators mounted behind it.
Moving to the front, the panel design is quite interesting. The base is made of plastic, topped with a steel mesh panel. The mesh allows maximum airflow into the case, while the steel construction adds durability and protects the more delicate plastic mesh air filter behind it. The mesh panel itself is attached with four ball-and-socket joints, making it easy to remove with a quick tug. Underneath, you will find a large removable air filter secured by magnets at the bottom and a clip at the top. The front has no 5.25" bay, which means you cannot install internal CD or DVD drives. For most users, the lack of an optical drive is not a big issue, unless you still prefer watching Blu-ray movies without using an external option. On top, the Frame 5000D RS ARGB features a removable steel mesh panel that provides airflow for top-mounted fans or radiators. It is worth noting, however, that there is no dust filter underneath this panel to prevent particles from entering the system.
In terms of size, the Corsair Frame 5000D measures 250mm wide, 542mm tall, and 556mm deep. It weighs 15.48kg or 34.13lbs. This is one of the largest mid-tower cases I have seen in a long time. Its width especially gives the impression that cable management will be straightforward, as extra horizontal space always makes routing easier. At the same time, the overall volume allows for generous fan and radiator support, making this case a true cooling powerhouse.
In the photo above, you can clearly see the details of the steel mesh top panel, the plastic frame of the front panel, and the steel mesh front panel itself. The top panel has accommodation for up to three 120mm or 140mm fans or a radiator of equivalent size. Although both the top and front panels feature mesh ventilation, the patterns are slightly different. The top panel mesh is flat, while the front panel mesh has a wavy design. In addition, the holes on the front panel mesh are larger than those on the top. I believe the wavy mesh with larger openings helps showcase the three included ARGB fans more effectively, which in my opinion is a highlight of the overall design.
Unlike the standard 5000D, the Frame 5000D RS ARGB also has a gap between the top edge of the front mesh panel and the plastic frame. This gap, combined with the integrated handle on the back side of the case, makes it easier to move the case around. We will take a closer look at the handle on the back panel later. I find this feature particularly important for a mid-tower of this size and weight. After all, the case itself tips the scale at more than 15kg.
Unlike the original 5000D, which places the power button and USB ports on the top, the Frame 5000D RS ARGB relocates them to the lower portion of the front panel. Looking closely at the photo above, you can see the layout: A power button, single audio/microphone combo jack, four USB 3.2 Type-A ports, and one USB 3.2 Type-C port, all neatly arranged along the bottom edge. The power button houses a white LED indicator, and between the front I/O section and the steel mesh front panel sits an integrated ARGB light bar for added flair. I have to say, it is really nice to see four USB Type-A ports alongside a Type-C port. When it comes to connectivity, the more the better in my opinion. The combination 3.5mm audio/microphone jack is standard and expected.
The back of the Corsair Frame 5000D RS ARGB, like the rest of the case, has lots of patterned mesh. We can see from the above photo there is a small integrated handle with the company logo printed on it beside the top edge. The handle, along with the plastic frame on the front, provide a good way to move this heavy case around. You will need to have a good amount of gripping power on your fingers to move the case when it is fully loaded due to the smaller size of the handle.
There are four main sections here, including the power supply mounting area, motherboard I/O backplate, rear exhaust, and expansion card slots. Judging by the mounting cutout, the power supply is installed horizontally at the bottom of the chassis. With the PSU occupying this space, the motherboard sits above it, which places the I/O backplate opening near the top. The Frame 5000D RS ARGB offers eight standard expansion slots, which is typical for a large ATX mid-tower. However, Corsair also provides an option for vertical GPU mounting if you prefer a better view of your graphics card. At first glance, the photo above may not make this obvious, since there is no separate vertical slot opening on the back. But if you look closely at the three thumbscrews around the expansion card section, you will notice that the entire expansion card plate is removable. This plate can be rotated ninety degrees to support vertical mounting. It is a neat feature, as it not only enables a clean showcase of your graphics card, but also makes it possible to vertically mount more than one GPU.
There are four plastic stands on the bottom of the case to support the Corsair Frame 5000D RS ARGB, rising the case up about 3cm on top of the resting surface for better ventilation. The pair of front stands are extended from the plastic frame of front panel. The four stands are on the four corners of the bottom, so there is no doubt about the stability of the case. Meanwhile, there are four rubber bottoms provided to further enhance the grip of the stands. It is nice to have some rubber feet that can offer some kind of protection to your floor or table surface.
You can also see from the above photo a washable filter is attached to the bottom grille of the chassis. Here, up to two 120mm fans are supported, which is a change from the original 5000D. The filter is nicely reinforced by a hard-plastic frame, so they are removable for easy cleaning and installation. Note the power supply of this case is bottom-mounted, therefore the ventilation area behind the filter is also designed for the power supply. Also, the side panels of Frame 5000D RS ARGB do not need to be pulled backward to remove them, since there is no rail mechanism to hold these panels. A pop out of the ball-and-socket joints is all you need to get the panels off the chassis.
Overall, the Corsair Frame 5000D RS ARGB is a sleek and well-designed computer case constructed from a mix of metal, plastic, and tempered glass. The panel gaps are small and consistent, reflecting a high level of build quality and attention to detail. The tempered glass side panel also stands out for its clarity, showing no noticeable distortion. On the usability front, the inclusion of four USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port keeps the case modern and practical for everyday use. Finally, with its extensive mesh grille coverage, the 5000D RS ARGB is clearly optimized for airflow, ensuring both style and cooling performance go hand in hand.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
