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Cooler Master HAF 500 vs Corsair iCUE Link 3500X: Comparison
Cooler Master HAF 500 vs Corsair iCUE Link 3500X gpu clearance compared
On gpu clearance the spread is 8%, Cooler Master HAF 500 400 mm against Corsair iCUE Link 3500X 370 mm, so Cooler Master HAF 500 takes it. They differ on typical price too, 140 USD on the Cooler Master HAF 500 versus 170 USD on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X. There is a split on dimensions as well, 494 x 231 x 468mm on the Cooler Master HAF 500 versus 478 x 230 x 465mm on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X.
Which should you buy, Cooler Master HAF 500 or Corsair iCUE Link 3500X?
The Cooler Master HAF 500 is the one to take for high-wattage airflow builds and E-ATX boards in a mid-tower footprint, though it is not the pick for noise-sensitive environments and showcase RGB builds without extra fans. The Corsair iCUE Link 3500X suits iCUE Link ecosystem builds and cable-management-obsessed builders, though it is the wrong buy for Non-Corsair fan ecosystems and E-ATX motherboards. Our rating of the Cooler Master HAF 500 (8/10): A strong airflow mid-tower for people who like the HAF 700's looks but not its size. Our rating of the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X (8/10): the cleanest cabling you'll get out of the box if you're buying into iCUE Link fans, with a solid mid-tower dual-chamber design underneath.
Which is cheaper, Cooler Master HAF 500 or Corsair iCUE Link 3500X?
The Corsair iCUE Link 3500X asks 21% more, $170 against $140 for the Cooler Master HAF 500.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, included fans, radiator support, case type and front usb-c included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Cooler Master HAF 500 and Corsair iCUE Link 3500X differ on cpu cooler clearance?
Yes. CPU Cooler Clearance reads 175 mm on the Cooler Master HAF 500 versus 170 mm on the Corsair iCUE Link 3500X.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- Cooler Master
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Corsair
Motherboard Support
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- ATX, mATX, ITX
Case Type
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- Mid-Tower
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Mid-Tower
Model
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- HAF 500
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- iCUE Link 3500X
Panel Type
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- Polygonal mesh front, tempered glass side
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Tempered glass, dual-chamber
GPU Clearance
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- 400 mmBest
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 370 mm-7%
Typical Price
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- 140 USD
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 170 USD
CPU Cooler Clearance
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- 175 mmBest
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 170 mm-3%
Included Fans
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- 3
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 3
Radiator Support
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- Front up to 360mm, top up to 360mm
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Front up to 360mm, top up to 360mm
Front USB-C
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- Yes
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- Yes
Dimensions
- Cooler Master HAF 500
- 494 x 231 x 468mm
- Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
- 478 x 230 x 465mm
Which one should you pick?
Choose Cooler Master HAF 500 if you want the higher GPU clearance (400 mm vs 370 mm), the higher CPU cooler clearance (175 mm vs 170 mm) and the higher included fans (3 vs 3).
Choose Corsair iCUE Link 3500X if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Cooler Master HAF 500 | Corsair iCUE Link 3500X |
|---|---|---|
| Cooler Master Store | $140.00 View on Cooler Master Store | |
| Amazon | $170.00 View on Amazon | |
| Corsair Store | View on Corsair Store |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Cooler Master HAF 500
8 / 10 Expert Rating
A strong airflow mid-tower for people who like the HAF 700's looks but not its size.
Corsair iCUE Link 3500X
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The cleanest cabling you'll get out of the box if you're buying into iCUE Link fans, with a solid mid-tower dual-chamber design underneath.