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Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack vs Fractal Design Pop Air: Comparison
Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack vs Fractal Design Pop Air: the included fans difference
The gap that matters here is included fans: Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack 1 against Fractal Design Pop Air 2, which puts Fractal Design Pop Air 50% ahead. There is a split on panel type as well, Modular mesh or tempered glass flat-pack panels on the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack versus Mesh front, tempered glass side on the Fractal Design Pop Air.
Which should you buy, Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack or Fractal Design Pop Air?
Buy the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack for builders who like to change their case's look over time and standard ATX gaming builds wanting some visual customization, though it is not the pick for budget builds where extra panels aren't in the budget and anyone who wants a complete look out of the box. It is equally the pick for anyone who wants to try a mesh and glass mix-and-match look. The Fractal Design Pop Air is the one to take for first-time builders on a budget and airflow-first builds under $500 total, though it is the wrong buy for showcase RGB builds and E-ATX motherboards. Our rating of the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack (7.5/10): A fun, genuinely modular case if you want to change its look over time, though the base kit alone is a fairly plain mid-tower. Our rating of the Fractal Design Pop Air (7.5/10): A dependable budget airflow case, just don't expect the design flourishes of Fractal's pricier lines.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack and Fractal Design Pop Air differ on gpu clearance?
Yes. GPU Clearance reads 370 mm on the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack versus 360 mm on the Fractal Design Pop Air.
Is the Case Type the same on the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack and Fractal Design Pop Air?
It is. Both are listed at Mid-Tower, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Motherboard Support
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- ATX, mATX, ITX
Case Type
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- Mid-Tower
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- Mid-Tower
Panel Type
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- Modular mesh or tempered glass flat-pack panels
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- Mesh front, tempered glass side
GPU Clearance
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- 370 mmBest
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- 360 mm-3%
CPU Cooler Clearance
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- 165 mm-3%
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- 170 mmBest
Included Fans
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- 1-50%
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- 2Best
Radiator Support
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- Front 360mm, Top 280mm
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- Front up to 360mm, top up to 240mm
Front USB-C
- Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack
- Yes
- Fractal Design Pop Air
- Yes
Which one should you pick?
Choose Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack if you want the higher GPU clearance (370 mm vs 360 mm).
Choose Fractal Design Pop Air if you want the higher CPU cooler clearance (170 mm vs 165 mm) and the higher included fans (2 vs 1).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack | Fractal Design Pop Air |
|---|---|---|
| Cooler Master Store | View on Cooler Master Store | |
| Amazon | $95.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | |
| Fractal Design Store | View on Fractal Design 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 Qube 500 Flatpack
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A fun, genuinely modular case if you want to change its look over time, though the base kit alone is a fairly plain mid-tower.
Fractal Design Pop Air
7.5 / 10 Expert Rating
A dependable budget airflow case, just don't expect the design flourishes of Fractal's pricier lines.