Cooler Master HAF 922 Review

Results Analysis

As we expected, the HAF 922 isn’t much of a match for the ably equipped (but more expensive) HAF 932 when it comes to cooling, thanks primarily to the lack of a side-mounted cooling fan. Nevertheless, the cooling ability of the HAF 922 is far from terrible thanks to the dual 200mm and single 120mm cooling fans that Cooler Master does equip the case with. Cooling when idle and under CPU load was particularly good, with the HAF 922 sharing the HAF 932’s ability to keep both the GPU and CPU cool, likely thanks to the large grilled section on the left side panel allowing unrestricted airflow into the case.

However, GPU cooling was more disappointing, with the HAF 922 keeping our passively cooled Radeon HD 3850 some 9°C warmer than the HAF 932. While this is still a reasonable result, it really demonstrates just how much difference a decent side panel-mounted fan can make. If you do choose to pick up a HAF 922, we’d encourage you to seek out either a 200mm or a pair of decent 120mm fans to mount into the side panel to get the best out of the case.

While cooling wasn’t as impressive as the HAF 932, we’re pleased to report than the HaAF 922 is just as quiet, and considering it’s a high airflow chassis designed for cooling first, this is very welcome bonus. While it’s far from inaudible, the fan noise is minimal, and the loudest noise from the case itself was the low rush of air being drawn into and being expelled from the three cooling fans. Do remember though that due to the use of wide mesh in the roof and side panels the HAF 922 won’t insulate sound at all, so you’ll hear noisier components such as graphics cards or older hard drives clearly.

Final Thoughts

When Cooler Master first told us about the HAF 922 we were expecting it to be inferior to the HAF 932 in many aspects. Happily, we’ve been pleasantly surprised, and on many levels the HAF 922 has the better of the HAF 932. The exterior styling has, mercifully, been toned down a lot and while the “my PC should look like a fridge” brigade will likely still not be impressed, the HAF 922 is a big improvement over its predecessor. Interior build quality has also been markedly improved, with the grey steel replaced with polished silvery goodness that looks and feels ten times better. While the best bits (such as the drive mounting and motherboard tray) have been retained, flaws (such as the questionable PSU mounting and the lack of dust filters) have been amended, and the HAF 922 is a much better case for it.

While a truly removable, washable dust filter would have been nice, there really isn’t a lot wrong with the HAF 922. It’s wonderfully built, easy to work with and well featured. In fact the only real let-down is the cooling efficiency. The decision to omit the side panel-mounted 200mm fan at the last minute (the box art and Cooler Master’s website show a red-LED lit 200mm fan) robs the case of more than a few °C in cooling. However, a pair of 120mm or a 200mm fan can be had for around £20, bringing the HAF 922’s price level with the HAF 932 on price. Were the two case to cost the same and both to come with 200mm side panel fans, we'd chose the HAF 922 every time.

Of course, competition at this price point is heavy, but we’re pleased to see the HAF 922 fall on the wallet-friendly side of £90. In comparison the Antec 902, which while more cramped offers far superior cooling, weighs in at around £100 and the larger HAF 932 will lessen your bank account to the tune of £103. This puts the HAF 922 in a strong position, and for £90 it holds its own admirably thanks to excellent build quality, high quality fittings and a flexible cooling setup. While there is still room for minor improvement, the HAF 922 gets a great deal right for a decent price, and if you’re shopping for a high-quality case in this price range, it should be on your short list.

• Features
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• 9/10

• Build Quality
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• 9/10

• Ease of Use
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• 9/10

• Performance
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• -
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• 8/10

• Value
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• -
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• 8/10

• Overall
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• -
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• 8/10

Score Guide