Cooler Master HAF 5 Pro Review: A Robust and Versatile Gaming Chassis

Striking a balance between price and performance is critical in the lightning-fast gaming industry. The HAF 5 Pro is Cooler Master’s entry into the desktop gaming market, continuing the company’s tradition of producing high-quality PC components. This mid-tower offers power without emptying your financial account, priced at a reasonable $1,199.99. Examining its strengths and weaknesses can help us understand it better.

Top Features of HAF 5 Pro77

Design and Features

The HAF 5 Pro proudly flaunts Cooler Master’s iconic HAF 500 case. Standing at 20.1 by 8.8 by 20.3 inches, it’s a spacious mid-tower capable of housing some serious hardware. Two massive 200mm fans at the front ensure your components stay cool with minimal noise. A 120mm rear exhaust and another 120mm fan on the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler complete the cooling ensemble.

Front-panel connectivity includes two 5Gbps USB Type-A ports, one 10Gbps USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone/microphone jack. The power button is cleverly shaped like Cooler Master’s logo. There’s also a button on the front for toggling through preset lighting patterns, although there’s no pre-installed app for more customization. The interior reveals a blacked-out space with room for more powerful components. Two thumbscrews grant easy access to the left side panel, exposing ample working space and accommodating up to a 410mm graphics card and 360mm liquid-cooling radiators. The power supply compartment houses two 3.5-inch drive bays, neatly organized despite the non-modular 600-watt Cooler Master G600 PSU.

The Gigabyte B760 DS3H AC motherboard provides essential connectivity with ports like 20Gbps USB-C, 10Gbps USB-A, four USB 2.0, one Gigabit Ethernet, and three audio jacks. Unfortunately, the onboard wireless is outdated (Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2), necessitating an aftermarket card for faster wireless connections. The 1TB M.2 SSD in the review unit is also an older PCIe 3.0 drive.

Included Peripherals:

Cooler Master doesn’t skimp on peripherals, bundling the HAF 5 Pro with the Devastator 3 USB keyboard-and-mouse combo. Priced around $60 at retail, these peripherals provide a significant upgrade over generic options often found in gaming desktop packages. The keyboard offers seven backlighting colors, variable brightness, and dedicated media playback and volume controls. The mouse, though right-handed, features side buttons for added functionality.

Testing the HAF 5 Pro: Solid Gaming Power

Priced at $1,199.99 MSRP (currently on sale for $1,099.99), the HAF 5 Pro configuration under review combines an Intel Core i5-12400F processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti graphics card, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. While not the latest and greatest, these components promise ample performance for today’s AAA titles.

CPU-intensive Tasks:

Surprisingly, the HAF 5 Pro’s Core i5-12400F outpaced similar configurations, suggesting effective CPU cooling. 3DMark (Night Raid and Time Spy): Synthetic benchmarks showed the system’s capability, with the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti excelling in DirectX 12 simulations. Testing on real-world games like F1 2021, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Rainbow Six Siege at 1080p and 1440p revealed the HAF 5 Pro’s superior performance.

Pros and Cons Of Cooler Master HAF 5 Pro

Conclusion

Standing out among cheap gaming desktops, the Cooler Master HAF 5 Pro boasts a sleek look, powerful cooling, and an economical price tag of $1,199.99. The gear isn’t quite state-of-the-art, but it does the job when it comes to gaming. Ideal for those on a tight budget, it exemplifies Cooler Master’s commitment to provide affordable gaming solutions. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement, consumers should weigh the pros and cons of last-gen components and longevity before making a purchase. Affordable options can nevertheless deliver performance, even with some limits, as the HAF 5 Pro shows.

FAQs

Among budget-friendly gaming PCs, what makes the Cooler Master HAF 5 Pro stand out?

The Cooler Master HAF 5 Pro is remarkable because to its attractive design, effective cooling system, and above-average peripherals, all for a starting price of $1,199.99. Even if it lacks state-of-the-art hardware, it nevertheless manages to deliver a satisfying gaming experience.

Does the HAF 5 Pro, which doesn’t have any drawbacks, make a good choice?

That the HAF 5 Pro borrows features from its predecessor is something that interested parties should be aware of. Despite the low price, buyers should weigh the pros and risks of using old technology, especially in a fast-paced industry where new products and services are introduced frequently.

In comparison to other budget gaming PCs, how does the HAF 5 Pro do?

The HAF 5 Pro, according to the report, holds its own against similarly priced gaming computers. It calls out the NZXT Player: One as an opponent and emphasises the Cooler Master’s advantages, making it a tempting substitute for individuals looking for affordable, good performance.

Is there a suggestion for people who want to construct their own gaming PC?

People who are up for a little do-it-yourself may want to look into the possibility of constructing their own system using comparable parts. Users would have additional options for customization and upgrades with this strategy, which might offer more value at a somewhat higher cost.