Hands-on with Corsair's 2800X RS-R ARGB Micro-ATX PC Case – smaller footprint, roomy internals, includes three fans

Corsair recently launched the 2800X RS-R ARGB, an all-new chassis that's the first MicroATX case in their lineup since the 2500X (and 2500D), released in early 2024. According to Corsair, the 2800X is essentially a shrunken version of the veritable mid-tower 3500X. It shares a similar design with wraparound windows to showcase your internals. Still, it's two inches shorter and more compact, with a smaller footprint. Even though it's a smaller case, there's still plenty of room inside for large graphics cards and even 360mm radiators. At $89.99, it's aimed squarely at budget-conscious buyers and those who need a smaller-footprint case without sacrificing room to build.

The 2800X RS-R looks like a typical vertical MicroATX PC case with panoramic glass panels on the front and side. On top of the case is a magnetic dust filter, along with the IO panel at the front right. The back of the case is perforated (and filtered) to let cool air inside via the three included RS 120-R ARGB PWM fans on the other side. The rear of the case has room for a 120mm fan on top, four horizontal expansion slots that support large video cards, and a bottom- mounted power supply. It's an attractive-looking case overall, and does an especially good job of showcasing the components inside through the panoramic glass.

The MicroATX chassis supports Mini-ITX and MicroATX motherboards, as well as rear-connect boards for a visually wire-free, connector-free appearance. There are plenty of cutouts to route cables for either size motherboard into the ample space behind the motherboard tray. To prevent GPU sag, it also features an integrated support strut that stabilizes and holds heavy graphics cards. It also supports up to 10 fans in total and two radiator locations, which bodes well for cooling performance.

For under $90, the MicroATX 2800X RS-R offers good value in the small form-factor space and can accommodate full-size hardware without feeling cramped internally. Below, we'll cover the specifications from the Corsair website and share more detailed thoughts after completing a mock build.

Corsair 2800X RS-R ARGB Specifications

External Design and IO Panel

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Starting on the outside, the MicroATX chassis measures 17.1 x 17.6 x 9.1 inches and is right in the ballpark of other mATX cases. The chassis is made of steel, tempered glass, and plastic, and it does feel sturdy. The tempered-glass panels are clear (not tinted) so that you can see everything inside with ease from the front and side. Both the glass and metal side panels slide into grooves at the bottom and are secured by a simple ball-and-socket fastener. The front panel glass uses only the ball-and-socket to hold it on, but all are securely fastened.

The bottom of the case has a removable dust filter that runs the entire length and slides out from the front for easy cleaning. I do like the fact that it slides out the front, as, at least for me, it is a lot easier than having to move your case to take the filter out from the rear. On top of the case is a magnetic mesh dust filter over the 360-millimeters of fan space.

On the rear of the case, you can see the space for a 120mm fan (adjustable height), the four horizontal expansion slots, and the bottom-mounted power supply. Note that for the captive screws to thread into your power supply, you must mount it with the fan down, which is ideal anyway. You have the option to mount it fan up, but you need to remove the captive screws to do so, and then you’re using the warmed internal case air to cool the power supply.

I’m thankful more and more brands are including fans at a lower price point, but I wish they would include ALL of the fans you need for proper airflow. In this case, I would like to see a fourth fan on the rear. An AIO cooler takes care of the top, but I’d still like to see a rear exhaust included, especially in cases like this, where intakes are on the side.

The front I/O panel includes a power button (no LED), a 3.5mm combo audio plug (mic/headphones), a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) Type-C port, and, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-A port, rounding out connectivity. It’s great to see these speeds on a budget case, as it’s often USB 2.0 and/or lacks 20 Gbps on the front panel.

Aside from the panoramic glass, the 2800X RS-R doesn’t stand out from the crowd. But it doesn’t really need to. It’s a good-looking case, and regardless of whether you choose the black or white option, it’ll show off your hardware and keep things cool inside. You’ll probably want to buy (or carry over from a previous build) at least one more fan (on the rear) for better airflow, however.

Internal Features

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Moving inside, the case supports Mini-ITX and Micro ATX motherboards only, but the Micro ATX form factor fills the space better, covering the unused cutouts that are exposed with the smaller Mini-ITX board. It’s rear-connect compatible, supporting Asus (BTF), MSI (Project Zero), and Gigabyte (Stealth) boards. Behind the motherboard tray, there are plenty of paths (with pre-installed Velcro straps) to route your wires, and 24mm (0.94 inches) of space to hide them. Corsair also includes several zip-ties to help clean up the cable path and secure wires to the frame.

The 2800X RS-R supports up to 10 fans in the top, side, bottom, and rear of the case, with radiator support in the top and side. Corsair installs three RS120-R ARGB 120mm PWM fans ($39.99 for a 3-pack, $19.99 for a single). These fans spin up to 2,100 RPM, delivering up to 72.8 CFM at 4.15 mm H2O static pressure at a mere 36 dBA (according to Corsair), which is fine for case fans.

Control over the RGB is handled through the motherboard (a single aRGB header for all three). There’s plenty of room for radiators, too. You can fit up to a 360mm radiator up top and on the side, and a 120mm radiator on the rear. Corsair doesn’t list clearances, but you will be fine with standard-height radiators (27-30mm) and fans (25mm) and even a bit thicker.

The four expansion slots are typical for the MicroATX form factor and will accommodate some of the largest graphics cards, with lengths up to 410mm and 3.5 slots wide (four will fit, but with little airflow). It also has a built-in GPU Anti-sag stabilization arm to prevent your heavy video card from drooping and potentially damaging the socket or the card itself. If air cooling is your preferred method of keeping processor thermals in check, you can fit any heatsink up to 170mm tall, an overwhelming majority of those on the market. In short, you have plenty of room for your components and cooling, be it air or water.

The bottom chamber houses a full-size ATX power supply with ample room for cable management, and it’s completely hidden from view. On top, you can mount two fans, but you’ll lose room for your graphics card, too.

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Bottom Line

After working with the 2800X RS-R, I found it easy to build in, with ample space for hardware and cable routing. The wraparound glass and clean design aesthetic make this an attractive small-form-factor chassis, and it has a smaller footprint. At just under $90 and with three included RS120-R ARGB fans, it’s also a decent value for a name-brand case. But if Computex was anything to go by, this case will face stiff competition in the budget space this year, which is good for consumers.

Like the 3200D we looked at recently, the 2800X doesn’t reinvent the wheel for small form-factor chassis. In fact, it is one of the larger MicroATX cases around (still smaller than ATX) but does put together a useful set of features like the built-in GPU support, roomy interior, reverse-connector motherboard support, and plenty of cooling room, which should be adequate for most setups.

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