Montech HS01 Pro Case Review: excellent GPU cooling and dual exhaust

Three bottom intake fans and two exhaust fans make for an interesting case that we’ll be using for thermal paste testing.

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Montech HS01 Pro
(Image credit: © Tom's Hardware)

Tom's Hardware Verdict

Montech’s HS01 Pro features a unique design that prioritizes GPU cooling, which in turn reduces GPU noise for quieter gaming.

Reasons to buy

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    Unique design with two exhaust fans

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    Focused on GPU temperatures in its default configuration

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    Support for up to 11 fans

Reasons to avoid

  • -

    Air coolers may not perform as well in the default configuration

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Montech’s HS01 Pro is a unique case from the affordable cooling mainstay, with a number of design choices that set it apart. Most cases incorporate front- or side-mounted intake fans, but Montech switched it up and placed these at the bottom for the best GPU thermals possible. Other features that make this case stand out are back-connect motherboard support, compact SFX PSU support, and dual exhaust fans.

In many ways, the HS01 Pro is very similar to the HS02 Pro. The primary difference between these two cases is the front side: While the HS02 Pro incorporates a glass front panel, the HS01 Pro instead features a front mesh panel that allows for the installation of additional intake fans.

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Albert Thomas
Albert Thomas
Freelancer, CPU Cooling Reviewer

Albert Thomas is a contributor for Tom’s Hardware, primarily covering CPU cooling reviews.

8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bit_user
    The article said:
    As this case’s air intake is at the bottom, there’s a large, magnetically attached dust filter underneath the case.
    So, you have to tip the case, in order to remove or replace the dust filter? That's not great.

    Also, unless those bottom fans are high-airflow, it seems like the case will be negative-pressure with a top-mounted radiator. In that case, dust will be coming in from the front and rear vents, as well. Does the front have a removable dust filter?

    The article said:
    While the HS02 Pro incorporates a glass front panel, the HS01 Pro instead features a front mesh panel that allows for the installation of additional intake fans.
    The pictures seem to show these front fans being installed, and yet the Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology section states that only the "Default Pre-installed fans" were used (i.e. 3 bottom intake + 2 rear exhaust). Please confirm.

    Finally, why isn't there even a single picture showing the case with the left panel in place?
    Reply
  • thestryker
    bit_user said:
    So, you have to tip the case, in order to remove or replace the dust filter? That's not great.
    Yeah even though there's some space and it's magnetic it seems like this is the way to do it. It's too bad they put the front IO panel at the bottom because I think without it the skirts wouldn't have to be so long and the filter would be easier to remove without tilting the case (it would also allow for more airflow, but it's hard to say how important this would be in practice).
    bit_user said:
    Also, unless those bottom fans are high-airflow, it seems like the case will be negative-pressure with a top-mounted radiator. In that case, dust will be coming in from the front and rear vents, as well.
    This is unlikely to be a real problem unless the exhaust fans are set to rather high speeds.
    bit_user said:
    Does the front have a removable dust filter?
    No, which is probably why it isn't mentioned. The front plate on the case containing mesh is removable.
    bit_user said:
    The pictures seem to show these front fans being installed, and yet the Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology section states that only the "Default Pre-installed fans" were used (i.e. 3 bottom intake + 2 rear exhaust). Please confirm.
    Did you actually read the results page?
    Because the only difference – in its default configuration – between the HS01 Pro and the previously reviewed HS02 Pro is the use of a mesh filter for the front instead of a glass panel, we don’t expect results in our typical benchmarks to be much different from the HS02 Pro – so for that information, you can check our review of Montech’s HS02 Pro.

    Instead, I wanted to see how much – or little – might be gained by adding front intake fans to Montech’s HS01 Pro. For this, I decided to use ASUS’ TUF Gaming TR120 fans.
    This case wasn't run through the normal tests with standard configuration. Instead it's using a 9950X and was tested with the case in default configuration versus fans added for intake.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    It's a shame the IO panel on the front is at the bottom or I'd consider this case more seriously. I think losing side intake/exhaust is a fair trade compared to a dual chamber case in exchange for being narrower. It has a good intake design (I'd personally only use it with 3x 120s in the front as well) which would allow for minimal fan noise when fully populated.

    I think if the IO location isn't a deciding factor this case's tradeoffs are pretty reasonable. The price also isn't bad for what you're getting and you can buy it without fans for $30 less.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    thestryker said:
    This case wasn't run through the normal tests with standard configuration.
    So, why was there a section called "Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology", which listed a configuration other than what the article actually tested? Why not just link to the other review, which has its own test setup specification, and have this article's section discuss what this article actually tested?

    Seems needlessly misleading, IMO.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    thestryker said:
    It has a good intake design (I'd personally only use it with 3x 120s in the front as well) which would allow for minimal fan noise when fully populated.
    6 intake fans sees like such overkill. I think you wouldn't need so much airflow if the radiator's airflow were completely segregated from the rest of the case.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    bit_user said:
    So, why was there a section called "Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology", which listed a configuration other than what the article actually tested? Why not just link to the other review, which has its own test setup specification, and have this article's section discuss what this article actually tested?
    I obviously can't answer that one, and I agree it would probably be better if that section was just removed from this piece.
    bit_user said:
    Seems needlessly misleading, IMO.
    If one reads any of the results though it should be very obvious that a 9950X is not a 14900K. Also "default configuration" versus "intake fans added" is equally self explanatory.
    Reply
  • thestryker
    bit_user said:
    6 intake fans sees like such overkill. I think you wouldn't need so much airflow if the radiator's airflow were completely segregated from the rest of the case.
    For this case 6 fans would be good for two main reasons: lowering the load noise level and getting more clean air for the CPU cooler.

    If the radiator's airflow was segregated then you end up with a bigger case. It has to be wider, taller or longer and from what I've seen from case manufacturers their options for this are taller and wider. Personally I'd jump all over one which was longer, because chimney style cooling is fantastic for video cards and if you could segregate a radiator in the front it would get clean air and exhaust outside the case.
    Reply
  • Albert.Thomas
    Well, derp. I see that I forgot to update the testing methodology section to be appropriate to this article. Apologies for that oversight!
    Reply