In the world of PC building, Corsair is one of the most recognizable names. From CPU coolers to power supplies, as well as fans and memory modules, they offer a lot of quality products. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at their PC cases, specifically, the Corsair 4000D Airflow and the Corsair 5000D Airflow. The former is smaller and cheaper, while the latter is larger and a bit more expensive. But those are not the only differences between these cases. If you are currently planning your build and you’re considering these two, knowing the difference between them can make the choice easier.
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Corsair 4000D Airflow vs 5000D Airflow Comparison Chart
| Model | Corsair 4000D Airflow | Corsair 5000D Airflow |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Size | 48.5L 453mm x 230mm x 466mm | 66.25L 520mm x 245mm x 520mm |
| Fan Mounts | Top: 2 x 120mm, 2 x 140mm Front: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 140mm Rear: 1x 120mm | MB Tray: 3x 120mm Top: 2 x 120mm, 2 x 140mm Front: 3 x 120mm, 2 x 140mm Rear: 1x 120mm |
| Radiator Size Supported | Top: 280mm, 240mm Front: 360mm, 280mm Rear: 120mm | MB Tray: 360mm, 240mm, 120mm Top: 360mm, 240mm Front: 360mm, 280mm Rear: 120mm |
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX | E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini-ITX |
| I/O | (1x) USB 3.1 Type C, (1x) USB 3.0, (1x) Audio in/out | (1x) USB 3.1 Type C, (2x) USB 3.0, (1x) Audio in/out |
| Expansion Slots | 7 vertical + 2 horizontal | 7 vertical + 2 horizontal |
| Drive Bays | 2x 3.5in, 2x 2.5in | 2x 3.5in, 4x 2.5in |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 170mm | 170mm |
| GPU Clearance | 360mm | 420mm |
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
Form Factor & Size
The biggest difference between the Corsair 4000D and 5000D is their interior space.
Both of these cases sit in the ATX mid-tower category, so they’re not exactly small, but they aren’t gigantic either. That said, the Corsair 5000D and all of its variants are considerably bigger than their 4000D counterparts. The Corsair 4000D has 48.55 liters of space and it measures 453mm x 230mm x 466mm, while the Corsair 5000D has an interior space of 66.25 liters and measures 520mm x 245mm x 520mm.
These two cases can fit a mini-ITX, micro ATX, ATX and E-ATX motherboard inside so they are versatile in that regard. However, the increased interior space of the Corsair 5000D has the advantage when it comes to cooling capabilities (more on that later). Also, the Corsair 5000D can fit more storage drives, two more 2.5-inch drives, to be exact.
As for their build qualities, these two are excellent. The machining is on point, there are no sharp and exposed edges that can cut you and they have plenty of space at the back for cable management.
Clearance & I/O
The more spacious Corsair 5000D has two more 2.5-inch storage slots than the 4000D.
These cases are spacious enough to fit bigger graphics cards with three cooling fan configurations comfortably. But the Corsair 5000D provides you more extra room than the Corsair 4000D. You can fit a 360mm GPU inside the Corsair 4000D and a maximum of 420mm in the Corsair 5000D. They also have two expansion slots that support a vertical GPU orientation.
As for CPU coolers, they have the same maximum clearance of 170mm because even though the Corsair 5000D is wider, the difference is not that big. As mentioned earlier, you can install up to four 2.5-inch drives and two 3.5-inch HDDs in the Corsair 5000D and only two 2.5-inch drives and two 3.5-inch HDDs in the Corsair 4000D, so the former provides better upgradability in terms of storage.
For those looking for a “future-proof” PC case, and by “future-proof” I mean having multiple USB 3.0 ports at the front, these two cases are great options. The Corsair 4000D has one USB 3.1 Type C port, one USB 3.0 Type A port and an headphone/mic audio port. The Corsair 5000D comes with the same I/O, but with one more USB 3.0 Type A port.
Airflow and Cooling
More fan and radiator placement options means that the Corsair 5000D can provide better cooling.
First things first, both of these cases perform exceptionally well when it comes to cooling. That said, the Corsair 5000D will beat out the 4000D every time in this area since it has more fan placement options. You can place up to 10 120mm fans in the Corsair 5000D while the 4000D only has six 120mm fan mounting positions.
The Corsair 5000D can also fit a 360mm radiator at the front, top and motherboard tray, as well as a 120mm radiator at the rear. In comparison, the Corsair 4000D is limited to a 280mm radiator at the top, but it can fit a 120mm radiator at the rear and a 360mm radiator at the front. Having fan mounting points in the motherboard tray is the biggest advantage of the Corsair 5000D, in addition to supporting a larger radiator at the top.
Verdict
The Corsair 5000D is definitely better than the Corsair 4000D, but the latter is still a very good case, especially for those that don’t need the extra cooling and want to spend less.
Size and fan placement options are the biggest advantages of the Corsair 5000D. It’s best for PC enthusiasts that want to play with different cooling configurations and those that want to water-cool their PC. It’s a bit expensive for regular PC users and gamers. The Corsair 4000D is more than enough for a lot of people. It’s cheaper, so that’s a plus, and it provides ample cooling and airflow for most PC builds.
FAQs
Yes, the Corsair 5000D has a 66.25L interior space while the 4000D has an interior space of 48.5L.
They are the same size, but the Corsair 4000X comes with one additional RGB fan and you can control them via PWM.
17.8 x 9.06 x 18.35 inches.
For a lot of people, the Corsair 5000D might be too expensive, but if you need its airflow and size, yes, it’s worth it.