Corsair iCUE 5000T RGB PC case review

Last Updated: February 15, 2022

Corsair is back to the table with its latest entry to the highly-regarded 5000-series – the iCUE 5000T RGB PC case. The 5000-series has been hugely successful for Corsair, with excellent performance, stunning good looks, and plenty of features covering a wide variety of builds.

The iCUE 5000T is going to look very familiar to a lot of custom PC builders. The addition of contours and curves (along with the big T in the name) makes us reminisce about the older 600/780T. The 5000T shares a resemblance with the 5000D, 5000D Airflow, and 5000X models, this is essentially a facelift, with changes to the front and top panels, and the addition of six RGB strips. 

Main features

• Tool-free panel removal (side panels are hinged)
• Tempered glass side panel
• PSU shroud
• Vertical GPU mounting support
• Modular, for seamless custom-builds
• Corsairs RapidRoute cable management system
• Includes iCUE Commander Core XT
• 3 x Corsair LL120 RGB (120mm) fans
• 6 x RGB strips with 160 customizable LEDs
• Additional fan/ radiator support on the motherboard tray

The outside

Before we take the 5000T tour, it is worth noting that the pre-existing 5000-series lineup was already very hard to beat, and I’m not sure the 5000T can fill those rather large shoes. Corsair is trying something different and it sort of reminds us of the highly popular 780T. The 5000T is a bit of a rehash and while looking quite interesting, you aren’t really getting a lot more for the extra cash this requires.

As far as looks go, it seems as though Corsair can do no wrong with the 5000-series. The 5000T is yet another fabulous take on this hugely successful design. The front features near full-length mesh, that is tool-free for easy maintenance. While the other cases in this range are subtle towards the front, at least until switched on, the 5000T takes a different approach with the contoured curves softening up the profile and rounding out the edges.

Just like the 5000X, the 5000T comes with three pre-installed, 120mm RGB fans. On the surface, it looks as though this will perform similarly to the 5000D Airflow. However, the front mesh (plastic) is much finer, and when you combine that with the added dust filter and the fact there are no gaps up the sides, initial (speculative) thoughts are a system will run at a similar temperature, if not slightly higher, to the Airflow variant.

You could argue that the 5000T looks as good as the 5000X and Airflow editions but is it enough to justify its higher price tag?

The rear

The back is identical to the other models in the lineup, with space for a single 120mm fan in its usual position. Just like the others, there is no fan included in the rear, which would be lovely at this price point. You can move one of your fans from the front if you prefer this configuration, although it interferes with the aesthetic. 

We get 7+2 GPU slots, giving you the option to vertically mount your graphics card. While there isn’t much else to say about the back of these cases, I want to touch on the quality. The mounting slots for your PCIe cards are sturdy but more importantly line up perfectly with the screw holes on your GPU. If you haven’t experienced a poor quality case where you have to bend the rear panel just to get a screw in you are lucky but Corsair has made it as simple as it should be.

The side

The sides are near identical to the 5000D Airflow, with a tempered glass hinged panel on one side, and a plain hinged panel on the opposite. Both sides feature large ventilation-like cutouts in the sheet metal, however, they only offer an aesthetical difference to the front. The back panel has the same perforated mesh we have seen with the other variants, allowing hot air to escape when using the fan/ radiator mounting spot on the motherboard tray. When configured with an AIO/ fans in the motherboard tray, the back panel looks fantastic, if you can see it.

The tempered glass panel opens towards the front of the case and has a thick opaque border, tidying everything up inside, framing your build, if you will.

The differences then. Well, the 5000T features hinged panels whereas the rest of the series are pop-off, with thumbscrews at the rear. This does Corsair’s ‘tool-free’ design justice and makes building/ swapping out components even simpler.

The aesthetics are quite different from the side, pleasing on the eye but different, with a stand like those on the 600/ 780T. The angled stand offers nothing more than a different way to prop the case off the floor, however, two of the six integrated RGB strips live here, giving your PC a bit of an underglow.

The top

The top features a convex shape, with the same ventilation-like cutouts as the front and bottom. Two more of the six RGB strips feature here, illuminating the 5000T’s top exterior wonderfully. The top panel comes off with little force, so little in fact there is a warning towards the rear to remind you not to lift the case by this very panel. Similar story to the front in that the airflow comes into question with the finer mesh and RGB strips blocking 50% of the gaps at the sides but we shall wait for the results.

After removing the top panel, the dust filter beneath can be removed/ cleaned easily enough. Under the filter, we find the top of the case supports three 120mm fans or two 140mm fans, meaning you can also fit a 360mm or 280mm radiator if needed. It is very easy to install an AIO in the 5000T, mostly because of the spacious interior. More importantly, you can plug the CPU power in after installation without the need of children-sized hands.

Towards the front of the 5000T we have the I/O, which consists of:

• Power Button
• Reset Button
• 4 x USB 3.0
• 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C
• 1 x Headset Audio Jack

A nice touch on the 5000T over the others in the range is the removal of the front I/O symbols, making this look very clean up close.

The inside

If you are familiar with the older 4000 or 5000 series in general, we have an internal layout you’ll recognize. Being from the 5000 family, the inside is spacious, logical, modular, and a pleasure to build in.

The 5000T gives you all the cutouts you’ll ever need and where it is needed we also see rubber grommets. The grommets in conjunction with the cable management tray can make beefy 24-pin connectors a bit tricky to weave through but they fit, no need to be gentle. When building inside the 5000T in a default configuration, leaving the plastic cable shroud at the back really enhances the aesthetics, with the entire ugly backside hidden from view.

Just like the other 5000-series cases, the T is very spacious. You can mount three 120m fans or two 140mm fans at the front, along with room for a reservoir in its traditional spot. The same goes when mounting a radiator (up to 60mm thick), giving builders quite a lot of options.

At the bottom, we have a thick, perforated PSU shroud, which also features an installation point for your PCIe riser. Corsair clearly designed this case to be water-cooled, so nice little touches like a vertical GPU mount and the interchangeable modular panels that attach to the end of the shroud really go a long way. These interchangeable panels will allow you to fit larger radiators at the front or long reservoir, providing customers with flexibility for a variety of builds.

Corsair has included a drain port on the bottom of the 5000T, something we really wanted in the 5000D Airflow and X variants but it is nice to finally see one.

The back panel

One of the key features of the 5000-series is Corsair’s cable management system. This isn’t anything groundbreaking but it is something we see cropping up in a lot of cases. The RapidRoute system gives builders with less experience or lazy tendencies an easy cable management option. The RapidRoute system is essentially two thick-plastic brackets that can be removed with a screwdriver if needed.

The brackets are in natural spots, where your cables are likely to run once installed, leaving you with the easy task of velcroing them down. If you ever need more than three velcro straps, don’t worry, Corsair has filled a box with them.

Some readers will be glad to know that Corsair has done away with the completely pointless inner hinged door. The cable cover at the back of the 5000D and 5000X just added extra weight and nothing else, so well done Corsair.

The back panel reveals your third and final radiator/ fan mounting spot. When in this configuration you need to remove the cable cover. While many may not utilize this area fully, it is great to have alternative options.

The basement features a drive bay as standard (fits two drives) and can be removed entirely. The drive bay can also be moved into a different spot depending on your build but this leads to us to a frustrating oversight. This isn’t a big deal but having to move a drive bay to get a regular ATX PSU installed is a pointless step we shouldn’t have to take, not the end of the world though.

Final word

Looking at the Corsair iCUE 5000T RGB PC case on its own, it’s impressive. This comes packed with all the good features we want and Corsair appears to constantly move in the right direction. Building in the 5000T is easy and if you love RGB this would illuminate the house but what about value? Well, this is where some will be divided on the 5000T. On the one hand, it is packed with iCUE goodies and could be ideal for anyone who would want the RGB lighting, Commander Core, and LL120 fans. On the other, for some it may fall short of its siblings, offering slightly more in the cosmetic department for quite a lot more money. The problem with the 5000T isn’t the 5000T itself, it is the fact you can get a 5000D Airflow for much less.

If you are RGB mad, this case will speak to you but if you love aesthetics, performance, and value, we recommend the 5000D Airflow.