**Disclaimer: Corsair did provide me with the Frame 5000D case. Note that Corsair has no say in what I post about the case and the opinions expressed are my own.**

Just in time for the new year, I have moved into the Frame 5000D! With this move, it is also my first dabble into the iCUE Link ecosystem. For the past several years, I had used the [5000X RGB](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-cases/cc-9011212-ww/icue-5000x-rgb-tempered-glass-mid-tower-atx-pc-smart-case-black-cc-9011212-ww) and absolutely loved the case. I figured, the Frame 5000D would be the perfect successor.

For this build I am using the following:

* Case: [Frame 5000D Case](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-cases/cc-9011309-ww/frame-5000d-rs-argb-high-airflow-mid-tower-pc-case-cc-9011309-ww)
* AIO: [Titan 420 AIO](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/cpu-coolers/cw-9061019-ww/icue-link-titan-420-rx-rgb-aio-liquid-cpu-cooler-cw-9061019-ww) with [LCD Module](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/cpu-coolers/cw-9061011-ww/icue-link-lcd-screen-module-black-cw-9061011-ww)
* Fans: 7 [LX 140mm](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/case-fans/co-9051027-ww/icue-link-lx140-rgb-140mm-pwm-single-fan-expansion-co-9051027-ww) Fans and 4 [LX-R 140mm](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/case-fans/co-9051051-ww/icue-link-lx140-r-rgb-140mm-pwm-reverse-fan-expansion-co-9051051-ww) Fans
* PSU: [RM1000X Shift (2025 model)](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/psu/cp-9020300-na/rm1000x-shift-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-cp-9020300-na) Power Supply (with included cables installed)
* RAM: [32GB Dominator Titanium (EXPO) 6000M/T](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/memory/cmp32gx5m2b6000z30/dominator-titanium-rgb-2x16gb-ddr5-dram-6000mt-s-cl30-amd-memory-kit-white-cmp32gx5m2b6000z30) with [Dominator Titanium Lighting Enhancement Kit](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-components-accessories/cmplekit2g/dominator-titanium-ddr5-lighting-enhancement-kit-gray-cmplekit2g)
* Ambient Lighting: Corsair [Aurora LS350](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/ambient-lights/cl-9011137-ww/ls350-aurora-rgb-light-strips-350mm) and [LS430](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/ambient-lights/cl-9011136-ww/icue-link-ls430-aurora-rgb-light-strips-430mm-kit) ambient lighting kits and Corsair [ARGB PSU Strip](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-components-accessories/cp-8920282/argb-psu-cable-strips-cp-8920282)
* Misc controller: [Commander Duo](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/icue-link-components/cl-9011141-ww/commander-duo-lighting-and-fan-controller-argb-and-icue-link-hybrid-cl-9011141-ww)
* Motherboard: [ASUS ROG STRIX X870E-E Motherboard](https://rog.asus.com/us/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-x870e-e-gaming-wifi/)
* CPU: [AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU](https://www.amd.com/en/products/processors/desktops/ryzen/9000-series/amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d.html)
* GPU: [ASUS ROG STRIX 5070 Ti](https://rog.asus.com/us/graphics-cards/graphics-cards/rog-strix/rog-strix-rtx5070ti-o16g-gaming/)
* Drives: [Samsung 9100 Pro](https://www.samsung.com/us/memory-storage/nvme-ssd/9100-pro-nvme-ssd-sku-mz-vap1t0b-am/?cid=sem-mktg-pfs-mms-us-google-na-08202025-283200-&ds_e=GOOGLE-cr:%25ecid!-pl:%25epid!-&ds_c=CN~SSD+SB_ID~n_PR~ssdmu_SB~ssd_PH~on_KS~ba_MK~us_OB~conv_FS~lo_FF~ggl_BS~ms_KM~exact-&ds_ag=ID~n_AG~9100+PRO_AE~mul_AT~stads_MD~h_PK~roah_PB~google_PL~sa360_CH~search_FF~so+ba+exact-&ds_k=9100+PRO&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20187999834&gbraid=0AAAAAD8ThqgbeOnQocxluDdDHCtpmtLpo&gclid=Cj0KCQiAx8PKBhD1ARIsAKsmGbfFjV8Jdwve8fV33vP9CMWaHjMEsuLWZjZJvz_gMYsDmMD6vhKCRHwaAtcDEALw_wcB), [Samsung 980 Pro](https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/solid-state-drives/980-pro-pcie-4-0-nvme-ssd-1tb-mz-v8p1t0b-am/), [Samsung 970 Evo Plus](https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/internal-ssd/970evoplus/) and [Samsung 870 Evo](https://semiconductor.samsung.com/consumer-storage/internal-ssd/870evo/)

First impressions of the case are that it's big, like real big. Case dimensions: 556mm (Length) x 542mm (Height) x 250mm (Width)

Given the case's modularity, I opted to take every piece out piece by piece so that I could get the full experience with the build. The case I used came with 4 pre-installed RS 140 ARGB fans, but I opted to remove them since I am working with iCUE Link, my fan setup is as follows:

* 3 front mounted LX140 fans
* 3 side mounted LX140-R fans
* 1 rear mounted LX140 fan
* 1 bottom mounted LX140-R fan

For the AIO I am using a Titan 420 AIO with 3 LX140 fans mounted. I opted to install a LCD module for the pump. The case’s Infinity Rail mounting system really shines here, I was able to get the front fans and AIO installed with mostly no issues.

Despite the simplicity of the Infinity Rail system, installing the AIO was a little snug given its size. Also the bottom fan was a tad challenging to install since the cables for the front I/O were a little in the way. Despite being able to fit 2 additional 120mm fans on top of the PSU shroud, I decided to forgo this as I wanted to use a RGB PSU strip instead, also my motherboard's PCIE lane is further down compared to other motherboards so it's possible I may have had clearance issues if I installed the fans.

Another thing I came across while installing the side fans was the bracket obstructs a portion of the fans, that's if you install 140mm -- this is a non-issue with 120mm fans. Note that this is purely from an aesthetic standpoint and performance is unaffected. I am using reverse blade fans so its not very noticeable. Just something to consider if you were to use QX140 fans for instance. I feel like an Infinity Rail mount would solve this issue.

Another source of frustration was the cable cover mounts, there are 2 of them, one that mounts to the right and then one that mounts up top. On paper these are designed to hide your cables leaving you with clean aesthetics. The tray that covers the cable grommets that's to the right of the motherboard I was able to anchor with little to no issue, but did encounter some resistance with my ATX cable for instance. I will say this is a great part of the case as it also has a built in sag bracket for my GPU and it works great! The top cover panel is where I got frustrated, I had to unmount it to fit the CPU cables through the top of the case but unfortunately, my CPU cables are too thick to be tucked behind this cover. I ended up putting the CPU cables over it. I think in the end, this part of the case could been designed better. I would of loved it if it had rubber grommets like the [6500X](https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/pc-cases/cc-9011257-ww/6500x-mid-tower-dual-chamber-pc-case-black-cc-9011257-ww?srsltid=AfmBOorrnNgWncp8gMxA8_jNdRZBbA5NlHX347fMNweqWRH8yQxPZuDr) does.

Now on to iCUE Link, my time with this ecosystem was a long time coming and I'm very excited to finally work with it. I can safely say that I am very impressed but at the same time, I'm taken back by some of the design choices. While connecting everything is a breeze, I do wish sometimes that fans for instance, had a better connector or the connector itself was in more convenient places. I had an instance where my iCUE Link cable was too short but I solved that using the Commander Duo. Overall, it's a welcome change for me. For the build I am using 2 System Hubs and everything is working great! I am also using 2 iCUE Link RGB Adapters for the PSU Strip and the Aurora Ambient Lighting Strips. Lastly I am using the Commander Duo to convert the front panel RGB to be compatible with iCUE Link. In the end, I still found that there was a lot of cables to connect but that's also on me as I had a lot of devices to connect.

Lastly, I am also using a 12VHPWR cable for the first time, in this instance I am running a ASUS ROG 5070 Ti and am using a dedicated 12VHPWR cable that comes with the new RM1000X Shift PSU. The included cables, albeit debossed, feel premium and sturdy and are relatively easy to work with. This is my second round with a Shift PSU and while it’s easier to reach the ports, they can require some force to connect and disconnect. Cable management wasn’t all that much easier either if I’m being honest. The 12VHPWR cable has gray connectors on both ends to help ensure that you have properly plugged in the cable for peace of mind. I finished off the GPU mounting with a ARGB PSU Strip, because more RGB means more FPS, right? ;)

  
Pros:

* Big case, plenty of room even for 140mm fans and a 420mm AIO.
* Built in sag bracket works great!
* Infinity Rail works like a charm
* Lots of places for fans
* Modularity makes building in the case a breeze and actually adds a little fun to the mix

Cons:

* No top dust filter, I feel like this was an oversight
* Build quality is inconsistent, some parts feel cheaper than others
* the motherboard cover panels are frustrating and unnecessary
* Size mount design is questionable, can obstruct the aesthetics of certain 140mm fans. Wish it was Infinity Rail.

This PC has been a massive undertaking for me and I'm very happy with how the build came out! Big thank you to Corsair for providing me with an opportunity to work with the case! I hope y'all enjoyed reading! Let me know if you have any questions!

[PCPartPicker Part List](https://pcpartpicker.com/user/xSeagullofDoomx/saved/Wr6K23)

Cheers!

New Year, New Build. Featuring the Frame 5000D!