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HAVN HS 360 review: a more refined design focused on airflow

A stylish, airflow-focused case with a few build time frustrations.
HAVN HS 360 review: a more refined design focused on airflow
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A year ago, I reviewed the HAVN BF 360 – a more standard, airflow-focused case that looks like any standard, modern-day option for builds. Back then, it was quite the change from the brand’s first HS 420 – a more open, aquarium-like case focused on both aesthetics and thermals (specifically with a vertically mounted GPU version).

Well, now it’s going back to its roots, but shrinking things down. That is what the HAVN HS 360 is: made to take up less space than the 420, yet still offering the same high-end performance and aesthetics. Like its predecessor, the HS 360 also offers a VGPU model that showcases the graphics card in a vertical orientation. Alongside that, HAVN also offers a magnetic glass bar that can be attached to the interior of the case to help direct airflow more efficiently over the GPU. With all that being said, here’s what I thought of the PC case.

Outstanding
5 /5
Editor’s Rating
How We Review
Specifications
  • Type: Mid tower
  • Motherboard support: ATX / BTF ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITX
  • Included fans: None
  • Fan support: 11x 120mm
  • Radiator compatibility: Up to 360mm
  • Storage bays: 2x 3.5”/ 4x 2.5”
  • CPU cooler clearance: Up to 170mm (varies with VGPU)
  • GPU clearance: Normal: 430mm length, 150mm width, 5/4-slot height VGPU: 430mm L, 150mm W, 4 slot H
  • Expansion slots: 7
  • PSU support: ATX / SFX / SFX-L (Up to 230mm)
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 490.9 x 242.1 x 520.9mm
  • Weight: 12.7/13.4kg
  • Materials: SGCC sheet metal, tempered glass, ABS, Nylon, zinc alloy, NdFeB magnets
  • Top front I/O: 1x Power button, 1x 3.5 combo audio, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
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What We Think

The HAVN HS 360 and its VGPU version offers to the blueprint for a truly great-looking PC. With a fully open, aquarium-like design, it offers easy part installation and stunning aesthetics, especially with the vertical mount. With a well-thought-out airflow design and tonnes of fan options to utilize, the case is certainly more than just fancy looks. That said, it’s not the cheapest option out there, and it is limited in size options – but it does still have great performance.

Reasons to Buy
  • Great-looking design
  • Very open and easy to build in
  • Well-thought-out airflow patterns
  • Nice cable management options in it
  • Impressive build quality and materials
Reasons to Avoid
  • Deep rear IO does make it hard to reach at times
  • VGPU does come rather expensive
  • Limited cooling it supports

Main features and specifications

The HAVN HS 360 arrives in well-protected packaging, with thick foam and cardboard protecting the edges of the case. There’s also a foil shroud and stickers to keep the panels securely in place during transit. Before getting into the design and build experience, here’s how the standard HS 360 compares with the HS 360 VGPU.

SpecificationHAVN HS 360HAVN HS 360 VGPU
TypeMid towerMid tower
Motherboard supportATX / BTF ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITXATX / BTF ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITX
Included fansNoneNone
Fan support11x 120mm:
3x top, 3x right, 3x bottom, 2x rear (30mm thick)
11x 120mm:
3x top, 3x right, 3x bottom, 2x rear (30mm thick)
Radiator compatibilityTop: 360mm (65mm thickness)
Right: 360mm (58mm thickness if GPU >300mm, 90mm otherwise)
Bottom: 360mm (109mm thickness with 1 slot GPU, 120mm with GPU support removed)
Top: 360mm (65mm thickness)
Bottom: 360mm (58mm thickness with GPU >300mm, 90mm with top AIO)
Case drive bays2x storage bays
Each one supports: 1x 3.5″/2x 2.5″
2x storage bays
Each one supports: 1x 3.5″/2x 2.5″
CPU cooler clearance170mm tower cooler, liquid cooling recommendedUp to 170mm tower depending on GPU width, liquid cooling recommended
GPU clearanceLength: Up to 430mm
Width: 180mm
Height: From 2nd slot: up to 5-slot GPU
From 3rd slot: up to 4-slot GPU
Length: Up to 430mm
Width: 150mm
Height: 4 Slots
PCI Express 5.0 Riser Cable Included
Expansion slots77
PSU supportATX / SFX / SFX-L PSUs (Up to 230mm)ATX / SFX / SFX-L PSUs (Up to 230mm)
Dimensions490.9 x 242.1 x 520.9mm490.9 x 242.1 x 520.9mm
WeightNet: 12.7kg
Gross: 14.04kg
Net: 13.4kg
Gross: 15.3kg
MaterialsSGCC sheet metal, tempered glass, ABS,
Nylon, zinc alloy, NdFeB magnets
SGCC sheet metal, tempered glass, ABS,
Nylon, zinc alloy, NdFeB magnets
Front I/O1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1x Combo Audio Jack
1x Power Button
1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
1x Combo Audio Jack
1x Power Button
ColorsBlack & WhiteBlack & White

Pricing and availability

The HAVN HS 360 is available through the manufacturer’s website in the US, with other retailers expected to carry it in additional markets. The standard model has an MSRP of $149.99, while the HS 360 VGPU costs $219.99. These prices are listed in USD before VAT, so the final cost will vary depending on the region and retailer.

HAVN positions the standard HS 360 against several established cases, including the NZXT H9 Flow, Lian Li O11D EVO, Phanteks NV5, and Lian Li Lancool 217. These are priced at $169.99, $159.99, $129.99, and $119.99, respectively.

The VGPU model is aimed at a slightly different market, with HAVN comparing it to the Hyte Y60 and Y70. These cases can be found for $179.99 and $219.99.

At $149.99, the standard HS 360 sits in a competitive price bracket for a showcase-style case. The VGPU version costs considerably more, so its preinstalled vertical GPU mounting hardware and distinctive glass design need to justify that extra expense.

Exterior features

After going over the case specifications, it’s now time to take a closer look at it. Starting by going around the outside and seeing what each of those parts has to offer.

Front

The front of the HAVN HS 360 is relatively understated. A curved glass panel wraps around the left side, while a metal frame creates a backward C shape around the rest of the front. There’s also a curved opening at the bottom that feeds into the case’s air chamber. This allows the case to sit flat on a desk without completely blocking the airflow path underneath.

It’s a fairly minimal design, with the glass doing most of the work visually rather than relying on an elaborate front panel.

Rear

The rear is a little more unusual than what you’d find on many traditional PC cases. Rather than exposing all the mounting hardware directly, the HS 360 has a removable outer panel that sits over the rear section.

This panel features vertical slots for the two rear fan positions, with a mesh filter covering the lower section. The motherboard I/O and other connections sit within recessed openings.

Removing the panel reveals the underlying structure, including the mounting points and screws that hold the various components in place. On the VGPU version, the vertical GPU mounting hardware can be adjusted using its mounting screws. The rear fan mounts are also removable and secured with individual screws, making them relatively easy to take out when installing fans.

There are quite a few screws involved in taking everything apart, but the layered construction gives the rear a more enclosed appearance when the case is fully assembled.

Sides

The sides of the HAVN case use a combination of metal and glass panels that cover most of the chassis. The right side has a glass pane that curves around the edge, with metal sections above, below, and down the side. The lower air chamber cuts into this slightly above the bottom of the case, with an easy-to-access mesh filter that simply slides out.

As for the left side, the metal panel has a built-in mesh design, with long slots running from left to right. These provide plenty of ventilation, while the I-beam supports between them keep the panel sturdy and let you catch a glimpse of the hardware inside.

Top

Looking at the top, it has a similar design to the left side panel. There are slots cut along its length, with another mesh layer sitting between them. At the back, there’s a fabric loop that acts as a convenient way to open the top with a simple pull.

Towards the front edge is the case’s I/O, with a large indented power button and the ports behind it. These consist of one Type-C, two Type-A USB ports, and a combo audio jack.

Once the top is removed, it reveals a deep cable channel running from the front controls down the spine, with plenty of space behind it for even more cables. The chamber above also has a removable mounting plate, which makes it easier to install cooling hardware separately. There are some limitations here, though, as it only supports 120mm fans or a 360mm/240mm radiator.

Bottom

The underside of the case is very basic and rather plain. Because of the chamber above it, HAVN has kept this part pretty simple, with just a few mounting holes, dents and rubber feet. There’s one foot in each corner, and they’re fairly long without being too tall. This gives the whole case a low sitting position, with essentially no gap between the base and the desk.

Inside

Undoing all the screws along the top allows the three panels to be removed. The glass is a single unit, so taking it off and finding somewhere safe to put it was a little precarious. The other panels were much simpler, as each was a single metal piece. I just had to be careful not to lose the small screws.

Main chamber

Looking into the main chamber, it’s very open, with plenty of empty space to fill and lots of room to build in. It also shows off the main difference between the standard and VGPU models. The latter has an angled fan mount at the bottom, while the vertical graphics card mounting hardware is already installed, including the riser cable.

At the bottom of the case, there’s either the angled mount or a flat rail, depending on the version. Both only need a single screw to be removed before they can be taken out, making fan installation easier. There’s also a box that can be removed from the back. This takes up the space that would normally be the PSU shroud, but it also provides a cable management system. The top has a rubber grommet to help keep cables in place and hide them away a little better. On the standard model, this is also where the GPU sag bracket comes preinstalled.

On the VGPU model, the riser is mounted on this shroud, with a single, uniform piece connecting it to the rear I/O side of the case. The motherboard tray is fairly standard and lacks many cutouts, so it is unlikely to support back-connecting motherboards.

To the right of the motherboard, there’s another grommet-lined spine for cable management, with the other fan rail further along. By default, this rail comes with two storage bays installed, which take up some of the space and block airflow in favour of providing storage.

Back panel

Around the back, the rail on the left is also easy to remove, with three screws holding it in place. Each storage cage has a screw of its own, so removing them is straightforward. The underside has another cutout leading into the chamber below, while the right side leaves a large open space for cables and other hardware.

HAVN HS 360 VGPU open back, Image by PC Guide

The PSU sits at the bottom of the case. It rests sideways on rubber pads and gets access to fresh air from the side. The cables can then be routed up the spine and into the chamber beside it, with a cutout at the bottom to help them pass through.

Running up the spine, the HAVN has a nice cable channel already fitted, with the front I/O cables routed down it. There’s a similar channel at the back, which also features a fan hub. Even though the case doesn’t come with any fans, having the hub already installed makes managing whichever fans you choose to use a little easier.

vGPU version

The HAVN HS 360 VGPU version comes with the preinstalled hardware inside, as well as an accessories box. Getting that long brown box out took a lot more effort than I expected, and I had to remove most of the panels to get it free. Inside were two glass pieces and their mounting hardware: one small, straight piece attached to a strong magnet, and the other curved.

HAVN HS 360 VGPU kit, Image by PC Guide

Installing the kit, the curved piece took a bit more effort, as it required removing the fan mount before I could screw the glass into place. It does feel a little precarious, but there’s a rubber pad to help prevent it from shattering or breaking. Even so, it took some effort to hold it in position while mounting it. In hindsight, installing this before starting the build might not have been the best idea, but I’d find that out later when I ran into a few other issues.

As for the long glass pane, that was much easier to place. The magnet is very strong, so it attaches quickly and effectively, pulling itself towards the case. It can also be adjusted easily by sliding it around.

Build Experience

After taking a closer look at the case, I then obviously built into the HAVN HS 360 VGPU. First, though, I had to take apart my current rig, which was in the Antec Noctua Edition, and gather all my benchmarking hardware. That included the various fans and AIO as well, which was quite the pain, as it was a heavy build with a lot packed into it.

Once that was apart, moving everything into the HAVN was a bit of a mixed bag. I probably should have read the instructions and checked the specifications first, as that would have saved me quite a bit of hassle. It wasn’t too bad to begin with, though. Installing the motherboard was straightforward enough, but I had to be careful around the PCIe riser. It also doesn’t have a standoff to support the motherboard, so I had to screw it into place to keep it secure.

Mounting the AIO was very easy, too. Because it can be mounted separately, it’s much easier to get it into the right position before slotting it into the case. I then followed the airflow setup suggested in the instruction manual.

At first, I tried mounting the Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 fans that came with the Antec case. However, these are 140mm fans, which I quickly realised wouldn’t fit inside the HAVN. I ended up using the HAVN fans we’d received with the BF 360 instead.

Once I had the right fans, mounting them was fairly simple. The rear fans were also easy to take off their mount and install, once I’d figured out which way round they needed to go. The only tricky part was the fan rail on the storage spine, where I had to remove both storage bays. I don’t use any SSDs or HDDs in this build, so I instead put the fan at the bottom and left space above it for cabling. I also found that my motherboard, which is slightly larger than a standard ATX board, interfered with some parts of the case.

Installing the fans on the bottom ramp was easy enough, too, once I’d taken the glass off. I was a bit premature with installing it earlier for the photos and previous steps, as it got in the way here. With the fans daisy-chained together, routing their cables was fairly straightforward. They could be led out through the bottom, where a few built-in holders help keep them from moving around.

Around the back, I installed the power supply. Even with the Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Noctua Edition, there was plenty of room for the PSU and its cables to be managed and routed where they needed to go. As mentioned earlier, though, I did have to put some effort into routing a few cables through the case, or using the empty space on the left to get them to the front.

One thing I did find was that I needed a lot of cable extensions for the fans. The hub being on the right keeps it out of the way, but it also means the cables have a fair distance to travel. This could make cable management a little more difficult and leave things looking messy if you’re not careful about getting everything to reach. Otherwise, the included Velcro straps and zip ties give you plenty of options for keeping everything tidy.

From the front, the rubber grommets provide great places to hide cables, and things like the front I/O connections tuck away nicely. The main exception was the PSU cabling, which was more difficult to hide because of the larger motherboard.

All that was left was the GPU, which was a little precarious to install. The vertical mount and glass underneath made me much more careful when putting it in place. The large ROG Astral RTX 5090 certainly fits, but I did have to push down slightly to get it seated. I was definitely worried that it was going to be a problem at first.

After applying a bit of pressure, it seemed to click into place and sat nicely while I screwed it in. That brought another issue, though: there wasn’t enough room to fit a full-sized screwdriver underneath the AIO, so I had to use a mini one to tighten the screw.

Lastly, the magnetic glass panel was easy to put on and adjust. Once I fitted the side panels, everything felt much more secure. I also realised why the screws holding the panels in place were useful, as the cable mess at the back could otherwise push the panel outwards.

Performance

With everything built, I checked out the thermals of the case. My benchmark system consisted of a Ryzen 7 9800X3D and an Astral RTX 5090, paired with an AIO and plenty of fans circulating air around the system.

With the VGPU model, I tested the system both with and without the cover separating the GPU section from the upper half containing the processor. I used FurMark 2 to load up the system for 20 minutes, then compared the results recorded in HWiNFO in the graph below.

HAVN HS 360 VGPU thermals, Image by PC Guide

Both tests started with a five-minute idle period, during which temperatures dropped, although they began a couple of degrees apart. That initial difference didn’t matter too much once the temperatures settled during the 20-minute load period.

The CPU saw no difference with or without the cover, with the AIO keeping the 9800X3D at a steady 95°C. The motherboard’s MOS temperatures also climbed during the test, reaching a peak of around 47°C in both scenarios. The general system temperature followed a similar pattern, reaching 33°C by the end.

Lastly, the graphics card did show a difference in temperature. It was a huge difference of 1°C… With the cover installed, the GPU reached 64.8°C, compared to 65.6°C without it. So, while the difference isn’t particularly significant, there is a small improvement with the cover in place. Plus, the vertical mount offers a better-looking way to show off the GPU than a more usual installation method.

Outstanding
5 /5
Editor’s Rating
How We Review
Specifications
  • Type: Mid tower
  • Motherboard support: ATX / BTF ATX / M-ATX / Mini-ITX
  • Included fans: None
  • Fan support: 11x 120mm
  • Radiator compatibility: Up to 360mm
  • Storage bays: 2x 3.5”/ 4x 2.5”
  • CPU cooler clearance: Up to 170mm (varies with VGPU)
  • GPU clearance: Normal: 430mm length, 150mm width, 5/4-slot height VGPU: 430mm L, 150mm W, 4 slot H
  • Expansion slots: 7
  • PSU support: ATX / SFX / SFX-L (Up to 230mm)
  • Dimensions (LxWxH): 490.9 x 242.1 x 520.9mm
  • Weight: 12.7/13.4kg
  • Materials: SGCC sheet metal, tempered glass, ABS, Nylon, zinc alloy, NdFeB magnets
  • Top front I/O: 1x Power button, 1x 3.5 combo audio, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
Show more

Conclusion

Overall, I think the HAVN HS 360 is a great case. It offers some excellent aesthetics while cutting down on the size compared to the HS 420, helping it take up less space on your desk. It also comes in at a lower price, while the VGPU version offers a more stylish way to show off your graphics card, with a design that still focuses on airflow.

There are some limitations to keep in mind, such as only supporting 120mm fans and the extra effort needed to manage some of the cables. My build also showed that a larger-than-standard ATX motherboard can interfere with parts of the case, so that’s worth checking before buying. But even with those drawbacks, the HS 360 is an impressive design with good build quality and plenty of room for a high-end system.

About the Author

With a fascination for technology and games, Seb is a tech writer with a focus on hardware, news, and deals. He is also a tester and reviewer for the site. Contact him @ [email protected]