There’s nothing quite like attending a gaming and tech expo to realise how outdated your own equipment is. This sentiment struck me during my visit to Gamescom. Surprisingly, the source of my insecurities stemmed from the myriad of innovative PC cases showcased, both in pre-built machines and as standalone options.

One striking example was the Corsair Air 5400. Our very own Jacob Ridley covered this case previously at Computex. It ingeniously divides the chassis into three isolated chambers: one for the main components, another for the CPU AIO, and the last for the PSU and wiring.

Interestingly, the AIO compartment stands apart from the rest, only connected through tube routes. Its front section is equipped with transparent plastic funnels, harnessing the Venturi effect to direct airflow optimally over the components.

Beyond these experimental features, it is evident that the bulk of current builds are not groundbreaking for the year 2025. The dual-chamber designs have been around, and we can look to examples such as the Havn HS 420 VGPU for verification. However, the emergence of three-chamber cases, like this Corsair model, is fresh and likely to become a trend.

As a personal touch, what truly impressed me was the ease with which parts could be installed or removed. The Corsair representative, Andrew Ditchburn, demonstrated a level of skill that made it look effortless. It left me questioning my own capabilities with my ancient Fractal Design Define R4 case, which I couldn’t even find an official page for anymore.

Reflecting on my experience, I’m left with a sense of anticipation for my next full build. The chore of aligning everything in my case, hoping it ends up looking merely acceptable, dampens my enthusiasm. Even what was deemed the best budget PC case, the Phanteks Eclipse G400A, features a PSU shroud now. Times truly are changing.