HAVN HS 420 Case Review: Looks Like the Hype Was Real

Since I spend about 95% of my time in the English-speaking corners of the internet, I tend to keep a close eye on the latest PC-building trends. And believe me when I say this: the HAVN HS 420 is the most hyped case I’ve seen in all the years I’ve been reviewing PC hardware. But unlike something like the APNX C1 – where design took priority over functionality and versatility – the HS 420 throws a handful of pocket sand straight into the eyes of compromise. It doesn’t just win; it dominates and, as you’ll soon see, earns the title of the Mid-Tower King.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

HAVN HS 420 Specifications

Weight: 17.84 kg
Dimensions: 541.0×259.5×547.0 mm
Format: Mid-Tower (yes, really)
PWM hubs: yes, two with 6 connectors each
CPU cooler height: up to 185 mm
Video card length: up to 480 mm
Power supply length: up to 220 mm
Number of drives: up to 4×3.5”/up to 8 2.5”
Number of fans: up to 11×120/140 mm
Radiator support: up to three 420 mm
Front panel: combo mini jack, two USB Type-A 5 Gb, USB-C 10 Gb, power button
Warranty: 1 year

Market position

And the price isn’t record-breaking either. Well, it can get high – the case goes for about $220–290 depending on the configuration. The most expensive version is called the VGPU Edition, and what is it designed for? Exactly – vertical GPU installation.

Compatibility

I, however, received the younger version – a modern classic in pure white. And honestly, it was one I could have hated straight out of the box, because I can’t stand it when a product’s name itself might be misleading. So, to the question: does this case actually support 420 mm radiators? My answer is simple.

Yes. At the top. At the bottom and on the side.

And it drives me mad, because it simply shouldn’t be this way. For years, case manufacturers have justified the lack of compatibility with the largest mainstream radiator sizes by saying, “Well, it’s a Mid-Tower – nothing bigger will fit inside, obviously!” Manufacturers excused their cases, and I, in turn, excused the manufacturers.

Well, HAVN HS 420 is also a Mid-Tower. It measures 541.0 × 259.5 × 547.0 mm and weighs almost 18 kg – but it’s still a Mid-Tower, with support for E-ATX motherboards up to 277 mm wide, as well as ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX.

In other words, there isn’t that much space for motherboards after all – and you get only six expansion slots here, not seven as I initially expected.

Internal layout of the HAVN HS 420

So where does all the remaining space go? Into compatibility with everything else. For example, this case can hold up to 11 fans – either 120 mm or 140 mm. And just so you understand, not every case can even fit more than ten 120 mm fans, while this one can accommodate eleven 140 mm fans!

And the funny part – the especially funny part – is that inside the HAVN HS 420 you get two separate 6-port fan repeater hubs. Meaning both hubs together can power up to 12 fans, all fed via SATA. And don’t worry about dust filters either – they’re everywhere in this case, just like the airflow. But we’ll get back to airflow a bit later.

Also, to state the obvious, fan compatibility is limited only by what you decide to install instead of them. For example, on the side panel – and remember, the HAVN HS 420 is essentially an aquarium-style case – you can mount either up to four 3.5″ drives or as many as eight 2.5″ drives. But in that configuration, you’ll lose some fan mounts – specifically, minus three.

At the same time, the maximum PSU length is 220 mm, with full cable-management clearance up to 290 mm. So you won’t need to bend something like a 12V High Power PSU. CPU coolers can reach heights of up to 185 mm, though there’s a caveat: this also depends on the GPU installed.

It’s worth noting that even the manufacturer recommends liquid cooling, and I agree. GPU length compatibility goes up to 480 mm – excessively generous, but a millimeter here or there doesn’t matter in an 18 kg case. GPU height ranges from 2 to 5 slots, so forget about setups requiring 3+3 slot LSFG configurations.

Catering to the Audience

Before moving on to design – an exceptionally important aspect in this case – I want to make one point. The HAVN HS 420 earns from me a compliment I’ve never given to any other case. It doesn’t just meet the demands of a premium audience with its design, nor simply attract with its price; it also satisfies users with very specific and particular needs – like mine.

It’s like The Outer Worlds for me – a great RPG from the creators of Fallout: New Vegas that appeals both to role-playing fans and to those who enjoy overtly satirical takes on consumer culture. But what really satisfies me is the shooting mechanics. In other words, strip away all the RPG elements, and I’d still happily play through the game.

In other words, I can recommend The Outer Worlds to the widest possible audience – far more than I would recommend Battlefield, DOOM, or Total War. And the same goes for the HAVN HS 420. My personal enthusiasm for its cooling compatibility is just my own added bonus.

HAVN HS 420 Design

The case’s design is an entirely separate strength, appealing to a different audience. It combines minimalism and functionality exceptionally well. Almost every design element – from the radiator grilles to GPU support – follows a consistent style. Even the warning text on how to open the side panel and the strap for removing the top dust filter seem to speak the same design language.

Looking down, you’ll notice the air intake openings. These aren’t feet – the case has essentially been extended downward, leaving a gap for airflow to the bottom fans. At the very base, there’s still solid metal, so a carpet won’t affect airflow at all.

The design of the cable-routing gaps is also refined and precise. Even the cable-management guides are unique on their own, yet they feel perfectly integrated into the overall aesthetic. HAVN has even implemented a dedicated SimpliCable system, with detailed instructions in the manual explaining exactly how and where to route cables.

Other details

Want more versatility? You can swap the hard drive mounts for fan mounts, or vice versa. Want… a display inside the case? You’re in luck – the HAVN HS 420 supports that too. The side panel includes a universal VESA mount (75×75 / 100×100), supporting screens up to 14 inches. Honestly, a premium HAVN case without display support would be like a Cossack without a forelock.

I also highly recommend reading the manual, because I’ve never seen one this detailed and well thought out. It contains roughly five times more information than manuals I’ve seen before. Even on the manufacturer’s website for this case, they list RAM clearance. I never imagined a case maker would even consider that – but clearly, a new standard of quality has been set.

Drawbacks

And probably the only area where I can take issue with the HS 420 is the front I/O panel. It features a combined audio jack, a 10 Gbps Type-C port, two 5 Gbps Type-A ports, and a single power button. There’s no lighting control switch, and I would have liked to see separate audio jacks – or at least one combined and one dedicated microphone port. And clearly, there’s space for this – the usual “it’s a Mid-Tower” excuse doesn’t hold here.

Additionally, I’m not sure painting the USB-A ports white instead of the standard blue is a good idea. It gives the impression that they’re USB 2.0, even though all nine contacts are clearly present. I’m also not entirely convinced that making a solid module for the power button is ideal, especially if it blocks the reset button functionality.

Conclusion

Overall, the HAVN HS 420 case is unique in how well it lives up to the hype not only here, but around the world. It was a perfect fit for the mainstream audience, and it impressed me. Fans of minimalist, clean design will find it incredibly cool.

There are reasons why I can’t call it flawless – and not just because perfection is subjective and therefore unattainable. Yes, there are no included fans. Yes, the hubs aren’t RGB. Yes, there’s no support for reverse-mounted motherboards. And the front I/O panel… is unusual.

But for me, this is still the best case I’ve ever reviewed in my life. I recommend it.

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Package contents 10
Design 10
Build quality 10
Cooling 10
Versatility 9
Price 9