ASUS TUF Gaming GT501 PC Case Review

Up Close with the ASUS TUF Gaming 501

As a first comment on this case, yes, we can confirm that this case is actually white. With the ROG Helios chassis, most of its parts were silver, not white. For the TUF Gaming 501, we can confirm that the case is a clean white. 

On the left of the case we can see a large tempered glass side panel that is supported by metal sections at the top and bottom of the window. These white parts are designed to allow the window to be latched onto the rest of the case with ease. It’s a simple design, but an effective one.

At the top of the GT501 we can also see two carrying handles, which can be used to help move a completed system. These handles seem sturdy and rugged enough for the job, especially for those who do not build an ultra heavy liquid cooled PC inside this enclosure.  

On its front I/O, the GT501 features two USB 3.0 ports, a power/reset switch, and audio input/output jacks. Very standard stuff. While we would have liked to have seen some USB Type-C on the front, it is worth remembering that most PC users do not use many USB Type-C devices, at least not the kind that connect via Type-C on both ends. Even so, having the option would be nice.

On top of the GT501 is a stylised dust filter, which sits under the GT501’s carry handles. Below this filter, two 140mm fans or three 120mm fans can be fitted. If I were to use this case, these fan mounting locations would all be used as exhausts, limiting the usefulness of this dust filter.

At its rear, the TUF Gaming GT501 features a pre-installed 140mm fan. This fan lacks RGB and can be moved upwards or downwards on the chassis to deliver more optimal airflow. That said, the fan’s movement range is limited.

At the rear of the GT501 we can also see seven standard PCIe brackets and two vertical PCIe brackets. If you have a PCIe riser card, this case will support vertically mounted graphics cards. That said, your graphics card cannot be much wider than two slots before your GPU’s fans will get perilously close to this case’s side panel window. 

On the rear of the GT501, we have around 25mm of room between the outside of the chassis and your motherboard tray, giving you plenty of room for cable management. The GT501 feature integrated Velcro ties for cable management, and plenty of tie down areas for cable ties. You should not have any issues keeping your cables tidy within this PC case. 

Behind the case’s motherboard tray, we can also see two dedicated 2.5-inch HDD/SSD mounts. On the other side of this panel this case also had an additional three 2.5-inch HDD/SSD mounts. Add on the case’s 2.5/3.5-inch drive mounts, and this case can support up to two 3.5-inch HDDs and up to seven 2.5-inch SSDs (if you don’t use two HDDs). 

Inside the main chamber of the ASUS TUF Gaming HT501, we can see that the case features a plastic PSU shroud, three visible 2.5-inch SSD mounting positions, and has four fans out of the box. This case includes a single 140mm non-RGB fan at its rear, and three 120mm RGB fans at the front of the case. 

We can see cable management grommets at the right edge of our motherboard, but there are also several visible cable management areas that lack grommets. TBH, these easily visible holes make ASUS’ included grommets appear pointless. What’s the point in filling in a hole when there is a hole that’s almost the same size right beside it?

If we wanted to create a liquid cooled PC inside this case, we would likely cover this case’s 2.5-inch SSD slots with a piece of white acrylic and use it to also cover some of this case’s ungrommeted holes. We can then mount a reservoir to this acrylic cover, and have a lovely clean system.    

To install a PSU within this enclosure, you must remove the GT 501’s PSU shroud. Below this shroud, we can see two 3.5-inc/2.5-inch HDD/SSD slots. These can be removed if the user wishes, and below these HDD mounts is a mounting location for a pump or pump/reservoir combo. This is a great feature for those who want a custom liquid cooled system inside this case. 

At the top of the ASUS TUF Gaming GT501 we have enough space to mount either three 120mm fans or two 140mm fans. These fans can be mounted far above your motherboard, giving you enough space for either a 60mm radiator with a single bank of standard 25mm thick fans, or enough space for a 30mm radiator with push/pull fans.

This case has more than enough space for a thick 360mm radiator!

Included with their TUF Gaming GT501 is a RGB controller that can be used to control this case’s three 120mm RGB fans. This controller can allow GT501 owners to control their RGB fans without connecting your fan’s RGB cables to your motherboard or dealing with RGB fan control software. This is a great feature for users of older non-RGB motherboards, or those who despise RGB fan control software.