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Mid-Tower Mega Roundup

 by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST
48 Comments | Add A Comment
48 Comments
CoolerMaster Centurion 530

As an update to the Centurion 5 reviewed by us in September, the 530 has a number of improvements and makes a solid appearance in this price range, with a cost as low as $70 without a power supply.


Click to enlarge.

One of the nicer aspects of the CoolerMaster case is its ability to house five 5¼” drives, two of which have stealthy covers to mask any off-color bezels. The entire front of the case is perforated black steel and is flanked by two aluminum cylinders for both looks and a small amount of protection.


Click to enlarge.

The port cluster on the Centurian 530 is located on the top of the case, towards the very front - a placement that many users who like to keep their computers on the ground next to them will prefer, as there is much chance of accidentally kicking or just stepping on attached peripherals or cables. The power and reset buttons, along with power and HDD LEDs are also located here.

Removing the front of the 530 isn't too terribly difficult, and once it's pulled off, we can get at the removable filters. Each bay over is lined with foam, and the only other place that air can come in is through the 120mm-sized removable filter.


Click to enlarge.

Let's take a look at the back before opening the side of the 530.


Click to enlarge.

The honeycomb pattern of the 120/92/ 80mm fan grill will allow for plenty of air to move through, and we can also see that the case implements tool-less expansion card holders.

Sunbeam Trio (cont’d) CoolerMaster Centurion 530 (cont’d)
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  • Quanticles - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    $200 for a case really isnt that bad when you're paying $400 for a GPU, $300 or more for a CPU, $200 on memory, etc etc etc. If you're building a budget system, then of course this would be a horrible buy. But if you're building a nice system, then you might want a nice case. I have a black v1000 w/ window and it looks great, and was great to work with. As far as noise, I have 4 120mm fans in here, but the system is nearly silent with the help of a cheap sunbeam rheobus.

  • OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    Exactly. Check out the V1100 , it comes with sound-damping precautions. I'm a 3-year user of the PC60 (old kind before they changed it) and I still love it. Yes, a little loud, but hey. Drooling on the V1100.

  • flatblastard - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    ...to only include one fan with their best-looking case. Then the P-180 comes with 3 fans, more features/functionality and doesn't really cost that much more than the sonata. I guess the Sonata is the better value overall considering the included PSU but damn that P-180 doesn't look too shabby either. Dang ole decisions, decisions...man, i tell ya whut....man, dang ole Antec man.

  • swtethan - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    made the right choice buying one :-)

  • imaheadcase - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    Because half of those cases just screamed "Burn me in the nearest fire!". lol

    I mean seriously, why do case manufactors make these crap cases, I would rather have a plain beige case than something made with freakin lights all on the outside covered with cheap plastic peices. Not to mention looks like they had there 3 year olds draw out the designs on ourside.

    I don't care care if its the best case in the world inside, if its ass on the outside im not buying it. I can get the same thing in beige..hehe

    Some of those look ok though..except.

    1. Aspire: Oh please tell there designers to stop asking there 3 year old kids to do there work for them. This case screams crapplastic. it would prob melt if your coffee was to close..
    2. Dynapower: This one does not look half bad, the drive bays could use a all black cover or a matching grill cover.
    3. Sunbeam: Pretty cool looking case. Remove the lame blue circles though, all the stuff you can do when on the PC, who is going to glance at that anyways when most are on the floor or out of the way.
    4.coolmaster: What would make it cool is without the pillars of salt on the side...hehe Remove those it would look sweet.
    5. Both Antec cases: Looks good to me. Antec seems to make some nice cases in the budget area.
    6. ThermalRock: What in gods name is that red circle for? That ruined the front of case, without that red circle it would look good.
    7. Lian Li: Ohhhh Ahhhh! me likey alot.

  • Bonesdad - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    Gotta agree on the Coolermaster case...I got the Centurion 5 last year...glad I didn't wait. The older Centurion 5 is a really nice looking, well made case that looks like it was made for someone with a level of maturity over 16 years old. I can see using this case for many years to come...

  • manno - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    you're not kidding out of all those cases the only ones I would touch with a 10' foot pole were the Antech's, and the Lian Li. For the love of god stop putting side windows on your cases it's drinking beer with a straw tacky.

  • Tamale - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    a LOT of people still look for windows on the side - it's still a fad that's 'catching on' to most people.

  • Quanticles - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    I have a window so I can check my watercooling easier. Besides, they look cool.

  • ElFenix - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    no, they look dorktastic.
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