Cooler Master Centurion 5: Simplicity Meets Functionality
by Purav Sanghani on September 1, 2004 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
External Design
The entire front bezel is composed of a mesh grill, which includes the drive bay covers. This allows air to move in and out and create a cooler atmosphere inside the chassis. Cooler Master has also added air filters on the backside of the mesh grill to keep dust from entering.
Click to enlarge.
The top half of the bezel is composed of five 5-1/4" drive bays, all with mesh covers. These can be removed to install drive bays by detaching the bezel (there are four screws to be undone before the bezel can be taken off). Since the manual stated nothing about the screws, it took a bit of time for us to figure out that we had to unscrew the bezel, unlike other cases that have easy pull-off bezels.
Click to enlarge.
Below the 5-1/4" drive bays is the single exposed 3-1/2" drive bay, which is ample for simple rigs with a single floppy drive.
The bottom fourth of the case consists of the Power/Reset buttons, Power/HDD LEDs and the auxiliary ports, which includes two USB ports, Headphone and Microphone jacks, and a single Fire Wire(IEEE 1394) port. They are all clearly labeled on the front panel as well as on their designated connectors on the inside.
Click to enlarge.
The side panels are the simple "slide-back-to-remove" type. Both side panels are identical in that both have a machined out array of slots, which is positioned at mid-height towards the middle of the panels. We assumed that they were put there for added air circulation, but we don't believe that they will have a great effect, if any, on thermal conditions of the case. Both also have indentations at the back to grip them when sliding them back.
Click to enlarge.
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Macattak1 - Friday, September 21, 2007 - link
Went to put in a 4th HD. Does not accepts. Case only comes with 3 HD slides mounts or what ever they are called.So now I have to email CM and hope they respond and I don't find out that I have to pay $10 s/h and $5 per or something like that.
Peace and Blessings
serval - Thursday, February 24, 2005 - link
Thanks for the review, I'm curious how this compares with the Caviler 3 since they are about the same price at SVC right now (under $60 shipped w/o power supply)?Any contrasting information or thoughts?
boogietronix - Wednesday, October 6, 2004 - link
I just bought this case and couldn't be happier... Isn't it funny how personal opinion differs on cosmetics because this case was won hands down for me. (I have the black/silver model with perspex window).My only gripe is with the front fan as it runs a little loud, though I replaced it with the CoolerMaster Ultra when I ditched my P4-3.0 hetsink/fan combo for a Zalman 7000B-AlC. (On another note, the supplied power source is very quiet for a case priced in this range, and I haven't had the need to change it). Even though the drive bay clamps do look a little weak they are very sturdy when pushed into place and I haven't had any probs when swapping my drives around.
If you're thinking about buying this case and have any questions or want to know my specs for comparrison please feel free to email.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Dantzig - Sunday, September 5, 2004 - link
Finally, a case that doesn't look like a toy. Thank you!PuravSanghani - Thursday, September 2, 2004 - link
AnnoyedGrunt: Good point. The I/O ports all connect directly to the motherboard. We have seen many instances where the FireWire port would pass out through the back and attach to an external port but in this case all ports attach to a capable motherboard.We will try to mention this in future reviews.
AnnoyedGrunt - Thursday, September 2, 2004 - link
I have a few suggestions to add to the article:1. Please mention exactly how the front ports are attached to their repsective components - For example, do the cables attach to headers on the MoBo, or do they use pass through cables and plug into the ports on the back of the MoBo?
2. The PCI slot covers are knock offs, instead of separate pieces, and cannot be replaced easily once they are removed (as far as I can see). I think this should be mentioned as a negative if it is indeed true.
3. The HDD clamping system is nice, but it would be even nicer (IMO) to use rubber isolators on the drive. I think you should mention that as well.
I am most curious about how those I/O cables attach to the MoBo, so if you could answer that I'd appreciate it.
BTW, I think this case looks very nice.
-D'oh!
whitelight - Thursday, September 2, 2004 - link
#2 - some ppl prefer steel cases because they dampen sound better than aluminum cases.PuravSanghani - Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - link
Mday:Manufacturer: Cooler Master
Product: Centurion 5
Hope that clears up some confusion! :)
Purav
SilthDraeth - Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - link
Adul I guess he might of thought that Cooler Master Centurion 5 was the entire name of the case, and didn't realize that Cooler Master is a company.Adul - Wednesday, September 1, 2004 - link
case is made by cooler master. Did you miss that?