Cooler Master Centurion 5: Simplicity Meets Functionality
by Purav Sanghani on September 1, 2004 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Internal Design
As soon as we looked inside the Centurion 5, we realized that we were working with the same layout used in the NZXT Guardian, which we looked at in April. There are slight variations in the construction of the shell of the Centurion, but besides that, the design is very much alike.
Click to enlarge.
The drive bays, for one, use the same tool-less locking devices that we saw in the Guardian. We believed these devices to be much better than drive rails, since they are attached to the case. The drive rails, which were used in the SilverStone TJ05, were a bit difficult to work with, since they wouldn't easily slide into the bays.
Click to enlarge.
One feature on the NZXT Guardian that was a turn off was the expansion card area and the devices used to secure them in place. They were little, flimsy plastic mechanisms, which could barely hold an expansion card in place. Our ATI 9800 card, which is extremely heavy due to its fan and heatsinks, had to be secured with a screw to keep it from falling out. Thankfully, holes were provided for screws to be used in the Centurion 5 instead of these flimsy plastic clips.
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?