Let’s face it, the days of the plain-jane beige computer case are long gone.  Over the last several years, modding has gained immense popularity in the power user community, resulting in a slew of new cases and styles to come into the market.  While adding windows and lighting were one of the major additions to ordinary beige cases, colors have changed widely as well.  It is no longer beige, but black, blue, green, red, yellow – you name it – that can be found on today’s computer cases.  Among these colors, black has caught on in particular, and is probably as popular today as beige once was.

For today’s review, I’ll be taking a closer a look at one such black case that’s geared towards PC enthusiasts and modders, but still looks classy enough to be considered by the average user.  That case is the Centurion 5, manufactured by Coolermaster, a company well known in the PC world for creating high-quality cooling products.  Before I start looking at this case in detail, a special thanks goes out to the folks at Directron.com / AxionTech.com for supplying us with this case for review together with a 350Watt Coolermaster branded power supply.

First Impressions, Features & Specifications
After unpacking the case, I was immediately impressed with the clean, elegant design of the Centurion 5.  Edges were smooth with the silver trim adding a nice touch, and resulting in an overall classy design.  Coolermaster elaborates a little as to why the name Centurion was chosen for the case:

Centurion, an honorable name, represents quality of Discipline, Integrity & Loyalty. With the Centurion besides you, now you can concord the world feeling safe and proud without having to be a Caesar.

One can assume that with a name like Centurion, this must be a fairly high quality case loaded with goodies.  Having said that, what other features does the case have to offer?  According to Coolermaster, the Centurion 5 case possesses:

• Discipline Asymmetrical shape layout.


• Royal Appearance Equipped with detailed high gloss front Alloy Shield.


• Protection Proactive heat resistant design for abusive ambient environment


• Integrity World famous solid assembly.


• Unique Armor Unique side panel mechanism provides great accessibility for installation & upgrade.


• Loyalty - Long lasting ownership.


• Tool-free assembly/disassembly for quick and maintenance or upgrade


• Special perforated screen design provides the superior airflow and maximum cooling  performance; easy to clean and maintain

Sounds all pretty nice, but by now you are probably getting anxious and wondering what sort of specifications this case has to offer.  Without much further ado, here they are:

• Dimensions: 480 mm x 202 mm x 435 mm (L x W x H)


• Material: Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis


• Main Board: ATX; 12″x 9.6″(30.5cm x 24.5cm)


• 5.25″ Drive Bay: 5 (Exposed)


• 3.5″ Drive Bay: 1 (Exposed), 4 (Hidden)


• Power Supply: Standard ATX PS2


• Front I/O: USB 2.0 x 2, IEEE 1394 (FireWire) x1, MIC x1, SPK x 1


• Cooling fan: One 80 x 80 x 25 mm Front Fan (intake)


• One 120 x 120 x 25 mm Rear Fan (exhaust)

These sound like pretty common features for most of today’s cases.  Does the Centurion 5 manage to stand out from the rest of the competition?  Let’s begin by taking a closer look at the outside construction and features of the case.

Outside Features
One thing that becomes apparent immediately when examining the case closer is the beatiful black aluminum finish of the Centurion 5.  The front bezel is patterned with a streel mesh to allow for maximum airflow through the case.  It is removed quite easily by grabbing a hold of the top and gently pulling it forward.  Behind the bezel’s steel mesh is a  a foam layer to prevent dust from entering the case.  The Centurion 5 has five external 5.25” bays and below that one external 3.5” bay for a floppy drive.  The covers for these bays are easily removed by unscrewing them from the bezel instead of just  popping them out.  The power button, as well as the power and hard drive LED’s, follow down on the front below are embossed on a nice silver plague.  Below these one will find another plus: plenty of front I/O ports, including two USB 2.0 ports, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), as well a microphone input and speaker output. 

Moving around the case now, the window on the left side of the case is nice and big and proudly displays the Centurion logo.  The right of the case looks rather bland compared to the rest of the case, but also has openings in the cover to allow for great airflow throughout the case.  Looking at the back of the case, I was immediately impressed to see that Coolermaster opted for a 120mm fan as opposed to the standard 80mm still found on most of today’s cases.  This again shows that Coolermaster indeed had exceptional cooling capability in mind while designing the Centurion 5, allowing it to be marketed not only to average PC users, but overclockers as well. 

A 350W Coolermaster-branded power supply is included and will be looked at more in the power supply section.  For now, let’s pop the hood on this case and see what the inside has to offer.

In the last year, the PC case landscape has changed. No longer is the beige box acceptable; rather, a computer’s abode should have a window to peak through, many fans, a temperature monitor, multiple light sources, at least two Front USB 2.0 ports, and of course, a theme.

A-Top technology has missed none of these points in creating the Z-Alien case. Upon first inspection, I noticed that there were already four clear case fans pre-installed, as well as a power supply fan. The main case fan is particularly large and spins at a considerable speed rate. Upon even closer inspection, I observed the LED’s in each case fan.

The window piece came to me pre-cracked, unfortunately, but I am sure that this was a shipping error, and thus with that point aside, the window looked great. It is shaped like an alien, with window covering the “face” and a vent covering the eyes. Also, on the window piece lays a “lock” which prevents the window piece from being unscrewed if it’s in the “locked” position.

The back of the case contained a pre-mounted motherboard plate and the typical seven expansion card bays. One of the points I particularly noticed was that the cover-plates for the unused bays are well-crafted and indented (such that even after you knock them out, they can be placed in again). One of the things that bothered me was the lack of thumb screws on both sides (there are thumb screws on the window side). Although thumb screws can be cheaply obtained, it’s always appreciated to use thumb screws whenever possible.

On the top of the case is a semicircle-shaped “Front-USB” port that also has two audio ports (one mike, one output) and an IEEE 1394 (Fire Wire) plug. Apparently, the entire case is made of aluminum and is extremely lightweight as a result.

On the bottom are four feet. They simply hold the weight of the computer up, and are rather minimalist. I was hoping for the long, slender feet that make your computer look more like a mammoth than a ballerina dancer, but they work effectively enough.

On the front is a plate that covers the 5.25/3.5 bays as well as the simple power and reset buttons and Power/HDD LED’s. The plate is lit by a blue LED with the Alien logo engraved in it. It looks rather cool. Under the logo is a temperature monitor, which incidentally looks pretty cool as well. To the left are two front USB ports. To the bottom are five air vents where the fan and hard drive area is.

The case itself is very lightweight and it is very easy to assemble a new computer within it. One of the first things you will notice is that there is no need for screws when installing expansion cards or hard drives. Instead, you use hardware either pre-installed or included at the bottom of the case in a small plastic container attached to the case itself. Basically, the concept is that instead of using screws, you use “plates” that tighten and loosen based on the case’s design. Despite a small difficulty getting my Radeon 9700 Pro in, everything else went fine.

Overall, this is an astounding piece of hardware and definitely a great deal for the money. The ease of installation, the style and design, and even the cooling make for an awesome buy for the gamer or workstation owner.

Maxtop (www.maxtop.com) is a company which markets a line of PC cases which spans all tastes and applications. In the past, I have reviewed their CSX-7788KE case, which is catered to those with a wild streak. It’s included front bezel lights and side window made it a case for those who like something different than the regular beige box. But, Maxtop carries a line of cases, from the Legacy case which is pretty close to your typical case, to some more cutting edge designs. They also get into rackmount servers, case mod equipment, etc.

Recently, Maxtop was nice enough to send PC Mechanic their Signature Series IV, also called the CSX-147K. First, the specs (direct from Maxtop):

• Name: Signature Series Type IV CSX-147K (B/G) F-TOP


• Type: Mid Tower PC


• Dimensions: 17”H x 8”W x 18.5”D


• Drive Bays: 4+2+4


• Incl. PSU: 350W


• Front Ports: USB(x2), sound card (Top)


• Fan Mounts: 92×1, 80×3


• Colors: Black, Gray


• Accessories: Side Window, Lighting


• Features: Top Handle, Stealth Fan, Convenience Ports

As we mentioned in our review of the CSX-7788, Maxtop cases are really incredible deals. With that case, Maxtop included a few additional extras for the purposes of our review, but leaving that out, the case was still a great deal, with an included power supply and a decent case to boot. The CSX-147K is no exception. The case, as noted in the specs, comes with a Qmax 350 watt power supply. This is extremely convenient. The case also comes with a bunch of other useful hardware:

• Power cord (as you might expect)


• Second set of beige drive bay covers. The case has a black set of covers pre-installed, but they include a second set of beige covers. I don’t know why they are beige, which does not match this black case at all, but it is still a nice touch.


• A set of case feet (not pre-installed)


• Your usual bag of screws and washers


• A board mounted piezo speaker (I’m not sure why they did not just put a pre-installed PC speaker on the case itself, but at least one is included in the package)


• An extra backplate (looks to be for AT-style motherboards)

This is a lot of included hardware for a case typically marketed at around $40 (as seen on Newegg.com at the time of this writing).

With all the companies getting into the business of PC cases today, its hard to get a case to stand out. Cases today range from plain beige boxes to some of the strangest looking beasts you’ve ever seen. What people think of these cases is all a matter of personal taste. Personally, I can go for some lighting effects and other types of modifications, but I tend to be a little conservative in what I will tolerate. To me, its more important to have a practical, easy-to-use case than it is to have one that could easily serve as a lamp.

The Maxtop CSX-7788KEB-Win is a case that does stand out in the huge sea of PC cases on the market. The case which Maxtop sent our way had a customized side window as well as dual tri-color CCFLs, but the case also has built-in color-changing bubble tubes on the front bezel. In short, this case will go off like a Christmas tree if you want it to. But, underneath all the fruity lights, the case is a very practical one, offering many of the things I look for in a decent case.

When I got the case, it came double-boxed as well as wrapped in a plastic bag. Once I unburied the case, I noticed that Maxtop had crammed it full of accessory features: A CCFL kit, a crystal LED fan and a blue-tinted side window. It should be mentioned at this point that the CSX-7788KEB typically comes without a side window. This is a custom feature which can be had for an additional $16. The CCFL kit can be purchased from Maxtop for an additional $16 and the LED fan is another $5. The case is typically bought on Newegg.com, but the accessories will need to be bought direct from Maxtop. These extras are, of course, packaged with it for review purposes. Other than these extra frills, the case has the usual stack of screws, a few small manuals, a power cord for the included power supply (nice touch to see a power supply included in the unit) and an I/O shield.

Okay, so I’ve given you the inventory of what was in the box. But, what about actually building a system with it? Read on…

As computers become more mainstream, aesthetics play a larger role in catching the attention of a-would be customer. Even OEM manufacturers are moving away from the beige boxes that proliferated in the homes of geeks and nerds alike, to sleek and sometimes gaudy ones found in the average Joe’s office today. The AMS gTower, though its rather understated looks might not attract the same amount of people that flashy colors and lights would, wants to be found in your home. Its combination of simple, yet elegant design, coupled with utility make this case a keeper.

• Polished, scratch resistance coating cover


• All Folded Edges (including side panels)


• 1/3″ Clear Acrylic Bezel with Brush Aluminum Insert


• 120mm Ball-Bearing Exhaust Fan w/ Grill and 80mm Intake Fan


• Internal break away wiring for easy installation


• Supports ATX and Extended Motherboards up to 12″ x 13″ in size


• Removable 4-bay 3.5″ Internal Drive Cage


• Polished Metal Mechanical Power & Reset Switches


• Front-mounted Dual USB, 1394, Microphone & Headphone


• Large, high-quality thumb-screws for easy access

AMS’ gTower is a prime example of another form versus function success: its clean simple lines belie the utility hidden beneath the aluminum sheet metal. Following in current fashion, the gTower creates an industrial look by using the almost ubiquitous rivets on the bay covers and metallic buttons. The addition of the acrylic faceplate, which is by no means new, adds another layer of dimension to its already well polished face. My only critique would be that the bay covers appear as if they protrude from the surface due to the use of thinner acrylic sheets. The power LED is an extremely bright blue, which complements the aluminum color well; whereas the hard drive LED is a dim orange. This industrial look is carried to the side window where large-headed faux rivets are used to secure the window in place. The window is raised slightly above the surface of the side panel and can be actually unscrewed for any additional modification or maintenance. Any type of molding - no matter how well done - looks unprofessional and downright ugly making rivets a suitable alternative. The overall finish is a soft gray aluminum finish, with some grain evident, differing from the more metallic finish of Lian Li cases. Unlike that of the Lian Li cases, the finish does not show finger prints or dust.

The gTower is by far one of the sturdiest cases I have used. Although the case is relatively light for its size, it feels substantially more solid than a comparable Lian Li. The side panels are slightly thicker, giving the outside a vault-like feel. When you knock against the side panels, a solid and reassuring sound resonates rather than the sharp and tinny feel when tapping against a Lian Li. The chassis itself is reinforced throughout the case, again making it quite durable. Build quality is also extremely high with every piece fitting together perfectly and clean-edged acrylic. Cuts have been made cleanly and edges have been rolled for safety. This case should last for a good period of time.

Xioxide was founded in 2000. Located on Pennsylvania, Xioxide’s main business is to provide PC cases of all varieties. They also sell tons of accessories, including cables, mod supplies, lighting, fans, etc. They sell cases of all major brands, including Chenming, Lian Li, Thermaltake, CoolerMaster, etc. But, they also have their own line of cases, one of which is the X500. The X500 is an aluminum chassis mid-tower. While it is not the most creative case in their line (they even have clear cases), it is a good balance between new age features and workability. Let’s take a look at the specs and feature list, as provided by Xioxide:

Specifications:

• Material: 1.0 mm anodized Aluminum Alloy resisting dust & fingerprint


• Coating: Hardness scale 3, protecting from scratch


• Front Jacks: USB version 2.0, Microphone, earphone, IEEE1394


• Fans: Two 80 mm rear exhaust fans, One optional front 80mm intake fan


• Drive Bays: 4 x 5.25” (external), 2 x 3.5” (external), & 4 x 3.5” (internal)


• Expansion Slots: 7 slots with screwdriver-free thumbscrews


• Motherboard: ATX or Micro ATX


• Dimension: 7.9” (W) x 16.2” (H) x 19.3” (D)

Features:

• LCD Module Display: LCD displays time, temperature, and HDD/system status


• Motor-Driven Door: Translucent Plexiglas bay door driven by the motor-gear module for external 5.25” bays. Keep the style of the system even with 5.25” peripherals in different bezel colors


• Luminescent Backlight: Power button & LCD display with luminescent backlight glow in the dark


• Always-On Power: LCD display, motor-driven door, and luminescent backlight with the power from VSB output keep working even system is off


• Temperature Sensor: 23” long wire probe, placed anywhere in the enclosure. Front I/O Ports: Front USB 2.0, Microphone, Earphone, & IEEE1394 ports for easy access.

The first thing I noticed when I pulled this case from it’s box is that this case is light as hell. The case is made from a very light anodized aluminum (Note: To anodize means to coat a surface with a protective oxide through electolysis). The metal, being anodized, will be protected from dust and fingerprints, thus helping to keep the aluminim from tarnishing over time. But, being such thin aluminim, the case is very light and, for lack of a better word, flimsy. If you remove the left side panel (the one with the window), you can very easily flex the piece. Despite its lightness and flimsiness, I can’t see how anyone would have a problem with it. The case does not seem to be weak as a result. When subjected to normal strains, there should be no problem at all. And the lightness can be a real plus-point if you need to carry your PC around.

Once I had the side panel off, I could get a look inside. The inside was pretty tidy. There are numerous cables coming from the front bezel for the powered features, thermometer and front-mounted I/O, but there were nicely harnessed down by a bottom-mounted holder. There is a dual 80mm case fan mounted on the rear and space for a single case fan on the front bezel. With the side-mounted fan as well, there will be no shortage of air circulation with the X500.

We’ve reviewed a lot of cases here over the years.  Some of them are very expensive, and boast gigiantic towers full of fans, hidden panels and high-end power supplies.  But, invariably when someone comes into the office and looks around at our current hardware stockpiles, they are always drawn to the cases from ColorCases.  No matter the SOHO file servers humming in the corner, and forget about the aluminum Lian-Li tucked under the desk.  It’s the flashy colors and shiny buttons that gets their attention.  Everytime.

The latest case from ColorCases is the Web ATX, and like the other cases we have reviewed, this enclosure has enough eye-candy to draw a crowd at the next LAN party.  And the best part?  You don’t even have to pick up a Dremel.

The case comes standard with dark grey paint, accented by a blue tinted panels on the front bezel.  Simulated chrome rivets give the bezel a nice industrial look.  Tucked under the front edge of the bezel are two USB ports, always a nice addition with the plethora of USB peripherals on the market.  The power and reset buttons are set in a simulated chrome accent piece, just below the 3.5″ drive slot.  Four 5.25″ external drive bays are visible, and each bay includes a cover to match the front bezel, making stealth drive mods possible without the need to fabricate any additional covers.  Both side panels are removable, and include thumbscrews for easy access to the case interior.  The top panel is riveted in place, but could be removed with a simple drill.  The front bezel panel is held in place by four plastic clips, and snaps off fairly easily.  Moving to the rear of the case, we see two fan grills, one 80mm and the other 60mm.  The swirl design of the stamped fan guards probably provides better airflow than the standard hole-pattern, but serious cooling freaks would want to remove the metal obstructions for maximum efficiency.  Removing the front bezel reveals two 80mm intake fan positions, with the same grill pattern as the rear fan position.  As with the rear grills, I would recommend removing the grill metal to aid in airflow.  The bottom edge of the bezel is cutaway to allow air to enter the front fans, but this opening is partially blocked by the USB connetion PCB.

The Web Case gets it’s name from the side panel window, designed in the shape of a web.  The center of the web cut-out features an 80mm fan grill, and a pair of eyes that look oddly familiar.  The side panels are held in place by two thumbscrews, and attach to the enclosure with small tabs along the perimeter of the   Opening the side panel reveals a very simple interior.  All of the metal edges are rolled for safety, always a good thing, especially in a case this size.  The case itself is on the small side, measuring 7.75 [w] x 17.25 [h] x 18 [d] inches, although there is ample room to do routine installtion and maintenance.  Like many of the cases we have seen recently, the Web case does not have a removable motherboard tray.  If you are the type to constantly make major upgrades to your system, this may prove to be an inconvienience, but for the average user this is of little concern.  The Web case has four external 5.25″ drive bays, one 3.5″ external bay, and six internal 3.5″ bays, more than enough for any system you or I are likely to build.  Unlike the Stealth case we reviewed last month, the Web uses traditional screw mounts for the drives, rather than the trick quick-release mechanism.  A small package of hardware is included with the case, containing a small system speaker, plastic motherboard stand-offs, and self-tapping screws.

Despite the small size, the case feels sturdy.  Not quite the vault-like build of the Antec cases, but better than the flimsy sheetmetal found in some budget cases in this price range.  The drive cage assembly extends from top to bottom of the interior, giving the case additional structural integrity and support.

FEATURES:

• Screwless, lockable side cover for convenience and security
  
• Sliding, external drive assembly
  
• Tool-free internal drive bays for convenient assembly
  
• Ablity to install up to 5 quick changeable fans
  
• Fits most of the motherboards on the market including 12″w X 13″L Tyan boards and simliar large boards.
  
• EMI shielding designed to support FCC requirements

Specifications:

• Easy Off sliding lock handle
  
• 2 medium speed fans in rear to exhaust the heat!
  
• Exclusive PcToys Stealth Pro Ultra Quiet 92mm fan mounted in the window!
  
• Huge Window installed to show off all your components
  
• 8.1″W x 20.6″H x 18.6″D
  
• 205mm W x 522mm H x 473mm D
  
• Fits ATX motherboards up to 12″W x 13″L
  
• (305mm W x 330mm L)
  
• Lots of Drive space:
  
• Four 5.25″ drives exposes
  
• Two 3.5″ drives exposes
  
• Four x 3.5″ internal HDD bays hidden
  
• Completely rounded edges for safety
  
• ATX style case
  
• Price: $119.95

The case itself is made of high quality aluminum. The front panel is plastic. And comes with all the essential extras you will need to get your hardware installed. You will need your own power supply; this case is not supplied with one. The quality of construction and finish is very good. My case did not have a single blemish or rough spot. The side panel is removable, lockable and comes with a 92mm fan and very LARGE window kit. It looks very cool. There is room for another fan on the inside front panel, a nice stealth fan would help the temps even more. Even the fan mounts on the inside look great, and are easy to handle and sturdy. The finish on the inside of the case is good too. No rough edges, removable 3.5″ bays, w/ a locking mechanism that actually works. The inside layout is very good, all the room you will need for just about anything, and then some to spare. I also like the locking front cover and side panel. It comes with keys too. So if any of you are as familiar as I am with the “little ones” putting cookies in the floppy drive, you can appreciate this feature. The look and feel of the case is top notch. Inside, we have quick release 3.5″ bays. Easy to get out, easy to put in. Can’t forget about the “swingout” feet on the bottom of the case. For extra stability, you can “swing” the feet out to 90 degrees or less. With the case being so tall, it’s a good idea to use them.

Why aluminum?

Well, for many reasons. One is heat dissipation. Aluminum does a MUCH better job than steel or plastic. You will see a difference in temps when you decide to move to an aluminum case. Second is weight. The weight is literally cut in half from your standard steel frame case. Easier for the LAN party people to carry the PC. Three. Coolness factor. Self Explantory

Installation of motherboard and all other peripherals is a snap. So much room to manuever your hands, tools and hardware that it does not take 2 hours to try and get hard drives installed and hope you can wiggle the ide cable around the ram and floppy drive.

After I was done getting everything in the case, I went ahead and ran some temperature tests to compare with my now replaced steel frame case. (Even with 2 120mm fans, It did not even come close)

System Specs:

• 1 gig Tbird
  
• 512 Ram
  
• Asus A7V133
  
• GeForce2GTS
  
• 100 gig WD hdd
  
• WinXP Pro

Temps taken using MBM (average case temp)

With the old case:

• My average idle temp was 89ºf.
  
• After playing MoHaa for a few hours, it would stay around 93ºf.

With those numbers recorded, we look at the temp results from our new case:

• Average idle 84ºf.
  
• After hours of gaming, 92ºf

So, we can clearly see we get between a 4-5 degree difference. The test is a little biased towards my old steel case. It has twin 120mm fans on the side panel, and 1 60mm fans on the back. Our review case has a single 92mm fan on the side panel, and dual 80mm fans on the back.

Conclusion:

• High quality custom case that functionality and space.
  
• Would like to see removable motherboard tray.
  
• Great case for someone looking for a “pre-modded” case, many colors to choose from.

Thanks to CoolerGuys.com for sending the review unit.

Remember when a case was just a case?  A couple years ago painting a case was considered a mod, and a window kit was for the experienced computer geek only.  These days, even a guy with limited Dremel skills can still have a trick case to show off at the LAN parties, thanks to companies like ColorCases.  Let’s face it, not all of us have the necessary fine motor skills to cut neat holes in a case.  While these cases may not offer the same over-the-top mods as seen at Case Modding contests, for the guy looking to grab some attention at the local LAN, they are more than adequate.

The Stealth is a mid-tower ATX case, with a pre-modded window kit, black paint scheme, and an opaque front panel that gives the illusion of frosted glass.  The window mod features a prominent “X”, with the center forming an 80mm fan location.  The front bezel of the case is done in a plastic material that simulates frosted glass.  Color Cases includes matching bay covers for all four of the 5.25″ drive bays, perfect for a possible stealth drive mod. Chrome plated button accent the front bezel nicely, and a flip down door at the bottom reveals front USB ports.  The side panels are easily removed thanks to the use of thumbscrews.  The top panel of the case is rivetted in place, making removal difficult at best.  This is not a unique problem to the Stealth-X, though, as I have seen similar configurations on cases that cost more than twice as much.   The rear of the case features a standard ATX I/O plate, an 80mm fan location, and large amounts of ventilation.

Ignore the coloring on the top of the case, it is the result of image compression and not the paint job of the case.  The finish of the case is a flat grey/black color, think charcoal grey.  The metal edges of the case are all rolled, and should not cut your fingers when working inside or around the case.  The front bezel panels are plastic, and the lower 80mm fan grills can be seen through the bezel material.  Are you thinking LED fans?  Sure you are.  Nothing says cool better than stuff that glows.