Cooler Master MasterBox 540 Review

Looks great, I like CM's stuff, I'd absolutely love to get hold of the CM SL600M but sadly cannot get hold of it.
 
Looks great, I like CM's stuff, I'd absolutely love to get hold of the CM SL600M but sadly cannot get hold of it.

It looks great, but the airflow on this model is bad. TBH, I am disappointed that CM releases this one. A redesigned front would have done wonders, and that's saying something when the RGB front on this is its main selling point.
 
It looks great from a modders perspective and there is loads we could do to to improve the airflow but why today are manufacturers still making this mistake.
 
It looks great from a modders perspective and there is loads we could do to to improve the airflow but why today are manufacturers still making this mistake.

When we were mistakenly told that the case was £60, we were thinking of modding options to address this case's shortcomings. At £109.99, you could just buy a better case.
 
It's funny how 10 years ago when I first got into computers we had cases like CM HAF X, 912/etc, and now we're at the point where despite getting smaller and smaller transistors, we still have a heat problem and now cases decide airflow no longer is useful.

Makes me feel like we should go back and modernize classic cases. Function over form injected with modern features? Sounds like a win.
 
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It's funny how 10 years ago when first getting into computers we had cases like CM HAF X, 912/etc, and now we're at the point where despite getting smaller and smaller transistors, we still have a heat problem and now cases decide airflow no longer is useful.

Makes me feel like we should go back and modernize classic cases. Function over form injected with modern features? Sounds like a win.


Personally I'd like to see an updated version of the Antec 1200, Nothing fancy, Keep the acrylic window but extend it to the front, Remove the drive bay cage type area at the front, Maybe make the case slightly wider for cable management behind the mobo tray, Add rubber grommets and there we go, Airflow heaven, 4 x 140's in the front, 1 x 180/200 in the top, 1 x 140 on the side blowing at the GPU and mobo and 1 x 140 at the back, Nothing choked off.


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There's always going to be cases that are more focused on aesthetics than performance, because there are people who want that and don't really know or care about how it affects the cooling of the components. As long as there choices out there for everyone.


If you want similar styling but better performace, get a phanteks P400a. Very similar front panel shape (to the point where I thought it was a phanteks case when i first saw it) and way better performance.
 
There's always going to be cases that are more focused on aesthetics than performance, because there are people who want that and don't really know or care about how it affects the cooling of the components. As long as there choices out there for everyone.


If you want similar styling but better performace, get a phanteks P400a. Very similar front panel shape (to the point where I thought it was a phanteks case when i first saw it) and way better performance.

Very true. Alot do these case build/competitions etc go for mostly aesthetics and then store said PCs away rarely to be used
 
Aesthetics

Indeed aesthetics are a big deal. At the local computer show 90% of the people are drawn to the 'folding tables' displaying new PC cases mainly by the looks and RGB flash pressed into their face. Cooling and cable management play second fiddle or no fiddle at all. Many with little money in their pocket also switching out their old cases to feel that they essentially now own a new PC and it running much faster.

Actually the same feelings prevail at car dealers where the car color, form and instant gratification makes the decision to buy. A PC parts and case dealer from Mumbai told me: "The great majority of our customers will buy new PC cases long before upgrading their overall system every 3-4 years or so. A new case makes them feel good. We love these kind of customers."
 
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Cooler Master has a new case on the block, with a unique front panel lighting setup, terrible airflow and an even worse price. Gah. Join us to find out why you shouldn't buy it.


Couldn't you have at least tried to be a bit clearer on the Contents page? :-)
 
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