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Cooler Master MasterCase 5 Review

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System Building with MasterCase 5

In our build, I will be upgrading the side panel as well as moving a few things around in the MasterCase 5 case to demonstrate how the FreeForm Modular System works. Cable management is always something I look at when putting a system together. Let’s take a look at how the system turned out.

Cooler Master MasterCase 5 Build Side View With Window

Test System

  • Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5 R5
  • System Memory: 4x4GB 1600MHz DDR3
  • Processor: AMD FX-8350 @ 4.7GHz
  • Audio: Realtek ALC1150
  • Video: MSI GeForce 780 Ti
  • Disk Drive 1: Crucial MX100 256GB SSD
  • Disk Drive 2: Seagate Barracuda 500GB HDD
  • Enclosure: Cooler Master MasterCase 5
  • PSU: Corsair CX750M 750W Modular
  • Monitor: HP 23bw 23″ IPS display
  • Operating System: Windows 8.1 Professional 64-Bit

Results

As expected, the MasterCase 5 was very easy to build in especially after removing the ODD and HDD cages. Lots of interior room was available for large components, such as a water cooling unit on the graphics card and a massive CPU air cooler. There was still enough room for two 120mm or 140mm fans to fit at the top if I want to add more fans in the future. I went ahead and installed the rear exhaust fan to the front of the case using the included fan bracket to maximize airflow through the front intake. The only thing I would have liked to see was a shroud on the power supply chamber just so it can cover up the cables coming from the power supply unit. Hopefully in the future, an add-on will be available to handle this.

Cooler Master MasterCase 5 Build Interior

With Velcro straps over the cable routing channel, there is really no excuse for having bad cable management with the MasterCase 5. Using a few of the included zip-ties can also help reduce cable clutter. The large 24-pin motherboard connector can be easily tucked away into the cable routing channel without having it touch the side panel. Something I would have liked to see behind the motherboard tray was a fan hub of some sort, but this can become its own separate add-on in the near future.

Cooler Master MasterCase 5 Cable Management

The power supply mounting bracket can be a great feature for computer users who own a fully modular PSU. The CX750M used in this build was not fully modular, meaning I had to fish the CPU and 24-pin cables through the power supply cutout in order to install the PSU. Using a fully modular PSU, this should not be a problem and makes swapping out the PSU very easy without having to undo any wires.

Cooler Master MasterCase 5 PSU Mounting

Upgrading with the window side panel kit really gives the case a greater look especially for showing off the internal components. The dark acrylic portion at the bottom of the window can be screwed off to reveal the power supply chamber, but I chose to keep it on in order to hide the cables underneath. Something to also note is the fact that the side panels are not interchangeable, meaning you cannot install the window side panel on the opposite side of the case.

Cooler Master MasterCase 5 Build With Window

The ability to add more HDD cages for more storage and a top cover kit for water cooling radiator support can become very useful in the future. I really like the idea behind the FreeForm Modular system. This allows even the most basic computer user to start from the ground up and add onto it in the future when they are ready to upgrade, instead of having to purchase an entirely new case.

Cooler Master MasterCase 5 Rear Alternate

Let’s go into my final thoughts and end this review with my conclusion in the next section.


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