private_tank
07-21-2008, 03:49 AM
Cooler Master Centruion 590 Chassis
Cooler Master does not disappoint the consumer and lives up to their name as being a leader in providing excellent chassis and cooling solutions from mild to wild and beyond. Their products include extra features, which consumers can see. Like any good company, they let the product speak for itself.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casebox.jpg
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/box.jpg
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/caseback.jpg
Now let’s dive into the specifications and the overall chassis details. It is a fair size case at 509mm (20.04”) long, 207mm (8.15“) wide and 450mm (17.72“) high. This is a nice size case for your middle level gamer. For the visually driven case modders out there, I suggest the optional side panel because of the clear window. Inside the case there is ample space behind the motherboard tray that allow for cables to be routed behind for that clean and tidy appearance.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casepic.jpg
Centurion 590 Chassis supports micro-ATX and ATX motherboard form factors. There are seven expansion slots that are tool-less. The main chassis is SECC and the bezel is comprised of AL and ABS and some very nice mesh foam screening.
It will support up to 9 exposed 5.25” drives or 5 5.25” exposed bays 1 exposed 3.5” bay and 4 hidden in the included “4-in-3 Device Module” with rubber isolator mounting points. It is very ruggedly constructed. Doubled corners and well designed fan mount with through bolts for a single 120x120mm fan.
With up to 12 hidden 3.5” drive bays, with the purchase of 2 more 4 in 3 device modules. The “4-in-3 Device Module” also provides a mount for a 120mm fan. The two fans included, which are nicely pre-mounted with 4 pin adaptors, are 120x120x25mm. The fans decibels are 17 dBa and the RPM is 1200. The front fan is a blue led unit, almost identical to the additional ones I have installed in the case and the rear is black with no leds.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/nightfront.jpg
There is a list of features that makes this case great in addition to the solid construction and design. The I/O panel is top front mounted with 2 x USB 2.0 as well as the 3.5mm microphone and headset jacks and the 1394 port. There are 2 status leds and the power switch. All of the cables are professionally finished and it has excellent labeling for the front panel wiring. The cables are nicely finished with heat shrink and sleeved and are ample in length without being obnoxiously long.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casefront.jpg
The bottom mount power supply unit (PSU) has a rubber/foam isolator pads is nice as the PSU cools itself without disrupting the case air flow or temperatures and vice versa.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/caseinside.jpg
There are ample mounting points for fans. The rear fan slot supports an 80, 90, or 120 mm fan. The two top and two side mounting points each handle an 80, 90, 120, or 140mm fan. In addition to plenty of air cooling planning there are also two rear water line ports with nice rubber grommets to prevent chaffing. There is also extra cooling due to venting in the GPU area, this is in addition to the room for two NVIDIA G80 base cards in SLI lets any modern over clocker rest assured that there is ample space hardware and airflow. This is usually more of a compromise.
This case is nearly all tool-less with the combo thumb and Phillips combination machine screws for the side panels. The “nearly part” is simply from the fact you need a Philips screwdriver to remove the 4-in-3 Device for the first time and to install the motherboard.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/caseback finished.jpg
The only real downside to the case is a non-removable motherboard tray. Although for the price you can’t ask for any more.
This case secures nicely with a positive locking feel. No vibrations or rattles when my computer operates at 100%. There is a solid seal providing for adequate airflow. This is nice considering I am pushing over 336 CFM with 8 fans and I hear almost nothing, other my obnoxious south bridge fan and GPU fan.
Although available in only a single finish of textured black with front mesh and an optional side panel with window, the finish is satisfying to me. It is not too glossy and the texture makes it an appealing unit and while not being too flashy.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casepictop.jpg
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/Darkcasefinal.jpg
Summary
Design: 9 frags out of 10 A very clean lined case with massive amounts of airflow, which the mesh front grill and multiple fan mounting utilizes (size and position). The case is ready to bridge the gap between the next 120mm to 140mm fan lineups. A solid rear lock tab is provided for securing the case contents. The 4-in-3 device is very nice to work with and provides an additional fan mounting point.
This case has a professional textured black finish. Say hello to plenty of tool-less features so each change to the hardware configuration is not only straight forward and efficient but also means skipping a trip to the tool box. Plenty of drive bays and expansion slots but I would have enjoyed a slightly deeper mounting area for 3.5” drives to rear mount, and thus hide the wires completely. It is also important to note how tight the tolerances were maintained on every opening and tab. All that is needed on the design is a removable motherboard tray but how could you ask for more with such a bargain price. A bottom mount PSU is a very nice feature in a mid tower case because it frees up precious space at the top of the mother board and keeps the PSU cooling fully independent of the case cooling.
Cable management: 9 frags out of 10 Plenty of room behind the motherboard tray. With lots of holes close to motherboard, wiring points like USB, and front I/O panel, main and additional power connectors, it makes it easier for clean wiring routing especially with a non modular PSU. An adequate amount of cable tie down points but I could have used a few more if available.
Cooling: 9 frags out of 10 Definitely receives an A+ on this front, this is due an almost excessive amount of fan mounting points and just as many fan size options. Two rear water ports with anti-chafe rubber grommets are provided for water cooling. Excessive is just right for gamers. There are also additional ports for air flow and plenty of room for the air to be directed to the required areas and to fit a huge CPU cooler. The Gemini 2 is a huge cooler and it fits easily in this case.
Performance and Usability: 9 frags out of 10 I noticed that the layout of fans and the extra space over my old inadequate AOpen qx50 case, was the temperatures dropped noticeably basic windows operations. There is no more heat soak and climbing temps during long windows usage. The gaming loads stay cooler and come back down in temperature much faster. The ease of tool-less design is nice and makes for faster hardware changes but needs to be on both sides of the drive bays for optimal ease and rigid mounting. The ample multiple sized fan points means the case is very well suited to a silent computing standpoint given more larger and lower rpm fans create less audible noise. Rating 9/10
Overall rating
I am very pleased with this case over all and once the price is considered it is hard not to love this case. I would buy it time and time again as I think the manufacturer hits on the most important and critical features of any case. Thank's to Cooler master for the opportunity to do the review on such a great case.
The Centurion 590 receives a rating of 9/10 Frags
This makes it [cTx] Approved!
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/signatures/SignatureB10.jpg
Cooler Master does not disappoint the consumer and lives up to their name as being a leader in providing excellent chassis and cooling solutions from mild to wild and beyond. Their products include extra features, which consumers can see. Like any good company, they let the product speak for itself.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casebox.jpg
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/box.jpg
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/caseback.jpg
Now let’s dive into the specifications and the overall chassis details. It is a fair size case at 509mm (20.04”) long, 207mm (8.15“) wide and 450mm (17.72“) high. This is a nice size case for your middle level gamer. For the visually driven case modders out there, I suggest the optional side panel because of the clear window. Inside the case there is ample space behind the motherboard tray that allow for cables to be routed behind for that clean and tidy appearance.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casepic.jpg
Centurion 590 Chassis supports micro-ATX and ATX motherboard form factors. There are seven expansion slots that are tool-less. The main chassis is SECC and the bezel is comprised of AL and ABS and some very nice mesh foam screening.
It will support up to 9 exposed 5.25” drives or 5 5.25” exposed bays 1 exposed 3.5” bay and 4 hidden in the included “4-in-3 Device Module” with rubber isolator mounting points. It is very ruggedly constructed. Doubled corners and well designed fan mount with through bolts for a single 120x120mm fan.
With up to 12 hidden 3.5” drive bays, with the purchase of 2 more 4 in 3 device modules. The “4-in-3 Device Module” also provides a mount for a 120mm fan. The two fans included, which are nicely pre-mounted with 4 pin adaptors, are 120x120x25mm. The fans decibels are 17 dBa and the RPM is 1200. The front fan is a blue led unit, almost identical to the additional ones I have installed in the case and the rear is black with no leds.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/nightfront.jpg
There is a list of features that makes this case great in addition to the solid construction and design. The I/O panel is top front mounted with 2 x USB 2.0 as well as the 3.5mm microphone and headset jacks and the 1394 port. There are 2 status leds and the power switch. All of the cables are professionally finished and it has excellent labeling for the front panel wiring. The cables are nicely finished with heat shrink and sleeved and are ample in length without being obnoxiously long.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casefront.jpg
The bottom mount power supply unit (PSU) has a rubber/foam isolator pads is nice as the PSU cools itself without disrupting the case air flow or temperatures and vice versa.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/caseinside.jpg
There are ample mounting points for fans. The rear fan slot supports an 80, 90, or 120 mm fan. The two top and two side mounting points each handle an 80, 90, 120, or 140mm fan. In addition to plenty of air cooling planning there are also two rear water line ports with nice rubber grommets to prevent chaffing. There is also extra cooling due to venting in the GPU area, this is in addition to the room for two NVIDIA G80 base cards in SLI lets any modern over clocker rest assured that there is ample space hardware and airflow. This is usually more of a compromise.
This case is nearly all tool-less with the combo thumb and Phillips combination machine screws for the side panels. The “nearly part” is simply from the fact you need a Philips screwdriver to remove the 4-in-3 Device for the first time and to install the motherboard.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/caseback finished.jpg
The only real downside to the case is a non-removable motherboard tray. Although for the price you can’t ask for any more.
This case secures nicely with a positive locking feel. No vibrations or rattles when my computer operates at 100%. There is a solid seal providing for adequate airflow. This is nice considering I am pushing over 336 CFM with 8 fans and I hear almost nothing, other my obnoxious south bridge fan and GPU fan.
Although available in only a single finish of textured black with front mesh and an optional side panel with window, the finish is satisfying to me. It is not too glossy and the texture makes it an appealing unit and while not being too flashy.
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/casepictop.jpg
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/B10dub/Images/Darkcasefinal.jpg
Summary
Design: 9 frags out of 10 A very clean lined case with massive amounts of airflow, which the mesh front grill and multiple fan mounting utilizes (size and position). The case is ready to bridge the gap between the next 120mm to 140mm fan lineups. A solid rear lock tab is provided for securing the case contents. The 4-in-3 device is very nice to work with and provides an additional fan mounting point.
This case has a professional textured black finish. Say hello to plenty of tool-less features so each change to the hardware configuration is not only straight forward and efficient but also means skipping a trip to the tool box. Plenty of drive bays and expansion slots but I would have enjoyed a slightly deeper mounting area for 3.5” drives to rear mount, and thus hide the wires completely. It is also important to note how tight the tolerances were maintained on every opening and tab. All that is needed on the design is a removable motherboard tray but how could you ask for more with such a bargain price. A bottom mount PSU is a very nice feature in a mid tower case because it frees up precious space at the top of the mother board and keeps the PSU cooling fully independent of the case cooling.
Cable management: 9 frags out of 10 Plenty of room behind the motherboard tray. With lots of holes close to motherboard, wiring points like USB, and front I/O panel, main and additional power connectors, it makes it easier for clean wiring routing especially with a non modular PSU. An adequate amount of cable tie down points but I could have used a few more if available.
Cooling: 9 frags out of 10 Definitely receives an A+ on this front, this is due an almost excessive amount of fan mounting points and just as many fan size options. Two rear water ports with anti-chafe rubber grommets are provided for water cooling. Excessive is just right for gamers. There are also additional ports for air flow and plenty of room for the air to be directed to the required areas and to fit a huge CPU cooler. The Gemini 2 is a huge cooler and it fits easily in this case.
Performance and Usability: 9 frags out of 10 I noticed that the layout of fans and the extra space over my old inadequate AOpen qx50 case, was the temperatures dropped noticeably basic windows operations. There is no more heat soak and climbing temps during long windows usage. The gaming loads stay cooler and come back down in temperature much faster. The ease of tool-less design is nice and makes for faster hardware changes but needs to be on both sides of the drive bays for optimal ease and rigid mounting. The ample multiple sized fan points means the case is very well suited to a silent computing standpoint given more larger and lower rpm fans create less audible noise. Rating 9/10
Overall rating
I am very pleased with this case over all and once the price is considered it is hard not to love this case. I would buy it time and time again as I think the manufacturer hits on the most important and critical features of any case. Thank's to Cooler master for the opportunity to do the review on such a great case.
The Centurion 590 receives a rating of 9/10 Frags
This makes it [cTx] Approved!
http://www.clanteamextreme.com/Reviews/signatures/SignatureB10.jpg