Cooler Master ATCS 840 review

[muki | sk.4um]

Do you think that 3x120 mm radiator could fit on top of the case?

[JaYp146]

Oh wow. Very nice.

Rather reminiscent of a Silverstone TJ09, methinks..

[LuckyNV]

Do you think that 3x120 mm radiator could fit on top of the case?

if the HAF-932 and Cosmos S is anything to go by, it'll fit an MCR320 without modding.

[Tile]

The main problem with transversally mounted hdd racks is their poor cooling characteristics because the airflow generated by the front fan has to get through the front cage wall cool the hard drives and exit through the back wall of the cage and that can be a problem with slow fans. The longitudinal cage has much better cooling characteristics because the cage walls are parallel with the direction of the airflow generated by the front fan and the resistence encountered by the airflow provided by the front fan is significantly lower.

[LuckyNV]

Sounds great in theory, but in practice there is no issue.
CM690 has the same design, I'm running a 5V 120mm YL SL and my 4 drives are cooled very well.

The ATC840 has more space between the drives and with a 230mm fan, optional mounting for 2x120mm on the other side of the cage is given too, unnecessary for the drives I would expect, but it'll give airflow towards the GFX card at least which might be good since there is no side fan.

[axis]

The main problem with transversally mounted hdd racks is their poor cooling characteristics because the airflow generated by the front fan has to get through the front cage wall cool the hard drives and exit through the back wall of the cage and that can be a problem with slow fans. The longitudinal cage has much better cooling characteristics because the cage walls are parallel with the direction of the airflow generated by the front fan and the resistence encountered by the airflow provided by the front fan is significantly lower.

Sounds great in theory, but in practice there is no issue.
CM690 has the same design, I'm running a 5V 120mm YL SL and my 4 drives are cooled very well.

The ATC840 has more space between the drives and with a 230mm fan, optional mounting for 2x120mm on the other side of the cage is given too, unnecessary for the drives I would expect, but it'll give airflow towards the GFX card at least which might be good since there is no side fan.

Bingo.

While I understand your thinking, it's been shown to NOT be true in real life situations, at least not with the 690, 932, and undoubtedly this one. To bash the design of CM's tranversally mounted HDDs without KNOWING they are a poor design is poor form. I know of MANY people using the 690 and 932 and none have complained of hot HDDs. In fact, many have said their drives are cooler than in previous traditional cases. Many of them are running 10k+ rpm HDDs as well.

Axis

[Tile]

That still doesn't convince me of the advantages of the transversally mounted HDD rack. If it was a smaller case I would let it slip but the ATCS 840 case is a big one (supporting EATX) and I simply cannot accept this kind of HDD rack on a case of its category.

[Lu(ky]

I really like the look of this case and it looks like it would be very easy to throw in a BlackIce GTX240 rad on top with plenty of room to spare. And maybe some tweaking in the front area for another BI GTX240 rad. I am thinking they should sell this case for around $150-190 US dollars... And I am not sure why every one need 6 million HD rack as well, three HD racks should be plenty..

[Amd2Intel]

Coolermaster cases always seem to have a nice style to them.

[axis]

That still doesn't convince me of the advantages of the transversally mounted HDD rack. If it was a smaller case I would let it slip but the ATCS 840 case is a big one (supporting EATX) and I simply cannot accept this kind of HDD rack on a case of its category.

I'm not trying to convince you of anything. You put up your theory arguement and Lucky and I countered with enduser results. If it just doesn't work for you, that's fine. Like I said earlier, it's bad form to bash a product that you know nothing about and only theorize about it's effectiveness even though several have disputed you with hands on results. You won't know how effective it is till you get one and see for yourself.

Axis

[miptzi]

That still doesn't convince me of the advantages of the transversally mounted HDD rack. If it was a smaller case I would let it slip but the ATCS 840 case is a big one (supporting EATX) and I simply cannot accept this kind of HDD rack on a case of its category.

buy a Stacker.
Buy an ArmorSuit.
Hell, there's a lot of options.........

....But the internal design of this case is not poor. If it's not your kind of case..... just let it go to the ones that like it. LOTS of people. Stay with Stacker or Armorsuit. AND your cable clutter.........

[gr8golf]

I've waited for years for a CM case that would get me going like my old skool Praetorian brushed aluminum beauty - this could just be it. When will it be released?

[PowerSlide]

finally a case worthy to be recommended

and its not a lian li

[Darren1981]

A all black interior would have complemented that so much, but then i guess that would make us complain about less to mod lol.

I quite like it, but its still on paper and until i see in the flesh its kind of hard to judge, you can make anything look good with photoshop

[vengance_01]

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. This is a much better design for a HDD cage as it makes swapping much easier and hides the wires by design. I have a tranversally mounted HDD cage in my 690 and my temps never exceed low 40s. On this case, the HDDs are spaced even further apart and it has a MUCH bigger fan in front than my 690.



I haven't heard or read anything different so I assume it's pretty much the same as the 932 in that the screw holes match the Swiftech and HW pattern and has enough screw holes to fully fill a 360 for maximum support.

Axis

Very nice thanks for the response.

[LUCI5R]

What's the major difference between this & HAF-932? This one's a $100 more expensive.

[axis]

What's the major difference between this & HAF-932? This one's a $100 more expensive.

From what i've seen and heard in this thread, it's a little bit longer and it's Lian Li'ish in looks. The ONLY bad thing i've heard about the 932 is it's looks. This would be an alternate option. An expensive option but another option nonetheless.

Axis

[LUCI5R]

From what i've seen and heard in this thread, it's a little bit longer and it's Lian Li'ish in looks. The ONLY bad thing i've heard about the 932 is it's looks. This would be an alternate option. An expensive option but another option nonetheless.

Axis

Well, as far as I am concerned, "a little bit longer & Lian Li'ish looks" definitely do not justify the $100 difference. If there is a physical difference - cooling, fans, accessories, features etcetera ... it might be worth a look ... if not, then I don't see any reason to spend $250 on this when I can get HAF-932 for $150.

[muki | sk.4um]

But HAF is so ugly from the outside, it makes me wanna cry I dont like the industrial grunge design

[LUCI5R]

But HAF is so ugly from the outside, it makes me wanna cry I dont like the industrial grunge design

I, on the contrary, love the Industrial Grunge Design

[axis]

Well, as far as I am concerned, "a little bit longer & Lian Li'ish looks" definitely do not justify the $100 difference. If there is a physical difference - cooling, fans, accessories, features etcetera ... it might be worth a look ... if not, then I don't see any reason to spend $250 on this when I can get HAF-932 for $150.

I agree with you 100% but to each his own.

But HAF is so ugly from the outside, it makes me wanna cry I dont like the industrial grunge design

You can't argue taste. If you could Raidmax and NXT would hardly sell ANY cases. IMO, they make some of the most buttugly cases i've ever seen.

Axis

[muki | sk.4um]

I can argue taste .It's so hard to find monitors, or speakers who could match the looks of this case ... Never the less, it has great cooling performance, and good cable management system. I like sleek design with rounded edges, and some cool details.

[axis]

I can argue taste .It's so hard to find monitors, or speakers who could match the looks of this case ... Never the less, it has great cooling performance, and good cable management system. I like sleek design with rounded edges, and some cool details.

Agreed, you can argue taste BUT it's pointless.

It's really not that bad in person.

Axis

[LUCI5R]

I don't think either HAF or this one is ugly or anything - I like them both. On looks alone I'd probably pick up HAF. But anyhow, I just don't see the point in spending $100 more on this when there's really no benefits feature-wise over the HAF-932.

I do like Cosmos, I have to admit. But again, looks aside, I think HAF-932 is a better value.

[gr8golf]

I've waited for years for a CM case that would get me going like my old skool Praetorian brushed aluminum beauty - this could just be it. When will it be released?

Bump - anyone know?