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Switzerland
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697 Review
57 Karma

Review on ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Cooler Master MasterCase H500 ARGB Airflow ATX Mid-Tower - Mesh & Transparent Front Panel, Dual 200mm ARGB Fans, Tempered Glass & ARGB Lighting System by James Sevenfourgd

Revainrating 5 out of 5

It's a monster of a hull: everything from mid to elite hull fits in it.

I'm a fan of NZXT towers and am planning another NZXT based build. However, I decided to try something new, something that would be different from my usual builds. The clue lies in this Cooler Master H500. It was amazing. If you like "short and crispโ€ bullet points, just read this part, otherwise I have written a lot of information. - up to a total of x6 (when used exclusively) 120mm fans, x4 (when used exclusively) 140mm fans or 3 pcs. (when used exclusively) 200mm fan - Mesh front panel to collect dust; there's also an optional acrylic panel to use instead if needed (more on that later) - a tempered glass panel with two screws that can't be removed (so it's less likely to be lost). The glass panel also has hinges on the bottom so it doesn't accidentally fall off and break etc. - supports ATX, mATX or miniATX builds - has x2 M.2 slots, x2 3.5" HDD bays (optional attachment ). to support 4 more) and x4 2.5" SSD bays. 2 SSDs can be installed on the right side of the case with small stubs for tool-free mounting.) The HDD bay can also be removed if you only want to use 2 SSD mounts - for cable management there is a vertical bar with rubberized guide holes . It can be removed if you prefer a more spacious build - 2 CoolerMaster MasterFan 200R RGB 200mm fans in the front and 1 regular 120mm fan - Removable PSU cover - 3 dust filter covers (top, front and bottom of the case) - Vertical GPU mount (cradle cables not included) - a couple of zip ties to manage the cables inside (among other bits and pieces) So I can't grab everything as I don't use a vertical GPU mount to begin with, but I can provide insight into other aspects. First, this case offers many options for fan placement. For reference, I have 2 120mm fans on the top, 1 120mm fan on the rear, and 2 200mm fans on the front. I currently have a Corsair SP LL120 RGB and they work great in combination with CoolerMaster fans. Note: If you're looking for the Corsair SP LL120 RGB and want it to pulse, breathe, or mimic a 200mm fan, you'll need the CORSAIR iCUE Commander PRO controller. with a practical magnetic dust filter on the top of the housing (fan area). 1 month later and I can say it is definitely doing its job. The front of the case has another mesh structure that provides better airflow throughout the case. My build averages around 25-30C idle with a maximum of 50C in high detail games. I've now tried the acrylic panel and found that my temperatures unsurprisingly increase: 30-45ยฐC idle and 50-65ยฐC under load. It's not a terrible temperature, but while acrylic looks cleaner, remember you're changing the temperature for aesthetic reasons. The tempered glass side panel is another nice aspect of the H500. Not as clear as the NZXT line, but I'd say it's somewhere around 40-50% tint, maybe even 30%. It's definitely on the dark side. I had no idea how tinted it would be but to be honest it looks amazing. Due to the "heavier" hue, the cables are almost invisible inside, and the RGB/flash looks like it's invading the dark. To be honest it looks amazing and I definitely didn't realize I wanted it for my build. The x2 200mm fan also deserves a mention, but this one isn't as positive. That could be due to a lack of experience with RGB fans, but the cables tangled like hell when connecting to their respective wires. I didn't even spend as much time on the rest of the assembly as I did on the fan cables themselves. I won't lie if I say I cried a little with frustration. The instructions are not very helpful. If I remember correctly, the RGB cables were plugged into the cables that aren't needed for the whole build. Figuring out that no cable was needed took a surprisingly long time. After removing unnecessary cables and then identifying the correct ones, everything was smooth after that. I'm not sure why this has become the new standard, but the illustrated instructions are ridiculous. I can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone just starting out. There really isn't much to say about cable management here. It's great and there's nothing complicated about it. You will definitely need more zip ties than provided if you want a cleaner look. Also, the included straps are surprisingly flimsy and can easily break if you apply enough pressure. On the side of the cables, the tower has cutouts that allow you to fix the cables with zip ties. Make sure you do not fasten the cable tie in the grooves of the plate. Rubber guide holes and a removable vertical bar are also welcome. One small detail that's not really distracting but worth mentioning: if you don't want to fill the inside of this case, then be prepared to hear LOTS of air. push around. I have a lot of free space and it sounds like a cave. In addition, this case is very difficult. It weighs a whopping 23.2 pounds, maybe 30 pounds+ after installing all the components, compared to the NZXT's 17.9 pounds. I was very happy with it and I'm glad I took the risk. As many have said, don't buy other H500s (e.g. H500P or H500M). Just stick with H500-NO SUFFIX. This is Cooler Master's best product right now and pretty much has everything you need for a high-end build. This is a great case for beginners that offers great airflow and plenty of room to experiment. You will not be disappointed.

Pros
  • Decent performance
Cons
  • Protection