Cooler Master ATC-201 Aluminum Case

Manufacturer:  Cooler Master
Supplied by:  Cooler Master
Price: $199.95

by Dean Barker  4/26/2002

Aluminum cases have caught on in a big way.  No longer are high performance computer users willing to suffer with heavy steel PC cases.  As is common knowledge, aluminum cases function as big heatsinks for the air within the box.  By lowering the internal air temperature, individual component temps within, respond in kind.  Cooler Master has been known for producing some fine cooling solutions for processors so it stands to reason they would apply this knowledge to computer housings.  Thanks to the good folks over at Cooler Master, today we have an opportunity to pick over their ATC-201 midtower.

Let’s look at the case’s specs pulled from the Cooler Master website.
 
Specifications….

• Dimension: 497 mm (L) x 196 mm (W) x 452 mm (H)

• Weight: 5Kg (no PSU)

• Material: All Aluminum Alloys

• Drive Bay: 5.25' Bays (exposed) x 4

• 3.5' Bays (exposed) x 2

• 3.5' Bays (hidden) x 4

• Slot Bracket: 7

• M/B Type: Standard ATX MB

• Power Supply: Optional Power Supply Unit (300W or 400W)

• Cooling: Dual 80mm x 80mm x 25 mm Fan attached front panel. (in)
  One 80mm x 80mm x 25 mm Fan attached back panel (out)
  One 80mm x 80mm x 25 mm Fan attached top panel. (out)

• USB port: Dual standard USB front port 

A closer look.

As I removed the Cooler Master from its shipping carton something was decidedly different about the ATC-201.  We have all seen varying sheens of silver, gray, black, and even a gold anodized case made by Lian Li; but a brown box??!  You read correctly, I said brown.  If someone would have told me they saw an aluminum case that had been anodized brown, I don’t think I could do anything other than give out a grunt of disgust.  The thing is, the color is subdued and gives the case a comfortable feel.  Within two minutes of looking at it, my feelings had reversed and I was grunting at the shiny silver aluminum case that happened to be sitting next to it.  Who would have thought?

  

Outside
 
The front plate differed from the rest of the housing in its nickel colored aluminum plate.  In view here are the traditional four 5.25 inch bays and two 3.5 inch bays.  Below that is a screen and small access panel. 

Looking at the screen first; behind it resides two 80 x 80 x 25mm fans that serve as a fresh air intake.  The small door to the left of the screen is an access panel for two hidden USB ports.  What is nice about the door is, notice how it pivots into the case? 

USB has taken over more quickly than many of us realize.  On my personal box for example, my mouse, keyboard, printer, digital camera, and not to mention a personal storage (Disk on Key) device all reside in USB ports.  Therefore, additional easy USB access on a case is almost a must anymore.

  

Moving to the rear of the case we see an 80mm blowhole which coupled with the twin 80mm fans up front creates an air current within the case to help expel any heat given off by internal components. 

  

 

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