Cooler Master Centurion 590 Case

Manufacturer: Cooler Master
Supplied by: Cooler Master
Street Price: $69

by Dean Barker (4/28/2008)

Introduction

It's been some time since the last Cooler Master case review we've done.  In that time, Cooler Master has expanded their product line substantially to include coolers, power supplies, storage devices, fans, keyboards and a number of other accessories.  One item Cooler Master has gotten a lot of attention on of late is their CSX line of custom cases.  But on the opposite side of the $700 VW Bus painted case is the value priced segment where most of us live.

The Cooler Master Centurion 590 Case has a street price of $70 but you wouldn't know if from first, second or even a third glance.  Sporting a clean outer paint job, tool less drive mounts, a removable drive cage and more fan mounting points than many of us could possibly ever use, the Centurion 590 Case is a wolf in sheep's clothing.  Thanks to Cooler Master, today we're going to have a look at why this value priced case would attract attention at twice the price.

Specifications:

• Observed Dimensions: 510 x 208 x 450mm

• Observed Weight: 7.3 kg

• Construction: Steel

• Drive Bays: Nine exposed 5.25" bays, (one doubles as exposed 3.5", three for internal HDD rack)

• HDD: Internal tray accepting one drive, internal rack accepting up to four drives

• Cooling: One 120mm front intake fans, Two side mounts for 80, 90, 120 or 140mm fan, Two top mounts for 80, 90, 120 or 140mm fan, Rear 120mm exhaust fan

• Front Mounted Ports: USB 2.0 x 2, Firewire, Line out, Mic

• Available Colors: Black

• Expansion slots: Seven

• Motherboard Type: ATX, Micro ATX

• Window: Optional

No toy soldier here

Clean lines are a case's most important feature in my book and the Centurion 590 has them.  Offered only in a satin finished black SECC steel, the Centurion makes a subtle mark.  Nine 5.25" bays reside on the front bezel.  The upper most bay has a 3.5" adapter tray insert to allow for a FDD if needed.  The bottom three bays in stock trim are immediately in front of a removable drive bay rack that can be repositioned anywhere you like among the bays.

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