Cooler Master Storm Sniper Case

At the top of the bezel is a rather elaborate I/O panel.  From left to right are the power button, oversized rheostat, four USB 2.0 ports, Firewire, eSATA, HD Audio out, mic jack all alongside a power and HDD activity lamp.  Let me make a quick note about the rheostat knob.  Aside from its normal function to adjust fan speed, depressing the center of it turns the LED lamps on and off.  It does this in conjunction with fans having two power connectors coming off of each; one for the fan one for the fan LEDs.  A very simple, effective and very cool idea.

If you were wondering what the open area was just above the I/O area take a look.  This area serves as a handle of sorts that is open underneath a ribbed like shelf.  As you look closely under, you can see a top mounted fan in the middle of a rather large venting space.

     

The fan that comes with the Cooler Master Sniper up top is another 200 x 30mm Blue LED fan that has the same variable rate of between 500 ~ 1000 RPM at 17 ~ 23 dBA respectively.  If the end user chooses, this fan can be replaced with two 120mm fans or an oversized 120 x 240mm radiator.  The large Black Ice Radiators in 240mm size immediately come to mind for a nice fit here for you water cooling folks.

Looking at the left side panel we see that the panel is not windowed, it is screened.  Just like the screened in porch at your pappy's place the Cooler Master Sniper offers every opportunity for warm air to escape.  The flared edge around the screen is a nice touch that really gives off that "pro finish" look.

Before we leave the side panel; look between the foldable feet.  The base of the case also has venting which we'll look at in a second.

Out back, the bottom power supply mounting gets your attention.  But looking more closely, the PSU area isn't the only thing that isn't standard.

There is room at the top of the case for a 240mm radiator so it only makes since to have two rubber covered hose outlets.  These two outlets measure 25mm inner diameter which means any hose up to a full inch OD can be used and look like a custom fit.  The 120mm rear fan that is included can be swapped out later for a 90 or 80mm if that tickles your fancy.

Seven expansion slot covers are visible with what appears to be a tool free holder mechanism.  Mental note to look more closely at this once we get inside.  Perpendicular to the standard expansion slots is an eighth.  If you don't know what you would use one here for, think about how hot current VGA cards get and how nice it would be to put a card cooler in this space aiming right at them.

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