Our fondness for Libation Master's total tower computer cases began roughly iii years ago when we reviewed the HAF 932. Its stylish, aggressive blueprint was backed by an fantabulous build quality. The affordable cost tag was the icing on the block for us. At the time, it was easily the ultimate belfry case and that opinion remains strong today. The HAF 932 Advanced and HAF X are amongst the finest full belfry chassis money can buy at $150-$200.

Cooler Master has also released various cases under its "Storm" banner, a subsidiary tasked with "arming the gaming revolution." Naturally, this duty is fulfilled by developing new keyboards, mice, cases, mouse pads and sound gear for gamers. To appointment, the brand has released a strong lineup of mid-sized ATX cases, including the Sniper, Lookout and Enforcer. We featured the Enforcer in our recent roundup and found it to be an excellent value at but $85.

Libation Primary is at it again, releasing still another gaming-oriented chassis and the starting time total size model in the Storm lineup. Called the "Trooper," it's priced at $190 -- right alongside the venerable HAF X -- packing several new features: 90-degree rotatable iv-in-3 HDD modules, an easy-to-carry handle, a hidden toolbox to store individual goods, a congenital-in fan controller, an external 2.five" storage drive Ten-dock and the ability to support upwardly to 14 internal hard drives.

It's been a year since the HAF X's inflow, and Cooler Chief may take already outdone itself...

External Design

The Storm Trooper's design isn't as flashy every bit some competing gaming cases endeavour to be (Thermaltake'southward offerings come to listen), but it'southward not equally spartan as Lian Li's products either. Cooler Master seems to have a knack for producing aggressive, even so make clean cases. The Trooper is dressed in strict conservative attire, but it'southward not afraid to prove a little leg, if you volition.

The Trooper'due south size is fairly typical for a full tower ATX instance, measuring 9.8" wide, 22.8" long and 23.8" tall (25 10 57.8 x 60.6cm). It's synthetic from SECC (Steel, Electrogalvanized, Cold-rolled, Gyre), a type of metal known for its low toll and high thermal conduction properties making it ideal for computer cases. There's also enough of plastic used, simply it's composite well with metal, so don't let that scare you off.

Front on, the Trooper looks astonishing, exist certain to cheque out the pictures for the different angles. The face carries ix metal mesh 5.25" drive bay plates and i iii.v" adapter. There are too two forepart-mounted 120mm fans that hide backside 6 of the nine v.25" mesh plates.

Beneath the 5.25" trophy is a hidden toolbox that tin can be accessed past removing the CM Storm-branded module. There'southward a pair of quick release clips on either side which must be pressed in to remove the panel. Once removed, the hidden toolbox slides out.

Straight to a higher place the 5.25" drive bays we detect the external two.5" HDD/SSD X-dock. This is similar to Thermaltake's BlacX Docking Station utilized by the recently reviewed Chaser MK-1, though that particular design supported both 3.v" and 2.5" drives. Nonetheless, we welcome the convenient access to two.5" devices.

Above the 10-dock is the Trooper'southward front I/O console, which features 2 USB two.0 and two USB iii.0 ports along with a unmarried eSATA connector and two audio jacks. In that location are also two red LEDs that indicate difficult drive action and power. The power switch is the big button with the CM Tempest logo at the very top of the I/O panel while the reset button is much smaller and off to the correct.

Integrated into the power button area are three red light indicators that lite up when the scarlet LEDs on the case fans are active. Directly below the middle light is a small button that enables and disables the lights. Either side of this push the user will notice another two buttons with plus and minus symbols that increase or decrease the internal fan speeds.

The superlative of the Trooper looks every bit impressive as the rest of the instance and is again very functional. Behind the front panel is a prophylactic handle that should brand it a bit easier to transport the 30.2lbs (13.7kgs) enclosure (that's before adding components, mind yous). Forth with the handle is a large amount of ventilation for the top-mounted 200mm fan that too features its own removable dust filter.

Moving effectually to the left side, the case door has still another grill with support for a pair of optional 120mm fans. Although this door doesn't have a window, nosotros're satisfied with the extra ventilation.

The reverse example door features the same indentation and a smaller grill.

Moving around to the rear of the Trooper, you'll find a simple setup that mounts the power supply at the bottom of the case. Above the power supply bracket are nine expansion slots and a 140mm exhaust fan.

At the very top, nosotros take some inlet and outlet holes for h2o-cooling tubes. There is a tenth expansion slot mounted vertically, which could be used for an expansion bracket with USB ports or some other connectivity.

That pretty much covers the CM Storm Trooper's external features, and then permit's move inside for a closer await...