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Cooler Master Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1 E-mail
Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases
Written by David Ramsey   
Friday, 15 April 2011
Table of Contents: Page Index
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1
Closer Look: Exterior
Detailed Exterior Features
Closer Look: Interior
Detailed Interior Features
Building a System
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Page 1 of 7

Cooler Master Storm Enforcer Review

Manufacturer: Cooler Master Ltd., Inc.
Product Name: Storm Enforcer
Model Number: SGC-1000-KWN1
Price As Tested: $89.99 (Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article was provided by Cooler Master.

Cooler Master cases have garnered a well-earned reputation for quality and design innovation. Their Cosmos and H.A.F. series have won praise from enthusiasts around the world, and their "Storm" series of cases has shown that "budget" doesn't have to mean "cheap". The Cooler Master Storm Enforcer is the newest member of the Storm line, bringing internal USB 3.0 support and a configurable interior to the game. Benchmark Reviews checks out this new chassis in this review.

Every computer needs a case, and the market these days offer the enthusiast more choices than ever, ranging from no-name pot metal cases for $30 or less to crafted aluminum and carbon fiber marvels costing hundreds of dollars.

Cooler Master made their reputation in the case market, starting with high-end all-aluminum cases and gradually introducing less-expensive but still impressive cases such as their acclaimed "HAF" (High Air Flow" series. Benchmark Reviews has reviewed a number of Cooler Master cases over the years and have found them to be solid, often exceptional products.

Cooler Master's "Storm" series of chassis is aimed at "enthusiasts and budget-conscious gamers", according to Cooler Master. The Enforcer joins the existing Storm Sniper, Storm Sniper Black, and Storm Scout as the newest member of the Storm mid-tower line, and brings some new features to the game as well.

cooler_master_storm_enforcer_front.jpg

Storm Enforcer Features

  • Futuristic design with clean lines and aggressive styling
  • Excellent hear dissipation with meshed front, top, and bottom
  • Dust-filtered air intakes
  • Modular interior
  • Liquid cooling ready
  • Internal USB 3.0 connector
  • Storm Guard anti-theft system
  • Cable management features

SGC-1000-KWN1 Specifications

Material Steel body, ABS plastic bezel
Color Black with full black interior
Dimensions (W)9" x (H)19" x (D)20.6"
Weight 19.5lbs
Slots 7 + 1
Fans 2x200mm (1 included), 1x120mm
3.5" bays 4 + 2
5.25" bays 4
2.5" bays 2
USB connectors 2 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0
Motherboard size ATX, mATX
Max. CPU cooler height 175mm

Let's take a look at this new Storm case in the next section.


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Comments 

 
# RE: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1 — Robert johnson 2011-04-12 23:16
The fact that you have to remove one of the HD trays to make room for an AMD 6990 video cards is a very bad set back for this chassis
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# RE: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1 — Nicholas Hughes 2011-04-13 04:57
Don't be silly,its a budget case for a budget cash builder,who is hardly likely to splurge that ridiculous amount on a GFX card are they!!!
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# dramsey@neko.com — David Ramsey 2011-04-13 07:50
No, Robert, that's a big win for the case. Very few mid-tower cases will handle a 6990 (I'm sure there are one or two, but I can't think of one off the top of my head). Having the option to do this-- especially at this price level-- is a good thing.
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# No fan, no buy — Ray 2011-04-13 08:40
Not including that top fan will hurt this case. I would not buy this case and instead get the scout
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# What are you Smoking CM. — Enigma8750 CMSSC Supreme Commander 2011-04-13 19:42
okay did they legalize controlled substances in your neck of the woods. IT looks like the Storm Scout when out and got Plastered drunk and went home with an Apevia. I am sure that Storm Scout thought he was home free but now he has to live with this Robo Cop looking Ford Taurus Case. Please.. If this is supposed to be the replacement for the Storm Scout you are so High that you need Rehab. This is an Ugly case and the last case I saw that I liked with doors was the Stacker.
Come one guys. Redo the JERRY CAN looking Storm Scout. Bigger insides by 2 inches up and across and i inch wider. A hot plugged E Sata Bay and USB 3.
That is all.
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# Will a Sapphire 6970 fit? — Crux777 2011-05-01 15:06
I really like this case but was wondering if a Sapphire 6970 will fit in this case without the removal of the 2.5 inch HDD cage ?
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# RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit? — David Ramsey 2011-05-01 16:59
You mean removal of the 3.5" HDD cage? Sadly, no. The Sapphire 6970 is a standard 6970 reference design, which means it's 12" long, and as the review notes, there's only 11 1/4" inches of room with the HDD cage in place.
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# RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit — Crux777 2011-05-02 05:48
Sorry, yes, 3.5 inch cage . Pity , Cooler Master should really extend the depth of the Enforcer by a few inches to cater for these newer cards. Thanks David.
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# RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit — Crux777 2011-05-02 05:55
Actaully I just measured the card now. It is 274mm without the mounting plate.If you count the mounting plate it is 284 mm...???
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# RE: RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit — David Ramsey 2011-05-02 08:08
Looks as if I might have actually quoted some manufacturer's box dimensions rather than the card dimensions. I don't have a 6970 here to measure, but based on your measurements it seems as if it would fit just fine.
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# RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit — Crux777 2011-05-02 08:59
Hello David, if you have access to an Enforcer chassis can you measure the length from the point where the mounting plate fits in the slot upto the inserted 3.5" HDD cage ?
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# RE: RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit — David Ramsey 2011-05-02 09:04
I already did-- look at the little chart at the bottom of the "Detailed Interior Features" page. It was 11.25".
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# RE: RE: RE: Will a Sapphire 6970 fit — Crux777 2011-05-02 10:36
Are you certain , as the CM Storm web page says:
Maximum Compatibility VGA card length: 270mm (with HDD cage)
390mm (without HDD cage)
##cmstorm.com/en/products/chassis/enforcer/
Is there any way you you get sombody to test a saphhire 6970 in an enforcer chassis with the 3.5" HDD cage?
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# The Storm Scout dimentions. — Enigma8750 2011-05-02 10:39
You have only 10 inches of space from for a video card in a Storm Scout. The Scouts Drive bays are not removable though many of us Mod them.

Enigma8750.. Commander of the Cooler Master Storm Scout Club.
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# motherboards — philip 2011-07-06 01:33
will this fit most mother boards? I'm doing my first build and i want to build a good gaming pc, is this case right for that?
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# RE: motherboards — David Ramsey 2011-07-06 07:45
This is an excellent case for a first build. It will accommodate motherboards up to standard ATX size, but larger server-size or XL-ATX / extended ATX motherboards will not fit.
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# Looks nice — ric 2011-10-11 00:37
Thank you for the in depth review, it's very very very helpful.

This case looks nice and I think it will be plenty configurable enough for my needs and budget. I like the look of the case as well and it's size, not very big like the A380 I was thinking of getting.


Questions:
1. Is the front fan quiet?
2. Can you recommend any alternative front fan I can use that has LED and speed control?

Thanks
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# RE: Looks nice — David Ramsey 2011-10-11 07:54
Yes, the 200mm front fan is very quiet.

There are very few 200mm fans available as separate items, and I don't know of any with integrated speed controllers. You'd have to use a fan controller that fits in a drive bay, and plug the fan into that.
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