| CM Storm Trooper Computer Case |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases | |
| Written by David Ramsey | |
| Tuesday, 27 September 2011 | |
|
Page 2 of 7
Closer Look: ExteriorCooler Master's Storm line of cases has always used military-sounding names like "Scout", "Sniper", and "Enforcer". That said, the use of "Trooper" is perhaps unfortunate due to the negative connotations of "Storm Trooper".
The Storm Trooper is a very large case. While the interior's about the size of the HAF series, represented here by the HAF 932 AMD Edition to the right, the top is several inches taller, and it's much larger than a mid-tower case like the Corsair Carbide 400R on the left. As a steel-bodied full tower case, it's no lightweight, coming in at just over 30 pounds empty. While not quite as dramatically styled as Cooler Master's HAF series cases, it still has presence.
Looking at the left side of the case, we can see the handle on top and the ventilation panel in the side. The handle is metal with a ridged rubber underside, and is attached directly to the steel frame of the case, so you can use it to lift even a fully loaded system: Cooler Master says the handle's good for 95 pounds! Although it's not obvious in this image, there's a second handle at the rear of the case you can slip your hand into. The side panel has internal mounting points for two 120mm fans.
At the rear of the case we see the tab for the pull-out filter for the top 200mm fan (which is odd, since the fan blows out through the filter), three grommetted holes for water cooling hoses, a 140mm exhaust fan, nine card slots, Cooler Master's cable security slot (above the card slots in this image), and the mounting area for the power supply. You can remove the cable security device from the extra slot and use it instead to mount things like fan and light controllers without taking up a motherboard slot position. At the far left of this image you can see a slot in the very top of the case-- this is the secondary handle you can slip your hand into to use in conjunction with the top handle. As with the top handle, the rear handle is steel and connected directly to the steel case chassis.
The right side of the case is similar to the left side, although the meshed area is smaller. The "indented" side of the case will provide extra room for cables on the back side of the motherboard tray.
At the front of the case are nine 5.25" bay covers, although only the top three are actually available for 5.25" devices in the standard configuration. The lower six bays are occupied by two 3.5" drive cages, but you can remove one or both of the cages to free up more 5.25" bays. Note that the bottom bay cover has a removable panel for 3.5" devices.
Let's take a closer look at the details of the exterior in the next section.
|
|
Comments
I also noticed a lot of these reviews focus on the internals of the case but not much on the usability from a users perspective. Its like reviewing a house based on how well an electrician can run wires but not on how someone will live in the house.
What do you want to see more of in terms of usability?
When I say user, I mean use of the computer not the building of it. The use of it for what it is, like plugging in cameras or external drives or web cams, printers, CD's or DVD's or Blu Rays. Etc. Thats the use of the computer. Running wires, installing hard drives, adding memory internally are the building of it but not the use.
If you follow me on the above then I can continue, I personally use a computer more technical than most. I have some bare drives which I put in an external case and then plug into either an e-sata or usb port. For me, for this use, it would be nice just to slide the drive into some bay and bypass the external case. For a webcam, a USB plug in the back would be best as I want the wire to be hidden. For temporary connections like plugging in a camera to transfer pictures - a plug close to the bottom of the case would be best because I will likely place the camera on the desk next to the computer. It would be nice if the USB plugs were flush mounted as opposed to being in some kind of "cave" because then I don't have much trouble making the connection. Lining the USB plugs along a vertical edge of the case might be a good idea.
Its that kind of usability I am referring to.
There are other factors as well, should this case be on the floor or on the desk and if on the desk can we lay it down or stand it up? Then based on that, what is the best placement of power button and USB ports and maybe a headphone jack as my daughter sometimes likes ot listen to music and its a pain to have to plug a temp headphone into the back.
##newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994062
Ditto for USB connectors in a position other than the top of the case, etc. Of course if you can find a mid-tower case with these characteristics, that might make more sense for you than buying a full tower case like this one.
its like the HAF X CM-Stormed in a cool way!
it seems like the top can fit 2x140mm's too
can the left side panel mount 2x120mm's for exhaust?
if u wont change the hard drive cage orientation, can u put fans in there
for crossflow?
can u put 5.25" bays sideways too ?
Like I mean, by the end of 2012 when most cases will have USB 3.0 as their main standard and cases will be coming with 4 USB 3.0 instead of the 2 3.0 and 2 2.1 ports right now; will Cooler Master supply us with something to upgrade?
Thanks.
A minor gripe admittedly, but still one worth considering.
It also begs the question - get this case; or wait until 2012 when the (inevitable) USB 3.0 revision one comes out?
Otherwise, it's a good case ... hmm.
#i.neoseeker.com/neo_image/193001/article/CoolerMaster_Storm_T rooper/Trooper%2011.jpg
It's noteworthy that other companies (such as Corsair) do sell USB 3.0 upgrade kits for their cases.
It's been almost two years since the introduction of SuperSpeed USB 3.0, and we're only just starting to see motherboards with native USB 3.0 headers. There are very few USB 3.0 devices as yet. I think the two font connectors on the Storm Trooper will suffice for many years to come. After all, how many USB 3.0 devices do you think you'd ever have plugged into the front of the case at once? I've never had more than two USB 2.0 devices!
Although the market for USB 3.0 devices is expected to explode by 2013. Oh well ... I'm looking for a case that will last 3-4 years. This so far has been the most attractive option to suit my needs that I have seen so far.
After reading your fine review and several others, I'm very strongly leaning towards getting this case.
Budget - up to $350
Need:
- Full tower case
- Lots of room to work inside (expected of any full tower)
- USB 3.0 support
- Good cable management
- Excellent thermal performance (and room for more fans)
- Something that I can move around with a lot; I though about aluminum for that reason
I'm aiming to have this case last me 4-5 years. I also have thought in a couple years of upgrading to water cooling.
Build quality of this case seems pretty solid. Of all the cases released so far, this is the one that seems to fit the bill the closest.
can anyone tell me where is the power led wire is located on the cm storm trooper? unable to locate and/or find it. found the reset wire, power wire, and ide wire but not the power led wire. thanks