Cooler Master Ammo 533 Case
By Clint ~ January 3rd, 2006. Filed under: Cases, Reviews.
Product: Cooler Master Ammo 533
MSRP: $74.99
Supplier: Cooler Master
Author: Nick
Over the years, Cooler Master has released several cases that were well received by computers enthusiasts every where. Their cases have been both innovative and unique. Today we will look at Cooler Master’s Ammo 533 case, which will hopefully be no exception.
Specifications:
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Packaging:
Installation:
Installation of all the components into the Ammo 533 was extremely easy. The installation process was made so much easier by the almost totally screwless design of the Ammo 533. The only things requiring screws to install were the motherboard, power supply, and side panels.
The Ammo 533:
The Ammo 533 is definitely well designed in terms of airflow. With just a 120 mm fan, my processor maintained a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and an ambient temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. These are the same temperatures that I was able to achieve with five 80 mm fans in my Chieftec Dragon case.
The thing that surprised me the most was the fact that Cooler Master included a fan filter on the front fan. This is defiantly something that most other case manufacturers don’t include with their cases. While fan filters do generally keep the inside of the case cleaner, they also require a regular cleaning. However, cleaning the fan filters on the Ammo 533 was fairly simple due to the filter being right behind the mesh. All I had to do to clean the filters was vacuum the front of the case.
Another nice feature of the Ammo 533 case is the built-in handle for carrying the case. The handle is made out of a nylon strap and has a comfortable rubber grip. At first I was a little worried about how sturdy the handle was going to be. However, I was reassured after inspecting the design of the handle. The handle was an extremely smart move when designing a case for gamers who often times attend LAN parties on a regular basis.
One of the most unique things about the case is the position of the power and reset buttons. The buttons are along the front edge off of the top panel and covered by a clear plastic tab. I found the buttons to be a lot easier to press when the case was on the floor. However, this also made the buttons a lot harder to press when the case was up on a table or desk and I was sitting down.
The thing I disliked the most about the Ammo 533 was its steel construction. Even with the built in carrying handle, it was at times cumbersome to carry around. Just to give everyone a better idea of what I am talking about, the Ammo weighs in at 22lbs while my aluminum Chieftec Dragon weighs in at only 10lbs. However, if the Ammo 533 was constructed out of aluminum, the case might have not been strong enough to support the weight of the components when carried by the handle.
The only feature the Ammo 533 was missing was a removable motherboard tray. This is not really a necessity for me when looking for a case but it is a nice feature to have.
Conclusion:
Cooler Master defiantly did a good job when designing the Ammo 533. Installation of all the components was extremely easy due to the almost screwless design and the cooling system is unlike any other case I have used. The only major downfall of the case is its steel construction which can make the case quiet cumbersome at times. However, with addition of the built-in handle, the Ammo 533 is a case that is well suited for any hardcore gamer/overclocker.
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Maximum CPU 4.5/5 |
Pros:
+ Unique look
+ Screwless installation.
+ Excellent airflow
+ Built in carrying handle
+ Fan filter included
Cons:
- Weight
- No removable motherboard tray
