| Cooler Master Centurion 534 | ||
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Product: Cooler Master Centurion 534 For the last couple of years, the Centurion line of cases has offered a great deal of bang for the buck. The Centurion 5 is one of the few cases below $50 that offer most of the features that many of the $100+ cases offer. Cooler Master recently released the Centurion 534, which they hope will live up to the reputation of the Centurion cases.
Specs:
Installation: Installing all of the components into the Centurion 534 case was extremely easy due to the tool-less assembly that Cooler Master offers on almost all of their cases. Within 10 minutes I had everything installed. I was easily able to shave five minutes off the usual install time.
One thing that I noticed right away is that the Centurion 534 case lacks the sharp edges that most other cases have. This is a nice feature because I usually end up getting a few minor cuts while I am installing all the components into the case. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised when I saw that the 534 didn’t have a removable motherboard tray. While this was once a feature included in only the most expensive cases, the removable motherboard tray has worked its way down to the less expensive cases as well. Even the MGE Ninja 2 had a removable motherboard tray. While this feature isn’t really a necessity, it still makes installing and upgrading your computer components a lot easier. When I was finished installing all of my components, I noticed how easily the case showed fingerprints. It must have been the paint and finish that Cooler Master chose to use on the case because none of my other cases showed fingerprints as much as the Centurion 534 did. Centurion 534:
Following with the tradition of the Centurion series, the 534 uses chassis built with SECC steel and an aluminum bezel. Considering that almost all aluminum cases cost at least $100, this type of construction helps keep the Centurion 534 more affordable for PC builders on a budget. It also offers a much better option than the typical steel case which usually has a plastic faceplate.
As nice as the front bezel was, I was a little let down when I saw that it was still attached to the rest of the case with plastic clips. While I never really had a problem with the plastic clips breaking, the plastic clips don’t really seem to be in line with the quality of the rest of the case. Hopefully Cooler Master will find a better way for the next Centurion case. I have worked with the Centurion 5 in the past and one of the first things I noticed about the Centurion 534 is the way that the bezel is designed. Typically the bezel of the Centurion cases was either completely or partially made out of mesh. While the mesh still is present, Cooler Master opted to place it along the left and right sides of the bezel and place the brushed aluminum in the center. When I first received the case, I thought that the mesh strips were open all the way up. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that only the bottom half of the mesh was open. The upper half was blocked by the steel of the case. At first, I was a little concerned about the cooling ability of the 534 based on experience from other cases that drew in air indirectly. However, to my surprise, I did not notice any difference in my temperatures once I got everything transferred into the case. One fairly unique thing that seems to be present in almost every new case that Cooler Master releases is the spot for the rear exhaust fan. The rear fan grill is designed so that you can use an 80, 92, or 120mm fan for exhaust. I have yet to see another manufacturer offer this type of arrangement.
The one thing I didn’t like about the Centurion 534 is the lack of external 3.5 inch drive bays. While these bays are typically aren’t occupied by floppy drives anymore, there are many other devices that use them. Many fan and light controllers as well as media card readers use the 3.5 inch bay. Conclusion The Centurion 534 is no exception from the fine line of Centurion cases. It is a sturdy case and is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a higher quality steel case. The case offers almost everything that computer enthusiast demand in a case while remaining relatively inexpensive. Cooler Master defiantly didn’t disappoint with the release of this case. Maximum CPU gives the 4.5 / 5
Pros: + Sturdy Cons: - No removable motherboard tray |
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