I'm a fan girl of NZXT's towers and was planning another NZXT-based build. I decided, however, to try something new, something that would be different from my regular builds. Cue in this Cooler Master H500.
It has been nothing short of amazing. If you'd like the "short and sweet" bulleted points, then just read this part, otherwise I've written a lot of information.
- a total of up to x6 (if solely using) 120mm fans, x4 (if solely using) 140mm fans, or x3 (if solely using) 200mm fans
- a front mesh panel that captures dust; there is also an optional acrylic panel that can be used instead if preferred (more on this later)
- tempered glass panel that has two screws that cannot be taken off (so it's no longer easy to misplace). The glass panel also has hinges at the bottom so it won't accidentally fall and shatter, etc
- supports ATX, mATX, or miniATX builds
- has x2 M.2 slots, x2 3.5" hard drive bays (an additional mount can be purchased to support 4 more), and x4 2.5" SSD bays. 2 SSD's can be mounted on the right side of the case with little plugs, therefore offering a tool-less assembly). The HDD drive bay can also be removed if you just plan on only using the 2 SSD mounts
- in regards to cable management, there is a vertical bar with rubberized routing holes. This is removable if you prefer a more spacious build
- x2 200mm CoolerMaster MasterFan 200R RGB fans installed in the front panel and 1 generic 120mm fan
- a removable PSU cover
- 3 dust filter covers (for the top, front and bottom of the case)
- a vertical GPU mount (riser cable not included)
- multiple zip ties in order to manage the cables inside (among other small things)
So, I won't be able to touch on everything, as I don't use the vertical GPU mount for starters, but I can give insight on other aspects. First off, this case comes with many fan placement options. For reference, I have x2 120mm fans up top, x1 120mm fan in the back, and x2 200mm fans up front. I currently have Corsair SP LL120 RGB's and they work great paired with the CoolerMaster fans. Side note, if you are in the market for the Corsair SP LL120 RGB's and would like it to pulse, breath, or mimic the 200mm fans, then you'll need to purchase the CORSAIR iCUE Commander PRO Controller.
Anyway, the case does come with a handy magnetic dust filter for the top of the case (fan area). 1 month later and I can tell that it is definitely doing its job. The front of the case has another mesh like structure and this allows for better airflow throughout the case. My build has been averaging 25-30C on idle with a max of 50C on high detailed games. Now, I have tried the acrylic panel and found that my temperatures, unsurprisingly, do go up: 30-45C on idle and 50-65C on load. It's not terrible temps but, while the acrylic does look cleaner, keep in mind that you're swapping temperatures for aesthetics.
The side tempered glass panel is another nice aspect of the H500. It's not clear like NZXT's line, but I would say it's around 40-50% tint, perhaps even 30%. It's definitely on the dark side. I didn't realise how tinted it would be, but it honestly looks amazing. Due to the 'heavier' tint, the cables inside are pretty much invisible and the RGB/lightning looks like its coming through the darkness. Honestly, it looks great and is definitely something I didn't know I wanted for my build.
The x2 200mm fan does deserve a mention as well, but this one's not as positive. It could be the lack of experience with RGB fans, but the cables were confusing as heck to pair with respective wires. I've didn't even spend as much time on the rest of the build combined compared to the fan wires themselves. I'm not going to lie when I say I cried a little out of frustration. The instructions aren't very helpful. If I remember correctly, the RGB cables were pinned into cables that were unnecessary towards the whole build. Figuring out that cable was not necessary took an amazingly stupid amount of time. After taking out the unnecessary cables and then figuring out the appropriate ones, it was smooth sailing after that. I'm not sure why it's become the new standard, but pictorial instructions are ridiculous. I can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone just starting out.
Cable management wise, there's really not much to say. It's superb and there's nothing difficult about it. You'll definitely need more zip ties than provided if you want a cleaner look. Also, the provided ties are surprisingly very thin so may snap easily if you stress it enough. There are notches on the cable side of the tower that allow you to zip tie cables on. Make sure to not zip tie in the panel grooves though. The rubberized routing holes and removable vertical bar is also appreciated.
Some small thing that don't really detract but should be mentioned: if you're not going to fill the inside of this case, then be prepared to hear A LOT of air being pushed around. I have a lot of open space and it does sound cavernous. Also, this case is very much on the heavy side. It weighs a whopping 23.2lbs, maybe 30lbs+ after all the components are installed, compared to NZXT's 17.9lbs.
If you've stuck it out and read through my long speech, then in short I highly recommend this case. I've been very pleased with it and I'm glad I took a chance. Like a lot of people have been saying, don't go for any other H500 (for example, H500P or H500M). Just stick with the H500-NO SUFFIX. It is Cooler Master's best - as of right now - and pretty much offers everything required for a high end build. This is a great starter case, offering excellent airflow and enough space to experiment around with. You won't be disappointed.
| Brand | Cooler Master |
|---|---|
| Item model number | MCM-H500-IGNN-S00 |
| Item Weight | 20.3 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 22.4 x 12.2 x 23.9 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 22.4 x 12.2 x 23.9 inches |
| Color | Black |
| Manufacturer | Cooler Master |
| ASIN | B07DRVHBWK |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | June 15, 2018 |
