|
CoolerMaster Centurion 590
Take it off, take it all off
Within these cardboard confines is this evening’s excitement! While the packaging is damaged from it’s journey over the Pacific and storage at the Techware Labs offices, the contents are in perfect shape. With a little more than an inch of padding on each side, the box and the foam contained within performed brilliantly at protecting the jet-black beauty.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Free from plastic wrap, the case finally gets a chance to breathe. The first thing I noticed was the strikingly attractive front panel of the Centurion that, like the Roman officer it was named for, commands attention. The drive bay covers are constructed of a metal mesh with thin pieces of black foam behind them, creating the appearance of a solid surface that reveals some transparency upon closer inspection. There are a total of nine drive bay covers, one of them sporting the Centurion logo and one designed to accommodate a 3.5” external device such as a fan controller, memory card reader or, if you’re still stuck in 1997, a floppy drive.
 |
 |
First Impressions
The Centurion sports nine 5.25” external drive bays, four of which are usable as 3.5” internal bays. Our test unit came with two 120 MM, 1200 RPM fans, one of them rear-mounted and one of them LED lit on the front. The case also featured a semi-screwless design and, while not supplied, a design that allowed the power supply to be installed on the bottom of the case. At first look the best word that comes to mind for describing the Centurion 590 is “tasteful”.
With all of its style and class, even the most hardcore modders would appreciate the Centurion. Overclockers can rejoice in the pre cut holes with grommets in the rear designed to accommodate a liquid cooling setup. If the very capable fans included with the case aren’t cool enough, you can squeeze another five or six fans onto the top, bottom, sides or rear of the case.
 |
 |
Coolermaster's website shows us that modders and overclockers can embrace the Centurion 590's ability to let its hair down and be wild when it needs to be. |
|
Although it passes the 10-foot test with flying colors, a closer look reveals some of the Centurion’s build quality issues. One of the panels didn’t fit flush with the back of the case and I was not impressed with some of the spot welds and rivets used in its construction. While this is nothing more than a nitpick, there some overspray inside the case and on the backside of the side panels.
 |
 |
With all the praise comes some criticisim. Poor panel fitment and ugly overspray are not expected from a pro like Coolermaster. |
|
REALTIME PRICING