Cooler Master Storm Sniper Case Review

Interior Impressions
Once we cracked open the side panel (which is unfortunately not attached with thumb screws), we were immediately impressed with the spaciousness to be found in the Storm Sniper. Although the case does not support E-ATX motherboards, there is plenty of front-to-back space for even the longest video cards.


Five hard drives can be installed in the Storm Sniper using removable drive caddies. Although the cadies make for quick removal, they do not dock into any sort of hot-swap adapter; cabling needs to be connected normally from the other side of the case.


Much like the SilverStone Fortress FT01 that we recently reviewed, the Sniper employs push-button optical drive mounting. This is a fantastic feature that we wish all cases had; it really makes installing 5.25 inch devices a snap and there is no need to fumble with “those little screws” that everyone hates so much.

Basically, all you have to do is insert your drive and push down the button to secure it in place. Talk about simple.


Cooler Master tapes a paper template to the motherboard tray to help buyers identify the standoff locations for ATX and MATX boards. Cut-outs for the mounting holes allow the installer to quickly install the standoffs and then remove the template but we would much rather have seen a stamped motherboard tray just in case this template is somehow lost.


As we alluded to earlier, the Sniper includes a very unique security feature dubbed “StormGuard”. It simply allows USB peripherals to be wrapped through the openings to “securely” fasten them to your PC. Basically, with this you won't have to worry that an unsavoury character at a LAN party will be able to easily snag your precious G15 keyboard or gaming mouse while you take a bathroom break. Since this case is definitely tailored for transport to LAN parties, we believe this is a very useful feature but remember; if someone wants to steal your hardware badly enough, this won’t stop them. None the less, it is a good deterrent that surely makes it a difficult task.


Cooler Master provides a good sized stamped vent opening for PSUs with bottom mounted fans, and two padded spacing strips that keep the PSU from sitting directly on the metal floor of the case.

Just in front of the PSU is an optional 140mm fan mounting location. The mounting bracket included can secure a 140mm fan in place without using any screws, but mounting holes are included for the more common 120mm fan varieties. This also makes for a potential water cooling radiator mounting location. Provided a long PSU isn’t utilized, a single 120mm radiator could be mounted here as pictured.