Cooler Master Storm Sniper Case Review

Installation


We started by installing the PSU, which went without a hitch which is a departure from some cases where we have had to really fight to install this one component. The opening at the bottom of the motherboard tray allows PSU leads to run in less conspicuous locations and keeps them out of the bottom of the case. From this point you are able to run the wires behind the motherboard tray which is definitely a plus considering the bottom-mounted PSU.


Due to the shear volume of cables coming out of that top panel, it is next to impossible to get them under control. Indeed, we did our best with the huge mess of header leads, but no quantity of zip-ties could completely remedy the rat’s nest we had to deal with behind the drive bays.


Installing the motherboard was a piece of cake. Although the motherboard tray is not removable, the case is so spacious that we had no difficulty getting it in place. The motherboard headers were also able to conveniently route through the tray opening to the correct board location.

Although tool-less installation is a positive thing, we found the expansion bracket retention clips to be a bit lacking. Once we snapped them in place, the video card still moved around a bit too much for our liking. Sometimes some good old case screws can go a long way, but the clips are definitely a positive thing if you are constantly swapping out video cards.


Installing the hard drive into a caddy was a piece of cake. The tool-less theme continues here with threadless posts that simply snap into place. They seemed to hold the drive firmly enough in place as the rubber washers provided a bit of extra grip.