Cooler Master Storm Scout Mid-Tower Case Review

Exterior Impressions pg.2


From the front, you’ll notice that the Storm Scout’s removable front panel is 100% metal mesh from top to bottom. Behind the mesh is a foam filter intended to reduce the amount of dust pulled into the case due to its overall negative internal pressure. We’ll take a closer look at the removable front panel later in the “Internal Impressions” section when we start to tear down the case.

A total of five 5.25 inch expansion bays can be found at the front of the Storm Scout. One of these five can be converted into a 3.5 inch external bay for devices such as floppy drives and card readers. A mesh bezel and internal bracket is included with the accessories for this purpose. The bottom third of the case is a single piece of mesh protecting the large 140mm intake fan that we’ll take a closer look at shortly.


When Cooler Master spoke to gamers about what was most important in a LAN gaming enclosure, portability was at the top of the list. Like the Storm Sniper, the Storm Scout’s top is dominated by a large carrying handle. Although it appears to be constructed of plastic, there is actually thick steel beneath that is securely fastened to the chassis. The handle has a very sturdy feel to it and we’re very confident that even a fully decked out rig can be safely carried by it. This is one of the key features the Scout brings to the LAN gaming crowd, and we’re very pleased with their implementation of it.


Continuing at the top of the Scout, we find a fully featured front I/O panel with no fewer than four USB headers, the essential audio jacks and an eSATA port. Although there are plenty of headers, we would have preferred to see internal wiring clutter reduced by ditching the eSATA port. Even four USB ports is a bit excessive. Most modern motherboards include a rear eSATA connector on the board itself, and if so desired, a break-out expansion panel can also be used. A Firewire port is not included on the Scout’s front panel, but considering how few individuals actually need one, this is definitely a forgivable omission.

The large square button is the system power switch, and the smaller circular one is the reset switch. The reset switch is small and recessed so that it cannot be pressed accidentally. You’ll have to press it with a pencil or very intentionally with your finger to actually trip it. The circular button just above the audio connectors is actually the LED on/off switch. Pressing this button toggles the red LEDs on and off of the front intake and rear exhaust fans. This is a handy feature as not everyone is crazy about LED fans.


Farther toward the rear of the case, we find a round 140mm exhaust grille for the internal top mounted fan. You’ll notice that Cooler Master included mounting holes for both 120mm and 140mm exhaust fans. This is a perfect feature as there is a very limited selection of 140mm fans on the market today and it gives buyers the option of swapping it out for a higher-flow 120mm without having to modify anything is a nice touch.

We should mention that although there are screws holding on the top plastic panel, it isn’t easy to remove. The plastic top snaps into place with clips, and we didn’t want to risk breaking them. Thankfully, buyers have almost no reason to want to remove the top panel since Cooler Master included fan mounting holes that are 100% accessible with the top cover in place.

Internal watercooling options at the top of the Scout are a ‘no-go’ unfortunately. Although a 120mm radiator should be able to mount, there is very little clearance above the motherboard as you’ll see shortly. In contrast, the Storm Sniper could accommodate a full-sized double radiator at the top of the case.


At the bottom of the case, we find a square shaped honey-comb intake grille for PSUs with 120mm or 140mm fans. Unfortunately, the grille is not very long and does not extend very far toward the front of the case so some longer PSUs may not have their fans line up to this grille once installed in the Scout. Honestly, we’re not quite sure why Cooler Master didn’t extend this a little farther to ensure that higher end PSUs breathe easy. As mentioned earlier, any PSU can be mounted upside-down if this is an issue, but will intake warmer air from within the case.

One feature that we miss in the Scout is retractable feet. Although they are not really necessary with a shorter case like the Scout, they do provide a bit of extra stability and improve the appearance of the case.


The windowed side-panel of the Scout is very solidly constructed. Numerous removable plastic rivets hold the acrylic window to the case, which is ideal if someone were interested in replacing the acrylic. The optional 120mm fans mount to the window using simple self-tapping fan screws. Since the fan screws tap into the fan and not the window, there is no risk of cracking or damaging the window by installing and removing fans multiple times.

As far as the tint is concerned, it is not very dark, and does not appear to be a film that can be scratched or removed. It appears that the acrylic itself was made with that level of tint in the plastic.

About the only negative thing we can say about the side window is that the fan grille does impede the view of internal components; even for those who don’t plan to install a fan in this location.