Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Case Review

[AkG]

Cooling Performance

Cooling Performance

Video Cooling Performance

<img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/cases/Elite430/CoolerMaster_Elite430_gpu_perf.jpg" border="0" alt="" />
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We are not in the least bit surprised that this case can outperform other mit tower cases in its price range. The fact of the matter is the more free flowing drive cage design of the Elite 430 is simply a better design. However, the other cases sdo allow for a neater install and some of the precious cool air from the front intake is most likely getting hung up on the clutter that accompanies no cable routing options.

CPU Cooling Performance

<img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/cases/Elite430/CoolerMaster_Elite430_cpu_perf.jpg" border="0" alt="" />​

Once again the design and engineering that went into this case simply makes it better than the competition. We could have easily added in another dozen mid tower cases and we doubt that many would have come close to its performance.

 

[AkG]

Conclusion

Conclusion

We’re sure not too many people reading this article will have much interest in computer cases that cost below $60 but that’s simply because this category has been left nearly barren when it comes to quality and features. Somehow though, Cooler Master has effectively released a product that turns the entire lower-end enclosure market on its head. A quick glance at the Elite 430’s direct competitors reveals a list of bland, windowless and featureless cases which do nothing other than to make this enclosure look like a diamond in the rough.

Nearly everything about this newest iteration of the Elite family makes us wonder how it can retail for a sub-$60 price. It features tool-less drive installation, more graphics card space than any ATX-sized case should rightfully have and a sensible layout that aides in an easy installation process. One thing that particularly suck in our minds was how good Cooler Master’s pint sized case looked with an all-black interior. It also routinely snubs higher-end cases in the cooling department and makes Antec’s much-loved $80 Sonata Pro look like an overpriced lump of coal.

Unfortunately while its value is undeniable, the Cooler Master Elite 430 will still remind you of its budget-friendly roots all too often. The expansion slot covers and water cooling holes alone should be taken as lessons of how NOT to go about things since they both represent lessons in frustration. Cable routing is another area where we find the 430 to be sorely lacking since it simply doesn’t offer any options for a clean installation without having to resort to aftermarket tie-downs. Finally, there was the odd game of Russian Roulette the engineers seemed to be playing with dust filters. Some locations had them while others didn’t.

Hitting the nail on the head in the low-end enclosure market seemed to have been next to impossible even though there has been no lack of trying by various manufacturers. This case on the other hand was able to impress us at every turn due to the fact that it is the antithesis for what many have come to expect from an inexpensive product. Even with the few negative points we could find, the Cooler Master Elite 430 is in our opinion one of the best values currently on the market if you are looking for a sub-$100 case.


Pros

- All black interior
- very few sharp edges
- Some filters on some fan ports
- Tool-less installation for hard drives and Optical drives
- Can accommodate long GPU’s
- CPU cooler backplate cut out in motherboard


Cons

- peripheral slot covers not full removed
- water cooling holes not fully removed or grommeted
- filters are not on all fan ports, including none on the front intake
- filter removal is not an easy task without damaging the filters
- only comes with 1 fan
- no cable routing features
- small power and reset buttons
- obvious specification errors on box

<img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/cases/Elite430/DGV.gif" border="0" alt="" />


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