March 07, 2010
Cooler Master Elite 310 ATX, MATX Mid Tower Case with Window RC-310-OWN1-GP
Posted by: kk : Category: Computer Components
- Front vent provides superior ventilation to maintain constant cooling.
- I/O panel provides easy access for users.
- Metallic Color front panel w/transparent acrylic side window.
- Security lock hole for higher security.
- Rear 120 mm fan provides the best cooling solution.
Product Description
Elite 310 (RC-310) is a mid-tower that accommodates micro-ATX and ATX motherboards, built with a modern black design body and multi-color frame on the front panel. This chassis maintains Elite’s pedigree of compact-sized and quality build that would look great in any space. To express more character to the product, Elite 310 will have multi-color selections demanding for the customer in the future release.
Cooler Master Elite 310 ATX, MATX Mid Tower Case with Window RC-310-OWN1-GP
March 7th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Pros:
The exceedingly low price. While nice and more feature rich (read: tool-less) towers exists, they often go for double, triple and quadruple the price.
Lots of expansion slots
Side window is nice touch
HD audio support
120 mm fan slots (front, side) rather than 92 or 80 mm fan slots (larger fans move more air with fewer rotations, resulting in lower energy costs and less heat generated)
Comes with one 120 mm fan which blows around 44 CFM
Nice looking color scheme
Cons:
Not tool-less
No features for wire management
No front firewire (minor for vast majority of people)
PCI covers are attached by single use metal connector
Other:
Steel pressure pads for hard drives
Power supply slot is located on top rather than bottom
Only three fan slots, no ceiling fan slot
Due to position of hard drive slots get right angle SATA cables rather than flat SATA cables but this common in many cases today
Ending Thoughts:
Overall, I’m exceedingly pleased with this case.
Running:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 Processor
4 Gig DDR2
PNY VCG98GTXPXPB Geforce 9800 GTX+ 512MB PCI-Express Graphic Card
2x Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD10EADS
Zalman CNPS9500 AT 92mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan with Heatsink
1xSilverStone FN121 Case Fan with 120mm 9 blades 26.6 Db(A) – Retail
1xCooler Master 120mm Case Fan – (R4-C2R-20AC-GP)
Running system temperature 38C on idle, 45C on load
Rating: 5 / 5
March 7th, 2010 at 5:59 am
I was going to buy a new Alienware, but now that Dell has completely ruined them, I decided to build a new system in my old Alienware Predator case. But the old Alienware was still working great, so I needed to move the guts to a new case. This case seemed ridiculously cheap, but it received good reviews, so I figured what the heck, risk $40. Bottom line, this case is GREAT! Both side panels remove with just two thumb screws each. Someone had complained that there were no rails for the optical drives, but since both side panels come off you can put the screws in easily. Hard drives are a breeze too, with screws on just one side.
Perhaps one of the best things, and unexpected for a case at this price, was TONS of fasteners. Motherboard standoffs, motherboard screws, hard drive screws, optical drive screws, expansion card screws, more than enough of each.
There was one low profile fan in the back of the case, and I moved this to the front and installed a full size fan with a grill in the back, and a third fan on the side panel.
The case is solid and looks good. I guess my only complaint would be the kind of dorky CoolerMaster Logo on the front in a Harley Davidson-esque font. A previous reviewer mentioned that the expansion slot covers were break-outs (can’t be reinstalled) but c’mon, anyone who has ever worked on a computer has a handful of those lying around, and if not, anyplace that works on computers will give you a bunch.
All in all, a good looking, sturdy case at an excellent price.
Rating: 5 / 5
March 7th, 2010 at 8:01 am
this case is probably the best low cost case out to date. it has all the features of any other case, and you’d think that since it comes with a window, it would be more expensive. think not. this case holds 3 fans and keeps everything really cool.
the only thing i would change would be the fact that you cannot replace the pci brackets after you take them out as they are soldered, or whatever, on there….
other than that i am satisfied, and will buy again.
Rating: 5 / 5
March 7th, 2010 at 9:43 am
This case is easy to use. Perfect for a low budget build. Laid out well easy installation. Comes with plenty of extra screws. Cable management is just a cable tie. Looks good and works well for what I wanted it for.
Rating: 5 / 5
March 7th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Nice looking case. shipped very fast. 98% good 2% bad. construction is very good. only draw back harddrive cage is sideways, and no speaker. not a problem for me as i can add spare speaker. side window is cracked at 1 mounting pin, cant see it but i know it’s there. wont affect case style cause i can replace it in the future with a coloured 1. a very good case and very well priced!!!! Good for a starter project!!!
Rating: 5 / 5