Cooler Master has launched the new MasterBox K500L chassis in two variants. Initially this mid-tower ATX chassis will be made available with black steel panels to both sides, or with a Perspex panel to the left side. Cooler Master has designed the MasterBox K500L to appeal to gamers but still represent good value.
The visual design is predominantly black, inside and out, but with (red) illuminated accents either side of the mesh front panel. Pre-installed centre-front red LED fans fit in with the colour accents and “emphasise gaming” while keeping the costs for such eye candy down. Though these are monochrome lights, Cooler Master facilitates various effects.
Gaming systems benefit from plenty of expansion room, considered airflow, and cooling possibilities and the MasterBox K500L, it is claimed, delivers all these attributes. The chassis measures 491 x 210 x 455mm and can fit either full sized ATX. Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX motherboards. It is possible to fit up to seven expansion cards and your GPU, for example, can be up to 400mm long. On the topic of maximum compatibility, users can fit CPU coolers up to 160mm tall, PSUs as long as 180mm, and radiators front (up to 240mm) and back (up to 120mm). Six 120mm fans are supported – with three red LED models already fitted (two front and one upper back). Overall there are plenty of air/liquid cooling options for the intended audience in addition to filtered vents back and top.
Neat cable management shouldn’t be too difficult with 19mm between the mainboard tray and right side panel. The enclosed black PSU area also helps you keep cable clutter away from admiring eyes. There is no 5.25-inch ODD bay but internal storage devices can be fitted as follows; 3.5-inch x2, 2.5-inch x6. Users have access to USB 3.0 x 2, Audio In / Out from the upper front panel, flanking the power button.
If you like the MasterBox K500L design but would be willing to pay extra for some more premium touches, Cooler Master is going to launch one more SKU at a later date. The pricier sibling will be fitted with a controller for RGB support, RGB illuminated accents, pre-installed RGB fans and power button, and a tempered glass side panel.
In an email to HEXUS, Cooler Master said the MasterBox K500L would be available imminently at an MSRP of £54.99.
