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Cooler Master WaveMaster Mid-Tower Case
 
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Kurtis Kronk
Brian
Case-Mod
May. 18, 2005
Quality Check

My quality check basically consists of three things: Structural Integrity, Installation, and Safety. My structural integrity testing is where I apply pressure to the case from different directions and check to see if the frame can be easily bent or twisted out of shape. Installation is the process of installing the various system components and making sure that installation goes smoothly. Lastly, the safety testing is a result of the installation process. After installing everything, I should be left without open wounds, but if I am wounded in battle I will make note of it and warn you which trouble areas to watch out for.

Structural Integrity

The WaveMaster is incredibly sturdy; it didn't budge under the pressure even a little. As I mentioned earlier, the motherboard tray is also very sturdy and I couldn't imagine it getting distorted even after years of use.

Installation

Since there are no toolless features to speak of, Cooler Master would have been in serious trouble if there were any hiccups during installation. All was well though, with only problem-free installs. There was however one issue which I mentioned which could annoy some! You won't be able to put anything like fan controllers in the front bays, because the door won't close if there are any such obstructions.

Safety

After fiddling with this case for countless hours, I can say with great certainty that it is extremely safe. Every edge is folded or rolled to make absolutely sure you won't be left with battle scars. Not much else to say besides the WaveMaster is top-notch in the safety department.


Conclusion

I have to say, I really liked this case. The motherboard tray makes hardware installation a breeze, and unlike some other trays I have seen it is very sturdy, with support brackets reinforcing the corners. Unfortunately the tray does stick a little bit as you pull it out.

At first I missed the toolless bay device features that I've grown accustomed to with other cases, but those feelings didn't last long. The interior design of this case is pretty simplistic, and it is quite clear that Cooler Master wanted to put an emphasis on quality with the WaveMaster. Every facet of the case is sturdy as can be and all edges are folded for safety. I would have liked to seen rubber grommets and pads for the internal 3.5" bays. I never noticed my hard drive vibrating as it is, but it is a nice feature to see nonetheless, and I think it would have made a nice addition to the WaveMaster.

When it comes to cooling, there is some room for improvement. In the front of the case, airflow is inhibited by the front panel, which just has a series of holes to let air in. Installing the optional top exhaust fan would help remove hot air, but would cause the case to have negative air pressure and collect dust around the cracks and crevices on the case's exterior. I think that Cooler Master could have done something to let a little more air in, perhaps by increasing the size of the intake holes.

Another thing that bugged me was the removal of the front panel. It was pretty difficult to figure out how to take it off to gain access to the intake fans. Once I figured it out I ended up marring a small surface at the foot of the case- hardly a scratch and not a big deal, but annoying nonetheless. Cooler Master should have included not only instructions for how to remove the front panel, but the tool necessary - an allen wrench.

I've been using the WaveMaster for about five months now and, minor gripes aside, I really love it. This case is pretty much everything I think a case should be: beautiful, sturdy, and convenient. While the cooling could be a little better, and it's a hassle to remove the front panel (apparently CM doesn't want you to), I really am happy with it. I honestly can't think of any other case that I would rather call my own. Obviously, I strongly recommend this case.


Pros

Looks great
Removable motherboard tray
Good airflow
Top I/O port
Optional top exhaust fan cage (replaces with I/O port)
Front door held shut by magnet
Plenty of thumbscrews included
Awesome quality - very sturdy

Cons

Airflow could be a *little* better
Front panel could be easier to remove (include instructions/tool)
Motherboard tray removal could be smoother


Additional Images


 
<< Previous
Page 4 of 4
Home >>
Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Impressions & Opening the Case
Page 3: Inside the Case
Page 4: Quality Check, Conclusion & Additional Images

15 User Comments
1 - Posted by Nick on May 19, 2005 - 10:58 am

I think if Kurtis spent a little more time cleaning his room, that thing wouldnt have gotten so dirty. Can't you wipe your shoes off before coming in and rinse off after your mud bath's BEFORE you sit down at the computer? :)

2 - Posted by BCSchnei on May 19, 2005 - 12:23 pm

Great review Kurtis.

Cooler Master makes great cases. I purchased a Cooler Master case way back in 2000 and still use it today as my main home system. I don't remember the model number at the time, but it was their first all aluminium cases, and looks exacly like the Praetorian (PAC-T01) that they sell today.

5 years with one case is definetly a record for me. I have probably completly changed the hardware in it 3-4 times over the years.

I find it very interesing that except the skins and front bezel the internals of the case are exacly the same as the one I have. Actually most of their tower cases utlize the same internal design.

Cooler Master has taken a winning design for their case and are making the most out of it by making cosmetic changes to appeal to a broader audience.

I will defently be looking to Cooler Master for a BTX case when the time comes.
-BCS

3 - Posted by Kurtis on May 19, 2005 - 12:56 pm

Nick: You're asking way too much of me. my chair is lucky if i put on deodorant before sitting in it, let alone "rinsing off"? I'm allergic to soap. yes.

BCSchnei: Thanks for the feedback. :)

4 - Posted by J2T on May 19, 2005 - 2:08 pm

Yes, that is a pretty case. Its funny the innards look identical (aside from the PSU tray) to my Kingwin KT424. Its a design I like.

5 - Posted by Kurtis on May 19, 2005 - 3:13 pm

it's better quality than the Kingwin KT-424, I reviewed that previously.

6 - Posted by Guest on June 28, 2005 - 10:13 am

Dude. How can you make a conclusion about a case without taking any temperature measurements? Did you even put a system in it and turn it on? This is a useless review.

7 - Posted by Firewire on June 28, 2005 - 5:35 pm

I'll come to your rescue, even though you basted my writer on his review of the Antec Sonata II, which I think was done fine, and Antec was happy with it. But Guest Dude, there are more important things to a case review than just temperature. Ease of installation, fit and finish, and innovative features are also part of it. Kurtis did a great job of showing the readers exactly what they are getting when they open up the box, but I do concur that we should see more installation pics to highlight where problem areas could occur. Having said that, I would never buy a case that was ugly, but cooled well. I would buy a case though that cooled OK, but was very functional built well, and looked good. Madshrimpy guy got all aggro on me when I didn't take temp readings on my Antec Overture II review, but I did find some interesting results after doing so, and found it even more important when I went on to my ARIA review.

So in closing, temperatures are important, but they aren't the end all be all, but it would help to find out if the coolermaster really did produce good airflow like you said.

8 - Posted by Buffy635 on November 1, 2005 - 11:41 pm

bump

edit: ok soooooooo bumping dosnt work, if anyones in here, the mobo looks dangerously close to the mobo tray rail........?yes no?

edit: o sweet, bumping does work

9 - Posted by Kurtis on November 2, 2005 - 12:21 am

nope, no issues with the mobo tray. i've been using this case as my own personal rig since when I reviewed it (yes, i like it that much... heh)

i've swapped hardware many times in this case and no problemos

10 - Posted by Buffy635 on November 2, 2005 - 12:24 am

fantastic, thank you

11 - Posted by bothersome on December 6, 2005 - 9:25 am

I can’t be the only one who dreads having to plug in each of those tiny little connectors, squinting at the manual, reversing the image in my head, and so on… Is it asking too much to give us a standard plug? Come on, I’ll even pay the extra thirty-two cents for it… *sigh* Okay, where was I?


No you're definitely not the only one!!! Wish there was a petition to sign or something... But then again if everyone could do it then everyone would be building their own computers and we wouldn't have to build them for all of our friends... oh wait a minute... they don't pay us anyways!

12 - Posted by Dyrewolph on December 6, 2005 - 2:39 pm

they can't give you a standard plug because the pins change on each motherboard... and they can't make that standard because different motherboards give you different things you can plug into for your front panel... sorry but... you'll just have to stick with it... though perhaps, if your cable's long enough... you could do that before you put your motherboard into your case :-)

13 - Posted by bothersome on December 6, 2005 - 2:48 pm

hmmm.. the one's on the case our one thing... at least they could standardize the basic doohickies on the mb where you have to connect reset button, power button, hd light, floppy light, etc. 1 pin or 2 pin connectors. Still a pain in the arse! And then let you connect the rest ... maybe the mb manufactures should include that cable and you can use the outputs you wish and tuck the others somewhere where the sun doesn't shine...

14 - Posted by Rich on December 6, 2005 - 3:04 pm

Some boards are actually color coded which makes it a bit easier, still they are usually on the edge where lighting is ALWAYS poor.

15 - Posted by Kurtis on December 6, 2005 - 5:12 pm

dyrewolph, you are incorrect in saying they can not be standardized.

i'm not saying there should be one big fat connector for the entire front panel, just for each separate connection.

the USB plugs should always be one solid connector each. The sound part should be one standard connector. Firewire... and then of course the reset/power/speaker/hdd stuff could all be another plug... it's definitely doable, it just has to be made a standard.

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