HEXUS.reviews :: Cooler Master Cosmos chassis

[Bob Crabtree]

We were the first to break the news from CeBIT of Cooler Master's forthcoming steel-based Cosmos chassis and now we have the first European review.

But just how much of the 'concept' made it to production?

Find out just how much in this exclusive review.

[DR]

It's nice to see the chassis has finally come out - I've been following this from concept stage, looking good - I'm keen to see the Extreme Aluminum one, which should address a number of issues.

I know a lot of people are keen to see the ATCS range back in action - I'm sure this is just the start of new cool products

[YorkieBen]

maybe Im being a little stupid, but are the hard drives only passively cooled? Six hard drives with no active cooling?

[MD]

The hard drives are passively cooled, but due to the 1 input, 3 output fans there is a large draw of air through the chassis which helps keep the temperatures acceptable.

[lost eden]

Glad to see we're getting shots of the system installed now

And wow, 16+KG empty? Christ! Certainly not going to be seeing many of those at the local LAN parties!

[zepper]

I still think the original Stacker (STC-T01) is better for extreme systems with its capability for dual PSUs. Makes having a highly specified system quite a bit less expensive. It looks like CM could have made space at the top rear for another PSU if they wanted to. It's already a large case, a little larger wouldn't have mattered much.

.bh.

[madmaca]

Great review - I too have been waiting for the Cosmos to arrive. A bit disappointed at the price, but then I paid £130 for the original Stacker when that came out, and that is a steel chassis too. I think I will wait for the Aluminium Extreme version and hope that the price differential isn't too great. I currently have the Stacker 830 and have been woefully disappointed by the build quality. It's a great looking case, but by far the worst CM case I have owned in terms of quality. So I will wait for some reviews of the Cosmos Extreme and maybe switch then...

[Oobie-]

16.9kg, thats a beast!

Good review guys, that cable neat idea is cool, especially seeing as the rear plate has those vertical holes cut out from it. It seems a lot easier than what you have to do with the Antec P150! XD

[Cult!]

The case is really really ugly! But I like, even though not esthetically, the idea with the bars on the bottom. They seem to work well to increase the airflow.

My question is:

P182 / P190 oder CM Cosmos?

[MD]

It depends on your budget, remember the P182 is smaller than the other two, and its price is around half of the Cosmos. The P190 is around the same size, but again comes in a fair way more expensive than the other two due to its compulsory dual-psu configuration.

The prices are key to your decision in my opinion....

Matt.

[malfunction]

Some nice ideas in that case but it is damn ugly. Too much plastic for a start. (IMHO)

[Cult!]

When you ignore pricing, and simply look for a case that is
- silent
- easy to work with/in
- helps tidying things up (put cables behind the motherboard etc...)

which one would you pick?

I do not really like Cooler Master to be honest, I didnt like the stacker line at all.

[Cult!]

I guess that the Cosmo is quieter than the P182. The insulation looks better.

[Grim Reaper]

The Vadim website lists the cosmo at £212.
The P190 costs a bit more at around £237 but comes with dual PSU.
Also the Tai chi costs less at around £194 which includes an internal water cooling system.

at this price I dont think the cosmos is worth it, but does anyone have any opinions on the other cases?

[MD]

I'm hearing thats a very high retail price you have found.

I know there are two retailers who will have it much lower than that

Matt

[Grim Reaper]

You're right - i have found the cosmos for ~£150.
But the TT Kandalf LCS is the same price (and changing the side panel for the one with 25cm fan should solve the airflow problem).
Would the Kandalf be the better buy?