Introduction
The Cooler Master Centurion 531 enclosure is a mid-tower case that features hybrid construction, tool-less installation, and enhanced air flow that is sure to appeal to price conscious consumers.
Cooler Master currently offers seven different styles of mid-tower cases in their popular Centurion line. The new Centurion 531 enclosure features enhanced airflow thanks to additional vent holes and provisions for both front and rear mounted 120mm cooling fans. The 531 also offers tool-less installation for most components.
Like other cases in the Centurion family, the 531 is targeted towards the price conscious consumer and uses an attractive front bezel design married to a standard steel chassis. This hybrid construction has become very popular and offers a good balance between aesthetics, structural soundness, weight, and cost.
Key Features
· Front and side vent holes for enhanced airflow and cooling
· 120mm case fan openings, front and back (one fan included)
· Tool-less design for easy installation of components
· Top mounted I/O panel for easy access
· Very affordable, good value
· Optional side window and/or power supply available
Specifications (from the Cooler Master website)
The Centurion 531 case is available in silver (natural aluminum) or black and can be purchased with a power supply (380W or 430W) and/or a side window. (Our review sample does not include either of these options.)
First Impressions
The Cooler Master Centurion 531 mid-tower case arrived securely packaged between Styrofoam inserts inside a standard cardboard box. Packed inside the enclosure is a small box of accessories, which includes an Installation Guide, plastic HDD and optical drive mounting rails, and a bag of assorted hardware.
The build quality appears to be good for an economy case — just what we have come to expect from Cooler Master. The Centurion 531 enclosure feels sturdy and relatively lightweight for a mostly steel case. The Centurion 531 tipped my digital scale to 8.3 kg (18.3 lbs), which is a slightly lighter than the 10 kg listed on the Cooler Master spec sheet.
The included documentation is printed in eight languages and covers the basic installation of hardware and lists the I/O cable pin-outs.