FSP CMT271A, A Sub 100 Dollar ATX Home For Your System
FSP On FPS
While many prefer to make a serious investment in a beautiful case, there are those who take a more utilitarian view of their enclosures who prefer to get as much cooling capability per dollar as possible. The FSP CMT271A retails for around $70, even with a tempered glass side panel, measures 380 x 210 x 452mm (15×8.3×17.8″) and can handle a 170mm tall CPU cooler as well as a GPU 325mm long.
The front of the case can fit three 120mm fans, the back a single 120mm fan or radiator and the top will accept either a pair of 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator. The top panel only offers USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and 3.5mm audio so if you need USB-C make sure your motherboard has it on the back panel.
The FPS review encountered some minor challenges installing their test system, not due to design flaws per se more that as a budget priced case it lacked some of the refinements you see in far more expensive cases. The cooling performance was good, that front panel doesn’t impede airflow.
This matches with the Antec P82 Flow currently housing my own system, which bears a remarkable resemblance to the FSP CMT271A, albeit the Antec being slightly larger in all dimensions to be able to house 140mm fans, not just 120mm.
This is one of FSP’s value-oriented offerings and purports to be “specifically engineered for DIY gamers who desire that perfect blend of technology and elegance”. It is available at $69.99 on Amazon and Newegg at the time of review.
