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Cooler Master has updated the H500 series with an M model that employs glass panels and ARGB lighting to deliver a sleek package that looks very impressive. Some of the detail changes such as the new pump mount are minor but welcome, and we like the way that Cooler Master offers a choice of front panel insert so you can prioritise air flow or glass as you choose. Balanced against that we find the revised front panel is considerably more awkward to release than the elegant system employed on the Mesh and that is a step backwards.
When it comes to the ARGB system, we like the effect of the enhanced RGB in the two 200mm fans but have issues in other areas. It is frustrating that RGB and ARGB plugs are incompatible to such an extent you can physically damage the hardware if you make the wrong connection. It is also vexing that Cooler Master has failed to label the RGB button correctly and if Cooler Master intends to deliver some RGB software we hope they will make rapid progress.
Our biggest single issue with the RGB controller is the size and location of the mounting plate as it restricts access to the power supply and cables in a way that seems unnecessary. Routing cables behind the various modesty panels requires some work and is, to our mind, a contradiction. Clearly this is a matter of personal taste but we see no reason to add a glass panel on the right hand side and then cover everything behind the glass with steel.
We prefer the approach taken by Seasonic/Phanteks with the prototype cable management system that also distributes power as that looks like a better idea that tackles the root of the problem, instead of tinkering with details. It is a similar story with the fight against GPU sag where Cooler Master has added a finger support to take the weight of a long, heavy graphics card. You have to position the support carefully to avoid cooling fans and once again it tackles the symptom and not the root cause.
You had better also have a think about the I/O panel as the connections could either be a real bonus or something of a problem. Does your motherboard have two USB 3.0 headers as well as the USB 3.1 Gen.2 that power the Type C connector? If you do then brilliant, you’re off to a flying start. If not you either need a motherboard upgrade or just have to accept that some of the ports will remain dark and unused.
And that pretty much sums up the Cooler Master MasterCase H500M as it has a number of interesting features but goes about things in a curious manner. The main driving force for the designer has been the desire to keep the finished build neat and tidy, at times without thinking about making life easy for the person building the PC.
You will certainly have to work at the cable routing but if you get everything tucked away behind the modesty panels then all is well. When you come to install your hard drives in the two caddies you may wonder about the shroud that covers the two drive caddies. Balanced against that the mechanism for mounting SSDs on threaded pegs that simply push into grommets is delightfully simple.
In essence there are three aspects to the Cooler Master MasterCase H500M, compared to previous models of the H500. There are various tweaks such as the pump mount, graphics card support and revised I/O panel that deliver features that may or may not be of interest. Then you get the right hand glass panel which leads to the obsession with covering everything with steel. It works well enough but adds complication and the fact is that we don’t feel much need for the extra glass in the first place. Having said that, the glass on the front and top looks good.
Finally we have the Addressable RGB in the two 200mm fans at the front. We wish Cooler Master would reduce the size of the controller mounting bracket, tidy up the button control and perhaps work on some software to go with the RGB. If they can also think of a way to prevent us burning out the controller with an incorrect connection then so much the better. Having said all that the ARGB looks good and makes us keen to see the version of this case with four 200mm fans and an ARGB mid-plate over the power supply.
That will truly be a sight to behold and may qualify as the ultimate H500.
You can buy one for £199.99 from Overclockers UK HERE.
Pros:
- 200mm fans have Addressable RGB lighting that looks superb.
- Front panel I/O has 1x USB 3.1 Gen.2 type C and 4x USB 3.0 type A.
- Clever SSD mounts use a series of simple pegs and grommets.
- Air flow is good and cooling works well.
Cons:
- The cable covers behind the right hand glass panel are complicated.
- ARGB lighting is controlled by a button labelled ‘Reset’.
- Routing the PSU cables past the RGB controller is fiddly.
- Access to the drive caddies is awkward.
- Do we even need a glass panel on the right hand side?
KitGuru says: Addressable RGB in the 200mm fans looks awesome.
