CM Storm Trooper review

Here we can see the side panel, it can be removed by removing two thumb-screws and pulling it backwards. The panel itself has a HUGE mesh for optimal airflow. Behind it are two 120mm fans blowing air over the HDD bays. You will notice there is no side window in this chassis. The right panel’s mesh and grill openings serve the sole task of 'passive' air ventilation, so there are no fan mounts.

A quick peek at the backside teaches us that this is a serious puppy, on the top, grommet holes for liquid cooling tubing / cable ports. Two of them can pass large 3/4" O.D. tubing. Just below them, a 140 mm fan. Then we spot no less than nine expansion slots, so that would even allow for three or four dual-slot cards to be setup in Crossfire or SLI mode.

To the far right you'll see a vertical expansion slot, you could use that for say rear IO USB 3.0 connector brackets, a fan controller,  CCFL / Cold Cathode lighting control and such. All the way below we see the PSU section. PSU wise, you name it ... it'll fit.

The rubberized top side of the Trooper is nearly a work of art, alien vs. predator comes to mind, dunno why though. The rubber coating helps to exude the damage that could appear when transporting the unit.

At the rear segment you can see a mesh, underneath it is a 200 mm fan rated 1000 RPM and only 23 dBA. Airflow was a priority for Cooler Master as they pre-fitted a total of four fans and another two are optional. We know that heat rises upwards, a well designed chassis like the trooper will use that knowledge by allowing that heat to escape the case through a mostly ventilated top.

Located somewhat in the middle you can see that easy-to-carry handle. When you lift the chassis, that's roughly where the balance is. Though, installing a heavy PSU might throw it off-guard a little. It's nicely covered up, a little stealthy even (though we have no radar available to proof that claim). So in your desktop environment you are definitely not looking at a weird looking top with carry handle.