The MasterBox series has been recruiting a multitude of new models lately and the K500L is just one of the new mid-towers to join this popular product line. For any system builder who likes what MasterBox has to offer, it’s very likely that K500L will not disappoint.
While this case is clearly aimed at the gamer, the styling is quite conservative and isn’t too extravagant. At this price point, Cooler Master done well to offer up a desirable combo – three cooling fans are included and the dual configuration at the front delivers a warm glow when the system is powered up.
Inside the K500L, there is sufficient space to include high-performance CPU coolers and flagship graphics cards but there are some limitations for liquid coolers. Larger units which feature a 240mm radiator or bigger will need to be installed at the front of the chassis due to the tight clearance above the motherboard. We should also add that if you choose to go with a 280mm radiator install, SSDs cannot be installed into the two spots beside the motherboard tray – an obstruction occurs between the SSD and radiator.
Although there isn’t a lot of space behind the motherboard tray, thanks to the abundant allowance of hooks and cavities, cables can be easily tucked away and arranged in a tidy manner.
Our experience with K500L is positive but there are a few areas which could be improved. We’d like to see another SSD bracket included at the very least, in the current state, only one bracket is included although there are four slots around the motherboard to install such a drive. Following on from our video production we also found the HDD trays to present an annoyance; the metal pins which are used to slot into the holes on the drive dislodge from the tray and fitting them back in is rather troublesome – fitment is poor. We’d like to see this improved however minor it may be.
The MasterBox K500L arrives at a cost of just £55 GBP - $119 AUD. This represents great value for money considering the inclusion of three cooling fans (two LED ready) and the flexibility of hardware support within.
If you’re on the hunt for a low-cost mid-tower then the new Cooler Master MasterBox K500L is a superb choice. It comes with plenty of space, a well-mapped out design and even includes a trio of cooling fans!
Pros
+ Appealing gamer aesthetic
+ Excellent value for money
+ Includes three cooling fans
+ Good compatibility for hardware
+ Great cable management features
+ Available with solid or acrylic panels
Cons
- Only one SSD bracket included
- Large radiators can only be installed at front
- Flimsy PSU filter
- Pins on HDD trays pop out too easily
+ Appealing gamer aesthetic
+ Excellent value for money
+ Includes three cooling fans
+ Good compatibility for hardware
+ Great cable management features
+ Available with solid or acrylic panels
Cons
- Only one SSD bracket included
- Large radiators can only be installed at front
- Flimsy PSU filter
- Pins on HDD trays pop out too easily
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