Product Listing

Cooler Master CM Storm Scout 2 - A Worthy Successor?

By Wong Chung Wee - 2 Nov 2012
Launch SRP: S$159

Interior Design (Part I)

Interior Design (Part I)

We slid off both the side panels to reveal a compartmentalized interior; the drive bays on one side while the other can accommodate motherboards of mATX and ATX form factors. According to its official specifications, the Scout 2 can accommodate graphics cards of lengths up to 399mm (15.7 inches), this is possible if we remove one of the side panels of the 3.5-inch HDD cage. With this side panel in place, the longest card that can fit is of 287mm or 11.3 inches in length - this is probably just barely enough to fit most of the commonly sold graphics cards, but some extreme cards would have difficulty to fit unless the drive cage panel is removed. Over on the other side, we also noticed the rectangular cut-out at the motherboard panel to accommodate CPU cooling solutions that may require access to the backplates of the boards. There are also a number of rubber grommets to cover the cut-outs for cables on the motherboard panel. And while we're discussing on the internal components from the following photo, you might want to note that there is a bundled rear 120mm cooling fan with red LED for added visual effect.

There are rubber grommets for cable management; however, the flaps of the grommets lack tension as they are too thin to bunch the cables in place and they function more like skin covers for the cable management cut-outs.

Referring to the below photo, we can see neatly bundled cables trailing from the front controls. The grommets function more to cover the cable cut-outs than to help bunch the cables together because they are thin and flaccid. We also noted that the thumbscrews that held the slot covers and StormGuard in place needed a screwdriver from them to be removed with ease. Fortunately, the installation of the drives at the 5.25- and 3.5-inch drive bays are tool-free. A 5.25-inch drive is held in place by a latch that can move into a locked position. Such a convenient mechanism can even be found in the entry-level Cooler Master Elite 431 Plus chassis. The 3.5-inch drive is mounted in place with HDD rails that we shall see in detail on the next page. As for smaller drives like 2.5 and 1.8-inch ones, there is only one drive adapter provided. Given that SSDs are gaining popularity these days, having only one drive adapter provided in a gamer-oriented casing isn't enough; at least two should have been provided considering future needs.

We can see the rectangular cut-out to easily handle custom CPU coolers from this side. The manual states that for any CPU cooler installed, its CPU 'fanstack' must not be taller than 162mm.

The rear of the CM Storm Scout 2 seen from the interior.

There are rubber stand-offs to provide some sound-dampening for the installed PSU.

The drive bays of the CM Storm Scout 2; there are three 5.25-inch bays at the top and seven 3.5-inch drive bays after the larger drive bays.

The seven 3.5-inch drive bays and the single drive adapter to mount a 2.5 or 1.8-inch drive. You'll need to purchase more if you're intend to install more SSD drives, which is unfortunately not the easiest task since not all retailers might have them. Fortunately, the distributor should be able to help out.

We proceeded to remove the front cover in order to study the front cooling options; we pinched the pair of bottom round clips and removed the cover with a quick jerk at its bottom finger grip. There are also top cooling options available as we view the top of the chassis from its interior.

There are options to mount a pair of 120mm cooling fans at the front or we can opt to mount a single 140mm one. Only the top mounting option is in use if the larger cooling fan is installed.

The top panel cooling options allow for a pair of 120mm fans. The removable cover is held in place over the cooling options by six tabs.

This is the cover for the top cooling options and its metal mesh is held in place by a pair of screws.

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8.0
  • Aesthetics 8.5
  • Functionality 7.5
  • Usability 8
  • Value 7
The Good
Unique aesthetical appeal
Good build
Many cooling options
Relatively tool-free installation
The Bad
Only 1 cooling fan provided
Not enough drive adaptors for SSDs
A tad pricey
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