Product Listing

Cooler Master N600 (KWN1) - Getting the Basics Right

By Wong Chung Wee - 17 Dec 2013
Launch SRP: S$129

Introduction, External Design and Features

Cooler Master N600 (KWN1)

The Cooler Master N600 mid-tower series is one of the three N-series that was launched in June this year, which is right after Computex 2013 where Cooler Master already showcased a number of new offerings. While initially launched with N200 and N400 models, it has recently grown to also include N300 and N500 models. The main design parameters of the N-series is the that the full mesh design takes center stage throughout the casings' front, has plenty of fan mounting options, easy installation of large liquid cooling kits and is relatively affordable. While appearances are subjective, these goals have made the N-series look rather simple, perhaps even bordering cheap due to the glossy plastic strip surrounding the metal mesh design.

The KWN1 model of the N600 series has a clear acrylic side panel to show off its interior. It has excellent ventilation options and even support for liquid cooling systems.

The N600 series is considered the top-end of the N-series. Besides a design with cooling performance in mind, the N600 series caters for storage expandability as it features a removable HDD/SSD combo cage. As such, the N600 can support very long graphics cards while still being a mid-tower chassis; this ensures additional space for larger build components. The N600 series has four variants; they share the same internal design, but with some slight modifications such as side window, fan light and fan control options. To differentiate the four configurations, Cooler Master has captured the details clearly on their site. We've got the best of the variants, the N600 KWN1, so let us take a quick look at the specifications before we share our experience with the casing:-

Cooler Master N600 Series KWN1 Specifications
Casing Dimensions & Specifications
  • Height: 455mm
  • Width: 207mm
  • Depth: 520mm
  • Material: steel / polymer
  • Case color: Midnight Black
  • Motherboard support: Micro-ATX, mini-ITX
Drive Bays & Expansions Slots / Ports
  • 3 x external 5.25-inch bays
  • Configurable internal 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch bays
    • Config A: 7 x 3.5-inch bays + 1 x 2.5-inch bay
    • Config B: 3 x 3.5-inch bays + 5 x 2.5-inch bays
  • 7 expansion slots
  • 2 x USB 3.0 ports
Case Cooling
  • Front: 1 x 140mm fan or 2 x 120mm fans (1 x 120mm white LED XtraFlo fan, pre-installed)
  • Rear: 1 x 120mm XtraFlo fan (pre-installed)
  • Top: 2 x 120/140mm fans (optional)
  • Bottom: 1 x 120mm fan (optional)
  • HDD Drive Bay: 1 x 120mm fan (optional)
  • Support for liquid cooling radiators at top, rear and right side of casing (optional)
Power Supply
  • Standard PS2 / ATX


 

External Design and Features

The Cooler Master N600 KWN1 has cooling performance built into its design DNA. As mentioned earlier, its entire front panel is made up of a fine steel mesh, save for a thin plastic bezel (which is given a brushed metal finish) that houses the following; the reset and power buttons, the audio ports, a pair of black USB 2.0 ports, a pair of USB 3.0 ports in blue, and a fan LED control button. The last button allows you to power on or off the white LED light from the bundled Xtraflow front intake fan.

The entire front of the N600 KWN1 is made up of black steel mesh for ventilation. There is a thin bezel that houses the control buttons, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, and audio ports.

Here's a close-up of the control strip. The last button controls the white LED of the bundled front intake fan.

On the right panel of the chassis, there are ventilation holes for the single 120mm intake fan or a 240mm radiator of a liquid cooling system. The mounting options for them can only be viewed after this side panel has been removed.

The panel opposite the clear acrylic window, offers ventilation holes for the optional 120mm intake fan or 240mm radiator.

At the top of the chassis, we can see the options to mount a pair of 120- or 140mm outlet fans, or a 240mm radiator.

 The top of the chassis is bare, except for the options to mount the outlet fans.

At the rear of the chassis, we see the bundled 120mm Xtraflow outlet fan, which can be removed to install a 120mm radiator of a liquid cooling system. We also see a pair of rubber grommets, above the outlet fan, which will likely to remain unused as they are meant for pipes of external liquid cooling kits. Such kits are rarely used these days other than hardcore users who make custom radiators. You'll find the usual seven expansion slots for your add-on card and there's even an additional slot adjacent to this group for mounting extra USB/eSATA ports from your motherboard's expansion header(s).

 At the rear of the chassis, we see seven expansions slots, an adjacent  extra expansion slot and a pair of rubber grommets (that may become obsolete in mainstream chassis).

At the top left corner of the chassis' rear, the N600 KWN1 variant has a fan switch that controls the speed of the bundled pair of 120mm Xtraflow fans.

The fan switch controls both the front intake 120mm Xtraflow fan and the rear outlet 120mm Xtraflow fan. Also note that the front fan has a white LED that is controlled by a dedicated fan LED button on the front control strip.

Tipping the chassis to its side, we see the removable bottom dust filter. There are options to mount a single 120mm intake fan.

 There is a removable dust filter at the bottom of the chassis.Removing the dust filter, we can see that there are ample ventilation holes at the bottom for the exhaust fan of the power supply unit and the optional outlet fan.

Join HWZ's Telegram channel here and catch all the latest tech news!
7.5
  • Aesthetics 7
  • Functionality 8
  • Usability 7.5
  • Value 7.5
The Good
Numerous cooling options, with support for liquid systems
Flexible HDD/SDD combo cage
Different variants to choose from
The Bad
Simple design, finish can be better
Not a tool-free case
Could be more competitively priced
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.