Product Listing

Cooler Master Centurion 534

By Vincent Chang - 3 Mar 2006

Conclusion

Conclusion

Cooler Master's Centurion series of casings seem targeted at the entry level enthusiasts looking for a simple and modern casing but who are unwilling to shell out top dollar for the newfangled bells and whistles, like casings with thermal isolation chambers and silent, sound dampening panels. Instead, the Centurion series aims to be a good compromise between features, design and price and the latest addition to the series, the Centurion 534 has inherited these characteristics.

User friendliness leading to ease of installation is one of the important attributes of a quality casing, as most enthusiasts tend to upgrade and change their system components quite often. Fortunately, the Centurion 534 passes this test easily. It may not have the best thermal or noise reduction properties compared to more expensive casings but the tool-free assembly is something that most users would latch on to once they have experienced the convenience. The tool-free concept for the Centurion 534 encompasses practically the entire casing, from the removal of the side panels, to the installation of the various drives and add-on cards.

Thankfully, this much-touted aspect of the Centurion 534 is quite well done and Cooler Master has covered that thoroughly in its design. It is also probably what Cooler Master is banking on for this casing, as after all it is hardly an attention-grabbing casing. While its design and build quality are quite refined, coupled with solid construction thanks to its steel foundation, its plain Jane looks would probably not earn more than a second glance. Of course if you are attracted to LEDs, the blue ones on the Centurion may just turn your head. Frankly though, lots of other casings have this too so relying on LEDs alone as a plus point would not be enough.

For those who look beyond the exterior however, the Centurion 534 fits the profile of a mid-tower squarely. With more than sufficient expansion options, the 534 can be the basis of a very complete system. As one might expect from its price segment, the extras like a power supply unit are not included. Also, don't expect a rear exhaust fan, as that too is optional. Most enthusiasts usually prefer to get their own for these components so it's not too much of a drawback, though of course more is always welcome. However, the lure of the Centurion 534, besides being a decent and competent casing, is its expected selling price. We were quoted a figure of around US$60 for this brand new casing, which is quite good value. It puts the Cooler Master Centurion 534 in a position to compete with the cheaper casings that lack the usability of the Centurion. In short, if you want something affordable yet superior to the inexpensive 'plastic' casings, the no-frills Centurion 534 should feature among your top choices. So there you have it; the Centurion 534 delivers build quality, features and value that's difficult to overlook in a basic casing, so keep your eyes peeled out for it when it hits retail.

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