Cooler Master Cosmos 2 Review

Cooler Master Cosmos 2 Review  

Introduction

It seems like an age since we first saw pictures leaked on the web about the Cosmos 2, it was just before the LITS show. I remember well because at LITS I was given a chance to get my hands on a Cosmos 2 at the beginning of December! The idea was a few select photos somewhere remote to try and give it a gangster kind of feel is a poorly lit dingy warehouse. Everything was arranged, location sorted, lights sorted, even costumes for people to give it that real ‘Soprano’s’ feel. Then right at the last minute it was all pulled and Cooler Master whacked an NDA on everyone!

So the time has finally come that we can tell you all what we think of the Cosmos 2. Is it as good as the original Cosmos? Can Cooler Master keep the momentum created by the awesome CM Storm Trooper (our case of 2011)? Lets just move on and take a look at the specifications for the case, whilst reading those get comfy because we have a monster video review straight after! 

Specifications

Stylish and streamlined race-car inspired design
Brushed aluminum and steel for strength and elegance
Airflow optimized design
Supports up to 10 fans and 13 HDDs (2 from X-dock)
Supports 4 Way SLI/CF
Supports XL-ATX / SSI CEB / SSI EEB boards
Advanced Control Panel:
4 channel fan speed control
I/O (USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 4, e-SATA, Fan LED on/off switch) 

Available Color

Midnight Black

Materials

Exterior:

Aluminum, Mesh, Synthetics;
 

Interior:

Steel-Alloy, Synthetics, Rubber

Dimensions

344(W) x 704(H) x 664(D)mm / 13.5 x 27.7 x 26.1 inch

Weight

22kg / 48.5 lb

M/B Type

Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX, XL-ATX, SSI CEB, SSI EEB

5.25″ Drive Bay

3

3.5″ Drive Bay

13 (2 from X-dock, Middle cage for 5 HDDs,

Bottom cage for 6 HDDs)

2.5″ Drive Bay

11 (converted from 3.5″ bay)

I/O Panel

USB 3.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 4, e-SATA x 1, Audio In and Out

Expansion Slots

10+1

Cooling System

Front:

200mm LED fan x 1, 700 RPM, 19 dBA

(converted from 120/140mm x 1)

Top:

120mm black fan x 1, 1200 RPM, 17 dBA

(converted from 200mm fan x 1/140mm fan x 2/ 120mm fa

 

Rear:

140mm fan x 1, 1200 RPM, 19 dBA

Side:

120mm fan x 2 (optional)

HDD:

Mid.HDD: 120x25mm fan x 1 (optional)

Bottom HDD: 120mm fan x 2, 1200 RPM, 17 dBA

Power Supply

ATX PS2 / EPS 12V

Maximum Compatibility

CPU cooler height: 190mm / 7.48 inch

Graphics card length: 385mm / 15.15 inch

 

 

Video Review

Conclusion

Lets hope the video covered all of your questions plus a few more you hadn’t thought of as well, but we really should try and recap. The problem is the Cosmos 2 is just so feature packed we literally don’t know where the best place is to start!

Ok lets start with the price. Rumors are that the Cosmos 2 will weigh in with a £350 price tag. Ouch right? Well let’s face is £350 for a case is never going to be cheap is it. I have a funny feeling the only people that will moan will be people that want it and cant afford it. The case has though been designed and built for people looking to spend thousands on their system, people that wouldn’t want to put a £3000 investment in a £100 case. Well for those lucky few Cooler Master have pretty much built a case to please you all. Not only that if you can’t afford the Cosmos 2….. save for it. It really is worth every penny of that £350 asking price. The design is there, build quality, enough options to please pretty much everyone that’s not wanting to go subzero.

Everything about this case screams quality, but not just that, it also shows what a manufacturer can do when they design a case for an enthusiast rather than for an accountant. We were all gobsmacked at the amount of options with this case. The ability to remove the lower HDD bays and fit a 240mm radiator was a high light for us, another was the fact this case is compatible with the EVGA SR2 and upcoming SR3.

So let’s wrap this up. Multi-channel fan controller, dual radiator support out of the box, room for even the largest motherboards and graphics cards, ample cooling for even the hottest air rigs, plenty of cabling options, built like a tank and last but not least it looks the sex! We honestly think the aesthetics could only be bettered if it had a side panel window and if it was white! (Ok who wasn’t expecting that one!!)

Cooler Master have kicked 2012 off with a bang, we honestly think they are back to their best and they’ve also delivered the case that all other big cases will be compared to. The other case manufacturers out there need to take their feet of the desks and get back to work. This is the case to beat, this is the best case on the planet. Will any one deliver a better option before the world ends in December? The race is on.

   

Thank you to Cooler Master for sending us one of the first few Cosmos 2’s. You can discuss your thoughts in our forums. Â