The new Cooler Master Elite series screams value, in a good way!

Cooler Master’s new Elite series lineup screams “Value for Money”, and we’re loving it!

Let’s face it, most things are getting uncomfortably expensive. Thankfully, Cooler Master is fighting against the onslaught of inflation with its new Elite series of gaming, and we’re all for it.

We’ve visited Cooler Master’s Computex 2025 booth, and the new Elite series lineup has secured for itself a special place in our hearts. As much as we like modding and high levels of customisation, nothing beats a good value purchase.

Meet the 2025 Cooler Master Elite series

Let’s start with a case that we believe is a surefire hit, the Cooler Master Elite 600. This ATX case has a panoramic tempered glass panel and many airflow options. Better still, we have been told that it will retail for around £80. Now that’s a bargain!

This case is on the wide side and has its PSU mounted behind its motherboard tray. This allows this case to take in airflow from the bottom and exhaust that air out the top. On the side of the case, there is space for three 120mm fans. This case oozes premium quality while having bargain pricing. Yes, the top panel of this case is plastic, but it still looks great.

Elite 490

Next up, we have the Elite 490, which is an MATX version of the Elite 600. Sadly, we do not have pricing for this case, though we expect it to cost less than its ATX counterpart.

Cooler Master Elite 490 Wood and Elite 600 Wood

Next up, we have what we’d call a “Scandinavian” take on the Elite 490 and Elite 600. These new versions take on the “Wood” Suffix and an entirely different form factor. Both cases are thinner than their non-wood counterparts and have their power supplies mounted at their base. This makes these cases thinner and taller than their non-Wood counterparts, making us wonder why these cases have similar names at all. Yes, these cases will share some parts, but they look entirely different from the outside. Gone is the curved side/front panel; in its place are separate front and side panels and wooden accents.

Sadly, we have not been told the prices of these cases. That said, giving its Elite 490 and Elite 600 naming, we’d expect it to have similar pricing to its non-wood counterparts.

Elite 302 and 502

Next up, we have the Elite 302 and 502, airflow-oriented cases with MATX and ATX form factors. Both models support up to three front-mounted fans and have space at the top for a liquid cooling radiator. We were told that the Elite 502 will cost less than £100, though we are unsure how many fans these cases will ship with.

Big Case, Small Price – Meet the Elite 692

Finally, we have the Elite 692, a case that brings back a lot of memories. We are old enough to remember the Cooler Master Elite 690 and Elite 690 II, and this case is nothing like those older models. Sadly, Cooler Master has not given us a firm price for this case, but like other Elite series offerings, Cooler Master has told us that they are focusing on value. So don’t expect this case to cost Cosmos money.

The Elite 692 is the case on the left of the image below. It can support up to four 120mm fans at its size, which should give you an idea of how HUGE this PC case is. This is a big case that can accommodate big hardware, and will be a great option for someone who likes the Elite design but wants something scaled up.

Honestly, we are glad that Cooler Master is not abandoning the more budget segments of the PC market. We are delighted to see that more solid sub-£100 PC cases are coming, and that there are some nice MATX-sized cases on the way.

You can join the discussion on Cooler Master’s new Elite series of PC cases on the OC3D Forums.