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Cooler Master has launched its customisable MasterCase 5 and Pro 5, marking the start of a new era for more unique PC cases.
The MasterCases – mid-sized modular towers with ‘exterior expandability’ and FreeForm technology – allow users to buy additional accessories from retailers and CM Store Online to change the shape and layout of the case, including the exterior and interior.
Cooler Master first unveiled the MasterCases at Computex 2015 in June, as part of a business refocus to "break new ground in the way PCs are designed, made, bought and used".
The MasterCase 5 can support a host of different configurations, enabling users to upgrade rather than replace their case and system.
Through a Clip-and-Click panel, FreeForm lets users adjust vertically or remove the drive cages entirely. Cooler Master says this flexibility allows building multiple system configurations like home servers, water-cooled workstations, or gaming rigs with dual-slot extra-long graphics cards using one single case.
The base MasterCase 5 comes with dual top handles and a standard side panel, while the MasterCase Pro 5 comes with a side window panel, elevated mesh top cover and additional interior upgrade options. Users wishing to upgrade from the MasterCase 5 to the Pro 5 version can do so through a range of accessories.
I have to say, it’s extremely refreshing to see innovation in this field. While there are a multitude of PC cases out there, in all shapes, sizes, colours and styles, we haven’t seen something like this before, which offers customers a fully customisable case that is designed to last for several years, as opposed to just one system before being replaced.
While they aren’t cheap (the MasterCase 5 and MasterCase Pro 5 are now available for pre-order at UK retailers for a suggested retail price of £89.99 & £109.99 respectively, including VAT), the MasterCases have a unique selling point – and their innovation should herald in a new wave of next generation PC chassis.
Along with the In Win H-Tower, which was also shown off at Computex and opens up automatically at the touch of the button to reveal its interior, it’s an extremely exciting time for the PC case market.
Having seen a host of top-end gaming machines over the years, including YoYoTech’s £8,000 beast, Scan’s latest Dream PC and Overclockers’ 8Pack systems, there’s no denying there are some beautifully designed computers out there – and over the next few years I feel such designs will become the norm, rather than the exception.
Raymen Wu, Global Marketing Director said: “The MasterCase represents the first of a new wave of products with our unique FreeForm technology that enables endless build possibilities.
"Launched in tandem with the new slogan ‘Make It Yours.’, we kicked off a new drive to harness the maker spirit in our products and community. FreeForm will be applied across all of our products in the near future ensuring you have the freedom to fully express yourself.”
Cooler Master invited eight ‘makers’ to Computex including an artist, engineer, designer, pro gamer, modder and VR developer, who made a computer system that was ‘uniquely theirs’ using the MasterCase 5.
This collaboration helped Cooler Master make something special – let’s hope more PC case vendors will seek out new innovations in the coming years as well.
List of accessories:
* Included in MasterCase Pro 5
