Introduction and technical specifications of the Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh White
Together with the new flagships of Cooler Master with his HAF 700. Lhe new Cooler Master MasterBox 520 semi-towers arrive in several variants depending on their color and front finish. In this case we have the Review of the Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh White, a white variant with a “mesh” or grille front that lets in the air absorbed by its three integrated fans in that area.
Technical Characteristics of the Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh White
- Motherboard support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX, SSI-CEB, SSI-EEB
- Materials: “Mesh” grille, SECC steel, ABS plastic and tempered glass
- Front ports:
- 1x USB 3.0 Type A
- 1x USB-C 3.1
- 1 x audio/microphone jack.
- dust filters
- 2 x 3.5″ bays
- 3 x 2.5″ bays
- 7x expansion slots
- ARGB + PWM controller.
- Support for maximum 410 mm graphics
- Support for 160mm high heatsinks
- Support for ATX sources up to 200mm (170mm recommended)
- Includes 3 CF120 ARGB front fans
- fan support
- Ceiling: 3 x 120mm/ 2 x 140mm
- Front: 3 x 120 / 2 x 140mm.
- Rear: 1x 120mm
- Supports 240 and 280mm radiators.
- Ceiling: Up to 360 mm and 55 mm thick
- Front: Up to 360mm
- Rear: 120mm
- Net weight of 7.13 kg.
- Measures 502 x 210 x 498mm
- Price: 121.99 euros
Design and connectivity
The Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh White stands out for its white finish and its large mesh front grill under which three pre-mounted 120mm fans are hidden. In addition to the grille, we have two small stripes to the side that also allow air to enter.
If one side has a steel cover, the other side has a complete tempered glass that covers the entire side and allows you to see the interior without problems.
The lower and front area, as well as the upper area, include a removable dust filter. In the case of the upper area, it is a simple flexible magnetized grid.
We now go inside. As usual, the MasterBox 520 Mesh is designed with a dual chamber system, a main one for board and directly attached components, and a lower one for power supply and hard drives. The compartment for the source is fixed and closes practically the entire lower part
The rear area has holes with rubber bands to pass the cables, the module for the hard drives, the fan and RGB controller and the different cables.
Except for the rubber bands, the controller and several cables, everything in the box is white.
For connectivity, we have a USB-C 3.1 (3.2 gen 2) and a USB 3.0 (3.2 Gen 1), plus the on/off button, a combo mini audio jack for microphone and headphone, and a dedicated button to switch between different light effects and colors on the three fans connected to the ARGB controller.
Cooling Capabilities of the Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh
The front grille design, “Mesh” for many manufacturers, has been quickly adopted in many case variants from multiple brands. It allows a direct entry and hardly any restrictions of fresh air into the interior, which helps a lot to cool the system.
In the Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh we have three fans as standard, 120 mm and with ARGB in the front part putting air. They are sufficient for many configurations, although a fan in the rear is missing to expel hot air, especially in systems with high-performance graphics that expel the air inside the case itself.
However, the user can always change one of the front fans and place it behind.
For liquid cooling we have room for a small 120mm radiator at the rear, or two 360mm ones at the front and top.
As there are no internal elements to restrict the airflow, it goes directly to the components without barriers.
The inclusion of a small HUB for four fans is appreciated, each with a double connector, one with three pins for power and another with three pins (3 of 4) for the ARGB lighting that they include. Since three are occupied, we still have room for a fourth fan. In addition, in the lower part there is another ARGB connector for LED strips and other elements.
Although you can change the effects and color from the button on the top of the box that we saw earlier, an ARGB cable is also included to connect it to a compatible motherboard and control the lighting with the main RGB sync systems.
Assembly and Storage
A very interesting function of this box is the possibility to remove the upper part of it by removing two screws. This leaves us free to access the entire main chamber without any inconvenience, and it is ideal for placing the plate, cables and other elements without anything bothering us and without having to move the box.
In the compartment of the source there is space for models of up to 20 cm, but if we keep the box of the hard disks it is not recommended to exceed 17 cm.
For 2.5-inch SSDs or HDDs, a system of rubber stops is used that we must place manually, since they do not come pre-assembled, along with long striped screws so that they are well fixed. There is another place for one more drive of this type above the 3.5″ drive bay.
On the other hand, the 3.5″ HDDs are fixed with a rail system that allows quick removal if necessary.
The MasterBox ase 520 Mesh does not support vertical graphics. If we want to place a card like this, we will have to use a generic accessory like the Vertical Graphics Card Holder Kit V3 from Cooler Master, formed by a fastening model that goes where the expansion slots, and a riser cable.
First one of the metal modules is fixed, then the riser is screwed to the other module, and both are coupled by means of two levers.
It is possible to adjust the position of the graph by moving the modules to the sides or back and forth. The problem with this system, unlike the boxes that have vertical slots, is that we cancel the rest of the expansion ports.
In addition, it leaves a fairly large space in the upper area, but it is still a practical way to be able to use graphics in vertical mode in almost any box, if we are willing to pay the 70 euros it costs.
Continuing now with the box, the back allows a good distribution of cables, the space is not left over, but it is enough to pass thick cables.
What is missing is the inclusion of velcro straps. Fixed plastic zip ties are included, but the velcro ones allow for much more modification.
The result is a very eye-catching box, with an impressive design and excellent cooling capacity.
Analysis and conclusion
Good finishes, a careful design that does not go unnoticed and an excellent cooling capacity are the hallmarks of this Cooler Master MasterBox 520 Mesh White.
If the modular lid system, which allows them to be opened without tools, or the possibility of removing the entire top lid, make mounting a computer in this box a very simple task, even if we have large components or those with cooling needs above. usual.
It offers USB-C connectivity, an ARGB controller with a fan hub that controls the three integrated fans on the front, and that mesh grille that lets air pass directly through. Perhaps a fan for extraction would be appreciated in systems with graphics that do not expel the air outside the case, as well as an integrated system to put the GPU vertically, since it is necessary to use an accessory like the Vertical Graphics Card Holder Kit V3 from Cooler Master, which adds 70 euros to the 121.9 euros it costs.
For the rest, it is a good tower, which allows high-performance components without going to exaggerated sizes and with enviable cooling capacities.
End of Article. Tell us something in the Comments!
Add Comment