Quick Look: Cooler Master MasterFrame 600

[Darksaber]

The Cooler Master MasterFrame series is a groundbreaking concept. It brings interesting modularity and versatility. This approach reuses components, preserves the design's core functionality, and offers some interesting opportunities for customization.

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[Mack4285]

Looks like clever and clean design. I like the symmetry, and hope it stays that way. Sometimes the "last adjustments" before retail release are for the worse.

I wonder if the PSU shroud is also removable? For example, a passive PSU needs to be mounted with the ventilation area up which is blocked by the solid shroud. Personally, I don't mind removing the shroud altogether for better air flow. At least good to see that the shroud does not extend all the way to the front.

And can a 420 radiator fit at the top? I think it was hinted, but no dimensions given.

Some other things I like but that I rarely see: 120/140mm fans mounted without being obstructed by metal. Those rails match the fan holes rather well, so seems okayish.

Symmetrically mounted side panels (right, left) is important too.

I know they showed a potential ITX variant of this Frame series, will be interesting to see it as well.

 

[Chaitanya]

Will wait for final review, their last "modular" cases Master Case and Master Box went nowhere. Also that IO panel is sorely lack lusture.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

Should there be a variant 230mm wide or less that sells for USD150 or less, they'll have my attention. But the words "high end" being used does not fill me with much hope for either of those characteristics coming to pass.

 

[bonehead123]

Well, now they've done it......

Made yet ANUTHA rectangular boxen that is a little less BORING AF than it's predecessors, with some creative ways to arrange things internally, which is commendable for sure.... yee haw !

And I really like the all-magnetic panel mounting & choice of colors, so there's that...

But..

BUT......

How many arms, legs, kidneys, and 1st borne youngins is all this flexibility gonna cost us, hummm.... Oh do tell

 

[thestryker6]

Appreciate the first look and hope that there will be some good options available whenever these come to market.

The series starts at $200 so none of these are going to be cheap. I don't particularly mind the cost, but modular has never really seemed to go anywhere in the past no matter who has tried it. I don't really think that including everything is necessarily a great way to do it either (the Be Quiet 901 I have is an example of this), but perhaps if they flat pack these they can afford to have a lot of base SKUs with varied panel options.

From the product announcement a few weeks back:

The MasterFrame Series is available in two material options—Aluminum (MasterFrame 400, 600, 800) and Steel (MasterFrame 300, 500). With pricing starting at $199.99, each design brings together luxury, performance, and customization in a way that transforms a PC case into a true statement piece.

 

[Skylinestar]

Do you have the flexibility to lay the case horizontally, with the feet installed correctly?

 

[Chrispy_]

These are a good idea in theory and ALWAYS fail in practice.

They simply cannot get retailers to stock the modular parts, which is understandable because they're mostly large, bulky, low-value inventory with a vanishingly tiny customer base. The end result is that these modular cases are basically available only in the default configuration for most of their shelf life, which just means they're compromised in many ways to make them modular, and then not actually modular.

Nobody is going to pay a premium for that, and precious few are willing to buy a barebones case that lacks features with the promise of "upgradeability" because that's an expensive route, if you can even source those upgrade at all!

 

[dbatac]

Looks better than the Q300L I used to rock with.......

What's the price on this case??

 

[Chaitanya]

These are a good idea in theory and ALWAYS fail in practice.

They simply cannot get retailers to stock the modular parts, which is understandable because they're mostly large, bulky, low-value inventory with a vanishingly tiny customer base. The end result is that these modular cases are basically available only in the default configuration for most of their shelf life, which just means they're compromised in many ways to make them modular, and then not actually modular.

Nobody is going to pay a premium for that, and precious few are willing to buy a barebones case that lacks features with the promise of "upgradeability" because that's an expensive route, if you can even source those upgrade at all!

I remember with their previous cases spares/replacement/upgrade components werent available in retail and had to purchased through their store and to make matters worse spares werent available across all their regional stores. It will worth keeping an eye out how this release goes, if its anything like the MasterCase, MCx00 and MasterBox series then unless people want to use it as its delivered then good if they want some spares/upgrade then better look somewhere else which already provides those necessary features to start with.

 

[lexluthermiester]

@ CoolerMaster
No reset button, no purchase. A lack of basic functionality is a dealbreaker.

 

[Chrispy_]

@ CoolerMaster
No reset button, no purchase. A lack of basic functionality is a dealbreaker.

It shouldn't annoy me, but it does.

ATX/ITX motherboards have a near-standardised pinout and have done for almost 20 years.

Power button
Reset button
Power LED
Disk LED
Speaker

I'm willing to forgive speaker omission because all but the cheapest boards have diagnostic LEDs now, but the other four things are standard front-panel features and I actively want all of them.

To add to the annoyance, many case manufacturers are now offering just a single USB-A port, which is dumb as rocks, because the headers and connectors for those all present two ports.

 

[Chaitanya]

It shouldn't annoy me, but it does.

ATX/ITX motherboards have a near-standardised pinout and have done for almost 20 years.

Power button
Reset button
Power LED
Disk LED
Speaker

I'm willing to forgive speaker omission because all but the cheapest boards have diagnostic LEDs now, but the other four things are standard front-panel features and I actively want all of them.

To add to the annoyance, many case manufacturers are now offering just a single USB-A port, which is dumb as rocks, because the headers and connectors for those all present two ports.

That IO panel is a bit of mystery as product sample sent has 1x Type A and 1x Type C same as the place holder microsite but then if you goto sign up and it shows case with 2x Type C on front and 0x Type A. So not sure about the IO panel situation.

 

[JCChua310]

I truly hope that this kind of modularity will gain in momentum and become the next trend in PC Building as we know it. I also want the MasterCase H500/HAF Series to have this kind of iteration.

 

[HBSound]

I am ready to see the MATX version of this case.

 

[Octavean]

Kind of like it. I wish that case badge wasn't there on the front of the case though.

 

[Mr.House]

I Hope That Front Rail System Allow 160mm or 180mm Fans