A Closer Look - Outside

Right out of the box, the Cougar MX500 makes a good impression. It does not set any new standards in terms of design, but does look clean, and the plastic it employs is quite sturdy. Cougar also lined the design element in the middle of the front with a plastic cover to protect the glossy finish from damage.


The front consists of plastic and metal mesh. While there are four real thumbscrews at each corner of the metal mesh element, these are, as far as I can tell, only there for looks as you can pull the entire front off to reveal both fan-placement possibilities there. Cougar also placed a 140 mm cooling unit in their signature color into the front out of the box. It is actually one of their Turbine iterations they do sell in retail. Cougar does not mention this fact in their specifications, and some of their marketing images show a front with two red LED fans, so there is some discrepancy in what is communicated to the public. Look at the rear and you will see that the interior is black as well. The PSU bay is at the bottom, and we have seen other cases with the same frame, which will make figuring out how the Cougar MX500 differentiates itself internally interesting.


Inspect the front closely and you will see the metal mesh and underlying dust filter giving way to the orange fan. Cougar's emblem has been placed on the bottom of this piece of mesh. Above that are the three 5.25" drive bays, which also come with the brushed surface structure.


The PSU bay can be found on the bottom of the rear. It comes with two sets of mounting holes, so you may pick whether the fan faces down- or upward. Above the bay are the seven expansion slots and an air vent. You will find another 120 mm fan at the very top. It is supposed to push air out the back of the case. On top of that are three pre-stamped opening that can be punched out for water-cooling tubing to be routed out the back of the case.


The Cougar MX500's main side panel comes with a large opening for a potential fan. Its cover has not been placed there out of the box, and placing it there myself, it became apparent why. Cougar chose to employ magnets to hold it in place, and while it holds in place, it does not do so very well. Such a method also gives saboteurs a very quick way into the case at a LAN Party, for example. It would have been better had Cougar only gone for a more traditional method to secure the cover, like screws. The panels are, other than that, completely solid and straight, which consolidates all design elements to the front.


All the I/O has been placed into the front's top edge and consists of two USB 2.0, a pair of USB 3.0, and the usual audio in- and outputs. Next to those are the reset and large power button with an embedded LED. Cougar also placed a rubber mat which is suppose to act as a surface to your external hard drive or charging phone here; a nice touch as you won't have to worry about scratching the case or the device on it. There is also a large air vent that can take a great range of differently sized fans. You could go for two 120 mm or 140 mm fans, a 240 mm or 280 mm radiator or a 180 mm or 200 mm fan in the ceiling of the Cougar MX500. It is also lined with a piece of fine metal mesh to keep out larger dust particles.


You will find a dust filter that covers the PSU vent and the fan-placement area for an optional cooling unit on the bottom. It is removable, which makes it easy to clean.