A Closer Look - Outside

Once out of the package, there is another plastic cover on the lower front of the chassis. While this is a nice touch, I do not see much need for it. Regardless, this will ensure that you will really get the case in the best possible condition. In terms of construction quality, the case is quite sturdy already, with a very good paint job and ample use of thick plastic to ensure that no parts of the case can be bent, or give way under pressure.


The most prominent part of the chassis is certainly the front. It features quite the large extrusions and a straight but edgy design. Looking at the rear, the PSU is located in the very top—something we have not seen in a case for quite some time. We will see why this has been done when we look into the case on the next page. The main side of the Cougar Spike comes with two openings for 120 mm fans, but the other is completely solid.


Taking a closer look at the front, there is an emblem of the Cougar logo in the center of the air vent. You may install a single 120 mm fan there if you wish. Cougar only supplies a single unit in the rear. Above that are the three drive bays. Two of them are of the 5.25" variety while the other is of the rare 3.5" variant. It is good to see some cases still employ such an option. You will also find a single USB 2.0 and a single USB 3.0 I/O along with the usual pair of audio plugs. It would have been better of Cougar to equip the chassis with two USB 3.0 ones and a USB 2.0 adapter instead.


Turning the Cougar Spike around, the default number of four expansion slots can be found on the very bottom of the chassis. These are protected by break-out covers. I would have liked reusable ones, but this may be forgiven for the price of the chassis. Above that is an all-black 120 mm exhaust fan to push air out of the chassis. In the very top is the aforementioned PSU bay with a single set of mounting holes, which only allows you to mount the unit with the fan facing downward.


Tipping the Cougar Spike over reveals its underside with four mounting holes for a 2.5" drive on the floor of its interior. Four little foam bumps act as the feet of the chassis, which is very little. Real rubber feet here would have been better.