[nextpage title=”Introduction”]
The N200 from Cooler Master is a mini-tower case supporting microATX and Mini-ITX motherboards, coming with a terrific suggested price, USD 50. Let’s see if buying this bargain is worthwhile.
Figure 1: Cooler Master N200 case
Figure 2: Cooler Master N200 case
The left panel of the Cooler Master N200 is meshed, supporting the installation of one 120 mm fan.
Figure 3: Left panel
[nextpage title=”The Front Panel”]
We were impressed with the quality of the plastic used on the front panel of the Cooler Master N200, as low-cost cases usually make use of inferior-quality plastics, which is not the case here. The reviewed case has one external 5.25” bay and one external 3.5” bay. The bay covers are meshed and there is an air filter for the front fan.
Figure 4: Front panel
The case comes with one 120 mm fan on its front panel (Cooler Master A12025-12CB-3EN-F1, a.k.a. Xtraflo 120, sleeve bearing, 2,000 rpm, 82.9 cfm, and 36 dBA), and it supports the installation of a second fan. The fan that comes with the case uses a standard three-pin fan power connector with an adapter in case you want to connect the fan directly to the power supply. According to the manufacturer, you can install a 240 mm radiator on the front panel of this case.
Figure 5: Front panel
The case comes with two USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, and the traditional audio jacks on its front panel. The USB 3.0 port uses an internal connector. We can’t understand why the manufacturer didn’t add a second USB 3.0 port instead of a second USB 2.0 port.
Figure 6: Buttons and connectors
[nextpage title=”The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels”]
The top panel of the Cooler Master N200 is meshed, supporting the installation of a 120 mm fan. The case comes with an air filter for this fan. On the bottom panel, the reviewed case comes with an air filter for the power supply fan.
Figure 7: Top panel
Figure 8: Bottom panel
The rear panel and the interior of the Cooler Master N200 are painted in black.
On the Cooler Master N200, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case.
The product comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel (Cooler Master A12025-12CB-3EN-F1, a.k.a. Xtraflo 120, sleeve bearing, 2,000 rpm, 82.9 cfm, and 36 dBA). This fan uses a standard three-pin fan power connector with an adapter in case you want to connect the fan directly to the power supply.
This case has four expansion slots with vented, reusable covers.
The rear panel has two holes for hoses of liquid cooling solutions, with 1.2” (30 mm) in diameter. To use these holes, you need to break and toss away their metallic covers.
Figure 9: Rear panel
Let’s now take a look inside the Cooler Master N200.
[nextpage title=”Inside the Cooler Master N200″]
Both panels are attached to the chassis using black, metallic thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge cutout for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes for you to route cables behind it, and several clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties.
Figure 10: Overall look
Figure 11: A view behind the motherboard tray
In Figure 12, we have another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using regular black screws. The Cooler Master N200 supports video cards up to 14” (355 mm) long and CPU coolers up to 6.3” (160 mm) tall.
Figure 12: Overall look
As previously mentioned, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. It can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside. As shown before, there is an air filter for the power supply fan.
On its default configuration, the Cooler Master N200 supports power supplies up to 8.7” (220 mm) deep. By removing the hard drive cage, you can fit power supplies up to 13.8” (350 mm) deep.
Figure 13: Power supply compartment
[nextpage title=”The Disk Drive Bays”]
The Cooler Master N200 has one external 5.25” bay, one external/internal 3.5” bay, two internal 3.5” bays, and four internal 2.5” bays. None of the bays use tool-less installation mechanisms.
Figure 14: Disk drive bays
The hard drive cage can be removed, in case you want to install a power supply that is deeper than 8.7” (220 mm).
Figure 15: Hard drive cage removed
You have to pay attention to the location of the 2.5” bays. One of them is on the top part of the hard drive cage (see Figure 16), one is located below the external/internal 3.5” bay (see Figure 17), and two are located on the motherboard tray (see Figure 18).
Figure 16: One of the 2.5” bays
Figure 17: Another 2.5” bay
Figure 18: The other two 2.5” bays
[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]
The main specifications for the Cooler Master N200 include:
- Style: Mini-tower
- Application: microATX and Mini-ITX
- Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
- Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
- Available color: Black
- Side panel: Meshed
- Dimensions: 14.9 x 8 x 17.5 inches (378 x 202 x 445 mm) (H x W x D)
- Net weight: 9.5 lbs (4.4 kg)
- Gross weight: 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)
- Bays: One external 5.25” bay, one external/internal 3.5” bay, two internal 3.5” bays, and four internal 2.5” bays
- Expansion slots: Four
- Maximum video card length: 14” (355 mm)
- Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.3” (160 mm)
- Fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel (both Cooler Master Xtraflo 120, sleeve bearing, 2,000 rpm, 82.9 cfm, and 36 dBA)
- Optional fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel, one 120 mm fan on the top panel, and one 120 mm on the left panel
- Extra Features: None
- More Information: https://www.coolermaster.com
- MSRP in the U.S.: USD 50.00
[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]
The Cooler Master N200 provides an excellent value for the user who wants to build a small yet powerful computer based on a microATX or Mini-ITX motherboard.
Strong Points
- Great price
- Support for video cards up to 14” (355 mm) long
- Support for 240 mm radiator on the front panel
- Good quality plastic parts
- Support for three 3.5” hard drives and four 2.5” SSDs or laptop hard drive
- A huge cutout in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
- Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
- Clips for fastening cables using cable ties
Weak Points
- No tool-less installation mechanisms for storage devices
- Only one USB 3.0 port instead of two
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