Cooler Master Masterbox Q500L Case Review

Thanks to the recent trend towards building smaller PCs we have started seeing more diversity in the mini to mid tower design space.  Of course Mini and MicroATX cases have been on the market for quite some time and generally are just cut down versions of their full tower cousins.  Today are looking at what may be the most versatile mid tower cases we have ever gotten here in the lab, the Cooler Master Masterbox Q500L.

Offering up the size advantage of a small form factor chassis with the ability to run a full ATX system certainly sounds promising. Let’s see if the Q500L can deliver!

The Q500L is based on the popular Q300P to the point of sharing part numbers with the Q series accessories.  But, in keeping with Cooler Master tradition the Q500L is a completely new modular design. Currently the Q500L is only available in flat black but something tells me they might have another color option in the works?!?

Product Name: MasterBox Q500L
Product Number: MCB-Q500L-KANN-S00
Exterior Color: Black
Materials – Body: Steel, Plastic
Materials - Windowed Side Panel: Acrylic
Dimensions: 386 (L) x 230 (W) x 381 (H) mm
Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX
Expansion Slots: 7

• 5.25" Drive Bays: 0
• Combo 3.5"/2.5” HDD Drive Bays: 2

I/O Panel - USB Ports: USB 3.0 x 2
I/O Panel - Audio In / Out:

• 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack
• 1x 3.5mm Mic Jack

Pre-installed Fan(s) – Rear: 120mm x 1
Fan Support:

• Top: 120mm x 2 / 140mm x 2
• Rear: 120mm x 1
• Bottom: 120mm x 2

Radiator Support:

• Top: 120 / 240mm (35mm max motherboard component height)
• Rear: 120mm

Clearance:

• CPU Cooler: 160mm (6.29 inch)
• Power Supply: 180mm (7.08 inch)
• Graphics Card: 360mm (14.17 inch (270mm clearance with PSUs longer than 160mm)

Cable Routing - Behind MB Tray: 27-30mm
Dust Filters: Bottom
Power Supply Support: Top Front Mount, ATX PS2

Cooler Master has come a long way from their 1992 beginnings as a heat sink manufacturer.  Today Cooler Master is an industry leader offering a wide range of Custom PC coolers, cases, peripherals and more.  Odds are pretty good any custom built or boutique PC will have Cooler Master parts under the hood.