Coolermaster Ammo 533 Case Review :: The Ammo 533 Exterior

As with any good review that takes note of a case's exterior, we must first start with what keeps it safe during shipping to you. All across the colourful box are the features we've just passed on the page before, along with full size, professional shots of the case itself. In reality, this is but a formality, as none but the most generic casings on today's market feature a bland brown carton. Slashing open the top of this information rich cardboard prison, we found the Ammo 533, held in the usual manner - that being wrapped in a loose plastic bag, and held between two foam blocks that will keep it safe during shipping. After peeling away the layers, we found ourselves holding a case by the handle - a case that looked as if it could have handled the shipping unprotected.

Box Front

Box Left

Box Rear

Box Right

There she stood, free of the shackled of shipment. Though the images across the box of the case's quality had been striking, the outright forcefulness of the design hadn't been anticipated. Even from the aluminum accented, oddly designed front panel, this case simply screamed of some military theme. Perhaps the only thing missing from this simple front bezel are a pair (or a quadrant, if you please) of military style covered toggle switches, that, and a fair amount of sand and suit. Removing the front bezel was easy enough too, although it will only be necessary if you choose to swap the included 22dBa front fan for another - perhaps if it's blue LEDs don't strike your fancy. Underneath the Bezel, there's not much to see except primer grey steel, dotted with cutouts for the external drive bays, as well as a small box along the right hand side. This box will contain all of the ports you'll find on any modern case, slinging them off to the right for your convenience. To those wondering about case cleanliness - these cables are all sleeved, so no worries there.

Front Bezel

Front Bezel Back

Front Bezel Ports

Front Bezel Removed

Sliding up and along the front bezel, we came out on top of the case, finding a properly secured (unlike certain Batty cases as of late) command center. Covered by sturdy (and spring loaded!) plastic push covers, the power and reset buttons loom large - perhaps an issue, if you've got idiots at the next LAN party who take cheating to a different degree. Tucked between these two covered buttons of doom are the power and HDD LEDs. On the wiring from this cluster, it comes down from above the top drive bay, making its way through a series of clips before joining the other batch from the front panel in one large clamp, which sits dangerously close to the motherboard - something you'll see later. Moving along a bit further, following the two bolted (not riveted!) on rubber and plastic sections, we find the handle, which is screwed with button head hex screws to steel plates beneath. The handle itself is a piece of tough fabric covered by a nice, molded rubber grip, which lets your fingers sink in just enough to be comfortable, but not to hurt. Across the gap underneath this handle is a sizeable set of vents, intended to help let the warm air rise out of the case, while maintaining the military motif.

Case Top Panel

Case Top Panel Buttons

As the side panels unfold for us, we can see that there's mere decoration on the right side, detailing the location of items and which way is up in lovely splattered on block letters. The left panel, on the other hand, is an entirely different ball game. Held within large machined aluminum extrusions, twin mesh grilles help feed beastly heatsinks and fans below - removing the need for modifications to the case if you want your Big Typhoon to breathe cool, fresh air. Again, button head hex screws are used in place of rivets here in order to hold the sections on, at both top and bottom of the door. The upshot to these screws is that they satisfy the military motif while still making the case accessible to be disassembled, if cleaning or painting was desired. Found along the bottom of both of these panels the ever interesting plastic and rubber molded blocks, which help with the overall military theme of the case, as well as provide an absolute minimum of protection to objects hitting the sides. Pushing from sides to rear, we find a tightly packed but uneventful rear panel - the bulk of whose landscape is dominated by a mesh grille, intended to accommodate fans from 92-120mm. The only unfortunate part to this location however, is that motherboards with tall I/O areas (such as our DFI SLI-D) will have them hit the fan, resulting in a one screw mount - sure it may not be safe or sane, but it was secure enough. Sliding a glance down the primer grey rear, we find a set of unutilized vent holes next to the locking arms for the tool-less PCI/AGP/PCI-E card holder - something which you'll see more of later. Perhaps the only thing of else to mention that you won't see pictured here are the near 1" rubber feet - which help to keep the "Durability Blocks" off the floor, as well as stifle any vibrations the case will make. With the tour of duty on the outside completed, it's time to head inside and scout out component locations.

Case Right Side

Case Left Side

Case Rear Panel

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