The Cooler Master Elite 430 Black Case

Exploring the Elite 430

Here we see the Elite 430 with the left side panel off. The inside of the case is nicely painted. Not painting the case’s interior is a major cost-saving feature for the manufacturer and it often differentiates a midrange case from a high-end one. Inside the Elite 430 is sufficient room for two over-sized video cards like HD 5870, HD 5870 and large CPU coolers as big as Hyper 212.

One mid-tower case is generally not more “roomy” than another; it depends on how well everything is arranged that makes a build easy – or not. The Elite 430 is one of the most trouble-free builds that this editor has ever put together.  Also note the 120 MM fan in the front of the case.  You can use a 140 MM fan instead and use the 120 MM fan as a top case fan.  At the top of the case are dust filters to help keep the insides of your case clean.

We also see the Elite 430 comes with the standard internal connectors which are eSATA, USB, HD audio, and LED and switch connectors. The instructions come inside the box and the accessories are also packaged in a plastic bag. You will also get the necessary screws and zip ties. It is mostly a “tool free” build although a Philips screw driver is always useful.

Here is the bag of goodies:

You will also get an instruction manual which is quite generic and also printed in several languages.  Here is everything out of the bag:

Here is the Elite 430 from the right. The motherboard tray is not removable – a cost saving feature – but the clever cutout makes it completely unnecessary. You can easily remove and replace a CPU in just a few minutes – without the irritating need to remove the motherboard, just to remove a heatsink.  There are no cutouts for cable management as in the Gladiator 600.

Here is the back panel:

The Elite 430 entry level case is usually air-cooled but also has cutouts for water cooling tubes to pass through. We also see a space for an optional 120 MM fan. To the left of the fan cutout is where the standard motherboard I/O shield plate is installed as shown.

Below that are the standard seven expansion slots. Both left and right side panels are secured with two thumb screws each.  They are installed into just one of the panels in the above image.

The front is constructed of plastic and metal mesh. One can see through the front drive bays all the way to the back of the chassis. The metal mesh covers even act somewhat as dust filters and the drive bay grills are further covered inside with soft plastic mesh similar to that found in air conditioners.

Here is the front of the Elite 430:

We see the front I/O panel with 2 USB ports and the external Serial-ATA port along with the headphone and microphone jacks. Also on this panel, you will find the on/off button for the system’s power and reset button. There is also a power LED and a hard disk drive activity LED. The bottom mesh mostly acts as a dust filter and allows for cool air to be pulled in through it using the blue LED 120 MM fan.

Here is the Elite 430 with the left side panel installed. The right side panel is completely plain with no opening whatsoever.