Cougar is normally a reputation that I might affiliate with budget-friendly PC {hardware}. Not essentially dangerous, as I’ve reviewed a number of Cougar instances and coolers earlier than which have been low cost however performed the job, nonetheless I wouldn’t usually anticipate an excessive amount of. Today I’ve a brand new Cougar MX600 ATX case to assessment that on the floor appears odd, nevertheless it has some options that would make it very talked-about. The query is, is it nonetheless good worth for cash? Let’s discover out.
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When information got here in that I had a brand new mid-tower chassis from Cougar to assessment, I used to be initially a bit sceptical and thought it was simply going to be one other generic chassis with a flowery entrance panel and a few ARGB lighting. However, as quickly as I took the Cougar MX600 out of the field I used to be immediately as there have been some very noticeable options that caught my consideration, such because the aspect PSU vents, the sq. mesh perforations and an built-in GPU help bracket that was seen by the aspect window.
After wanting on the case and the spec sheet a bit nearer and studying that the case supported a number of 360mm radiators, modular panels in addition to different options I might usually anticipate from extra premium manufacturers I began to marvel how this might be doable from a model which might usually be classed as funds – is Cougar attempting to turn into extra upmarket? Well, if the value of the MX600 is something to go by then I don’t assume so, as it should value simply $119 U.S. or £129 which lately isn’t costly for a case with these options.
Cougar MX600 Features:
- Multiple vented panels create omnidirectional air flow for max airflow – Mesh panels are fitted to the entrance, proper and left-hand sides and the rear of the case for a really open-style excessive ariflow design.
- Placed behind the underside entrance fan mount is an inner air scoop in entrance of the PSU shroud to information airflow to warmth important elements, such because the graphics card and the motherboard chipset.
- A 110mm tall energy provide shroud aspect vent is built-in into the chassis to advertise air consumption and assist system cooling.
- 3 x 140mm front-mounted ARGB PWM followers and a single 120mm ARGB PWM rear fan are pre-installed to the chassis. The case consists of an ARGB and PWM fan hub with six ports.
- The entrance followers may be put in while not having to take away the entrance panel, alternatively, the entrance fan/radiator bracket is detachable by way of a tool-free resolution.
- Full tower capability in a mid-tower profile – the Cougar MX600 helps EATX motherboards with eight PCIe slots and as much as 400mm lengthy graphics playing cards.
- Accessories bundled with the case embody a vertical GPU mounting bracket (No riser cable included) and a field of screws, cable clips and some white zip ties.
Specifications:
- Case Type: Mid-Tower
- Dimensions:235 x 515 x 478 (mm)
- Colour: Black / White
- Material: Steel, Plastic, Tempered Glass
- Motherboard Support: Mini ITX / Micro ATX / ATX / CEB / E-ATX
- Expansion Slots:8
- Storage:4 x 2.5″ SSD max, 1 x 3.5″ HDD max
- Max GPU Length:400mm
- Max CPU Cooler Height:180mm
- Max PSU Length: 180mm
- Fan Support:3 x 120/140mm (Front) 3 x 120/140mm (Top) 2 x 120mm (PSU Shroud) 1 x 120/140mm (Rear)
- Pre-installed followers – 3 x 140mm ARGB PWM (entrance) 1 x 120mm ARGB PWM (rear)
- Radiator Support:360/280mm Max (Front) 360/280mm Max (Top) 120/140mm (Rear)
- I/O Ports: 1 x Power Button, 1 x Reset/ARGB Button, 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB Gen2 Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Audio
- Dust Filters: Top / Front / Bottom / Right / Left
Thermal Performance Testing
To simulate thermal demand we run the Cinebench R23 multi-thread benchmark and 3DMark Speed Way stress take a look at concurrently in a loop for 60 minutes to totally load the system. This offers the CPU and GPU sufficient time to succeed in fixed steady-state temperature. With this knowledge, we are able to examine how the system handles the thermal demand and measure peak noise ranges.
Thermal efficiency is measured with the case in varied configurations, such because the default, with the tempered glass left-hand aspect panel eliminated and with the entrance panel eliminated to see how these configurations have an effect on the CPU and GPU temperature. During testing, solely inventory case followers are used except in any other case specified. All water pumps are set to most RPM and followers are set to a customized RPM curve by the Motherboard software program/BIOS.
All temperature measurements are offered as Deltas – that means the ambient temperature has been deducted from the CPU temperature giving us a Delta. Data proven within the charts characterize the common part temperature over the size of the take a look at as measured by HWiNFO after which the final quarter-hour of the information are calculated to get the common. The ambient temperature throughout thermal exams is between 19-21⁰C.
Test System Specification:
Thermal Performance/Noise Overview:
Thermal Performance:
With the MX600 in both configuration, thermal efficiency may be very constant. The coolest CPU and GPU temperatures ware with the left-hand panels eliminated which is widespread generally that we take a look at. Adding a few followers to the highest of the PSU shroud dropped GPU temperature by a few levels however working the case within the default configuration additionally produced glorious thermals with a mean CPU delta temperature of 48°C which is great for this {hardware}.
Noise:
Noise ranges inform us the total story although, the system ran at its lowest noise stage beneath load with the left-hand aspect panel eliminated, because the graphics card didn’t must ramp up the fan RPM a lot to maintain the GPU core cool, however with the case within the default configuration plus PSU shroud followers the height noise stage was solely 1dBA larger as once more the graphics card fan RPM was in a position to keep low to maintain the GPU cool. Removing the PSU shroud followers created a bit extra noise from the graphics card followers working at a barely larger RPM however due to the spectacular thermals in any configuration noise output is constant and never too distracting.
Closing Thoughts
Initially, I used to be shocked to see the lengths that Cougar had gone to with the MX600, fairly than simply utilizing a generic inner chassis that we have now seen time and time once more. However, after constructing a system within the MX600 and testing the thermal efficiency I can safely say that Cougar has ripped up the rule guide that funds manufacturers normally observe and created a genuinely good mid-tower chassis. For me, the appears, thermals, {hardware} help and premium options such because the modular panels and high-spec cooling help make it an all-round winner.
However, as at all times nothing is ideal, there are a few minor niggles with the case. The construct high quality of the entrance mesh panel is doubtful, there’s far an excessive amount of flex and wobble in it whenever you press on it, this might have simply been remedied by including central clips or a magnetic resolution to carry the center of the panel firmly. Also, the built-in GPU anti-sag help didn’t work with the Gigabyte 7900XT Gaming OC graphics card that we used within the construct, so a minor redesign on that might be good.
There is lots to love in regards to the case although, as we noticed throughout our thermal efficiency exams the case can maintain high-end elements cool in any configuration. Adding followers to the highest of the facility provide helps nevertheless it’s not important because the open and extremely ventilated type of the case works nicely with simply the inventory followers within the inventory positions, however with a graphics card that in any other case runs fairly scorching, it is likely to be worthwhile including PSU shroud followers to help with GPU cooling.
Other options such because the detachable prime panel are very worthy design options. It’s good to have a detachable prime panel when putting in a top-mounted radiator or followers and it will possibly additionally come in useful in case you overlook to attach up cables on the prime of the motherboard such because the EPS or fan headers prior to installing a radiator up prime. But there may be nonetheless an affordable quantity of area between the motherboard and the highest of the case even when a roof-mounted radiator is put in, which is nice.
A query I get requested lots is that if a case will help twin 360mm radiators put in within the entrance and prime concurrently. With the MX600 that is doable, I examined two EK-Quantum Surface S360 30mm thick radiators, one within the roof and one within the entrance of the case with 25mm followers in place they usually match comfortably which is good news for customized water cooling lovers. I used to be additionally in a position to squeeze in a 420mm radiator (with the air scoop eliminated) or 420 AIO on the entrance of the case although it is not formally supported.
Cable administration may be very simple within the Cougar MX600 too, the case has loads of cable cutouts positioned the place you’d anticipate (not all with rubber grommets) in addition to cable administration channels and straps on the again of the motherboard tray which are available in very useful. I normally measure how good a case is at cable administration by what number of further zip ties or straps I want to make use of to make the cabling look tidy, with the MX600 it was only one in order that is a wonderful outcome, higher than some costlier premium instances.
The case additionally comes with three front-mounted 140mm ARGB PWM followers and a 120mm ARGB PWM fan within the rear, in addition to a six-port ARGB / PWM hub to manage ARGB both by way of the highest reset button (that may be re-purposed for RGB management) or by way of the motherboard software program when related to a motherboard 3-pin 5v ARGB header. Controlling the ARGB lighting by way of both methodology is straightforward and the consequences are positive, there may be some mild bleed on the fan LEDs however the lighting is fairly nicely subtle.
With the whole lot thought of, the Cougar MX600 is a wonderful mid-tower chassis. It is able to nice thermal efficiency, has premium options you’d usually discover in costlier instances, the color shades of white panels correspond nicely between completely different supplies, {hardware} and cooling help is excessive finish, it’s accessible in black or white color schemes and the included followers and ARGB hub are helpful for individuals who aren’t too fussy about which model of followers they use, so priced at $119 USD or £129 it’s a discount and one I might use in a future construct with out having to assume twice.
The Cougar MX600 can be accessible to pre-order from OCUK (hyperlink is coming quickly) in both black or white priced at £129.99.
Pros:
- Multiple vented panels present nice airflow and thermal efficiency.
- Convertible prime creates extra entry.
- Spacious Interior is straightforward to construct with.
- White panels are the identical shade in numerous supplies
- Simultaneous set up of a number of 360mm radiators.
- A beneficiant quantity of ARGB followers are included for the price.
- Good cable administration options.
Cons:
- Front panel flex is a foul design.
- GPU help bracket isn’t suitable with all graphics playing cards.
KitGuru says: You will not go far unsuitable in case you spend your money on this case, There is a few stiff competitors at this value level however the Cougar MX600 is up there with a few of the finest.
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