Coolermaster Centurion 530 and 531

Coolermaster have always been known for their outrageously good high-end cases, made entirely of aluminium. However, these are often priced out of reach for the average consumer.
In response to this, Coolermaster have developed a range of aluminium-steel hybrids to deliver those award-winning looks in a kick-ass chassis that anyone can afford.

The Centurion line is a perfect example of this. It has what we refer to around these parts as 'nu-skool' styling (because we're hip, obviously, and because it's in the vein of Coolermaster's newer cases, rather than its older ones). Forgive Wil, folks - he's forgotten his medication again - Ed

These two cases are the Centurion 530 and 531. The differences between them are mostly aesthetic - they sport almost identical interiors. The cases have a steel frame with aluminium panels. The 530 has a metal grille front, whilst the 531 has an aluminium and plastic front.

Both cases feature:

• 5x 5.25" drive bays
• 1x 3.5" external drive bay
• 6x 3.5" internal drive bays
• 120mm front intake fan
• 120mm rear exhaust fan
• Front USB / Firewire / Audio ports

The obvious omission from this list is a removable motherboard tray. Whilst these are a fantastic feature, they cost extra money, and CM are evidently trying to keep these cases a little more affordable. The Praetorian range has a removable tray, as do many of the older models.

The 530/531 costs £42 or $70 in the US. We're going to look at the exteriors and unique points of each case, before looking at the common insides and seeing how good the case is in use.