Wave Master by CoolerMaster

The top panel has a spring loaded flap, which when pressed flips up to reveal...



...an I/O panel consisting of audio in, audio out, FireWire and two USB ports. This is a tower case and having an I/O panel on the top makes sense since many towers sit on the floor under a desk. Unfortunately the I/O panel is set so far back from the front that it may still be less than convenient to access with the computer pushed back under the desk.



This is the underside of the I/O panel. All its cables are on snap-in connectors which means that any ports that are not required can have its cable unplugged making for a tidier case.



Although the I/O panel comes fitted as standard, also included in the box is a fan cradle with integral filter just in case you would prefer to fit an 80 mm cooling fan instead of the I/O panel. Replacing is a simple matter of removing the retaining screws and swapping the panel for the filter.



The use of a standard wire grill for the rear exhaust fan rather than the usual pattern of punched holes is a welcome change as it help to keep the turbulence noise created by the fan to a minimum as well as maximising the air flow. The cardboard box in the PSU bay contains all the usual screws, mounts etc. Shipping it like this stops it from bouncing around the case and causing damage during transit.



The side panels have a folded section for a finger grip to assist in removal. To remove a panel, remove three thumbscrews and pull the panel back using the grip. The side panels are a snug fit requiring a fair pull to remove them. The upside to this is that they do not rattle on the case.



This ain't no powder finish. Check out the reflection in that side panel. The paint job is on a par with automotive finishes. That is, very high quality.