Coolermaster Elite 100 mATX/ITX - A mini review

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
Product Link - http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6623
A Review - http://www.pro-clockers.com/cases/1134-coolermaster-elite-100-mini-itx-case.html

The above review site used an ITX motherboard for installation.

Today, I'll show how it is with a microATX XD

The Skinny: If you're willing to compromise your mATX mobo (see all below) with the restrictions of a super small case, restricted cable positions, no expansion slots allowed, and a 2.5" hdd instead of a regular 3.5" hdd, then this may be the case for you (it was for me!). If not, maybe you should look elsewhere. Otherwise, peer on...

I had actually already had this case for quite a while, however it was with a cheaper mATX motherboard plus I didn't have a proper cooler -

Angled:
IMG_0703M.JPG


Back I/O View:
IMG_0706M.JPG


With just plain VGA, I wanted more - and an oversized cooler, obviously I couldn't make it fit pretty.

So today, my task was to switch mATX motherboard, one that's bigger, but had what I wanted - HDMI out. Imagine a full-fledged PC capable of 1080p output via HDMI, sounds intriguing doesn't it? Well, that was what my goal was. Also, I wanted to show all the shortcomings you'd have to deal with if you picked this case.

The PSU over the PCI/PCI-E ports:
IMG_0710M.JPG


The strain on the USB expansion cable: (note this affects Front Panel audio also)
IMG_0716M.JPG


Here, I wanted to show how 2.5" and 3.5" hdds are mounted.
2.5" on top, and 3.5" also mounted sideways on the bottom, via this removable top plate.
IMG_0717M.JPG


The swappees!
See how the new mATX case is longer. Also see exactly how tiny this case really is!
IMG_0721M.JPG


Swap done! I ended up using a regular all-aluminum stock cooler (definitely not my 1st choice...) that came with the Celeron E3300. I had been looking for one with a copper bottom, but a lot of people had bigger versions. I believe the Q9550 has the same dimensions, but just a copper bottom. Anyone willing to donate?
IMG_0724M.JPG


Top down view after. Notice how "snug" everything fits, because all the PSU cables are being covered by that top plate:
IMG_0727M.JPG


If a 3.5" hdd was mounted, it would go on top of where the ATX connector on the motherboard is, not letting the top plate close:
IMG_0728M.JPG


Last thing I want to show is, it might be a little PITA to get these tabs to let loose to take off the front faceplate. Make sure your fingers are nimble enough to reach underneath to push down on those tabs ;-)
IMG_0731M.JPG


-------------------

So that's it! If you can deal with the 'stipulations' of owning this case (2.5" hdd, squished PSU blocking ports over mobo, slim DVD drive only), it might be the case for you.
If you like the pictures/grievances against this case, post! Also, I can try to answer any questions regarding this case. To me (a person whom had just a motherboard *literally* behind the TV [see one, two, three, this case was perfect!)
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
reserved, possibly for adding more pics

HTPC "setup" - i really need to do my cord control back there... :p
IMG_2200L.JPG


item comparison: intel hsf from E6600, ps3 ds3 ctrlr, wii, case, some cds
IMG_2201L.JPG
 
Last edited:

nyker96

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
5,630
2
81
that is a super tiny case. look like one of those compact slim case dell used to sell. that vendetta cooler looks huge in comparison.
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
that is a super tiny case. look like one of those compact slim case dell used to sell. that vendetta cooler looks huge in comparison.

its slimmer than that, since these cases can't even use regular-sized optical drives!

one more pic:

IMG_0724M.JPG
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Sweet pictorial review!

I don't think you need to worry very much about the stock Intel cooler. Those CPUs don't run very hot if they are not overclocked and if you don't consider OCCT/Prime as normal day-by-day applications.
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
Sweet pictorial review!

I don't think you need to worry very much about the stock Intel cooler. Those CPUs don't run very hot if they are not overclocked and if you don't consider OCCT/Prime as normal day-by-day applications.

Thanks! But yeah... a Wolfdale-1M E3300 @ 2.5ghz (12.5 x 200) --> 3.33ghz (12.5 x 266) w/o trying might be a slight cause for concern :awe:
 

Tesno

Junior Member
Sep 22, 2011
1
0
0
Is it possible to make 3,5 incher fit in some place with mATX mobo? For example by removing unneeded metal. Any ideas will that psu work with A8-3850?
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Why not get an ITX motherboard for that A8? An ASRock FM1 ITX board is available at Newegg for pretty cheap, plus Asus and MSI are known to have such boards in production (just not available here yet).
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,643
3
81
Is it possible to make 3,5 incher fit in some place with mATX mobo? For example by removing unneeded metal. Any ideas will that psu work with A8-3850?

If you got a "short" mATX mobo, it might work. I've read reviews saying they were able to fit a 3.5" HDD, but the mobo I used was kind of "long" so it ended up going underneath where the slim sata optical drive would go.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119211

Great review. I've long been tempted to shove my e8400 into a micro/mini-ITX case. Still thinking about it...

In fact, I just came upon this alternative today: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-56101121-L06B

Might work for some of you who don't already have a compact motherboard and want something even smaller than the Elite 100.

haha yeah, if you've got an ITX board already, there are a lot of ITX-only cases that you can choose from. I also have the Antec ISK-300 ($30 on a deal from amazon!) that I use w/ an X2 260 + ITX mobo
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,794
10,435
147
Really like this little case. Using it for my HTPC. Replacing the noisy psu fan like this http://wwwhe.xbitlabs.com/articles/cases/display/mini-itx-cases-roundup_6.html
made for a very quiet system.

You must STOP POSTING on this illegal 2nd account, or you will not be allowed back here at all, on any account.

You asked for your needed info for your klein297 account in Mod Discussions, and I responded with what you needed in that thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2195382

Read it and use it, and notify me when you have, please.

Perknose
Forum Director