CM Storm Enforcer Review : Conclusion

For the observant ones out there, you will recognise some similarities between the Enforcer and HAF 912 Plus. It adopts similar features, size and styling. I would suggest the Enforcer carries with it the success of the HAF 912 Plus with a facelift and by that I mean the front facia. The Storm Enforcer does not disappoint in that regard, with a sharp look that strikes a great balance between sleek simplicity and aggressive undertones. It is an aesthetic that certainly has gamer appeal, but the feature set and looks will likely appeal to a wider audience, since a good case is a good case, whether it's marketed to gamers or not. This bodes well for Cooler Master, but also for consumers looking for greater flexibility and quality in a well-rounded mid-tower setup.

Functionally speaking, the Enforcer has a tidy and well-organized interior that shows attention has been paid to the details that make a difference. The feature set here is innovative outstanding, which is often a rarity in mid-tower case design, offering some flexible cooling options, and versatility of control with the system setup and operation. Clearly, this case is not targeted to the modders in the crowd; it is squarely set on the gamer market, and in that sense the Enforcer is a very well-designed and solid case. Showcasing a great combination of sharp aesthetics, extensive features, and outstanding quality, the Cooler Master Storm Enforcer is an great choice for a mid-tower case.

Pros
+ Brilliant build quality
+ Similar body but different looks to HAF 912 Plus
+ Installation is a breeze
+ USB3.0 header

Cons
- No fan control
- No thumbscrews for expansion slot covers

CM Storm Enforcer Review : Installation

We will be installing an i7 2600K on the ASUS P8P67 Deluxe motherboard with a 4GB set of G-Skill RipJawsX DDR3 RAM. The system will be powered by the Silverstone Strider 1000W PSU. For Video Card we will be mounting an EVGA GTX-570. Drive wise we will mount a WD Raptor HDD and one DVD±R burner.

The first thing we noticed when we opened up the accessory bag for our standoffs and screws is a handy little adapter to use for installing our standoffs. When the system was assembled, you'll see how nicely this system looks all mounted and ready to go. Working inside the CM Storm Enforcer was relatively easy considering it is a Mid-Tower chassis.

Cable management is hardly a challenge with the Storm Enforcer; Cooler Master Engineers did a great job of designing the Storm Enforcer to enable even those with little skills in cable management to do an awesome job.

CM Storm Enforcer Review : Interior Look

Removing the side panels is very easy. Thumbscrews hold the side panel with the window in place whilst standard screws hold the plain side. Side panels slide off to reveal a memorable interior. Those familiar with the HAF 912 Plus and the HAF 912 Advanced will notice key similarities with the layout and options available inside Enforcer. Take a look at the all black interior. Very nice. More new features for the Storm Enforcer are found here starting with the 2.5” drive bracket you see sitting in the middle of the floor panel. The interior supports up to twelve 3.5” and/or 2.5” devices. The upper portion of the hard drive cage is removable and 90 degree rotatable. Several options become available when the hard drive cage is detached. The 2.5” hard drive cage can be relocated to the top of the fixed 3.5” hard drive cage on the bottom. The newly freed up space allows long graphics cards such as the ATI HD5970 and NVIDIA GTX 590 to fit with no problem.

Behind the motherboard tray there is a rather large CPU cooler backplate cut-out. Cable management cut-outs are essential nowadays and its good to see the Enforcer continues this trait.

Do we have room for cable management? Not a lot, but more than I have seen in a good deal of cases lately.

A feature we are happy to see continued is the tool-free design of the Cooler Master Rocker style 5.25” drive locks. Simply push the rocker right, slide the drive in, push the rocker left and you are done. A simple design that is totally effective. Just below the optical drive bays you see the 3.5” bays and to the left the 2.5” drive bay. Remember that you will have to remove the upper 3.5” cage in order to install those monstrous video cards.

Below is a close up view of the massive Red LED front intake fan. The opened front panel hides a removable dust filter; the Storm Enforcer keeps the intake accessible for easy cleaning.

Starting at the bottom, we have an area designated for the PSU. This has a filter and I am pleased to see anti-vibration rubber to reduce noise and metal on metal scratching. Cooler Master has provided a rather large perforated area which will allow even the longest power supplies, though you will have to remove the 2.5” drive cage sitting on the bottom of the case.

Look at the expansion slots, there are 7 expansion slot covers each with ventilation for better airflow inside Enforcer. I'm surprised to see no thumbscrews here though, with just the standard screw - you will need to get the screwdriver out.

We have a pre-installed 120mm fan for the rear exhaust, this fan has the 3-pin to molex adapter already fitted. So its really up to you whether you want to plug directly into the PSU or motherboard header. At the top as already mentioned, there is no pre-installed fan but space to installed 1 x 200mm or 1 x 140mm fan or 2 x 120mm fans.

CM Storm Enforcer Review: Exterior Look

The CM Storm Enforcer draws from a design that is reminiscent of a futuristic or even a biological armor. It focuses on cleaner lines that preserve an aggressive styling that is a worthy addition to the CM Storm product line. A nearly full-length side panel window allows users to show off their liquid cooling, custom wiring, and cable management with pride. This is accompanied by an interior coated entirely by a high quality black finish.

Please take notice of the 8 expansion slots. As mentioned, this is where Cooler Master’s Storm Guard can be installed. Storm Guard works by running the USB cables of peripherals (i.e. mouse, keyboard, etc.) through the notches and plugging them in to a desired port. The Storm Guard is then secured to an available expansion slot. This helps prevent theft of your peripherals while off at LANs and other events.

Three water cooling holes with rubber grommets, 120mm rear exhaust fan, and a bottom mounting PSU cutout rounds out the features found on the rear panel of the CM Storm Enforcer.

The windowed panel on the right side is just large enough to show off your high powered rigs.

Notice how the right side panel is more of a “Plain” design; I was hoping to find the panel that extrudes slightly which would be nice for our cable management opportunities.

The top 200mm fan is optional but as you can see the Enforcer comes pre-drilled to accept fans of various sizes as well as a 240mm Radiator for your water cooling if you decide to go for the extreme cooling. I really like the tray area at the forward edge of the top panel, nice area to put your flash drives, cell phone, car keys, or MP3 player.

Here on the front control panel you have USB 3.0 ports on each side as well as a couple USB 2.0 ports and the Mic and Headphone jack at the center. The main power switch is located here, centered below the I/O connections, but where is the reset button..??? It hidden behind the door, a nice technique for eliminating accidental reset.

The bottom continues the all-black theme and shows the dust filter for the power supply.

CM Storm Enforcer Review : Packaging and Accessories

Now we dive straight into the photo-shoot. As always we start off with packaging. Here the box, clearly denoting the Enforcer chassis.

The Enforcer is contained in a sleek black box with red accents, continuing the Cooler Master Storm theme we're accustomed to seeing.

The accessories package is complete, with all the things you’ll need for a build, and is very extensive. The package includes motherboard standoffs, various screws, drive rails, black zip ties, and even a drive bay converter. There's also a nifty peripheral "lock" for expansion slot that prevents someone shifty from walking away with your mouse or headset while, say, at a LAN party.

CM Storm Enforcer Review : Introduction

Cooler Master has been on a streak with their popular and acclaimed Storm Series cases, and while their budget-oriented cases haven’t garnered as much attention, there is a very large number of users who may dream of owning, say, an HAF-X, for example, but simply cannot afford one. So Cooler Master is also offering claims for style, function, and value in their entry-level lineup. And today we’re looking at their Storm Enforcer, a feature-laden mid-tower case that looks promising.

Features

• Front I / O Panel with USB 3.0 (internal)


• Tool - free for 5.25” device


• Dust Filters on bottom and front intakes


• Cable management for better cable routing


• Reinforced front door protects your vital devices


• Supports rear internal 120mm water cooling radiator


• Removable & Rotatable HDD cage for convenient installation


• Support high-end graphics cards including ATI Radeon HD 5970


• Storm Guard - security system for safeguarding your gaming peripherals

Specifications

Model Number	SGC-1000-KWN1
Available Color	Black
Material	Steel body, ABS plastic, Mesh bezel
Dimensions	(W) 229 x (H) 484.5 x (D) 523.5 mm (W) 9.0 x (H) 19.0 x (D) 20.6 inch
Net Weight	8.9 KG / 19.5 lb
M/B Type	Micro-ATX, ATX
5.25" Drive Bay	4 Exposed (one could be converted to 3.5” bay)
3.5" Drive Bay	1 Exposed (converted to 5.25” bay) / 6 Hidden
2.5” Drive Bay	4 Hidden (two converted from 3.5” bay)
Cooling System	Front: 200mm Red LED fan x 1, 1000 RPM, 19 dBA Rear: 120mm black fan x 1, 1200 RPM, 17 dBA Top: 200 mm black fan x 1 (optional ; can be swapped for two 120mm fans)
Expansion Slots	7 + 1
I/O Panel	USB3.0 x 2 (internal), USB2.0 x 2, Mic x 1, Audio x 1
Power Supply	Standard ATX PS2 / EPS 12V (Optional)
Maximum Compatibility	CPU cooler height: 175mm VGA card length: 270mm (with HDD cage) or 390mm (without HDD cage)

This new chassis has a few surprises harbored in it, like the fact it will allow for the parallel rotation of the hard drive bays, offering better cooling with a front 200mm fan, rear 120mm exhaust fan and the ability to install up to two top fans or house an internal 240mm radiator.