Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P System Case

MasterBox NR200P

Brand new 2020 model, a 18L compact PC system chassis with great cost performance.

Versatility in its build is the product of a collaborative design process spanning over a year and the end result is a very impressive practical yet pocket friendly model.

With careful proper planning, many interesting permutations are actually possible with this new model as shown by the early adopters.

Official website

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MasterBox NR200P

BIG FEATURES, Small Size

• 18L in Volume
• Modular Structure with 360 Degree Accessibility
• Triple-slot GPU Support with Included Vertical Riser Cable
• Ventilated Steel & Tempered Glass Side Panel Option
• Dual SickleFlow 120 Fans
• Vertical GPU Slot
• Side Mount Radiator/Fan Bracket
• Tool-free Mounting Design
• Pump Mounting based on DDC & D5 Spacing
• 3D Printable Feet
• Kensington Lock at PCI Bracket
• Bent USB 3.0 Header & Sleeved IO Connectors
• GPU Cut-out at Front
• Loop Veltro Tie
• Dual SFX PSU Mounting Positions
• Thick, Powder Coated SGCC Steel
• SGD 149 (Ban Leong SRP)

Specifications

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Do note the various caveats listed in the specs with regards to components, size considerations are an essential part of any compact system planning.
 

Exploded View

Unboxing

The sample piece is the NR200P white model. It comes in a brown cardboard box, possibly a greener recycling option. The NR200P model comes bundled with a PCI-e 3.0 x16 extension cable for vertical GPU placement at a reasonable extra cost of SGD30 over the non-P model.

Accessory Box 1

The first acccesory box contains the third side panel which is of the smoked tempered glass variety. It is packed nice and secure with dense foam and arrived in pristine condition.

Note: 2 steel and a tempered glass side panels are bundled ie. total of 3 panels.

Main Chassis

Very clean lines with a subtle matte white paint job, somehow seems Scandinavian inspired with visions of Ikea furnishing.

So subdued is the branding that the only hints of its CM heritage are the hexagonal shape of the Power button (white LED) and mere outline of the Cooler Master logo on the front bezel.

The chassis comes pre-installed with the 2 metal ventilated side panels, these are both inter-exchangeable with the bundled afore-mentioned tempered glass piece. The back PCI I/O plates are all fenestrated and re-installable.

Interior

The front panel is easily popped off by catching the bottom edge and pulling it out. The catch mechanism used is a Lian Li inspired plastic catch which has its own set of pros and cons.

Accessory Box 2

2 x SickleFlow 120 PWM fans with grilles, PCI-e 3.0 x16 extension cable, screws and cable ties

Next, remove the bottom panel by undoing the single anchoring screw at the back. This move could have been easily made tool-less by using a thumbscrew instead. Guess one can always make the one time investment of getting a thumbscrew.

And this is where the LL plastic catches come in for some criticism as they kept popping off when trying to re-install the bottom panel. One quick easy fix is to some double-sided tape, hot-glue or maybe a dab of super-glue. Hmm, does anyone have a source for reasonable priced black replacement clips?

The view from the bottom

Internal cabling

2.5" Device Mounts

Hidden behind the bezel are mounting sites for 2 x 2.5" SSD/HDD

Fitting Measurement Trial 

TuaLengKong BFG video cards seem very welcome in this case. Card installed for this fitting demo is the reference AMD Radeon 290 model.

Thanks to its all screws and no rivets design, the chasis can be totally dis-assembled.

Still, do consider using a long Philips tool when DIY-ing this case, makes life much easier especially if one has larger hands.

Finishing Finesse

It's been quite some time since I had taken a closer look at Cooler Master case offerings. In the past, certain models which I had used had issues with sharp cutting corners and ill fitting side panels. There seems to be no such issues for this model, with nice tight lines and safely folded corners.

Exterior paint job QC is comparatively definitely better vs the hidden interior.

Interesting Nuggets

Certain ATX PSUs and mATX mobos usage have been shown possible when carefully planned
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Cooler Master Design Thought Process featuring Matteo Costa from CM Europe - plans for evolving the design further with full ATX PSU bracket etc.
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MIC Mod Video

The mainlanders are already having lots of fun modding this versatile model amidst their current seasonal flooding and Covid-19 pandemic, all power to them!

Sample Build

Decided to do a sample build to see if using a big video card with a normal sized ATX power supply would actually work without too much modding and it does!

So hooray indeed, more money and effort saved from the otherwise necessary evil of choosing from the excruciatingly narrow range of a quality SFX/SFX-L power supply.

The power supply used is my good ol' Corsair CS650M, a short semi-modular model from some time back. It is held in place with 2 x Velcro strips and is hugged quite snugly by the PSU cables between itself and the mobo. The GPU is the Asus Strix Radeon RX 5600XT which is an impressive 2.7 slot thicc and long model.

Operating temperatures reported were really impressive for such a small compact case most unlike most compact cases in past experience.

Here are a few shots of the build from different angles, enjoy.

Initial Impression

Excellent and most interesting effort from Cooler Master in bringing on an affordable and versatile 18L compact case during this pandemic times. Impressive cost performance.

Makes WFH much easier to bear with beautiful distractions like these so kindly, more pretty please.

Pros

• Great looks and ventilation at a reasonable price!
• Much improved fitting finesse and finishing, no biting sharp corners
• Matte paint job = non-fingerprint magnet
• Totally  dis-assembly possible
• Versatile - lots of ways to be modded
• Designed to support both air or water cooled rigs
• Total of 3 inter-exchangeable side panels bundled - better ventilation or better looks, your choice
• Imaginative planners can even try carefully chosen mATX mobos, short ATX PSUs...
• NR200P model includes cable for vertical GPU placement amongst other extras
• Still evolving with even more flexible support
• Possibly the most cost effective competitor in its class for now

Cons

• Plastic catches ala Lian Li - not the sublime choice for secure fitting nor for durabilty (Click!)
• Lacks front USB-C port, HD activity LED, beeper
• Missed opportunity of implementing thumbscrews (easy fix)