INTRODUCTION

   As far back as i can remember all my friends were always looking to find the weirdest looking PC case to house their brand new systems and although i once followed their lead by choosing the quite remarkable (for its time) Xaser III by Thermaltake I’ve always liked elegant models without many bells and whistles on the outside (interior space and build quality have always been the two most important things for me). For good or bad lately most manufacturers out there have been focusing mostly in the design and manufacture of strange looking towers (some for example base design on sports cars) to try and attract as many "young" people as possible and although that's understandable many times we see build quality and interior space placed last (an exception to that rule although it could have been even better is the Cosmos II). COUGAR may not be one of the oldest PC case manufacturers in the market but they have released quite a few interesting models and today on our test bench we have their brand new MX500 Midi Tower.

   COUGAR products are designed by COUGAR GERMANY, a professional R&D engineering team and COUGAR is part of the “HEC/COMPUCASE” Group. The unique combination of the world-famous German skills of designing the best products worldwide and HEC/s power and long-time experience to produce the best high quality products created innovative masterpieces in PSU history. The PC upgrading and DIY market is changing rapidly and is growing more and more. Professional user are asking for more than only stable and silent PSU/s, they want efficient and energy saving products without compromises in quality. COUGAR GERMANY created such products! COUGAR GERMANY combines the features of innovation and evolution to create efficient, powerful and unique products like “COUGAR POWER”. The purpose of COUGAR GERMANY is the satisfaction of the customer, reaching it by creating most valuable, advanced products. COUGAR – YOUR POWER!

   What you will appreciate or hate with the MX500 right from the start (i happen to like it quite a bit) is its design since unlike for example the Challenger or the Evolution (again by Cougar) it has a far more elegant and simple design that allows it to blend in most areas a lot easier (you can even place it right next/beneath your TV set). Features-wise the MX500 may not have something unique (a nice anti-glide surface is present at the top but that's not something important) but it does offer plenty of interior space including room for the longest graphics cards (410mm), 7 fans (or 5 fans and a dual 240/280mm radiator at the top), three 5.25" optical drive bays, 7 tool-free 3.5/2.5" drive trays (or 4x3.5" and 3x2.5") and 1 "hidden" 2.5" drive space (requires screws to secure the drive). True just by reading the specs-sheet the MX500 doesn't seem to have much other cases don't so let’s take a closer look and find out.