Page 2 - Physical Look - Outside
On first glance, the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200 is an unassumingly small box. With an all-black exterior and steel panels, there does not seem to be too much out of the ordinary. However, I think this small box stands out precisely because of how small it is, as you can see it standing next to a typical Cavendish banana. Next to other enclosures in the Cooler Master MasterBox NR lineup, this simple exterior aligns with the rest of the series. Other similar elements include a thick line on the top mesh panel, as we will see later. The exterior panels are finished with a slightly gritty coat while the front panel curves over both sides to make for a less boxy look. Overall, the MasterBox NR200 may not necessarily attract people with its outlandish styling, but instead the subtle design and clean looks are most users will appreciate. Just to note, Cooler Master offers the NR200 in either black or white.
In terms of dimensions, the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200 measures 376mm in length, 185mm in width, and 274mm in height, which makes it quite compact. Furthermore, it has a volume capacity of 18.25L. This makes it quite spacious even in the smaller size. In terms of mass, the MasterBox NR200 weighs in at 4.6kg, which is pretty light even for its size.
From this vantage point, you can get a better idea of the front and left-side panels on the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200. The front is a solid panel with curved edges and an outline of the Cooler Master logo. The left-side panel is not made up of tempered glass and uses a solid black steel panel with many ventilation holes instead. Inside, there is a magnetic mesh side to filter the air coming in. If you did want a tempered glass panel here, you can look at getting the MasterBox NR200P, which includes both options for you to choose from. I will highlight the other differences between the NR200 and NR200P throughout the review. I personally am fine with forgoing the clear side, especially at such a small form factor, as excess cabling is even more exposed to the user.
Moving to the backside of the case, we have a similar looking right side as the left, with many circular ventilation holes and a mesh lining to allow air to pass freely through while being filtered of dust and debris. On the backside of the case, we have a pretty typical layout with some extras and modifications. At the very top, we have a standard AC plug for the internally mounted power supply. Underneath, we have the rectangular opening for the motherboard I/O. Beside the opening is another set of ventilation holes with rails to mount a 92mm fan. A 92mm exhaust fan is preinstalled there. You can also punch out the area to vertically mount your graphics card, but this will be incompatible with the exhaust fan. If you opt for the NR200P, you will get vertical expansion slots also. Finally, at the bottom, we have three expansion slots. While most ITX motherboards only have one PCI Express slot, it has become common to find video cards that take up three expansion slots at the back. As such, it is great to see Cooler Master provide compatibility for the extra row. Beside the expansion slots, there is a Kensington lock hole to deter people from taking your system.
At the top of the case, you can get a better view of the one line that strikes across the top of the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200. This design choice definitely makes this case align with the rest of the MasterBox NR lineup. Otherwise, the whole top panel is made up of a mesh frame with many small holes to act as both the mesh filter and the perforated panel. If you take a closer look, you can actually see the cut-out holes for two 120mm fans at the top. To the right side of the photo, which is the front of the MasterBox NR200, you can get a better idea of the front I/O. This includes two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a single 3.5mm combination headphone and microphone jack, square reset button, and a hexagonal power button. The power button lights up white when the computer inside is powered on. I would have liked to see a USB Type-C connection since they are practically the norm, but we do not have this luxury here.
Flipping the Cooler Master MasterBox NR200 over, you can see the bottom feet and ventilation. On the corners, Cooler Master have provided a single foot per corner with a foam cover, rising the case 2 cm above the resting surface, to ensure the case does not slip about on the surface it sits upon. It also should reduce vibrations between the case and the hard surface. If you want, you can also 3D print your own feet with patterns provided by Cooler Master. In between the feet, we have more holes for allowing air to pass through with yet another mesh filter to prevent dust from entering at the bottom. This mesh is held in place with magnets and can be removed from the outside. Finally, at the front, we have a small indent for a handle to remove the front-facing panel.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
