Page 4 - Installation and Conclusion
For the most part, installation is quick and easy. FSP includes a detailed manual that explains all the different screws and what they should be used for. This is especially important for anyone new who are not used to knowing which screws are used for SSDs and which ones are for the power supply.
The front pops off with some difficulty and it is quite difficult to work on it, because the whole front panel stays on unless you reroute all the front I/O cables. The front I/O cables keep the front panel on, making it difficult to install a radiator. Another difficulty came in the form of some limited space in the power supply area. The hard drive bays at the bottom cannot be removed or even shifted to the side, making it hard if you have a longer power supply. The maximum amount of room for the power supply is 200 mm. This is enough room, but it was hard to fit any extra cables down there.
My cable management is a bit of a mess, but FSP definitely has the tools to clean up the back of the case. There are plenty of cable loops to tie the cables down and organize them properly. FSP also ensured that there is enough room to close the back panel. There is about 25 mm gap, which should easily fit all the cables you are stuffing in there. After pushing down the cables a bit, it was very easy to close the back panel. FSP also explained the fan hub properly, which controls the RGB functions. However, the cable attached to the button on the front I/O has a very loose connection, meaning I had to be super careful when I was organizing the cables and closing the case to make sure it did not just pop out.
The overall look of the case with all the RGB fans on is amazing. From further away, there is a bit of a depth effect created, because the fans are receded from the front glass panel. FSP has also expanded on the many different colors someone can choose from, going from three colors in the CMT510 to seven colors in the CMT520. It is also possible to connect to an RGB controller on a motherboard to sync everything together. Furthermore, there are four different modes for the LEDs to work with. These are static, breathing, flash, and three color flash. Although FSP has improved on their RGB functionality, there are still some downsides. I still have no idea how to properly control the RGB functions or even to change the different modes. I try to choose a static color, but then when I look again the color has changed. It would be nice if FSP could include something to make it easier to know which mode is currently going, and a dedicated button to change modes instead of one button that controls everything.
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The FSP CMT520 has a few improvements over its previous installment while keeping plenty of the good stuff in. The overall look of the FSP CMT520 is great with the tempered glass front and side panel. The front has a bit of a depth effect, which is pretty cool too. The tempered glass definitely improves the overall feel and quality of the case. Furthermore, the FSP CMT520 is sturdily built, and should be a case that will last forever. The fans themselves are good, performing well and silently to boot. Otherwise, the RGB implementation is good, illuminating the entirety of the fan and not just some of its parts. Moving up to the I/O, the buttons are sort of squishy, but still have a click with it. The power button LED does not change with the rest of the colors, which could be quite annoying if you are looking for a consistent look. The RGB cycle button is difficult press, since it is small and sits flush with the case. When it comes to assembling your PC, the FSP CMT520 has plenty of room on the inside to easily route cables around even to normally tight spots. The open space also allows for plenty of cooling options. The front panel is hard to remove because of how the cables are routed, but again this is a minor complaint. Cable management on the back is easy, and there is plenty of room for storage. The biggest limitation on the back is the smaller space by the power supply and the fact that you cannot move the hard drive bay. The new fan hub is also a great addition, especially with its extra functionality for the possibility to plug into a motherboard. The loose connector on the fan hub is a bit of a drawback, but it can be worked around. The RGB functionality, although it has been expanded on, is still clunky. It is hard to know which mode you are on and suddenly the colors will start to cycle and flash through all the colors like a rave. The FSP CMT520 comes in at $105 USD, which is the same as the CMT510. The CMT520 makes some smaller improvements over the CMT510, and for the same is price, is definitely the better option if you like the look. However, similar complaints still stand, and further refinement will make it a real winner.
FSP provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.2/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
The FSP CMT520 improves in a few key areas over previous iterations of the company's chassis lineup and delivers an aesthetically pleasing case.
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Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
