Deepcool CL500 Review
If you’re looking for a flashy PC case that catches the eye of everyone that walks into the room, Deepcool's CL500 ($79.99) is not the chassis for you. Featuring a two-tone paint job and a complete lack of RGB LED bling, this mid-tower ATX chassis simply isn't a flashy entry into the PC DIY stakes. It paints in a palette of grey, glass, and black. But that doesn't mean that this case is plain to the point of invisibility. Quite the contrary—the CL500's design comes off as both edgy and industrial. The case also has a quality feel that belies its low price. It looks—and builds—better in person.
A key goal for Deepcool in designing the CL500 was to create a case with excellent airflow, and this is something the case maker has clearly succeeded in doing. Running across the top and down the front of the case is a series of metal fins reminiscent of a large metal heatsink. Behind the fins is a layer of metal mesh that helps to keep out dust and makes the case look all the more like one big heatsink. The case may not actually function as a heatsink, but air will pass right through with ease.
The right panel is simple sheet metal without any holes for ventilation; the left panel also lacks ventilation cutouts but is made of tempered glass. The lack of ventilation from the side panels shouldn't be a problem given the large vents on the top, rear, and front of the case. These should allow air to pass through in a straight line without being routed out the sides.
