| Cooler Master Cosmos Black Label Computer Case |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Cases | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Friday, 12 December 2008 | |
Cosmos Black LabelBack in September of 2007 Benchmark Reviews tested Cooler Master's Cosmos RC-1000 full-tower computer case, and was so impressed with the fine attention to detail that it earned our Golden Tachometer Award. Then, a few month later in February of 2008, we witnessed the Cooler Master Cosmos S arrive to the scene with a darkened appearance and sport-car curves. So it's fitting then that Cooler Master offer their most revered computer case in a limited edition set. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Cooler Master Cosmos Black Label Limited Edition E-ATX full-tower computer case kit (SKU: RC-1000S-KKN2-GP), as a supplemental installment to our original comprehensive Cosmos 1000 review. Cooler Master introduces the Black Label Limited Edition with worldwide availability of 500 individually numbered sets. This luxurious collection brings together the company's award-winning computing chassis, cooler and power supply, with an added touch of sophisticated black appearance plus feature enhancements: Cosmos Black Label, Hyper Z600 Black Label and a powerful PSU unit. MSRP 599USD or 499EUR. Details at: blacklabel.coolermaster.com
The 500 Club 
Since launching Benchmark Reviews almost two years ago, we have supplied enthusiasts and casual users several articles on almost thirty computer case products, ranging from HTPC enclosures to extremely simple cases. After working with so many different varieties and designs I have started to quickly categorize these products into different classes the moment I see them, which allows me to easily determine which computer case might appeal to a certain demographic. Computer enthusiasts are a lot like automobile owners: we all want something different than everyone else while expressing ourselves at the same time. With so many options to choose from, both in the auto industry and the computer industry, it isn't very difficult to find your taste. Not so long ago I reviewed the Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 gaming case, which could easily share relation to the exotic sports cars we can't afford. It was a very nice case, to be sure, but at the end of the day a sports car only has one purpose. Today we take the Cooler Master Cosmos Black, a limited edition release nearly identical to the original RC-1000, out for a test drive. In my original review I claimed that the Cosmos was the Range Rover of computer cases, and I still feel that this statement is true; only now the ride is black. It wasn't until the last few years that this company began producing components outside of their initial focus. From cases and coolers, to power supplies and hard drive enclosures. It seems almost necessary then that Cooler Master design the ultimate computer chassis which combines their collective skill set, and these creative minds built the Cosmos Mid-Tower ATX Case (RC-1000).In 2007, Cooler Master created COSMOS, a serene spirit within a luxurious, high-performance body. Each line of COSMOS is born with elegant heritage originated from devotion to prudence and innovation. It is captivating to know such power is enclosed behind the silence. About the company: Cooler MasterCooler Master was founded with the mission of providing the industry's best thermal solutions. Since its establishment a decade ago, the company has remained faithful to this mission, emerging as a world leader in products and services for companies dealing with devices where heat issues must be resolved. In pursuing this mission, Cooler Master is absolutely committed to delivering solutions that precisely meet customer requirements for features, performance, and quality. Moreover, we strive to be a reliable long-term partner for our customers that they can truly depend on. It aims to be the first and foremost name that comes to mind for companies around the world seeking thermal solutions, and seeks to build such a reputation through outstanding technology, sophisticated design, and superior service. Cooler Master's current business encompasses a comprehensive lineup of thermal solutions for a full range of applications. Its products range from heat sinks and fans to component housing, chassis, and ducting for computers, industrial machinery, telecommunications equipment, and many other devices.
Cosmos Black Label Features
RC-1000S-KKN2-GP Specifications
First Look: Cosmos BlackAs a foreword, if you're not a fan of black-colored computer cases, you're about to be disappointed. For everyone else, Benchmark Reviews offers the worlds first look at the Cosmos Black. This isn't your average computer enclosure. Nothing about what you will read or see in the next few pages will give you the complete experience of seeing this case in person. I regret this, but it is the truth. I have reviewed a lot of computer cases recently, and the Cosmos Black is by far the most feature-filled product I have seen in a very long time. The Cooler Master Cosmos RC-1000S-KKN2-GP kit comes with three separate components: the Cosmos Black Label full-tower computer case, Hyper Z600 Black Label CPU cooler, and UCP 700W power supply (not Black label - model RS-700-AAAA-A3). In this article, I will concentrate our attention on the Cosmos Black computer case, which is a almost an exact replica of the original Cosmos RC-1000 with a few improvements made.
Cooler Master has done something a little different with the front panel plates for the Cosmos. Each plate is a ventilated grill, which works to improve and balance intake pressure. These drive bay plates are easily removed from the RC-1000S by depressing the side and pulling away from the case. Also visible in the image below is the door hinge mechanism. Cooler Master made the front bezel door to be right or left-hand accessible. The Cosmos Black Label sports white plastic hinge components, with a spring-loaded pin to allow moving to either side of the full-tower extended-ATX case. These extra drive bay plates would be easily stored in the handy "Exclusive Carrying Box" if it were only slightly longer. Keep them in a safe place, because they are meant to be reusable. In the meantime, that carry box is a good place for zip-ties and spare thumb screws.
The Cosmos Black Label is very similar to the Zalman Z-Machine GT1000, NZXT Lexa Blackline, and Antec P182, in that all of these were improvements of a pre-existing model that stood to benefit from some tweaking (actually the P182 was essentially the same exact case as the Antec P180B before it). You could safely claim that the exterior of the Cosmos Black Label looks like a black-colored replica of the original RC-1000, because it nearly is, but there's plenty on the inside to set the two apart.
The original Cosmos 1000 had brushed aluminum doors on both sides of the chassis, and for the Black Label edition this is only true of the motherboard-side panel. Both doors still release and open with the left of a lever, but the service side panel contains a window to show of the tough new interior. Cooler Master may not have taken the idea of noise canceling material and applied it to every panel, as we were delighted to see in the NZXT HUSH, but the Cosmos does still use sound-deadening material to the double-wall steel side nearest to the motherboard.
The backside of the Cosmos Black Label is very much a chip off the old block. Aside from a new color, the backside of the Cosmos is identical in every aspect except the expansion card blanks. The rear fan (included) is a 120mm exhaust unit which operates at a mere 17 dBA. As evidenced by our recent review of the ATCS 840, Cooler Master has evolved from the plain steel blanks and has started to use vented expansion card blanks. The added ventilation helps equalize internal case pressure and allow items like the video card to properly expel heated air if they were designed to. RC-1000S Closer LookThe Cooler Master Cosmos Black Label should be fairly popular among enthusiasts, especially considering the long run of popularity the RC-1000 and Cosmos-S have had. Antec has long since been an advocate of all things black, which has done them well as the most popular case manufacturer of 2007. Finishing out 2008 is a different story, as the Black Label Limited Edition kit reveals how products don't need to be fresh inventions but merely perfected re-inventions.
Beginning our detailed examination of the Cooler Master Cosmos Black Label E-ATX case we start at the top, which has reminded me of the original Nissan 280-Z every time I see it. Sturdy rails are mounted to the top of the Cosmos, which in all likelihood will never see real use (they aren't luggage racks), but the Cosmos is quite heavy at 37+ pounds so if you're constantly moving the system around these rails will become you friend. The in-laid rubber mat has always thrown me as to it's purpose. I'm not the kind of person to set something on this 'tray', as I like to keep a tidy computer free of loose change and car keys. As a point of criticism, I really admired the metal grill used on the Cosmos Sport which allowed two fans to breathe freely. New and improved on the Cosmos Black is the upgrade to two large 140mm cooling fans for high-volume low-noise exhaust.
Another improvement over the original Cosmos 1000 is the windowed side panel, which offers the enthusiast an opportunity to show of his expensive hardware collection. The Cosmos Sport has a large 240mm side fan that often proved a hassle more than anything else, so I'm rather pleased the Cooler Master avoided that pitfall on their Black Label re-make.
Atop the front bezel I/O panel are four USB 2.0 ports, followed by headphone/microphone mini-plugs, a single IEEE-1324 Firewire B port, and completed with the new eSATA port interface. This is probably among the best case I/O panels you will find on any case, but Cooler Master decided against the expensive touch-sensitive power button featured on the Cosmos S. Cooler Master's topside I/O panel is both AC'97 and HD Audio ready, and running the eSATA connection will require a free SATA port on the motherboard. These cables run the length of the Cosmos (from top to bottom), and can be concealed using the cable port beneath the motherboard.
Liquid cooling has kept a moderate user-base over the years, and although I personally feel that there are fewer WC enthusiasts than there used to be, I see more and more manufacturers accommodating them. Cooler Master has kept liquid-cooling enthusiasts in mind, and rightfully so since they still offer the Aquagate product line of silent cooling solutions. The two soft-rubber grommets allow liquid-cooling hoses to enter the case from the top, thanks to the relocated power supply housing. On the off chance someone converts from air to water, the Cosmos is equipped to meet their needs and allow for exterior radiator mounting.
On a side note, the Cosmos Black Label can house a large radiator in place of the twin 140mm fans near the top of the case. You'll see exactly what I'm referring to as we move in our closer look of the RC-1000S interior... Cosmos Black Label InteriorSome hardware enthusiasts may not believe that the new Cooler Master Black Label series is more than just a paint job over the old Cosmos 1000. But as we will discover in this section, Cooler Master has learned to teach an old dog a few new tricks. This section is meant as a supplement to the original (non-Black Label) review, so for those new to this series of product there is more in-depth information available in the RC-1000 article. From the side view of the open Cosmos Black Label computer case pictured below, there are a few new features added to others which Cooler Master has successfully implemented into past products. The tool-less drive bay retaining clips may look familiar, since the ones used on the previous Cosmos products and share similarities to the Cooler Master Elite 332 and 333. Back again in this revision are the vertical hard drive trays, removable video card wind tunnel, and lower directional focused-flow fan.
There is one rearward 120mm exhaust fan and two 140mm top-mounted fans on the limited edition Cosmos Black Label case. The large amount of negative internal case pressure comes is created to help front-side vents seep air past the components (primarily the hard drives). The removable wind tunnel feature is back in black, and helps provide cool airflow to graphic cards. This raises a concern however, since nearly all modern video cards require neutral or positive inner-case air pressure to blow heated air over the fins and out the back of the case (such as the entire GeForce GTX series). Cooler Master most likely determined a negative air pressure concept would ultimately benefit end users. Obviously the Cosmos wasn't designed with every single person in mind, and perhaps those hardware enthusiasts who utilize liquid cooling are the best candidates for this E-ATX case. Serious gamers should consider their equipment though, because the negative internal air pressure may affect the cooling ability of their equipment. Of course, it wouldn't take much to drop a fan or two to reverse this, and just leave them as open-air vents.
The 5.25" device retaining clips are now colored completely black, and by simply pushing the extended Cooler Master button in the center each clip detaches from the steel cage. No screws are necessary, as the retaining pins fit into the device screw holes. The opposite side of the Cooler Master Cosmos is more technical than most cases. The Cosmos Black Label has two very large oval openings for cable management running vertically, and one small oval horizontal port beneath the motherboard. These openings are more than large enough to accommodate every cable that can reach them, but there is very little room for cables to run to/from these large cutouts from behind the motherboard. A 120mm focused-flow lower intake cooling fan returns in the Black Label edition, after an absence in the Cosmos S. I'm not entirely sure why Cooler Master decided on putting this particular fan at the bottom of the Cosmos, granted there's plenty of room along the bottom of the case to accommodate it, but I won't question anything that creates positive air pressure at this point. This fan has an adjustable deflector that can turn 360° so that the air flow can be aimed at particular components.
The original Cosmos 1000 had one major design flaw: it cooked high-performance hard drives, such as Western Digital's Raptor series, because of the reduced amount of active airflow. The honeycomb grill offers passive ventilation, but because of the compartmentalized structure of these six pull-out bays, this vent does very little good. The once-optional fan (identical to the adjustable-direction fan at the bottom) now comes standard, and is installed atop the drive cage. With a little craftsmanship, installing an additional 120mm cooling fan over the outside of the honeycomb vent could offer the best cooling configuration. Six individual trays house hard disk drives in the Cosmos Black Label, just as they did in the original RC-1000. Each tray is constructed of aluminum with soft rubber mounting grommets, and has a large opening which allows heat to escape the tray. The aluminum handle snaps into a pair of retaining holds, and a thumb screw secures the tray to the cage. These trays are all removable, but because of a solid "front" face, the cables must all be run from the opposite side. Since the trays have only one opening for power and data cables, your cables will be relegated to enter/exit though the large vertical ports. This is fine, except that removing the hard drive now requires opening both side panels to remove cable connections, and remove the thumb screw securing the tray.
The image above gives an excellent view of the power supply vent, which includes a nylon filter screen accessible from the underside of the Cosmos for cleaning. The power supply vent chamber will accommodate standard sized ATX power supplies, however the larger 7.9" PSU's will mount with a slight overhang with no negative impact on cooling. Cooler Master has given me something to think about with the placement of the PSU. Because the location is moved to the bottom of the case, it really offers more room for fans at the top of the Cosmos. But there's still more to the Cosmos PSU location than meets the eye. Consider that most power supply units have a fan on the underside, and then notice the vented opening which has insulating strip around the frame. This design approach removes the PSU from the positive/negative pressure effect of this particular mid-tower ATX case, which proves there was some extra planning involved. In the next section, I will summarize my impression of the Cooler Master Black Label Limited Edition set, and offer some notes on the new Cosmos Black improvements. Black Label Limited EditionWhen I compared the original Cooler Master Cosmos RC-1000 computer case to the Range Rover, I couldn't have been more accurate. The flaws exist in both, but I think what's obvious is that the Cosmos offers a lot of features and convenience at the expense of performance and speed. Cooler Master went back and made good on their design, added a black paint job over every conceivable part, and re-released in a limited edition. This is where I've got some mixed feelings about the Black Label set. On one hand, you're getting something fewer than 500 other enthusiasts are getting. When you consider the number of product analysts, marketing specialists, sales team agents, demo loans, and countless other hands that will receive the RC-1000S-KKN2-GP kit, that number gets a lot smaller. So should only 500 people be allowed to own the improved version of the Cosmos? I hope not. If Cooler Master garners enough demand, perhaps there will be a limited edition Cosmos-only black label kit.
What you get for your (rather large amount of) money is a sealed black envelope, embossed with a foil Black Label Limited Edition logo and stamped with your production number. Inside is a "membership card", which is a glossy black credit-card look-alike with raised production number in the lower corner. In reality, you don't need to open the envelope, as there's nothing useful inside. Simply use your production number and product serial number (labeled at the back of the case) to register for the Black Label lounge. So who is the Cooler Master Cosmos Black Label set really best suited for? The original Cooler Master Hyper Z600 CPU cooler did extremely well for itself, and still hold a spot in our Best CPU Cooler Performance series. So it stands to reason that a Limited Edition version would do just as well and perhaps look even better. We will soon see, as the Black Label Z-600 will be tested in the Best CPU Cooler Performance - Q4 2008 article. Gamers are really not all that neglected, but certain video cards will thrive on the exhaust-heavy system others will require that you remove a fan to equalize pressure. The feature amenities are so numerous with the Cosmos that even the casual computer user would absolutely love this collectors edition case. The included UCP 700W power supply offers excellent voltage regulation control, and has a maximum output of 840W. Most users either under- or over-power their system, but my Core i7-920 with dual Radeon HD 4870 X2's in a CrossFireX array had no problem keeping demands under 600W. From my personal impression, the Black Label set makes the perfect gift for the hardware-involved enthusiast who appreciates unique and well-performing products. Since we're only a couple weeks away from Christmas (and Hanukkah) the timing might be right, RC-1000S-KKN2-GP ConclusionWhen you're rating a Limited Edition boxed set, the odds are very good that presentation will be top-notch. Like most everything that comes from Cooler Master, function is held as highly as fashion, and the Black Label kit is no exception. The retail packaging is more than informative enough to educate buyers before they make the purchase, which is always helpful towards comparison shoppers. It wouldn't be fair to ignore the aura of Black Label membership, and the exclusive feeling of owning a Limited Edition product among the sea of clones. The Black Label delivers a top notch buyers experience, and the packaging and presentation are all above expectations. There were many people that felt like the original Cosmos 1000 should have come in a color other than silver. Cooler Master barely answered this demand with a titanium-finished Cosmos Sport. Now, finally available in limited numbers, is the Black version of the popular Cosmos computer case. The added styling and multiple ventilation grills only help improve the unique and technical appearance, and the new window panel shows off all the glossy goods inside.
Cooler Master has done well to improve on the existing design, and correct some less than appreciated short-comings from the previous design. And did I mention the case is made of steel? I intentionally saved that little tidbit for the end, because the Cosmos is often mistaken for aluminum. As you might expect for a 37-pound full-tower chassis, it's extremely well built with solid construction throughout. The term 'built like a tank' applies here, but only if you include 'heavy as a tank' too. Regarding Functionality, the list grows very long. Super-easy 5.25" device clips, washable nylon ventilation filters, liquid-cooling ports, tool-less panel doors and drive tray removal, and the large fan cooling paired to the removable video card wind tunnel. All these are just the beginning, because Cooler Master has added so many different convenience features that the point is well driven home. Simply said, the functionality is among the best possible, while offering more complimentary features than seen in any other case before it... except for maybe the last two Cosmos iterations, of course. Value is not easy to rate at this time, since Benchmark Reviews is the first website to reveal the Cosmos Black Label kit on launch day. There are a few sources advertising the RC-1000S-KKN2-GP SKU, but North American sources like NewEgg have yet to stock this Limited Edition set. At the time of this writing, the original Cosmos 1000 case sells for $189.99, while the Cosmos S is listed for $249.99. Cooler Master has recommended an initial MSRP of $599, which means the Cosmos Black costs almost $340 if you consider that the RC-700 PSU currently sells for $189.99 and the standard Z-600 lists for $69.99 Since you get an exclusive product, we have to take that into consideration for the value rating. In conclusion, I am extremely impressed with the Cooler Master RC-1000S-KKN2-GP Black Label kit, and very satisfied with the improvements made to the limited edition Cosmos computer case. I would have loved to see motherboard tray cut-outs for CPU cooler backplates without removing the entire system, ala ATCS 840, but I suppose there will always be subtle ways to improve even the best masterpiece. The asking price is actually fairly reasonable considering the Limited Edition status, design improvements, and looks; besides, most retailers usually sell below the MSRP. Pros:
+ Very attractive all-black design Cons:
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