Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2 Case Review - PAGE 1

Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2 Case: Introduction

The Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2 is a new iteration of the MasterBox case lineup. I previously reviewed the TD300 (built for Micro-ATX and smaller motherboards) back in February of last year. The TD500 Mesh V2 improves upon the original TD500 Mesh in a few ways including a cleaner side panel without screws through the glass, as the V2 has a metal bracket with ball sockets glued to the fritz of the tempered glass panel. The top panel is now removable for easier heat sink and water-cooling installations, and the front panel has an additional USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port.

The TD500 Mesh V2 can fit motherboards ranging from Mini ITX up to ATX, as well as extra large motherboards in the E-ATX and SSI CEB form factors up to 12”x10.7”. The front and top panels can support up to 360mm radiators, or up to two 280mm radiators, while the rear fan slot can fit a single 120mm radiator. The top radiator suggests a maximum thickness of 55mm, which is generous. It is recommended to use CPU coolers equal to or under 165mm in height, while a 200mm maximum clearance is offered for PSUs. The case should fit graphics cards measuring up to 410mm.

The mid-tower Cooler Master TD500 Mesh V2 comes with a 2-year warranty and has yet to hit store shelves, but the original version retails for $149.99 USD and is often discounted to $129.99.

Cooler Master also sent some other goodies for us to take a look at as I build the test system, including: a Hyper 212 Halo Black CPU cooler, a V750 Gold I modular power supply, and a multi-purpose GEM mounting stand that can hold controllers, headsets, and more to multiple surfaces.

Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2 Case: Closer Look

The packaging for the TD500 Mesh V2 makes it very obvious what you are getting. The back of the box elaborates on the case design, and describes several features in eight languages: the polygonal mesh with 3D contour that provides dust filtration and improved airflow,  three ARGB fans on the front panel, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C support built into the I/O panel, support for up to seven 120mm fans, up to 360mm front and top panel radiator support, tool-free crystalline TG side panel, PSU shroud with a removable cover, and a removable top panel for improving access during assembly and for installation of cooling products. The side panels of the box have a front view of the case, and additional specifications listed including dimensions, fan and radiator support, clearances for CPU cooler, power supply, and graphics card. Inside the box we can see a standard but trusted method for shipping cases, with two large foam blocks padding the case protected by a plastic bag. Accessories include a user manual, various screws and rubber shock absorbers, storage drive clips, and zip ties.

The front of the TD500 Mesh V2 has a highly stylized diamond pattern that is contoured into the mesh, and an unobtrusive Cooler Master hexagon logo adds some branding without taking away from the looks. The top panel has two USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, an LED-lit power button, a combination 3.5mm audio jack, an RGB button, and a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port. The front cover easily pulls away if you need to change the fans or service the front of the case.

The top of the case has a magnetic dust filter on it, and removing it reveals the elongated screw channels which allow for a large variety of fan and radiator combinations in both 120mm and 140mm increments! The top panel itself can be easily removed for adding radiators or fans, as well as connecting wires.

The crystalline tempered glass side panel has five channels cut into it, and ships with a static cling protective film to keep it clean during transport. The glass does have a tint to it, and fritz is added along the edge of the glass to give it a thick black band all around. Cooler Master uses the fritz to glue metal brackets to the top and bottom, allowing for a tool free installation without penetrating the glass. The opposite side panel is just a nice clean piece of metal, with no frills or venting. The bottom of the case has four large rectangular-pyramid-like feet that taper down to little rubber foot pads. A dust filter for the power supply area is installed here, and can be removed by pulling a tab at the rear of the case to slide it out. The rear panel of the case is clean, with tons of venting. Seven vented expansion slots allow plenty of room for upgrades, and there are permanent vents nearby. A single 120mm fan and/or radiator can be mounted on the back of the case as well.

Opening the case reveals a large hole behind between the four Mini-ITX screw locations, perfect for adding back plates to virtually any motherboard. Deep indentations add rigidity to the motherboard tray, and Cooler Master has added A, M, and I lets next to standoffs for ATX (A), Micro ATX (M), or Mini ITX (I) motherboard installations, respectively. There are three holes along the top and bottom of the tray for running cables, as well as three rubber grommets to the right of where most motherboards would be installed. The grommets sit on an area of the motherboard tray that is angled out to provide a little additional space on the back side for storage drives and cable management. The PSU shroud has a removable black plastic plug, so users can show off their PSU if desired. Vent holes are added so users can have their PSU pull air from under the case or from within; the feet are tall enough that drawing air from bottom will work well.

The back of the motherboard tray reveals the front panel cables, and the pre-wired ARGB controller. There are multiple cable tie downs, and two spots for 2.5” storage drives on the motherboard tray. Under the PSU shroud is the removable drive cage, which can be used for two 3.5” drives (or 2.5” drives with adapters). The ARGB controller is already setup for PWN fan speed and RGB control with the three CF120 front panel fans, with room for an additional fan control and two LED controls. The ARGB controller can be connected to the motherboard for software control, or toggled with the LED/Reset switch on the front panel (which could be moved to the motherboard if users prefer having a reset switch over an RGB switch). Front panel and ARGB connections include: a 3-pin fan cable, USB C front panel cable, power switch connector, power LED connectors, storage activity “h.d.d” LED connector, ARGB connector, front panel audio, a USB 19-pin connector, and a SATA power connector.

Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2 Case: Software

The Cooler Master MasterPlus+ software readily recognized the ARGB Gen2 controller as well as my GS750 headset stand, allowing me to control the RGB lighting of both devices easily. If you have a Cooler Master keyboard or mouse, you can adjust their RGB settings from this software as well. Users can save multiple lighting profiles.

Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Mesh V2 Case: Specifications

Information Courtesy of Cooler Master @ https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/cases/mid-tower/masterbox-td500-mesh-v2/

Additional products included in the build for this TD500 Mesh V2 review include the Cooler Master V750 Gold I power supply, Hyper 212 Halo Black, and GEM multi-purpose headset mount. Continue reading on to check them out, and see the build!