THE MX500 EXTERIOR

The clean yet very elegant design of the MX500 is something that should appeal to most consumers out there.

Behind the cover found on the left side panel (attaches via small magnets so it was a good move by COUGAR not to mount it from the factory) you can install an 120/140mm intake fan.

Aside the 4 "fake" screws found at the lower half of the front (just for design purposes) the fascia is very simple.

COUGAR gave the MX500 a total of three 5.25" optical drive bays (unfortunately they don't come with easy removable covers perhaps for design reasons).

The company logo is placed on a metal mesh right beneath the 5.25" bays.

Behind the metal mesh area COUGAR has preinstalled a 120mm fan which can be replaced by an 140mm one (you can mount up to 2x120/140mm fans here).

The top I/O includes two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, the usual microphone and headphones ports and the reset and power on/off buttons (both buttons have embedded LEDs).

A large anti-glide rubber mat with the company logo on it is placed right next to the top I/O (here you can place your things without having to worry about scratching the case).

Beneath the metal mesh found at the rear end of the top you can place two 120/140mm fans, one 180/200mm fan or a 240/280mm radiator.

Top to bottom at the rear we see an 120mm exhaust fan, 3 holes used for water cooling (if you decide to open them you need to use the bundled rubber grommets), 7 PCI express slots and the PSU area (has two sets of mounting holes).

Regular thumbscrews are used to keep both side panels in place.

At the base of the MX500 we see 4 tall round feet and a nice removable air-filter which attaches to the tower via small magnets.