Today, we have our Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review, which discusses everything you need about this PC case. The launch of this mini ITX case marks an important event for SFF case designs. It combines top performance and a compact form.
The NCORE 100 Max is perfect for creative professionals, enthusiasts, gamers and anyone prioritising space, efficiency, and performance. It is more than just a PC case since it is an upgrade in SFF designs.
In this Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review, we will talk more about this PC case. How efficient it is for building, its design, specs, features, and more.
Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Packaging
The case ships in a violet-coloured package with the usual details on such product packaging. We did not worry about the contents since the company guarantees security and protection for all products.
Two foam blocks inside the box cushion the NCORE 100 Max against shocks during transit.
All items in the package are packed individually inside a black box. In addition to the small accessories, you will also find thermal paste, a higher lid, screws, and power supply cables.
Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review – Design and Functionality
While writing our Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review, we saw it has an 850W SFX Gold PSU. It also has a custom cooling solution for CPUs with thick radiators and 2400 RPM Silencio fans.
This cooling solution is the closed-loop MasterLiquid 120L Core CPU cooler.
With its built-in CPU cooler and power supply, this case is an excellent choice for those new to Mini-ITX setups. Why? Because two of the most challenging components to purchase are already taken care of for you.
There are structural aluminium exterior panels and a power plug at the back of the unit. The front-panel ports are all relocated to the left side of the NCore 100 Max. These include a Type-C port, two USB-A ports, and a four-pole 3.5mm headset combo jack.
After removing the outer panels, you likely observed the rear side of the integrated closed-loop radiator. When you look inside the graphics card bay, you will find the accompanying fan.
Additionally, you will spot the 120mm rear exhaust fan. You might even notice the lever on the left side that allows detachment of the bar it is protruding from.
Port Connectors and Power Supply
We removed the outer panels to further look into the product for this Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review. Doing so displays the 19-pin USB 3 cable linking the two USB-A ports.
It also connects the following:
- The Type-E internal cable, which feeds the outer Type-C port
- An HD audio cable for its headset combo jack
- A front-panel connector that uses the classic Intel standard that all motherboard manufacturers adopt
At the back of those cables is a V850 SFX 3.0 power supply, equipped with its factory-installed 450W 12VHPWR cable. The recessed panel next to the power supply facilitates the passage of power cables from the motherboard chamber. It goes all the way to your graphics card.
The tool-less design is straightforward for assembly since the radiator and PSU come pre-installed. However, there is insufficient room for customisations, and it can only accommodate a single 2.5-inch SSD.
Key Features of the Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max
Custom AIO cooling
The NCORE 100 Max has a custom AIO cooling solution perfect for the current i9 and R9 CPUs. Plus, it features the Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM5/AM4 sockets.
High-end GPU Compatibility
The GPU compatibility is an impressive aspect we want to highlight in this Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review. Its support for triple-slot GPUs up to 336mm long and 140mm tall allows for versatile PC-building. It also has four 6+2 pin power cables and a vertical mount design.
Power Solution Tailored for the NCORE 100 Max
The V SFX Gold 850W and ATX 3.0 PSU cover all your power requirements. It also has custom-length cables that make our PC-building experience more enjoyable. It made the installation process more convenient when we used the chassis for this Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review.
Superior Airflow
Cooler Master meticulously designed the NCORE 100 Max with the most efficient thermal layout. It pulls air from the sides of the case, the most sizable surfaces.
Pre-routed Cables
You can find pre-routed cables in the NCORE 100 Max. All these have custom lengths and are ready for connecting to your motherboard and GPU.
Open Frame Design
With the open frame design of the NCORE 100 Max, you can install your components from different angles. The cable cover also features a tool-less design for excellent accessibility.
Durable Chassis with a Minimalist Design
The NCORE 100 Max has an industrial design at home or in a design studio. It also has adequate ventilation and an adjustable space to house enough power. This chassis can meet the needs of gaming, creative work, and other power-hungry tasks.
Easy PC Building Experience
Most enthusiasts know the difficulties of building SFX PCs due to the minimal space. However, Cooler Master solves this problem with the features added in the NCORE 100 Max. It has an open frame design to insert your motherboard and GPU conveniently.
Specifications
- Volume: 17.54L (Expansion mode), 15.80L (Normal mode)
- Exterior Materials: Steel, Plastic, Aluminum
- Side Panel Material: Aluminium
- Motherboard Support: ITX
- Expansion Slots: 3x PCIe Slot mounting
- Drive Bays: 2.5-inch SSD
- I/O Panel: 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 x 2 Type C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A, 1x 3.5mm Audio In/Out Combo
- CPU Cooler Clearances: 48mm
- Power Supply Clearances: 100mm
- RAM Clearances: 48mm
- Cable Routing: 11mm
- Dust Filters: Side panels
- Power Supply Support: SFX
- Warranty: The case + thermal solution (2 years) and warranty for its power delivery (10 years)
Hands-on with the Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max
We had an enjoyable PC-building experience because of this chassis and its innovative features. It also performed well during our tests for this Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review. Before discussing its thermal and acoustic performance, let us focus on the installation process.
Building a PC with the NCORE 100 Max was a fun experience since the chassis has many innovative features. These allowed us to complete our PC faster with a clean layout.
The NCORE 100 Max has an external power cord and special-length internal cables for the included power supply. Plus, there is an oversized top panel to fill the gap.
Building a PC with the NCORE 100 Max was a fun experience since the chassis has many innovative features. These allowed us to complete our PC faster and create a clean build.
The NCORE 100 Max has an external power cord and special-length internal cables for the included power supply. Plus, there is an oversized top panel to fill the gap.
The MasterLiquid 120L Core shares the same copper base as its RGB-equipped counterpart. It guarantees smoothness and flatness, resembling a lathe-cut surface. Four holes are present to attach the included mounting brackets for AMD or Intel.
Intel users need to locate the bracket matching the motherboard hole spacing. You will have to keep it against the back of the motherboard while screwing standoffs through the front mounting holes. AMD users can skip this step if the motherboard still has its factory clip brackets.
Its thermal performance was impressive, and the GPU core temperature remained low under stress tests. It delivered the results we would expect from high-airflow ATX cases.
The MasterLiquid 120L Core shares the same copper base as its RGB-equipped counterpart, ensuring smoothness and flatness, resembling a lathe-cut surface. Four holes are present to attach the mounting brackets for AMD or Intel.
Under the default case configuration, the CPU temperature averaged 72°C. Interestingly, removing the dust filters had a minor impact on CPU temperature and clock frequency. This result suggests the dust filters are not restrictive.
Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review Summary
The NCORE 100 Max is a high-quality ITX case that makes PC building more convenient. We appreciate the pre-installed power supply, AIO cooler, and PCIe 4 riser kit that helped speed up our installation time. Unlike most ITX chassis that makes the building process difficult, we did not experience issues with the NCORE 100 Max.
Aside from the easy PC-building process, we have many things to love about this chassis. It has a high-quality build and aesthetic, making it look good with most setups. Plus, the metallic paint finish offers a premium touch to the chassis.
We highly recommend this chassis for anyone who wants an ITX build. Its excellent features gave us a satisfying experience when we tested it for this Cooler Master NCORE 100 Max Review.
Visit the official Cooler Master product page for more information about the NCORE 100 Max.
