Cooler Master - "Talk to the Product Manager" Live Chat & Giveaway

[LinusTech]

THIS IS OVER AND YOU CAN WATCH IT HERE, BUT THE GIVEAWAY IS DONE

 

 

So what is this?

 

I'm sure you guys have all thought to yourself, "This PC case is perfect... except"

 

Nathan Almond PC case product manager for Cooler Master North America will be joining us for a Q&A and suggestion session on March 6th, 2014 at 11am Pacific time

 

Click here to find out what time it is in your time zone

 

This will be a great opportunity to talk about your ideas, send in your sketches, give feedback on existing products, and otherwise influence Cooler Master's case development in the future. 

 

Not only that, but we'll be giving away some cool Cooler Master swag on the show... They are going to be giving us a Quickfire Stealth with Cherry MX Brown keys, a SPAWN mouse, a Skorpion Mouse Bungee, and a Control RX Mouse pad! 

 

It will be streamed at http://twitch.tv/linustech, and the giveaway we're running is for LIVE VIEWERS ONLY.

 

The main topic of the stream (aside from general Q&A) is going to be your FAVOURITE case features and the ones you think need to GO AWAY.

 

I want this to be a lot of fun and super interactive, so please post your ideas in this forum thread. I will definitely be taking more suggestions during the show as well, but it's great to have a starting point.. Folks who post in the thread versus trying to get their questions featured live *will* have a bit of an advantage!

 

How do I win the swag?

 

The winner will be chosen randomly from the live viewers of the stream during a random period, so make sure you're paying attention!

 

1. Make sure you're registered for Linus Tech Tips forum and signed in while you're watching the live stream

2. Make sure you're watching from somewhere that you'll have access to a browser

3. Tune into the stream right at the beginning and make sure you're paying attention!

 

Please note the giveaway is (unfortunately) USA and Canada only, but anyone can tune in!

[zxcvbnmmssdh]

First, ha

[Raboo]

Cool can't wait

[MangoJuiceStain]

Fuck, I'm in class at that time. How long does it run? If it runs longer than an hour I MIGHT make it

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Awesome!

"Thursday at 11am"

I will have to do something about school...

[JAKEBAB]

yes i love that thing that tells u the time finally but sucks i have to be up at 6am lol

[MatheusSanzo]

Add it to the forum calendar, maybe?

[dizmo]

Go away:

USB 2.0.

Plastic.

 

Favorites:

USB ports located on the side of the case, preferably lower than higher.

Fan filters that are magnetic or easy to remove.

Large, square windows, but cut so that they hide the ugly bits.

NZXT's integrated LED lighting is pretty sweet.

Room for radiators up top. 360mm preferably.

Cable routing. Lots of it.

Modularity. Being able to remove drive cages, etc.

Genuinely compact mATX cases with 5 expansion slots. Cannot say this enough. Even better are the ones with 4 slots and the 5th one up and sideways.

[Nineshadow]

@LinusTech

You could fix the text for black theme users.

[Saladin]

My questions/comments/thoughts

 

1. With the decline of cds/dvds are we going to see cases without 5.25' bays, I for one would welcome this, as it would allow cases to be smaller.

 

2. Why do case manufacturers insist on including 'features' such as on board fan controllers given the move to pwm fans and the fact that motherboard manufacturers seem to be trending towards on board fan control.

 

3. Cable management has come a long way in the past few years, is there still room for improvement on the side of the case manufacturers and if so what improvements are we likely to see from Cooler Master.

 

4. With the rise of SSDs will Cooler Master be releasing cases that only come with SSD mounts.

 

5. Filters. All vented areas should have them. Especially the PSU and main intakes.

 

6. Rubber case feet. No exceptions.

[sebolavarria]

Dust proofing... its why the 250d IMO just murdered the mini itx form factor. A huge radiator, dust proofing, two ssd's in raid 0, two HD in raid 1, 780ti and you can play w/e. CM has a great price point and most of their products look great, if they were JUST a bit more up to date they would sell much more even if it means adding 10-15 more dollars to the price point. Similar to how I facepalmed when evga didnt make the power supply modular, the only horrible part of that case they only need one or two quick fixes to significantly improve. 

[Koros1691]

Lets see...
Dislikes:

SSD mounts that you have to remove the motherboard to add/remove the ssd'd

Windowed cases or cases with side I/O and have a front door that opens the "wrong way"(Define R4 and NZXT Zero for examples)

Cheap included fans(make lots of noise, can only be ran at full speed, etc...)

Super bright power/hdd activity lights

Long bottom removable fan filters

Non rubber case feet

Case not high enough for bottom mounted PSU

Fan controllers with only enough room for the default fans and maybe 1 or 2 more(never seem to be able to populate all fan slots and plug them into the case fan controller)

Cheap Included PSU

 

Likes:

USB3 to USB2 optional adapter

Noise dampening

Side windows

Brushed metals

Enough space for top rad

4 Front USB(Any combo)

Easy to close side panels(even with lots of cables)

[LynWildwood]

Things that I think should be present in all cases are modular options like removable hard drive cages that are able to be mounted in any direction that you like. In tune with that same line of thought, I think more case manufacturers need to create more modular options for 5.25" bays by allowing users to remove it in favor of more hard drive space or a radiator. I think everyone would agree that both the presence of dust filters and simplicity in removing them are very important. That and more cable management options. 

 

In terms of cosmetic options, I'm not a huge fan of the mesh front panels that seem to be present in every Cooler Master case. I think a brushed aluminium or flat finish would look nicer. I also really like cases that allow you to "hide away" your power supply by including a small enclosure for it, though I suppose this would need to be a modular option as it would block off airflow for folks who prefer to mount PSU's with the fan facing upward.  

[DJSchmitty]

Skorpion Mouse Bungee

Huh?

[DJSchmitty]

I love magnetic filters for fans (especially removable ones, like in the Corsair 250D), and a full-steel construction.  What I don't like are HD Audio ports. While most are very useful, I find that the degradation of sound quality outweigh the benefits of a 2nd set of ports. Mobo ports are good enough in my opinion.

[VulsaviiK]

God damnit, that's like, 6am here

 

Power Supply covers. It's like the most ugly part of any system. Magnetic fan filters are great. Actually I love having velcro straps for cable management. Things I'd like to see removed. Cheap plastic. Collects fingerprints, looks bad, overall doesn't look anywhere near as good as a brushed aluminum or flat steel finish. I like elegance in cases these days

 

 

Huh?

 

Thing to hold your mouse cord so it doesn't get caught on the edge of your desk. Means you have consistent pull everytime you use your mouse. So here's a video of one in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAo3QwnPruc

[KushKomputers]

Why is your timing so bad for the people in Canada and the US?! It's 11-2 depending on your time zone. Either work or school is the issue. I'm still in class until 210 and don't get home till 2:40. Well maybe next time

[Guest]

I won't be able to make the stream however having sat down with Cooler Master's Aussie reps last week for a few hours seeing the new products, here's some feedback:

• black or preferably braided fan cables on AIO water coolers
• Black or preferably sleeved cables for higher end PSU's
• Cable sleeve kits similar to the ones available from Corsair on their AXi and similar PSU's. Do not use flat cabling as it is a pain in the ass for the 24 pin and 8 pin PCI ones.
• Move away from the overly plasticy HAF series. Fractal and Corsairs simple yet elegant cases I've noticed sell a lot better atleast here in Australia
• Add onboard fan filters to PSU's - no one else does it.

Also really make a fuss in advertising over your new PCB layout in the platinum PSU's which allows for better airflow.

 

There may be more but that's what I remember from now.

[Sharif]

haaaaa.... us and canada only

[Lystfiskern]

"Please note the giveaway is (unfortunately) USA and Canada only, but anyone can tune in!"

 

I dont get it...What do you mean when you say "unfortunately"?!  Does Cooler Master play on US & Canadian territory only, or are they taking good money from customers all over the world? Did they by chance leave you with the impression they couldnt affort postage across the pond or something?!

 

How much do YOU pull to get these done so your entire fanbase can participate?

And please dont offend our intellegence with the old "Its Cooler Master NorthAmerica thats hosting this ...." You and brands the size of Cooler Master are well aware that the Internet is a global platform. You dont have the same expenses running a commercial on community TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan as if you wanted to place them on every single BBC channel around the world. Wal Mart isnt pulling their entire marketing budget out of a local store in Pasadena are they?

Im saying that Cooler Master and all the other major hardware manufacturers are well capable of making contest like these worlwide events.

Is it fair to bring such annoyance...even letting a large group of your fans down..... so that Cooler Master can save a few dollars on postage?

 

Listen Linus - You have a huge international following....and Cooler Master makes good money on a global scale.

I find it cheap and poor judgement for global players to put such restrictions in place.

If ANYONE has the ability to make large worldwide operating companies like Cooler Master also make their contest and givaways worldwide events - in respect of all their fans and customers.... I should think forums like LTT had a decent chance....

That is if you and your team felt it neccesary to include your...entire community.

[Paralectic]

#SWAG

[JJB]

yes! it's in the evening in my time zone! (20:00)

[DJ46]

"20:00 on Thursday? YES! Finally I might make it into a stream like this and i may win someth" *scroll* "USA/Canada only..."

[jmaster299]

"Please note the giveaway is (unfortunately) USA and Canada only, but anyone can tune in!"

 

I dont get it...What do you mean when you say "unfortunately"?!  Does Cooler Master play on US & Canadian territory only, or are they taking good money from customers all over the world? Did they by chance leave you with the impression they couldnt affort postage across the pond or something?!

 

How much do YOU pull to get these done so your entire fanbase can participate?

And please dont offend our intellegence with the old "Its Cooler Master NorthAmerica thats hosting this ...." You and brands the size of Cooler Master are well aware that the Internet is a global platform. You dont have the same expenses running a commercial on community TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan as if you wanted to place them on every single BBC channel around the world. Wal Mart isnt pulling their entire marketing budget out of a local store in Pasadena are they?

Im saying that Cooler Master and all the other major hardware manufacturers are well capable of making contest like these worlwide events.

Is it fair to bring such annoyance...even letting a large group of your fans down..... so that Cooler Master can save a few dollars on postage?

 

Listen Linus - You have a huge international following....and Cooler Master makes good money on a global scale.

I find it cheap and poor judgement for global players to put such restrictions in place.

If ANYONE has the ability to make large worldwide operating companies like Cooler Master also make their contest and givaways worldwide events - in respect of all their fans and customers.... I should think forums like LTT had a decent chance....

That is if you and your team felt it neccesary to include your...entire community.

 

Every country has different laws and taxes involved when it comes to any giveaway, sweepstakes or contest. The more countries you involve, the more work is required to make sure you are in compliance with those laws. So before you start bashing them, calling them "cheap" and claiming they have "poor judgement", how about you go and look into exactly what it would take to do some kind of global giveaway.

Also, just because Cooler Master is "sponsoring" the giveaway by providing the prizes, it does not mean Cooler Master is willing to foot the bill to run this as an international contest. Can CM afford it, of course they could, but that does not mean that they feel that the exposure they will get from this Q&A will be enough to justify that expense. That is the ONLY reason why anyone or any company does giveaways or contests, because they did the math and determined that the cost of the giveaway will be covered by the revenue they received from the increased business they get from the contest.

[DeViLzzz]

Hopefully I will be there to win like Charlie Sheen.  Eh maybe I can win enough free stuff this year to put together a pc and sell it to take care of some more important things.