Cougar MX330-G: An affordable PC Case with a tempered glass side panel

[@WILDouglash]

I am currently using this case. I will say that it is amazing in the sense that it is very user friendly. Also I love the fact that I can use a 5 1/4 disk drive.

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Glad you like it! I think my favorite thing about it is definitely the price. Super affordable for what you get.

[@gerolegamit8074]

I'm building a budget build and I'm eyeing this case. This is the most comprehensive video about this case (granted no review on airflow). I hope to see this channel gain tons of subscribers. Cheers!

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Thank you so much! Check out the 1440p under 1k build video where I use the case. I do some comments on the airflow in terms of temps and stuff. Not really set up to go as indepth on airflow as gamers nexus. :)

[@hanyoukimura]

That optical drive bay is a selling point for me. If you want a case without it, pick literally 98% of all other cases on the market.

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

And budget is my concern. For whatever reason low costing cases come with an optical drive bay. There’s not as huge a demand for those as there once was.

[@suratshan]

For real, I'm looking for one that have an optical drive bay and a tempered glass. Fractal Focus is a choice but it's using acrylic.

[@waltperko8389]

Finally, somebody that shows how the front panel comes off. I've been afraid to pull on mine so hard, but now I see ... thank you!

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

You're very welcome! :) Glad I could help.

[@robochilloutzone]

Thanks so much for this video! I'm a newbie intimidated about installing an extra HDD and this really helped me know what to expect. Video creators like you really are a godsend

[@robochilloutzone]

Update! I’ve successfully installed a new HDD on my own! I feel so empowered! Looking forward to learning more in the future!

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Keep an eye on this pinned comment thread. I'm going to be updating my customer service journey with regards to getting the correct glass panel for this case sent to me here. My hope is Cougar comes through and sends me a replacement panel, but if I have to send the entire case back to Newegg so be it. Customer Service is a huge thing for me and determines whether or not I use a brand again regardless of quality of product. So far, I've tweeted Cougar, emailed their RMA email address, and filled out a contact form on Cougar's site. The RMA email seems to be the most correct path, but their site also directs me to contact the retailer I bought the case from, which would be Newegg. I'll be doing that tomorrow should I not get any response by the morning as I only have 5 days left within the 30 day return period. Ideally, I'd like to not send this case back (as mentioned in the video) and I'd like to just have the right panel sent.

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

UPDATE: After 2 business days of not receiving an email response, from the RMA email provided by COUGAR, [e-mail], I googled the .com address and found this associated site: hecgroupusa.com/, which has Cougar products on the front page. I'm not sure how it all works, but maybe Cougar is a brand of, or possibly a sub-company of HEC Group. Anyway, I called the number provided on the HEC Warranty page and met a very helpful Customer Service rep. I explained the glass panel was too big and was different compared to what is on the MX330-G product page. I did some more research and found a video on the case from Feb. 2019 and Jan 2020. The Feb 2019 video has the panel as shown on the Cougar site, and the Jan. 2020 video has the same panel I have, so apparently the panel changed in that time. I explained this to the CS person and she looked at the website and noted how my description of my panel was indeed different from what is on the Cougar Site. She went a step further and apparently went to the warehouse or wherever some cases were nearby and opened another case to check the panel. She noted that the panel I received is what was on other MX330-Gs. Ultimately, Cougar needs to update the pictures on their website, so other people don't get confused by what they receive compared to what they see on product pages. Additionally, I'd rather have them actually go back to the original panel as it was flush with the case and didn't overlap the top and bottom which gives it a mismatched look. In my opinion, I think they're just slapping on whatever remaining panels they have lying around that fit the MX330-G. I surmise this because the CS rep stated a new model, an MX331, will be released at some point. This sounds like an updated model. Since no errors were made other than a poor aesthetic choice, what will I do? Will I keep the case or return it to Newegg? Based on the great customer support from the person I called, not so much the email team as I never got a response, I'll be keeping the case for the build I intend it to be in, which I'll be revealing in the coming weeks. :) For me good customer service goes a long way in retaining me as a customer, so great job person at HEC Group USA.

[@chrisags208]

Thank you so much for the update regarding the side panel. I also bought this case and came across the exact same issue. Thank you for persisting with customer service and seeking clarification. I'll be keeping my case as well. Thanks.

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

@@chrisags208 You're very welcome! I had a nice time building in the case. It's not without its issues, but overall, for the price, it's a dang good case.

[@stevethea5250]

@@MiddleofKnowhere HI why pre-existing hole Slot1? 10:06 can it be cover or someth

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

@@stevethea5250 That's for the PCI slot. The case does come with a cover. You can see the accessories around minute 11:17

[@bakerap2211]

The glass panel was upside down. I have this case, and while the glass does still overlap the feet some, it will overlap it less if you turn it around.

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Well, now I feel stupid. Thanks for clarifying that!

[@bakerap2211]

@@MiddleofKnowhere I mean to be fair, it’s not easy to tell since there is very little to tell what orientation it’s in other than the extra little bit of length of glass on one side. Not your fault, I didn’t mean to make you feel dumb, I wasn’t really counting on you seeing this. Sorry!

[@earth3882]

Bro how do you not have a ton of subcribers? I absolutely love this vid and just left a like and subscribe, also I love the background music. Keep up the great work man!

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Thank you so much! I've been really trying this year on the channel and I really appreciate your view and sub. I hope to build a sweet community here and when I get a website going. Onward and upward to the future! Take care.

[@earth3882]

Middle of Knowhere np

[@2williamskids]

This man deserves a lot more subs than he has keep grinding!

[@King-zo4vv]

Best video I’ve seen for this case... thank you!!!!!

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

I can't find your response where you asked about the standoffs, but to answer your question: Yes there are pre-installed standoffs, but not all for a standard ATX board. There are extras in the accessory bag you can install manually. Just remember not to over tighten when you do install as you could strip the screw. Thanks for watching!

[@GAMEKEEPER_BD]

Nicely explained.. Thank you!

[@j.b.7813]

I have got this case and after 2 years of using it it's ok. Has a few downsides as mentioned in the video but it has more pluses than minuses. Don't regret buyng it. Have one question about cpu fan cooler height though. Lately was thinking of buying a aftermarket cooler because sometimes cpu temps goes above 80 degrees celsius and in a long run this will be a problem. Now in cpecifications and in this clip was mentioned that cpu fan height should be 155 mm max. However I think that it probably can handle 157 mm or even 159 mm cpu fan cooler maybe? Not sure about that and if somebody has the experience of adding bigger aftermarket cooler in this case please share you knowledge!

[@keijikai8391]

my dad added the dell optiplex 9020 dvd slot under the usb

[@Wipeout-tx4rl]

Is the front panel of this hard wired? I.E. you can only unwire it from the motherboard? No clips for a real dust filter? Was sold on this minus these factors unless I'm mistaken and theres a way to add a real filter

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

If I remember, yes the front panel has the i/o connected to it. You can still remove it but not fully.

[@stavrosps1238]

It looks like I would be able to squeeze a 240mm rad on the top. Are you sure that it is not possible?

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Hi and thanks for watching! That's a great question. According to the product page on Cougar's site, you can't. The case is rather narrow and since radiators have the added length as well due to the fill ports, you will probably be short on room. Having said that, if you can remove the 5.25" drive cage area, you might be able to get a way with it by having the ports face front. BIG MIGHT though.

[@stavrosps1238]

@@MiddleofKnowhere thanks a lot! Great video.

[@VineyardCross]

in the end, did they give you the correct glass panel?

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

They did! I had contacted customer service and they mentioned it was the right size. Check the pinned comment thread for more info.

[@VineyardCross]

​@@MiddleofKnowhere thank you for the quick reply!!!

[@KogamiKodai]

I'm here to ask about the liquid cooling, all the reviews and the cougar's page shows that there's only a 120 mm radiator option on top, but i don't understand why you can't put a 240mm radiator on top considering that have the space at sight, i may be wrong but no one explains that you can't...

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Hi there, it's probably because you might run into clearance issues with the 5.25" bay at the top and front since it juts into the case. I could be wrong here though.

[@DennisLN2012]

I have the same case, what models of CPU cooler can I install? My motherboard is a ASRock B450m pro 4F

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

It can support coolers up to 155mm in height, so you're bound mostly by that and then if you have tall ram as the cooler may interfere with that. If you want to go with a liquid AIO you're limited to 120mm or 240mm Models. After you know your dimensions and what you can install it's all a matter of what your budget is. Thanks for watching!

[@DennisLN2012]

Thanks for your response, my Rams are t-force dark rgb 2*8.

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Those aren’t too tall so you’ll be good for a wide variety of 3rd party coolers. Just adhere to the 155mm height.

[@Naggapack]

Does anyone know from personal experience if this case can fit a 280mm aio at the top?

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

You won't be able to get a 280mm aio up top. You can fit a 240mm aoi in the front or a 120 in the back or top. I go over radiator support around the 10:30 mark (and fan support before that).

[@droid6276]

Nice vid bro!

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

Thank you!

[@qsis1]

I broke the side glass.Do you know where i can find another one

[@MiddleofKnowhere]

I'd contact cougar directly. Go to their website and find the contact information. Hope you're able to replace it