Introduction

Today Cooler Master is releasing a new version of its CM Storm Scout mid-tower case, dubbed Scout 2. Let’s see if the new Scout 2 is a good product.

The reviewed case is available in two color options: black or gunmetal. We reviewed the black model.

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Figure 1: CM Storm Scout 2 case

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Figure 2: CM Storm Scout 2 case

The case has a transparent window on its left panel and supports the installation of two 120 mm fans on this panel. There are no air filters on it.

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Figure 3: Left panel

The Front Panel

The CM Storm Scout 2 has three external 5.25” bays, protected by meshed covers with air filters. The front panel supports two 120 mm or 140 mm fans, but the case doesn’t come with any fan on its front panel. There is an air filter for these optional fans.

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Figure 4: Front panel

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Figure 5: Front panel

On the front part of the top panel you will find two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports and the traditional audio jacks. The USB 3.0 ports use an internal connector. These ports and connectors are protected by a sliding lid.

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Figure 6: Buttons and connectors

The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels

The top panel of the CM Storm Scout 2 case is meshed, supporting the installation of two 120 mm fans. One of the highlights of this case is the presence of a sturdy handle with a rubber grip on its top panel.

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Figure 7: Top panel

The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan, but the case doesn’t come with an air filter for the optional bottom fan.

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Figure 8: Bottom panel

The rear panel and the interior of the CM Storm Scout 2 case are painted in black.

The case has seven expansion slots, using solid covers. A transversal slot is available; it works as an anti-theft device for cabled devices, such as mouse, keyboard, webcam, and headset.

The rear panel comes with a 120 mm fan, which uses a standard three-pin fan power connector. This fan glows red when turned on, although you can turn off the fan’s LEDs through a button located on the top panel. No technical specifications for this fan are provided.

On the CM Storm Scout 2 case, the power supply goes on the bottom part of the case.

There are two holes protected with rubber covers for hoses of liquid cooling solutions, with 1” (25 mm) in diameter.

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Figure 9: Rear panel

Let’s now take a look inside the CM Storm Scout 2 case.

Inside the CM Storm Scout 2 Case

Both side panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case, a few holes protected with rubber covers for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables behind the motherboard tray using cable ties.

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Figure 10: Overall look

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Figure 11: A view behind the motherboard tray

Figure 12 gives you another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using black thumbscrews. On its default configuration, the CM Storm Scout 2 case supports video cards up to 11” (280 mm) long. By removing the top hard drive cage, you can fit video cards up to 15.4” (390 mm) long.

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Figure 12: Overall look

As already explained, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. Note that it can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already shown, there is an air filter for the power supply fan.

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Figure 13: Power supply compartment

The case supports the installation of one 120 mm fan on its bottom panel. When no fan is installed, you can install a power supply up to 11.6” (295 mm) deep. When a 120 mm fan is installed, you can install a power supply up to 6.3” (160 mm) deep. Unfortunately, the case doesn’t come with an air filter for this optional fan.

The Disk Drive Bays

The CM Storm Scout 2 case has three 5.25” external bays, seven 3.5” internal bays, and two 2.5” internal bays converted from internal 3.5” bays. Devices using the 5.25” and the 3.5” bays can be installed without the use of tools or screws.

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Figure 14: Disk drive bays

The case has two hard drive cages. The upper one has four 3.5” bays, and the bottom one has three 3.5” bays. You can remove the top hard drive bay to install video cards longer than 11” (280 mm) or to improve the airflow inside the case, provided you installed a fan on the front panel.

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Figure 15: Case with the top hard drive cage removed

Devices using the 3.5” form factor are installed using rulers, which have rubber rings to absorb vibration and noise. Devices using the 2.5” form factor must be installed using adapters. The case comes with two of them.

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Figure 16: One of the 3.5”-to-2.5” adapters and two of the rulers for installing 3.5” devices

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the CM Storm Scout 2 case include:

• Style: Mid-tower
• Application: ATX and smaller form factors
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available colors: Black or gunmetal
• Side panel: Transparent
• Dimensions: 20.2 x 9.1 x 20.5 inches (513.5 x 230 x 517.5 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 18.5 Lbs (8.4 kg)
• Gross weight: 22 Lbs (10 kg)
• Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, seven internal 3.5” bays, and two internal 2.5” bays converted from 3.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Seven
• Maximum video card length: 11” (280 mm) or 15.4” (390 mm) if the top hard drive cage is removed
• Maximum CPU cooler height: NA
• Fans: One 120 mm fan on the rear panel (red LEDs)
• Optional fans: Two 120 mm or 140 mm fans on the front panel, two 120 mm fans on the top panel, two 120 mm fans on the left panel, and one 120 mm fan on the bottom panel
• Extra Features: Anti-theft mechanism for cabled peripherals
• More Information: http://www.cmstorm.com
• MSRP in the U.S.: USD 100.00

Conclusions

The CM Storm Scout 2 follows the same tradition as previous CM Storm mid-tower cases: good look, sturdy construction, and excellent pricing. In order to keep its price down, the manufacturer added only one fan, even though the product supports a total of eight, and didn’t include an air filter for the bottom and left fans. So, don’t forget to add at least a pair of 120 mm fans when you order this case.

Strong Points

• Good construction quality
• Sturdy carrying handle with rubber grip
• Support for eight fans
• On/off switch for LEDs of fans, supporting two fans
• Vented covers with air filters for the external 5.25” bays
• Air filters for the front and power supply fans
• Supports a total of seven 3.5” storage devices and two 2.5” storage devices (converted from 3.5” bays)
• Anti-vibration rings for 3.5” hard drives
• Thumbscrews for fastening expansion cards
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes protected with rubber covers for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
• Clips for fastening cables behind the motherboard tray

Weak Points

• No air filters for the meshes on the left and bottom panels
• Comes with only one fan