Cougar Blazer Review
Open frame cases have become quite popular in recent years. Cougar established themselves as a leader in the space with their Conquer mid-tower case, then followed it up by adding the Blazer mid-tower to their lineup. The Cougar Blazer shares the Conquer’s plate-and-standoff open frame construction and orange accents but has a slightly more traditional profile. How does the Cougar Blazer stack up to the rest of the mid-tower case market? Let’s find out.
Review Sample Provided By: Cougar
Product Name: Blazer
Product not available for purchase at the time of review
Review sample provided in return for work done to produce this review
Specifications
| Dimensions | 226 x 535 x 560 (mm) / 8.9 x 21.1 x 22 (in) |
| Weight | 9.8 kg /21.6 lbs |
| Front Ports | 2x USB 3.0
2x Audio I/O |
Compatibility
| Motherboard Compatibility | SSI CEB, ATX, MATX, ITX |
| Expansion Slots | 7 |
| Max CPU Cooler Height | 160 (mm) / 6.3 (in) |
| Max GPU Length | 350 (mm) / 13.8 (in) |
| Power Supply Type | ATX |
| Max Power Supply Length | 180 (mm) / 7.1 (in) |
| Storage Bays | 2.5″ x 2 or 3.5″ x 2 (behind motherboard tray)
2.5″ x 1 (in back panel cable cover) 2.5″ x 2 (in front panel) 3.5″ x 1 (behind front panel) |
| Total Fans Supported | 5 x 120 mm |
| Right Side Fan/Radiator Support | 3 x 120 mm |
| Top Fan/Radiator Support | 2 x 120 mm |
Included Accessories
| Adhesive Cable Ties | 5x |
| Adhesive Cable Clips | 5x |
Packaging
The Blazer’s retail box is rather unique. While most case boxes open at the top, the Blazer’s box features an asymmetrical, orange and black pair of doors on one side. The larger of the doors feature a picture of the case. The box is best opened with these doors facing upwards to prevent the glass panels from falling out. Overall, this design makes unpacking and repacking the case very easy.
Upon opening the box, you are immediately greeted by a sheet of closed-cell foam that contains both of the case’s glass side panels, as well as the ten screws that hold them in place.
Behind the side panels is the case itself, tucked between two blocks of closed-cell foam. The case’s screws and instruction manual can be found in a pocket in the corner of one of the blocks of foam.
Overall, the packaging is some of the best on the market. Shipping a full build in the original packaging shouldn’t be a problem as long as the glass panels can be removed and stored in their foam block.
