Riotoro CR500 Mid-Tower Tempered Glass Chassis Review

Peter Donnell / 7 years ago

Final Thoughts

Price

The Riotoro CR500 Tempered Glass Mid-Tower Chassis is available now for just £67.67. That’s pretty darn good value for money for a chassis that looks this good. It does have a few signs of cost-cutting design, but overall, I think the end product came out on target for that budget.

Overview

This is the first Riotoro chassis review we’ve published, and we do have a few more on the way that we’ve already completed too. With that in mind, I’m liking what I’m seeing. I think the phrase “a good first effort” has some application here, but it doesn’t sound like much of a compliment where one is deserved.

What Would I Change

There are a few minor issues with this case, albeit ones that I would hardly call deal breakers in their own right. The top ventilation is a bit pointless, sure it’ll let some heat out, and even has a dust filter which is thoughtful. However, keeping the top panel completely closed up would have looked much cleaner. The snap-off covers on the expansion slots are a bit basic too, and I would obviously prefer reusable covers. Finally, the placement of the cable routing holes needs some serious redesigning, so they’re not hidden behind the motherboard.

What I Love

The aesthetics of the final build are really on point here. It may be affordable, but it doesn’t look it. The subtle red ambient lighting on the front panel looks superb. Of course, it’s that stylish Riotoro logo that really nails the front panel design. Tempered glass is amazing too, it really transforms a chassis in a way acrylic never could, so I’m happy to see that addition. The PSU shroud keeps all the cable gore, hard drives and more tucked out of the way too. Finally, there are three pre-installed fans, which for this price is fantastic, and provides all the airflow you’ll need.

Should I Buy One

There’s no shortage of tempered glass mid-towers on the market, many around this price too. However, I think the Riotoro looks just different enough to stand out from the crowd, without reinventing the wheel. If you’re looking for a high-airflow and clean looking mid-tower, look no further.