Cooler Master N400 - Mid Tower Computer Case with Fully Meshed Front Panel (NSE-400-KKN2)
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AI Verdict
The Cooler Master N400 is a no-nonsense, high-airflow budget case perfect for builders who need massive storage capacity and optical drives rather than flashy glass panels.
If you are building a modern gaming PC, the tight cable management and 320mm GPU limit will frustrate you. But if you are building a budget NAS, Plex server, or an office PC that requires optical drives and massive 3.5-inch storage, this case is an absolute steal.
If you need to fit a GPU longer than 320mm or want modern cable management grommets, step up to a modern airflow-focused mid-tower with a removable drive cage.
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Pros
- Fits up to eight 3.5-inch HDDs and two 5.25-inch optical drives, making it ideal for home server builds
- Fully meshed front panel and two pre-installed 120mm XtraFlo fans deliver excellent out-of-the-box airflow
- Supports a 240mm AIO liquid cooler on the right side or top panel
- Interior metal edges are rolled and rounded, saving your hands and cables from cuts during installation
- Power supply sits on vibration-dampening rubber pads over a removable dust filter
Cons
- Cable management space behind the motherboard tray is extremely tight with almost no routing holes
- Hard plastic case feet lack rubber grips, causing vibration noise on hardwood or tile floors
- Only includes two tool-less mounting brackets despite having eight 3.5-inch hard drive bays
- The glossy plastic trim around the front mesh is a massive fingerprint magnet
Dimension Scores
The fully meshed front panel and support for up to eight fans provide excellent thermal performance for the price.
The included XtraFlo fans are relatively quiet, but the hard plastic case feet transfer vibration noise to hard floors.
The steel chassis is sturdy and features rolled interior edges, though the glossy front plastic feels cheap and scratches easily.
Extremely tight clearance behind the motherboard tray and a severe lack of routing holes make wiring a frustrating chore.
Best For
- Home NAS or Plex media server builds requiring up to eight 3.5-inch hard drives
- Budget-conscious builders who still need 5.25-inch bays for Blu-ray or DVD drives
- Office workstations where flashy RGB lighting and glass side panels are unwanted
Not Recommended For
- First-time builders who need generous cable routing space behind the motherboard
- Showpiece gaming rigs with massive GPUs exceeding 320mm in length
Watch Out For
- Cable management is a nightmare — there are very few routing holes, meaning you will likely have to stuff excess cables behind the hard drive cage.
- You only get two tool-less HDD brackets in the box; if you want to populate all eight 3.5-inch bays, you will be using standard screws for the rest.
- The hard plastic feet will slide around and vibrate on uncarpeted floors — stick some cheap rubber furniture pads on them immediately.
- Watch your GPU clearance: modern triple-fan graphics cards over 320mm (12.6 inches) simply will not fit because the hard drive cage is riveted in place.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B00DKXXBU0 |
| Brand | Cooler Master |
| Color | N400 |
| Series | NSE-400-KKN2 |
| Fan Size | 120 Millimeters |
| Material | Metal |
| Case Type | Full Tower |
| Model Name | NSE-400-KKN2 |
| Item Weight | 12.4 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Cooler Master USA, Inc. |
| Cooling Method | Air |
| Item model number | NSE-400-KKN2 |
| Product Dimensions | 19.7 x 7.5 x 16.7 inches |
| Audio-out Ports (#) | 1 |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 19.7 x 7.5 x 16.7 inches |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 2 |
| Motherboard Compatability | ATX |
| Power Supply Mounting Type | Rear Mount or Bottom Mount |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Business |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
The Cooler Master N400 is a blast from the past that still serves a very specific, highly useful purpose today. Its biggest draw is the massive storage capacity, offering eight 3.5-inch bays and two 5.25-inch optical bays—a rarity in modern cases. Airflow is surprisingly excellent thanks to the fully meshed front and two included 120mm fans. Building in it reveals its age; cable management is an absolute chore with almost zero space behind the motherboard tray. If you are building a home server or a sleeper office PC, it works perfectly, but first-time builders might lose their patience with the wiring.
“Cable management made me want to pull my hair out, but for 60 bucks I got a case that holds all 6 of my Plex server hard drives and stays ice cold.”
Common Praise
- Fits an absurd amount of hard drives (eight 3.5-inch) for a mid-tower case
- Still includes two 5.25-inch bays for optical drives or fan controllers
- Excellent out-of-the-box airflow keeps components cool without needing extra fans
- Rolled metal interior edges prevent accidental cuts during installation
Common Complaints
- Almost zero space behind the motherboard tray for routing thick 24-pin power cables
- Hard plastic feet cause the case to vibrate loudly on wooden desks or tile floors
- Only includes two tool-less drive sleds despite having eight drive bays
- Non-removable hard drive cage blocks graphics cards longer than 320mm
Ownership Tips
- The glossy plastic trim on the front panel scratches easily when wiped with paper towels.
- You will likely end up stuffing all your excess power supply cables into the empty space behind the hard drive cage.
- The included 3-pin to Molex fan adapters are very short, making them hard to hide.
- Dust builds up quickly on the front mesh, but it is easy to vacuum off without removing the panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum CPU cooler height?
It supports air coolers up to 164mm tall. This is enough clearance for popular tower coolers like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 or Thermalright Peerless Assassin.
Will a modern large graphics card fit?
Only if it is under 320mm (12.6 inches). Many newer RTX 4080 or 4090 cards are too long and will hit the non-removable hard drive cage.
Does it come with fans?
Yes, it includes two 120mm Cooler Master XtraFlo fans (one front intake, one rear exhaust) that do not have LED lighting.
Can I mount a liquid cooling radiator?
Yes, you can fit a 240mm AIO radiator on the right side panel or the top of the case, plus a 120mm radiator at the rear.
Does it have dust filters?
It has three removable dust filters located on the top, the right side panel, and underneath the power supply.
Are the hard drive bays removable?
No, the massive eight-bay 3.5-inch hard drive cage is riveted into the chassis and cannot be removed to make room for longer GPUs.
Buying Guide
When buying a budget PC case, you are usually trading modern conveniences for a lower price tag. The N400 is an older design, which means it prioritizes massive storage capacity over clean aesthetics and easy cable routing. You need to measure your graphics card carefully, as the hard drive cage cannot be removed to make extra room. If you are building a home server or need a DVD drive, this layout is exactly what you want. If you just want a pretty gaming PC, look elsewhere.
320mm Max GPU Length
This is the absolute maximum size for your graphics card. Think of it like a garage—if your car (GPU) is 330mm long, the garage door simply will not close because it hits the hard drive cage.
164mm Max CPU Cooler Height
This dictates how tall your air cooler can be before it hits the side panel. 164mm is generous enough to fit most standard tower coolers, but massive dual-tower coolers might scrape the door.
8x 3.5-inch Drive Bays
This tells you how many full-size desktop hard drives you can install. Modern cases usually only fit two, making this case a unicorn for data hoarders.
Alternatives
If you want an easier building experience with modern cable management and tempered glass, search for an ATX mid-tower with cable routing grommets and a PSU shroud.
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