The first impressions while taking the Cougar Solution out of the box were striking. The Cougar Solution has a sleek and simple look. There are no over-the-top antics in the color scheme or on the labels. In fact, the orange fan adds just enough pop to offset the otherwise dark enclosure. It also does not have a see through side panel which is a nice deviation from many other cases.
The back panel braces that hold various cards into the motherboard are quite annoying. This is a feature left over from PC cases manufactured in the late 90s which should be abolished from all PC cases today. Having to pry and pop the pieces away from the chassis left many bloody fingers in its path. There are many other cases in this price range that offer a more simple procedure for securing cards.
The sharp edges in and around the Cougar Solution also make for a tough time tinkering with the insides of a build. Once again, the competition has moved away from sharp corners opting for rounded edges to keep from being cut open.
There is a USB 3.0 connection, but it is rendered almost useless due to the A connector which will not plug directly into the motherboard. Instead, the cable must be run across the length of the case to the back panel causing cable management among other issues. The Cougar Solution does come with two top front panel UBS 2.0 ports. These are not hidden or closed off which is a high point since other cases want to make it difficult to easily plug in USB devices. The PSU is mounted on the bottom of the case which makes adding cards a bit of a pain after the build is complete.
From the outside looking in, it would appear The Cougar Solution is just another small case with no room to work. On the contrary, this chassis has more than enough space for the 8 inch long GTX 460. This is a claim most cases cannot make. In almost every other budget case, if you have a 400 series Nvidia card or higher, good luck fitting the card into the allotted area without the need to cut or modify.
The airflow provided by the Cougar Solution is another feather in its cap. All temps were below what other cases are documented as having. This enclosure has room for eight additional fans which really makes this piece stand out. The noise from the one fan included is whisper quiet. More fans does not necessarily mean immediate or better cooling, but if done correctly, it cannot hurt. The problem with having so many areas for fans is if the builder cannot populate each opening, the airflow will become null and dust can easily enter the enclosure. The Cougar Solution even sports optional mounting holes for liquid cooling compatibility.
The ability to mount optical and storage drives without the need for tools is a great feature. The drive is placed into the case and with the holes lined up, place the orange switch on the drive and turn. The drive is now secure. It is a mystery why a similar method was not used to secure cards on the back panel instead of the manual need for a screw driver. The Cougar Solution offers a total of eleven external/internal drive bays, more than enough for any enthusiast.
Is It Worth Your Money?
The term “budget case” can send a negative vibe to many perspective PC builders. For the Cougar Solution, however, it stands out in a crowded market. The prospects of great cooling, a nice look, large work space and low price make the Cougar Solution a worthwhile investment. You can pick up the Cougar Solution via Newegg for the asking price of $49.99.
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