Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review
Peter Donnell / 3 years ago
Exterior
The Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB is an interesting case, even if it does, quite frankly, have a really lousy name. Thankfully, the name of the case is nowhere to be found beyond the cardboard box; phew! First impressions of the hardware are good though, with a massive tempered glass window that has a thick black border and rear-mounted screws; it’s a very clean design, overall.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
The front panel is mostly plastic, but it has a toned-down matte finish and three large ventilation sections with some mesh filters on the side.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/3-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
I quite like the angular design too, it catches the light and gives it a more dynamic look. However, the front panel has a subtle RGB party trick with the pre-installed fans too, which you’ll see in action soon enough.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
The right side panel is just a solid panel, nothing fancy really, but it gets the job done; it’s mounted with a pair of thumbscrews at the rear of the case.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
At the rear, you can see there’s a 120mm fan mount, which comes with elongated screw holes, allowing some height adjustment of any fan or radiator.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/7-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
However, there is no fan pre-installed here, so you’ll need to consider your own solution.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/8-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
There are seven expansion slots on this case, as one would expect from an ATX design. However, there are two additional vertical slots, which you could use to mouse a graphics card vertically. Of course, you’ll need to invest in a riser cable, but they’re not particularly expensive these days.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/9-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
At the bottom of the case, you’ll find an ATX PSU mount, which supports normal and inverted mounting. Plus, there’s a dust filter on the bottom of the case, giving the PSU its own airflow; assuming you mount it fan down, of course.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/10-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
Up on the top, there’s a huge amount of ventilation, which will give you a huge amount of passive heat exhaust. Suddenly the lack of a rear fan isn’t looking like much of an issue! Plus, there are loads of 120/140mm mounts, so extra fans or radiators will not be an issue.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/11-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)
Finally, the front I/O is well equipped too, offering up power and reset, USB 3.0 ports, a Type-C port, and audio jacks.
![Cougar DarkBlader X5 RGB Mid-Tower PC Case Review](https://www.eteknix.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/12-Cougar-DarkBlader-X5-RGB-Mid-Tower-PC-Case-Review-.jpg)