Installation
Installation for the Elite 430 Black was more time consuming that I thought it would be, but still relatively painless. The first step was installing the motherboard standoffs. I had some difficulties installing two of the standoffs because the paint they used to color the motherboard tray got into some of the holes for the motherboard standoffs.
Once the motherboard was installed you could see it through the reverse side for the CPU cooler cutout.
The next step was to remove the expansion slot covers. The one that I removed wasn’t very cooperative because it didn’t want to wiggle its’ way out. I eventually got it out, but it took a lot of bending. The metal is very thin and bends easily, so watch you don’t bend anything else when you’re trying to remove the expansion bay covers.
The next step was to install the 5.25” drive. First by removing the front panel you’re greeted with metal covers, yet again. Luckily these metallic covers were easier to remove. For some reason Cooler Master made these covers to be re-used by putting two screw holes on either side of the cover. I think Cooler Master has it a little backwards here; they should have made the expansion bay covers re-usable instead of the 5.25” bay covers.
Once you slide the drive in and align it up with the front panel just a simple flick of the switch will secure it into place.
Installing a 3.5” drive isn’t that difficult, but does require removal of both side panels. The reason being is that the Elite 430 has the tool-free devices on either side of the drive cage. Removing the devices, sliding in the drive and reattaching the devices, on both sides, will secure your drive.
The blue LED fan and power LED give off a bright blue illumination, enough to fill most of the inside of the case.
