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White compact tower case with RGB fan visible through side panel

COUGAR

COUGAR Carrier Barebones Kit i5-8500 16GB 256GB NVMe White

SKU CH-96FB-30X0Q

White gaming desktop foundation with an Intel Core i5-8500, 16 GB DDR4, 256 GB NVMe, Windows 11 Pro and a 650 W EVGA supply — add your own graphics card

  • Screen sizeNo Screen
  • ProcessorIntel Core i5 8th Gen
  • RAM capacity16 GB DDR4
  • SSD storage256 GB
  • Operating systemWindows 11 Pro
  • Product colorWhite
  • Ready-to-game foundation with Windows 11 Pro installed
  • Intel Core i5-8500 processor powers everyday gaming
  • 16GB DDR4 memory handles multitasking smoothly
  • 256GB NVMe storage loads games fast
  • EVGA 650W PSU supports your graphics card

Ready-to-build gaming desktop

The COUGAR Carrier barebones kit arrives with an Intel Core i5-8500, 16GB DDR4 memory and a 256GB NVMe drive inside a white COUGAR Purity case. Windows 11 Pro is pre-installed so the system boots straight to the desktop. You add the graphics card that matches your performance target and budget. Builders who need a second card or integrated graphics out of the box should look elsewhere.

Thermals noise and power

A Cooler Master i71C RGB cooler handles the 65 W processor while a single COUGAR RGB case fan moves air through the chassis. The included EVGA 650W power supply feeds the motherboard, memory, storage and your chosen GPU. Acoustic output stays low during typical desktop and gaming loads. No liquid-cooling loop or additional chassis fans are supplied.

Included parts and software

The ASRock B365M Pro4 motherboard (or equivalent) provides the platform for CPU, memory and storage. A pre-loaded Windows 11 Pro licence removes the need for a separate OS purchase. RGB lighting on the CPU cooler and case fan can be adjusted through motherboard software. No extra cables, mounting brackets or driver discs are bundled.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Gaming PCs, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $386.99
Cheaper than about 98% of the 24,925 comparable items (median $2,694.99).
RAM capacity 16 GB DDR4
Lower than about 90% of the 24,338 comparable items (median 32 GB).
SSD storage 256 GB
Lower than about 99% of the 24,468 comparable items (median 2 TB).

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Specifications

Product
Product colorWhite
Processor
ProcessorIntel Core i5 8th Gen
Memory
RAM capacity16 GB DDR4
Storage
SSD storage256 GB
Display
Screen sizeNo Screen
Software
Operating systemWindows 11 Pro

Questions about this item

How do I install my own graphics card into the COUGAR Carrier case and which slot on the ASRock B365M Pro4 do I use?

Open the white COUGAR Purity case, remove the rear bracket covers, insert your GPU into the top PCIe x16 slot on the ASRock B365M Pro4 motherboard, secure it with the case screws, and connect the EVGA 650W PSU power cables.

What components may need replacement after several years of gaming use in this barebones kit?

The Cooler Master i71C RGB fan and the single COUGAR RGB case fan can wear out; the EVGA 650W PSU capacitors may degrade; and the 256GB NVMe drive has a finite write endurance.

What thermal limit appears first when the i5-8500 runs sustained heavy loads with the included cooler?

The Cooler Master i71C RGB cooler will hit its heat-dissipation ceiling before the CPU throttles, causing temperatures to rise toward the 8500's maximum junction limit under prolonged full-core workloads.

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