Stuck between cases

Pyrofeed · Jul 12, 2009, 06:07 AM

I'm mostly going for airflow, wire management, and a tiny bit of style (in that order) and I really can't decide between these four cases. Btw I am highly restricted on price, so these are pretty much where I can go with price.

Experiences, prefrences, any sort of comments would be appreciated. I go crazy on splits like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811128029

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811167001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103021

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

DarkEgo · Jul 12, 2009, 06:25 AM

IMO the best case in that price range would be a Cooler Master Centurion 590. You could get one off newegg or you could get it cheaper off ebay.

Psychoholic · Jul 12, 2009, 06:46 AM

I'd go with the 300, it definitely looks the best although i am a tad bit biased

Altered · Jul 12, 2009, 06:48 AM

Based on airflow 1st just guessing the XCLIO Coolbox seems to have some serious fans.

Quote:

Cooling System
Case Chassis - Top 8cm * 2PCS (Fan RPM VR Controller)
Case Chassis - Front 18cm * 1PC(Fan RPM VR Controller + ON/OFF Switch)
Case Chassis - Side 18cm * 2PC (Fan RPM VR Controller + ON/OFF Switch)
Case Chassis - Rear 12cm * 1PC or 8cm * 1PC (Optional)

Kursah · Jul 12, 2009, 06:57 AM

+1 on the Antec 300, I have experience with them, built about 5 rigs in them. Solid build, very nice features in it's price range, has 2 front, 1 side for intake and 1 rear, 1 top for exhaust, or at least spots for them. I installed the 2nd front. Has an easy access filter for the front. Plenty of airflow for cooling, I run all the fans at medium speed (all are anted tri-speeds), very little noise, damn good temps on my fiance's rig (see sys specs). Plenty of room, the front hdd bays are offset to provide room near the mb tray for stashing extra cables. Could get kinda clogged if you have a non-modular PSU but is still do-able to maintain good airflow. I definately recommend this case.

Another interesting case would be the NZXT Alpha ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146041 ). Nice case, better cable management, but lacking in the airflow deparment in comparison to the 300. Do you want a better looking interior (or extra features to make the inside cleaner looking?) with a side window, or do you want a case w/o side-window but with plenty of airflow options, great for keeping OC'd rigs w/hot vid cards within very acceptable limits? I'm sure the Alpha will cool very decently also, but I'm picky...a case must have a top exhaust if I'd consider it...though one could be modded onto this case...it should be there. A small issue, but that's more warm air for the PSU to exhaust. Either way I definatley recommend the Antec 300...and recommend taking a serious look at the NZXT Alpha.

Pyrofeed · Jul 12, 2009, 04:53 PM

I'm not really one for windows. Mostly I'm just concerned with performance. Like the xclio has serious fan power built in, the 300 is renowned as good airflow, but I would probably have to buy some more fans, the tuniq has the 3d cooling system which looks interesting, and the ark 6099 just looks like it has decent cooling potential, plus I like the look and its portable.

Then we get into cable management. As far as I know, the tuniq is the only one with decent cable management properties

CDdude55 · Jul 12, 2009, 06:13 PM

Out of those cases, the Antec 300 i would go with.

douglatins · Jul 12, 2009, 06:30 PM

Antec IMHO

LittleLizard · Jul 12, 2009, 06:38 PM

Antec 300 is the best for the price.

freaksavior · Jul 12, 2009, 06:54 PM

Cm 690

CDdude55 · Jul 12, 2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freaksavior

Cm 690

Agreed.

I have this case and love it, very roomy with lots of places to install fans.

freaksavior · Jul 12, 2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDdude55

Agreed.

I have this case and love it, very roomy with lots of places to install fans.

And its easy to work with. Its a good design, lots of room

i got 10 fans in mine

AltecV1 · Jul 12, 2009, 07:09 PM

i have been drooling over the Gigabyte iSolo 3134 case for some time now but dont have the money for it

anyway you should get the antec 300 case

InnocentCriminal · Jul 12, 2009, 07:11 PM

I'm getting an Antec 300 - that gets my vote!

Conflict0s · Jul 12, 2009, 07:53 PM

Antec 300

Pyrofeed · Jul 13, 2009, 02:03 AM

By popular demand!!!!!!! I bought the antec 300, I'm excited!

CDdude55 · Jul 13, 2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freaksavior

And its easy to work with. Its a good design, lots of room

i got 10 fans in mine

Agreed.

I only have 4 fans in might tho. Gets the job done.

denice25 · Jul 13, 2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkEgo

IMO the best case in that price range would be a Cooler Master Centurion 590. You could get one off newegg or you could get it cheaper off ebay.

..i agree on this!

joshiers8605 · Jul 18, 2009, 05:20 PM

ARK 6099-CA Black Steel would be mine, i would put a 1/4 inch peice of plexi glass on the side of it, held on with velcro. maybe you can even something etched into the plexi glass

Jul 12, 2009, 06:07 AM	#1
Pyrofeed Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 78 (0.05/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post System Specs	Stuck between cases I'm mostly going for airflow, wire management, and a tiny bit of style (in that order) and I really can't decide between these four cases. Btw I am highly restricted on price, so these are pretty much where I can go with price. Experiences, prefrences, any sort of comments would be appreciated. I go crazy on splits like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811128029 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811167001 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103021 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

System Name:	Sylar
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Cooling:	Cooler Master 120mm x2
Memory:	4gb GSKILL
Video Card:	XFX 4850
Hard Disk:	500gb Samsung
Optical Drive:	LG DVD Burner
Case:	Antec 300
PSU:	OCZ ModxStream Pro 600W
Software:	Windows 7 RC

Jul 12, 2009, 06:25 AM	#2
DarkEgo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,200 (0.65/day) Thanks: 273 Thanked 222 Times in 182 Posts System Specs	IMO the best case in that price range would be a Cooler Master Centurion 590. You could get one off newegg or you could get it cheaper off ebay. __________________ Sic vis pacem, para bellum HEATWARE Ego's Enthusiast Equipment

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Jul 12, 2009, 06:46 AM	#3
Psychoholic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 479 (0.20/day) Thanks: 19 Thanked 53 Times in 47 Posts System Specs	I'd go with the 300, it definitely looks the best although i am a tad bit biased __________________

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Jul 12, 2009, 06:57 AM	#5
Kursah Eligible for custom title Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Missoula, Montana, USA Posts: 6,558 (2.69/day) Thanks: 727 Thanked 1,349 Times in 1,118 Posts System Specs	+1 on the Antec 300, I have experience with them, built about 5 rigs in them. Solid build, very nice features in it's price range, has 2 front, 1 side for intake and 1 rear, 1 top for exhaust, or at least spots for them. I installed the 2nd front. Has an easy access filter for the front. Plenty of airflow for cooling, I run all the fans at medium speed (all are anted tri-speeds), very little noise, damn good temps on my fiance's rig (see sys specs). Plenty of room, the front hdd bays are offset to provide room near the mb tray for stashing extra cables. Could get kinda clogged if you have a non-modular PSU but is still do-able to maintain good airflow. I definately recommend this case. Another interesting case would be the NZXT Alpha ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146041 ). Nice case, better cable management, but lacking in the airflow deparment in comparison to the 300. Do you want a better looking interior (or extra features to make the inside cleaner looking?) with a side window, or do you want a case w/o side-window but with plenty of airflow options, great for keeping OC'd rigs w/hot vid cards within very acceptable limits? I'm sure the Alpha will cool very decently also, but I'm picky...a case must have a top exhaust if I'd consider it...though one could be modded onto this case...it should be there. A small issue, but that's more warm air for the PSU to exhaust. Either way I definatley recommend the Antec 300...and recommend taking a serious look at the NZXT Alpha. __________________ Overclocking is Easy! Get Results! - GTX 260/280 Unofficial Support Thread TPU's Gaming Headphone/Headset Thread - Share your experience - My Heat -

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Jul 12, 2009, 04:53 PM	#6
Pyrofeed Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 78 (0.05/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post System Specs	I'm not really one for windows. Mostly I'm just concerned with performance. Like the xclio has serious fan power built in, the 300 is renowned as good airflow, but I would probably have to buy some more fans, the tuniq has the 3d cooling system which looks interesting, and the ark 6099 just looks like it has decent cooling potential, plus I like the look and its portable. Then we get into cable management. As far as I know, the tuniq is the only one with decent cable management properties

Jul 12, 2009, 06:13 PM	#7
CDdude55 Crazy 4 TPU!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,437 (2.97/day) Thanks: 3,511 Thanked 1,285 Times in 937 Posts System Specs	Out of those cases, the Antec 300 i would go with. __________________ Currently playing: Team Fortress 2 (PC) "And remember if you didn't build it yourself, it's not really yours."

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Jul 12, 2009, 06:30 PM	#8
douglatins Join Date: May 2008 Location: Brasil Posts: 2,626 (1.41/day) Thanks: 295 Thanked 271 Times in 205 Posts System Specs	Antec IMHO __________________ \|\| My Heatware \|\| My WIP Custom Case \|\| My Steam Profile \|\|

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Jul 12, 2009, 06:38 PM	#9
LittleLizard Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Latin America, Uruguay Posts: 3,380 (2.02/day) Thanks: 339 Thanked 584 Times in 516 Posts System Specs	Antec 300 is the best for the price. __________________ "oh no, i make a very good person. I eat poop and sleep just like everyone else. My sense of humour just happens to fall under the DnD category of Chaotic Evil." - Mussels "I was expecting a line of EVGA FTW condoms or something like that." - DrPepper "I like my sex like my basketball, one on one, and with as little dribbling as possible" - Robert-The-Rambler

Jul 12, 2009, 06:54 PM	#10
freaksavior To infinity ... and beyond! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: H-Town Texas Posts: 6,790 (2.85/day) Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 860 Times in 585 Posts System Specs	Cm 690 __________________ Heat My HTPC Guide freak's F/S thread Fill Out you sp here.

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Jul 12, 2009, 07:09 PM	#13
AltecV1 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Republic of Estonia Posts: 1,248 (0.77/day) Thanks: 158 Thanked 175 Times in 144 Posts System Specs	i have been drooling over the Gigabyte iSolo 3134 case for some time now but dont have the money for it anyway you should get the antec 300 case

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Jul 12, 2009, 07:11 PM	#14
InnocentCriminal Resident Grammar Amender Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: 'ereyfurd, UK Posts: 5,475 (1.80/day) Thanks: 199 Thanked 856 Times in 668 Posts System Specs	I'm getting an Antec 300 - that gets my vote! __________________ *Post count isn't* an intelligence meter. During the rectification of the Vuldronaii the Traveler came as a large, moving Torb. Then, during the third reconciliation of the last of the Meketrex supplicants they chose a new form for him—that of a giant Sloar! Many Shubs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Sloar that day, I can tell you. Musek*: "InnocentCriminal - a Chuck Norris of the TPU - knows what you are about to type and he WILL type it faster than you."*

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Jul 12, 2009, 07:53 PM	#15
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Jul 13, 2009, 02:03 AM	#16
Pyrofeed Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 78 (0.05/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post System Specs	By popular demand!!!!!!! I bought the antec 300, I'm excited!

Jul 18, 2009, 05:20 PM	#19
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