Help me choose a case

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 09:49 AM

I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but unfortunately my current Lian Li is shit. Stylish, great looking, but still shit. Zero airflow, too thin plates resulting in vibrations and not even close to half optimal fan options.
I never was into cases business much and pretty much just bought stuff someone mentioned somewhere - thus I could use some help with this.

First of all, please give me a short list of quality brands I can possibly choose from (I'd just go through available products and see what I like).
All I can think of is Antec and Fractal.
Of course I welcome specific tips as well!

Anyway this is what I take for absolute must for a case I'd buy:
- three 5.25" bays minimum as I have two disks in silencer enclosures plus an optical drive.
- top side 140mm fan hole which is not stupidly rectangular like with my current case where the overlapping parts of the panel create a barrier over a fan, resulting in annoying noise
- generally sturdy construction that has little to no chances of creating any vibrations
- solid base for motherboard so it doesn't "dive" when applying the slightest pressure
- conservative looks (simple black/steel-ish box is the best)

Ideally the case would also:
- have red HDD led (I seriously hate all the blue stuff which seems the most common these years)
- have 140mm rear fan hole (considering buying Corsair H90)
- have a hole in side panel
- not have front doors (I regularly kicked them off on my old Antec P182)

Any recommendations?
Cheers.

n0tiert · Mar 3, 2013, 09:59 AM

well you might give us a note on budget.....

Aerocool XPredator Black Edition

http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/...ml?language=en

i just used that case in a build, and it has lotsa room and could fill some of ya specs

enough space for a H100i (top) or H90 (rear)

FreedomEclipse · Mar 3, 2013, 10:04 AM

Corsair 650D

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 10:06 AM

Oh yea budget, hah! Well... Prices differ from country to country, but let's say I wouldn't be too excited to pay over 150 euro/$200.

n0tiert · Mar 3, 2013, 10:14 AM

try this casefinder

http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/...140mm]=2&ext=2

it has arround 38 cases

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreedomEclipse

Corsair 650D

I like it!

But keep them coming.

rickss69 · Mar 3, 2013, 10:54 AM

Probably too stylish for your taste, but a great case and can be had in other colors. http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=180524

ruff0r · Mar 3, 2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octopuss

- three 5.25" bays minimum as I have two disks in silencer enclosures plus an optical drive.
- generally sturdy construction that has little to no chances of creating any vibrations
- solid base for motherboard so it doesn't "dive" when applying the slightest pressure
- conservative looks (simple black/steel-ish box is the best)
Ideally the case would also:
- have red HDD led (I seriously hate all the blue stuff which seems the most common these years)
- have 140mm rear fan hole (considering buying Corsair H90)
- have a hole in side panel
- not have front doors (I regularly kicked them off on my old Antec P182)

Any recommendations?
Cheers.

"Cooler Master HAF XB"

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruff0r

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/uplo...ery/full/1.jpg
"Cooler Master HAF XB"

rofl
(it looks awesome for HTPC machine though!)

Norton · Mar 3, 2013, 12:52 PM

I have a Fractal Define R4 and really like it.... so much that I also have the Define Mini and the Define XL Rev 2

They are built very solid, lots of room, and with plenty of cooling options (can be setup for max cooling or for silence)

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=99

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 12:57 PM

I like it, but it has two 5.25" bays only. If it wasn't for that I'd probably grab it.

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 01:01 PM

So far I like the Corsair 650D the most from all I saw. I checked 550D though, and there are features I seriously like about it. The side panel fan option, and the possibility to cover that and the top side one when there is no fan installed.

NHKS · Mar 3, 2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

I have a Fractal Define R4 and really like it.... so much that I also have the Define Mini and the Define XL Rev 2
...

+1 for the R4 (except if you are ok with front door)

HAF XB is an interesting case! you should check out the club thread for more pics:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=175871
you can also check out cooler master storm series cases (most have red LEDs and side fan mounts) but again, don't expect conservative looks..

the 650D is always a great buy and among my favourties!
also, fractal cases, but most of them have a front door.. Silverstone cases are generally worth considering for the looks and build quality, if cost not concern..

Norton · Mar 3, 2013, 01:02 PM

The Define XL R2 has 4 5.25" bays

Same design mostly and the definitely same quality.... just bigger

Link:
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...ory=2&prod=111

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

The Define XL R2 has 4 5.25" bays

Same design mostly and the definitely same quality.... just bigger

Link:
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...ory=2&prod=111

That looks like a tower size though. Midi all the way for me

I will compare the reviews of 550 and 650 and see if the search goes on.

Octopuss · Mar 3, 2013, 07:45 PM

Looks like the preliminary winner is 550D. Those shuttable vents are awesome. I really don't like a case sucking dust in from all directions.

Symetrick · Mar 4, 2013, 01:48 AM

I could use some help with this question as well. Looking to upgrade from Mid Tower to Full tower. Case needs to have a window side and also the rubber grommets in the cable management holes. Price I would like to find something for a 100 but willing to go up to 198, used or new. Something like a Haf X.

Jetster · Mar 4, 2013, 01:58 AM

Check this thread

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...highlight=case

Mar 3, 2013, 09:49 AM	#1
Octopuss Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Czech republic Posts: 474 (0.34/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts System Specs	Help me choose a case I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but unfortunately my current Lian Li is shit. Stylish, great looking, but still shit. Zero airflow, too thin plates resulting in vibrations and not even close to half optimal fan options. I never was into cases business much and pretty much just bought stuff someone mentioned somewhere - thus I could use some help with this. First of all, please give me a short list of quality brands I can possibly choose from (I'd just go through available products and see what I like). All I can think of is Antec and Fractal. Of course I welcome specific tips as well! Anyway this is what I take for absolute must for a case I'd buy: - three 5.25" bays minimum as I have two disks in silencer enclosures plus an optical drive. - top side 140mm fan hole which is not stupidly rectangular like with my current case where the overlapping parts of the panel create a barrier over a fan, resulting in annoying noise - generally sturdy construction that has little to no chances of creating any vibrations - solid base for motherboard so it doesn't "dive" when applying the slightest pressure - conservative looks (simple black/steel-ish box is the best) Ideally the case would also: - have red HDD led (I seriously hate all the blue stuff which seems the most common these years) - have 140mm rear fan hole (considering buying Corsair H90) - have a hole in side panel - not have front doors (I regularly kicked them off on my old Antec P182) Any recommendations? Cheers. __________________ “When your radiator, is larger than your MB... You may be an overclocking redneck” -Nordap “This battleship is not about silencio, this is about having the biggest dick!!” -random dude Last edited by Octopuss; Mar 3, 2013 at 10:01 AM.

Processor:	Core i7 3770K@4.2GHz
Motherboard:	GA-Z77X-UD3H
Cooling:	CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO + Noctua NF-F12PWM
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 16GB 1866MHz
Video Card:	Radeon 5850
Hard Disk:	Intel SSD 320 160GB + 2x Samsung SpinPoint
Optical Drive:	Samsung SH-222AL
CRT/LCD Model:	HP LP2475W
Case:	Corsair Obsidian 550D
Sound Card:	Asus Xonar Phoebus
PSU:	Seasonic SS-550RM
Software:	Win7 64bit

Mar 3, 2013, 09:59 AM	#2
n0tiert Join Date: May 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 627 (0.34/day) Thanks: 368 Thanked 319 Times in 193 Posts System Specs	well you might give us a note on budget..... Aerocool XPredator Black Edition http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/...ml?language=en i just used that case in a build, and it has lotsa room and could fill some of ya specs enough space for a H100i (top) or H90 (rear) __________________ Cosmos1000 Project R.O.G Rig Project XPredator Build Log

System Name:	Shaman of Sexy
Processor:	AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE@4Ghz EK Supreme Block
Motherboard:	M3A79-T Deluxe Anfi-Tech Waterblocks
Cooling:	Magicool 360 + 120 + 120 Slim scythe slipped Laing DDC-1/T
Memory:	4GB Corsair Dominator CM2X2048-8500C5D
Video Card:	Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 EK 4870 X2 Block
Hard Disk:	RAID 0 Seagate
Optical Drive:	SAMSUNG DVD-Drive 20x
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 226BW 22"
Case:	CoolerMaster Cosmos RC-1000 in mod progress
Sound Card:	onboard
PSU:	Coba Nitrox 750W
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate
Benchmarks:	http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=1056967

Mar 3, 2013, 10:04 AM	#3
FreedomEclipse Crazy Dogmatic Bullsh!t! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: (British Born Chinese) London, United Kingdom Posts: 7,533 (3.38/day) Thanks: 825 Thanked 1,609 Times in 1,288 Posts System Specs	Corsair 650D __________________ “I used to be a serial upgrader like you, then i took a downgrade to the knee” -FreedomEclipse

System Name:	Codename: Rapture X {MoonPig Edition}
Processor:	Intel 3930k@4.6Ghz
Motherboard:	Asus P9X79 PRO
Cooling:	Corsair H80i {2xScythe G.T AP-15}
Memory:	16GB DDR3 Kingston Hyper X 2133Mhz {4x4GB}
Video Card:	2xMSI GTX680 Twin Frozr OC {SLi}
Hard Disk:	256GB Plextor M5 Pro Xtreme (Boot) \|WD: 2x1.5TB FAEX\|1x2TB EARS\|1x1.5TB Samsung F4EG
Optical Drive:	N/A
CRT/LCD Model:	NEC MultiSync EA231WMi 23" {Black}
Case:	Fractal Define XL {3x140mm,1x180mm Silverstone A.P'}
Sound Card:	Creative SB Z {Speakers: Logitech Z-5500 }
PSU:	Corsair HX1050 Bro'fessional
Software:	Windows 7 7600 x64
Benchmarks:	(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

Mar 3, 2013, 10:06 AM	#4
Octopuss Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Czech republic Posts: 474 (0.34/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts System Specs	Oh yea budget, hah! Well... Prices differ from country to country, but let's say I wouldn't be too excited to pay over 150 euro/$200. __________________ “When your radiator, is larger than your MB... You may be an overclocking redneck” -Nordap “This battleship is not about silencio, this is about having the biggest dick!!” -random dude

Mar 3, 2013, 10:14 AM	#5
n0tiert Join Date: May 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 627 (0.34/day) Thanks: 368 Thanked 319 Times in 193 Posts System Specs	try this casefinder http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/...140mm]=2&ext=2 it has arround 38 cases __________________ Cosmos1000 Project R.O.G Rig Project XPredator Build Log

Mar 3, 2013, 10:54 AM	#7
rickss69 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Rockvale TN (Not Australia) Posts: 2,335 (1.70/day) Thanks: 545 Thanked 613 Times in 480 Posts System Specs	Probably too stylish for your taste, but a great case and can be had in other colors. http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=180524

System Name:	Current gamer
Processor:	Intel 980X
Motherboard:	Evga Classified
Cooling:	Phanteks
Memory:	12 GB
Video Card:	VisionTek 7970
Hard Disk:	Samsung 256GB ssd - WD 1TB
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS 144Hz
Case:	NZXT Phantom Enthusiast
PSU:	Antec 1200
Software:	Win 7 64

Processor:	Core I7-2600k @4,2GHZ
Motherboard:	Asus p8-Z68 V Gen3
Cooling:	Corsair H80
Memory:	G.Skill Ripjaws x 16gb
Video Card:	2x EVGA 680 GTX SC
Hard Disk:	Raid 0 WDC
Optical Drive:	LG
Case:	Aerocook Strike-X Air
PSU:	Be quiet! 850 P10
Software:	Windows 8

Mar 3, 2013, 12:52 PM	#10
Norton WCG Team Assistant Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northeast, USA Posts: 5,180 (9.95/day) Thanks: 5,418 Thanked 10,161 Times in 3,195 Posts System Specs	I have a Fractal Define R4 and really like it.... so much that I also have the Define Mini and the Define XL Rev 2 They are built very solid, lots of room, and with plenty of cooling options (can be setup for max cooling or for silence) http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=99 __________________ *Why sit on the Bench* when you can get in the game and Crunch!!!- World Community Grid (FTW) CPU crunchers- FX-8350(4.4)/FX-8150(4.0)/FX-6200(4.0)/ PII 1045T/PII 1045T/i7-920/Xeon (6c/12t)....(44 cores/54 threads) GPU crunchers- no WCG GPU work available Folding@Home- 2x GTX 580's WCG-TPU Team thread- crunch for our Team/see what we do...**

System Name:	My Fortress/Trish (WCG #1)/Julia (WCG #2)/Junior (WCG #3)/Norton3 (WCG #4)/My Niece (WCG #5)/TBA
Processor:	FX-8350/PII 1045T/1045T/FX-6200/FX-8150/Xeon (6c/12t)/i7 920
Motherboard:	ASUS M5A99X Evo/ ASUS M4A79XTD Evo/Biostar A880GZ/Biostar A880GZ/ASUS M5A97 EVO/EVGA X58 SLI 3- x2
Cooling:	Xig Night Hawk/ AMD stock hp/Xig Gaia/Xig Night Hawk/Xig Night Hawk/H70/Phantek
Memory:	2x4GB G.Skill Ares DDR31866/2x4GB DDR3 1600/2x2GB DDR31600/2x2GB DDR31600/2x4GB DDR31600/2x3GB/2x3GB
Video Card:	HD 7870/8400GS/IGP/7770/HD 7870/3x HD 7770's
Hard Disk:	2xWD 640(Blue)/WD 80/WD 160/WD 320 (2.5")/WD 160(2.5")/WD VR 150GB/WD 320
Optical Drive:	DVD/RW (if used)
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 2208WPF, 2409W / Dell 1907FP (shared)
Case:	Silverstone Fortress FT01B/Source 210/Source 210/Fractal Define Mini/Fractal R4/HAF 932/TBA
Sound Card:	on board (All)
PSU:	Corsair HX850/700w (Rosewill)/Antec HCG-620/CX500 v2/TX850/AX1200/TX550M
Software:	Windows 7 HP 64/Win7 Pro 64/ Vista 64bit/Win7 Pro 64/Win7 Pro 64/Win7 Pro 64/Win7 Pro 64
Benchmarks:	Why sit on the Bench when you can get in the game and Crunch!!!

Mar 3, 2013, 12:57 PM	#11
Octopuss Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Czech republic Posts: 474 (0.34/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts System Specs	I like it, but it has two 5.25" bays only. If it wasn't for that I'd probably grab it. __________________ “When your radiator, is larger than your MB... You may be an overclocking redneck” -Nordap “This battleship is not about silencio, this is about having the biggest dick!!” -random dude

Mar 3, 2013, 01:01 PM	#12
Octopuss Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Czech republic Posts: 474 (0.34/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts System Specs	So far I like the Corsair 650D the most from all I saw. I checked 550D though, and there are features I seriously like about it. The side panel fan option, and the possibility to cover that and the top side one when there is no fan installed. __________________ “When your radiator, is larger than your MB... You may be an overclocking redneck” -Nordap “This battleship is not about silencio, this is about having the biggest dick!!” -random dude

Mar 3, 2013, 01:02 PM	#14
Norton WCG Team Assistant Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northeast, USA Posts: 5,180 (9.95/day) Thanks: 5,418 Thanked 10,161 Times in 3,195 Posts System Specs	The Define XL R2 has 4 5.25" bays Same design mostly and the definitely same quality.... just bigger Link: http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...ory=2&prod=111 __________________ *Why sit on the Bench* when you can get in the game and Crunch!!!- World Community Grid (FTW) CPU crunchers- FX-8350(4.4)/FX-8150(4.0)/FX-6200(4.0)/ PII 1045T/PII 1045T/i7-920/Xeon (6c/12t)....(44 cores/54 threads) GPU crunchers- no WCG GPU work available Folding@Home- 2x GTX 580's WCG-TPU Team thread- crunch for our Team/see what we do...**

Mar 3, 2013, 07:45 PM	#16
Octopuss Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Czech republic Posts: 474 (0.34/day) Thanks: 38 Thanked 21 Times in 17 Posts System Specs	Looks like the preliminary winner is 550D. Those shuttable vents are awesome. I really don't like a case sucking dust in from all directions. __________________ “When your radiator, is larger than your MB... You may be an overclocking redneck” -Nordap “This battleship is not about silencio, this is about having the biggest dick!!” -random dude

Mar 4, 2013, 01:48 AM	#17
Symetrick Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: South FLA Posts: 12 (0.12/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	I could use some help with this question as well. Looking to upgrade from Mid Tower to Full tower. Case needs to have a window side and also the rubber grommets in the cable management holes. Price I would like to find something for a 100 but willing to go up to 198, used or new. Something like a Haf X.

System Name:	intelligent esCo 2.0
Processor:	Intel i5-2550k
Motherboard:	Asus P8Z68-V Gen 3
Cooling:	Corsair H70 Core
Memory:	G.Skill 16g DDR3 8-8-8-24
Video Card:	Evga Gtx 660 FTW Sig 2 3g x1
Hard Disk:	Intel 520 180g(C) Seagate Baracuda 7200RPM X2(Storage and games)
CRT/LCD Model:	LG Flatron IPS235
Case:	Cooler Master Haf 912
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Corsair HX1000
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Benchmarks:	http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/5367818

Mar 4, 2013, 01:58 AM	#18
Jetster Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,879 (2.35/day) Thanks: 941 Thanked 865 Times in 633 Posts System Specs	Check this thread http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...highlight=case

System Name:	Delta // HTPC
Processor:	Intel i7 3770K // Intel i3 550 3.2Ghz
Motherboard:	ASRock Z77 Extreme6 // Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H Socket 1156
Cooling:	Corsair H100 // SILVERSTONE NT07-1156 90mm
Memory:	Corsair Vengeance 1866 16gb //Corsair DDR3 1600 4 Gb
Video Card:	HIS 7950 3 Gb //Sapphire 6670 1 Gb
Hard Disk:	Samsung 840 250 SSD, WD Caviar Blue 500// Corsair M4 64 Gb Solid State, SAMSUNG F4 2 Tb, WD 1 Tb
Optical Drive:	LG DVDR 24X // Lite on DVDR 24X
CRT/LCD Model:	HP 23xi IPS 1080p" // 50" Samsung Plasma 720p
Case:	Corsair Obsidian Series 550D // Silverstone Granada GD05
Sound Card:	ASUS Xonar DS // HDMI Bit Stream to Yamaha RX V571
PSU:	Seagate M12II 750 // Corsair CX 430
Software:	Windows 7 64bit // Windows 7 64bit with XBMC Eden
Benchmarks:	I scored P9327 in 3DMark 11

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