Help choosing a new case

dark2099 · Mar 29, 2013, 02:40 AM

So as much as I love my 800D, it's seen better days and I think it's time for something new. But, being me, I can be very picky about things, and would like some help from my wonderful friends here at TPU. Also, considering I'mt thinking of go from a full tower to a mid tower, need some input from those that have them. Budget is up in the air for now, so don't worry about that, but what I would like out of this new case is pretty simple. Obviously for starters, the better routing for cables it provides the better (one of the reason I went full towers when I did). The next biggest key is having mounting support for my H100. Beyond that, the last key/requirement is that the outward appearance of the case be similar to that of the 700/800D, very clean and basic, no fancy/edgy looks, and I think I'd rather no side windows. I feel like I am forgetting something, will edit it in if/when I do think of it. Thanks!

EDITS!

What I was forgetting.

Budget, in the end, I want to spend less, trying to get away from dropping money into PC's like I have, but just for research, not going to look at price now.

Norton · Mar 29, 2013, 02:50 AM

Try the Fractal Define R4.... very solid cases and quality is about as good as Silverstone

I have the Define Mini, R4, and the XL rev. 2 and they are all great

I'm pretty sure the H100 will fit in the R4

*EDIT- here's an inside pic of mine showing the space between the mobo and top fans (the top fans are 140's):

click

dark2099 · Mar 29, 2013, 03:46 PM

That's all anyone has, one recommendation for the Define R4?

drdeathx · Mar 29, 2013, 03:49 PM

Don't really know how to help you. You are being vague. Here is what I would do. Choosing a case is aesthetics first. Shop NewEgg and list the cases you like and list them. Members will suggest the best choice from your selections.

Kreij · Mar 29, 2013, 03:55 PM

It's really hard to recommend, Dark. What someone likes in a case is very subjective.
I don't like the 800D for the same reasons that you like it.

theoneandonlymrk · Mar 29, 2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton

Try the Fractal Define R4.... very solid cases and quality is about as good as Silverstone

I have the Define Mini, R4, and the XL rev. 2 and they are all great

I'm pretty sure the H100 will fit in the R4

*EDIT- here's an inside pic of mine showing the space between the mobo and top fans (the top fans are 140's):

click

I built a pc in a r4 recently , fantastic case and a quiet performer

LDNL · Mar 29, 2013, 04:03 PM

Graphite 600T, Antec P280, FD R4...

MT Alex · Mar 29, 2013, 04:16 PM

I like the 600T, as well, seems like a knock off of the Cosmos case. The new Thermaltake case looks really classy, but I have no idea about its quality, the pictures look nice.

I like my 700D quite a bit, but it's no CaseLabs. If I were in your shoes I'd go the other direction, a 900D or a CL with a big nasty custom loop. You are obviously already used to the size of a honking huge case.

dark2099 · Mar 29, 2013, 04:48 PM

Right, what I was forgetting! Was going to list the cases I'd had and my experiences with them. Also, didn't mean, I have no budget, I'm just gathering suggestions from people who have or had these cases so they can relay their experience.

Original CM Cosmo, did not come away happy. Saw what CyberDruid did to one, fell in love with that one, bought just the case, didn't get the same experience.

Original Antec 900: Actually a better case than I thought. Made me dislike LEDs in my fans, and as graphic card size grew, became a little small, but had the right ideas.

MM Pinnacle 24: Probably the worse case I ever owned in my option. Had just enough to build the basic frame of the case and panels. No structural integrity, and just everything lying about to be seen. I had a crazy custom loop idea for this case, but it never came to be. Didn't think it could hold the weight.

ThermalTake Black Widow V9: Currently running my backup/mini rig, similar to the Antec 900, but a few design improvements. Little beat up but I like it. Going to replace this too eventually, but main rig first.

drdeathx · Mar 29, 2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark2099

Right, what I was forgetting! Was going to list the cases I'd had and my experiences with them. Also, didn't mean, I have no budget, I'm just gathering suggestions from people who have or had these cases so they can relay their experience.

Original CM Cosmo, did not come away happy. Saw what CyberDruid did to one, fell in love with that one, bought just the case, didn't get the same experience.

Original Antec 900: Actually a better case than I thought. Made me dislike LEDs in my fans, and as graphic card size grew, became a little small, but had the right ideas.

MM Pinnacle 24: Probably the worse case I ever owned in my option. Had just enough to build the basic frame of the case and panels. No structural integrity, and just everything lying about to be seen. I had a crazy custom loop idea for this case, but it never came to be. Didn't think it could hold the weight.

ThermalTake Black Widow V9: Currently running my backup/mini rig, similar to the Antec 900, but a few design improvements. Little beat up but I like it. Going to replace this too eventually, but main rig first.

Antec 900 IMO is outdated. Many better looking cases available. If you want a sleek contemporary looking case that is top notch, check out the LIAN cases.

dark2099 · Mar 29, 2013, 05:00 PM

Dude, I had an original Antec 900, that came out like 10 years ago or something, of course its outdated, long gone, just as I said, listing the cases I'd had and my experiences. That Cosmo was a good 5 or 6 years ago. The Thermaltake I bought like 3 years ago, been sitting around and just put it together a couple months ago. And I do like the Lian cases, thank you for the suggestion.

PatoRodrigues · Mar 29, 2013, 05:14 PM

How about the Rosewill Blackhawk?

Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer C...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...-i,2992-4.html

drdeathx · Mar 29, 2013, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark2099

Dude, I had an original Antec 900, that came out like 10 years ago or something, of course its outdated, long gone, just as I said, listing the cases I'd had and my experiences. That Cosmo was a good 5 or 6 years ago. The Thermaltake I bought like 3 years ago, been sitting around and just put it together a couple months ago. And I do like the Lian cases, thank you for the suggestion.

You don't have to get defensive. LOL

Mar 29, 2013, 02:40 AM	#1
dark2099 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: where everyone wants to be Posts: 4,170 (2.14/day) Thanks: 474 Thanked 762 Times in 632 Posts System Specs	Help choosing a new case So as much as I love my 800D, it's seen better days and I think it's time for something new. But, being me, I can be very picky about things, and would like some help from my wonderful friends here at TPU. Also, considering I'mt thinking of go from a full tower to a mid tower, need some input from those that have them. Budget is up in the air for now, so don't worry about that, but what I would like out of this new case is pretty simple. Obviously for starters, the better routing for cables it provides the better (one of the reason I went full towers when I did). The next biggest key is having mounting support for my H100. Beyond that, the last key/requirement is that the outward appearance of the case be similar to that of the 700/800D, very clean and basic, no fancy/edgy looks, and I think I'd rather no side windows. I feel like I am forgetting something, will edit it in if/when I do think of it. Thanks! EDITS! What I was forgetting. Budget, in the end, I want to spend less, trying to get away from dropping money into PC's like I have, but just for research, not going to look at price now. __________________ Heatware Check out Gomez Peer on how to make your PC work for you. Referred by dark2099 please! Mini Rig: Biostar TP67XE / i5 2500k / Corsair H55 / 2x4GB PNY / XFX 7770 / Corsair CX500M / Win 8 64 bit / Thermaltake V9 Blackwidow Last edited by dark2099; Mar 29, 2013 at 04:53 PM.

System Name:	Everchanging
Processor:	Core i7 3770k
Motherboard:	ASUS Sabertooth z77
Cooling:	Corsair H100 with 2x Corsair SP120 High Pressure
Memory:	2x4GB G.Skill Trident X 2400MHz 9-11-11-31
Video Card:	HIS IceQ Turbo 7950
Hard Disk:	Lots
Optical Drive:	LG BluRay Burner
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung T260HD + Acer H233H
Case:	Corsair 800D
Sound Card:	Creative Sound Blaster Z
PSU:	Enermax Revolution 85+ 1050w
Software:	Windows 8 x64

Mar 29, 2013, 02:50 AM	#2
Norton WCG Team Assistant Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northeast, USA Posts: 5,393 (9.87/day) Thanks: 5,635 Thanked 10,674 Times in 3,328 Posts System Specs	Try the Fractal Define R4.... very solid cases and quality is about as good as Silverstone I have the Define Mini, R4, and the XL rev. 2 and they are all great I'm pretty sure the H100 will fit in the R4 EDIT- here's an inside pic of mine showing the space between the mobo and top fans (the top fans are 140's): click* __________________ *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/Radeon 7870 Helping the world one digit at a time...stop by our WCG Team thread and see what we do!** Last edited by Norton; Mar 29, 2013 at 03:07 AM.

System Name:	My Fortress/Trish (WCG-1)/Julia (WCG-2)/Junior (WCG-3)/Norton3 (WCG-4)/Lil' Ella (WCG-5)/Mr Foldy
Processor:	FX-8350/PII 1045T/1045T/FX-6200/FX-8150/i7-920/Xeon (6c/12t)
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 1600/2x4GB Corsair 1600/2x2GB DDR31600/2x2GB DDR31600/2x4GB DDR31600/2x3GB/2x3GB
Video Card:	HD 7870/8400GS/IGP/IGP/HD 7870/2xHD 7770's/2x GTX 580's
Hard Disk:	All Western Digital
Optical Drive:	DVD/RW (if used)
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 2208WPF, 2409W / Dell 1907FP (shared)
Case:	Silverstone FT01B/Source 210/Source 210/Fractal Define Mini/Fractal R4/HAF 932/Fractal XL Rev 2
Sound Card:	on board (All)
PSU:	Corsair HX850/700w (Rosewill)/Antec HCG-620/CX500 v2/TX850/AX1200/X Gold 750
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 29, 2013, 03:46 PM	#3
dark2099 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: where everyone wants to be Posts: 4,170 (2.14/day) Thanks: 474 Thanked 762 Times in 632 Posts System Specs	That's all anyone has, one recommendation for the Define R4? __________________ Heatware Check out Gomez Peer on how to make your PC work for you. Referred by dark2099 please! Mini Rig: Biostar TP67XE / i5 2500k / Corsair H55 / 2x4GB PNY / XFX 7770 / Corsair CX500M / Win 8 64 bit / Thermaltake V9 Blackwidow

Mar 29, 2013, 03:49 PM	#4
drdeathx Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 1,770 (1.18/day) Thanks: 45 Thanked 406 Times in 327 Posts System Specs	Don't really know how to help you. You are being vague. Here is what I would do. Choosing a case is aesthetics first. Shop NewEgg and list the cases you like and list them. Members will suggest the best choice from your selections.

System Name:	Halloween Boo!
Processor:	Intel Core i7 3770K
Motherboard:	Gigabyte Z77-Up7
Cooling:	Custom Water/ Thermalchill TA 120.3/ Swiftech Apogeee XT/ MCP655/ Swiftech M icrores/ XSPC RX 240
Memory:	16G G.Skill trident 2400MHz
Video Card:	3 x Radeon 7970
Hard Disk:	OCZ Revo Drive 240G
Optical Drive:	Asus
CRT/LCD Model:	24 inch Viewsonic
Case:	Phobia WayCoolIt Test Bench
PSU:	Nexus 1100 watt

Mar 29, 2013, 03:55 PM	#5
Kreij Hardcore Monkey Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheeseland (Wisconsin, USA) Posts: 12,254 (5.27/day) Thanks: 591 Thanked 5,510 Times in 2,948 Posts System Specs	It's really hard to recommend, Dark. What someone likes in a case is very subjective. I don't like the 800D for the same reasons that you like it. __________________ Cloud (noun, singular): A dynamic arrangement of multiple potential single points of failure, with a user at one end and their data at the other. Get more tech news on a wide variety of topics at NextPowerUp

Processor:	Intel Core 2 Quad QX9650 Extreme @ 3.0 GHz
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage Formula
Cooling:	ZeroTherm Nirvana NV120 Premium
Memory:	8GB (4 x 2GB) Corsair Dominator PC2-8500
Video Card:	2 x Sapphire Radeon HD6970
Hard Disk:	2 x Seagate Barracuda 320GB in RAID 0
Optical Drive:	Sony DRU-120C DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 3007WFP 30" LCD (2560 x 1600)
Case:	Thermaltake Armor w/ 250mm Side Fan
Sound Card:	SupremeFX 8ch Audio
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 750W Modular
Software:	Win8 Pro x64 / Cat 12.10

System Name:	Quad GT V evo / eeaaagle
Processor:	FX8350 @ 4.9 / PII 960T 3.6
Motherboard:	Asus Crosshair V formula/ asus 970A-DS3
Cooling:	240+320 rad, cpu,5870,5850,NB/Vrm blocks all EK /Hyper212 TT mod'd
Memory:	2x4Gig Mushkin blackline 2133 @2133 cas10/ ocz flex2 2x2Gb
Video Card:	5870+5850 960Gpu 1200mem gtx460x2(physx)/ nVidia GTs240
Hard Disk:	2xsamsung 840(std), WD 1Tb+2Tb grn/ Revox2 120Gig ,2xWD 250's raid 0
Optical Drive:	pioneer dvd writer/ pioneer dvd writer
CRT/LCD Model:	HannsG 23" sony bravia 32", hd ready projector (footy)/headless(24/7) + sony tv
Case:	Custom(modded) thermaltake Kandalf / random black rubbish
Sound Card:	Xfi creative 7.1 on board / low fi realtek onboard
PSU:	corsair 1200AX / modded corsair 850TX
Software:	Win8 Pro.win7 Ultimate x64 licensed
Benchmarks:	13.62K best overall sandra so far, Unigine 2500 @1680x1050 default, 3dmark11 8534 3dmark firestrike

Mar 29, 2013, 04:03 PM	#7
LDNL Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Finland Posts: 436 (0.50/day) Thanks: 3 Thanked 104 Times in 81 Posts System Specs	Graphite 600T, Antec P280, FD R4... __________________ “I flashed a 4650 bios (just to try it) in my 5570..” -alonan100

System Name:	MiLord
Processor:	Core i5 760 4Ghz 1.35v
Motherboard:	Gigabyte H55N-USB3
Cooling:	Antec Kuhler 620 /w 2x SilentX fans
Memory:	G.Skill 2x4GB 1333mhz
Video Card:	Palit Nvidia GTX 660 Ti +180 core/+600 memory
Hard Disk:	OCZ Vertex 2 50GB, Kingston V100 256GB
Case:	None... everythings on a cardboard box testbench
PSU:	XFX 450W Pro

Mar 29, 2013, 04:16 PM	#8
MT Alex Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 2,040 (1.44/day) Thanks: 2,599 Thanked 1,331 Times in 924 Posts System Specs	I like the 600T, as well, seems like a knock off of the Cosmos case. The new Thermaltake case looks really classy, but I have no idea about its quality, the pictures look nice. I like my 700D quite a bit, but it's no CaseLabs. If I were in your shoes I'd go the other direction, a 900D or a CL with a big nasty custom loop. You are obviously already used to the size of a honking huge case. __________________ “growing up, i always wanted to be a vet. til i learned there was more to being a vet than just putting down cats all day.” -digibucc My 700D

System Name:	Abacus
Processor:	i5 2500K
Motherboard:	ASRock p67 Extreme4 Gen3
Cooling:	Swiftech MCP35X, 2 DD 5870 WB, EK HF Copper, 2.120 rad, 3.120 rad
Memory:	2x4GB G.Skill Sniper 1600
Video Card:	2 Sapphire HD 5870 w/ Danger Den WBs
Hard Disk:	WD 640BG x2/WD 250GB/Samsung 2TB
Optical Drive:	Silly
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS VH242 23.6" LCD
Case:	Corsair 700D
Sound Card:	X-Fi XtremeGamer
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 700w Modular
Software:	Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM

Mar 29, 2013, 04:48 PM	#9
dark2099 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: where everyone wants to be Posts: 4,170 (2.14/day) Thanks: 474 Thanked 762 Times in 632 Posts System Specs	Right, what I was forgetting! Was going to list the cases I'd had and my experiences with them. Also, didn't mean, I have no budget, I'm just gathering suggestions from people who have or had these cases so they can relay their experience. Original CM Cosmo, did not come away happy. Saw what CyberDruid did to one, fell in love with that one, bought just the case, didn't get the same experience. Original Antec 900: Actually a better case than I thought. Made me dislike LEDs in my fans, and as graphic card size grew, became a little small, but had the right ideas. MM Pinnacle 24: Probably the worse case I ever owned in my option. Had just enough to build the basic frame of the case and panels. No structural integrity, and just everything lying about to be seen. I had a crazy custom loop idea for this case, but it never came to be. Didn't think it could hold the weight. ThermalTake Black Widow V9: Currently running my backup/mini rig, similar to the Antec 900, but a few design improvements. Little beat up but I like it. Going to replace this too eventually, but main rig first. __________________ Heatware Check out Gomez Peer on how to make your PC work for you. Referred by dark2099 please! Mini Rig: Biostar TP67XE / i5 2500k / Corsair H55 / 2x4GB PNY / XFX 7770 / Corsair CX500M / Win 8 64 bit / Thermaltake V9 Blackwidow

Mar 29, 2013, 05:00 PM	#11
dark2099 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: where everyone wants to be Posts: 4,170 (2.14/day) Thanks: 474 Thanked 762 Times in 632 Posts System Specs	Dude, I had an original Antec 900, that came out like 10 years ago or something, of course its outdated, long gone, just as I said, listing the cases I'd had and my experiences. That Cosmo was a good 5 or 6 years ago. The Thermaltake I bought like 3 years ago, been sitting around and just put it together a couple months ago. And I do like the Lian cases, thank you for the suggestion. __________________ Heatware Check out Gomez Peer on how to make your PC work for you. Referred by dark2099 please! Mini Rig: Biostar TP67XE / i5 2500k / Corsair H55 / 2x4GB PNY / XFX 7770 / Corsair CX500M / Win 8 64 bit / Thermaltake V9 Blackwidow

Mar 29, 2013, 05:14 PM	#12
PatoRodrigues Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Brazil Posts: 187 (0.72/day) Thanks: 162 Thanked 48 Times in 42 Posts System Specs	How about the Rosewill Blackhawk? Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer C... http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...-i,2992-4.html __________________ "Knowledge makes the man unfit to be a slave" - Frederick Douglass "Thumb screws are both a blessing and the bane of my existence" - Linus Sebastian

System Name:	Turtle
Processor:	Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.66GHz
Motherboard:	Intel 82945G Express Chipset Family
Cooling:	Stock
Memory:	Patriot 3GB DDR2
Video Card:	GeForce 210
Hard Disk:	Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
Optical Drive:	Samsung Super Write Master
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung SyncMaster T24A550
PSU:	500W
Benchmarks:	5 3DMark03

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