New case suggestions, looking more for looks/cable management, possible future SLI space

[Jborg]

I am currently using a Corsair R300 Carbide, which I previously bought to accommodate the GTX 970 G1 Gaming, which is a little bit longer then the other 970s I believe since the back plate goes about 1 inch past the actual card itself.

Anyways, now that I am set up with hardware, I need to get my rig more set up for looks, its kinda just to dull for me and I need to change something.

I could spend 60-120$ im thinkin. I am liking the looks and options of the NZXT cases, specifically I was eyeing this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7693070&csid=_61

which goes along with my black/blue theme I am going for.

Since the G1 Gaming card has a Blue LED of WINDFORCE, I figure to just go with that color.

I do want a case that could hold a 2nd GTX 970 G1 Gaming if I do decide to go SLI in the future, in my current case I could not fit a 2nd card due to space restrictions of the hard-drive bay, and I could especially not fit the 2nd card in the lower PCI-E slot for the 2nd card in SLI like the motherboard manual suggests (If i remember correctly - for ASUS Sabertooth 990FX R2.0)

I am also looking for some cable management, I know I feel like I am asking a lot in one package, but after I finished re-arranging my case wires today for the 3rd time, I finally removed 2 extra power cables which had the 3 branching power plug-ins on them which were taking up a lot of space. I got 1 power cable plugged into my 2 HDDs and my 1 SSD now. So instead of 3 wires (9 power plugins) I have 1 wire(3 power plug ins) only to find out there won't be clearance for my backside of my case to go on without the wires hitting now.

All in all, I think it might be time to move to higher quality case with some of these things in mind.

I am liking these possibly

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7693070&csid=_61

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7693068&Sku=N500-1149

maybe some of these?

http://www.microcenter.com/product/423763/Air_Series_AF120_LED_Blue_Quiet_Edition_Case_Fan

not really worried about noise.

I want to go for either a black/blue or black red theme. Fan colors would go along with that. I will consider a larger than normal case as well if it provides cable management/SLI space etc.

Any suggestions would help

Thanks

 

[Jetster]

Look at fractal The define R4 has some of the best features for the money and cable management is some of the best for a mid sized case. Maybe put blue lights in it. Also Antec has some high quality cases for the money

 

[craigo]

looking at your choices i do not think the fractal or antec cases are your style. both companies make exceptional cases though.
I have not had much to do with NZXT gear although people seem satisfied with the gear
seeing your choices i would recommend:

Coolermaster cosmos
siverstone raven

both of them cases have epic companys with strong history in cases and will serve your upgrade needs for many builds to come.

 

[Jetster]

The R4 is on sale

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...121614-Index-_-ComputerCases-_-11352021-S2A5B

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I'd suggest getting in touch with @sneekypeet and see what he has for sale. He cut me a really really good deal on my Silverstone FT04.

 

[Jborg]

I am liking the suggestions so far, thank you all.

I think today I am going to Micro-center to take an in depth look IN PERSON of some of these cases, I feel it will help be better decide in the end If I am able to see them.

I do want to try and lean away from a regular looking black cases, however I do like the Fractal R4.

Are there any good cases that utilize a top PSU? Or are those going to be more in the tower cases? I feel like a top mounted PSU could aid in wire management throughout the case.

It also seems in the R4 a 2nd 970 would not fit on the bottom PCE-E slot with my PSU in there.

The reason I was eyeing the NZXT cases was the ability to mod the hard-drive bays etc to fit a 2nd GFX card for example.

But I am still seeing the re-occuring issue with the PSU restricting space near the lowest PCE-E slot.

I may consider a larger case if it comes down to it.


@sneekypeet

What kind of cases do you have for sale? I may be interested in something.


again, thank you all for the input.


Also considering getting some different colored PSU wires to go along with the color scheme I decide on.
http://forums.evga.com/650W750W-Individually-Sleeved-Cables-Now-Available-m1786353.aspx

 

[sneekypeet]

@sneekypeet

What kind of cases do you have for sale? I may be interested in something.

What I have ready to ship falls into the bottom mounted PSU inside of a black box category.

 

[peche]

I saw a Thermaltake Core V71 This sunday at a local Gamming activity near my town, really nice looking, maybe next year i would replace my customized Commander MSII,

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Chassis/Full_Tower_/Core/C_00002231/Core_V71/design.htm

 

[Jborg]

What I have ready to ship falls into the bottom mounted PSU inside of a black box category.

Figures. Haha. Thank you anwyway.

I saw a Thermaltake Core V71 This sunday at a local Gamming activity near my town, really nice looking, maybe next year i would replace my customized Commander MSII,

http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Chassis/Full_Tower_/Core/C_00002231/Core_V71/design.htm

I like the look of that case alot. A bit out of my price range but something worth considering.

Thanks.

 

[sneekypeet]

I like the look of that case alot. A bit out of my price range but something worth considering.

That case is exactly what you say you didn't want...lol I have its smaller brothers in my basement

 

[peche]

I like the look of that case alot. A bit out of my price range but something worth considering.

Thanks.

Thats why ill save for buy it!

 

[peche]

That case is exactly what you say you didn't want...lol I have its smaller brothers in my basement

would you sell it?

 

[Jborg]

That case is exactly what you say you didn't want...lol I have its smaller brothers in my basement

Well as I look more and more I realize that MOST of cases are the black color. Microcenter had like 2-3 cases that had color, and EVERY single other was the black like my current Corsair R300.

There was a NZXT case for 115$, It was outlined in Red and had the covered PSU on the bottom, but I don't know if the G1 gaming would fit, or even 2. It was the H440

I do like the Corsair tower cases with the plastic/glass covering on the side. They are nice and roomy and have lots of space. Gonna have to keep looking around though.

 

[Norton]

@ThE_MaD_ShOt has a Raidmax Vampire and had some really nice things to say about it.

Available in black or white:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=raidmax_vampire-_-11-156-295-_-Product

I prefer the Fractal cases myself, have a Define R4, a Define XL rev 2, and will most likely get a Define R5 at some point next year...

 

[Jborg]

I was just curious.

My motherboard manual states that it is best to have a single video card installed on the top PCI-E slot.

I was thinking about getting these LED lights. (I know they are out of stock here)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ZXT_LED_Lighting_strip-_-12-170-031-_-Product

And my only single expansion slot is completely covered by the quite large GTX 970 G1 Gaming......

and actually looking further at my case the card will only fit on the top PCE-E slot and does not have room for the lower ones due to the hard drive bay frame work.

Is there anyway around this for the LED lights. (Current case)

And can I use the lower PCI-E slots for a single video card?


But I am really feeling this case here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1&cm_re=PPSSBGDRYLXVJN-_-11-146-149-_-Product

It doesn't have all the exterior things I would like such as frontal ventilation and such, but It can fit my video card, and also has some nice wire management stuff.

I really dont want to do it, but I might get these Red sleeved PSU wires, I think it would really go well together, along with those NZXT red LED lights. Even though the wires are so dang expensive.

 

[peche]

What about this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=antec_nine_hundred-_-11-129-021-_-Product
like tony hawk ... the legendary 900....

 

[Jborg]

That case is nice looking, however I would need to swap the Blue lights out for Red ones, as I have decided to go with a Red/Black theme.

Im thinking that I will in fact go with the Red/Black NZXT H440. I am probably going to buy these red braided PSU cables for asthetitcs.

Another thing I have been looking into as well is swapping colors of the LED on the Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming, the blue is just not doing it for me.
After some more searching about this, it seems on Overclock.net there has been a thread going about this, and actually a video on how to swap the LED color was just published last night! It also contains links of what LED's to buy, and how to solder etc....

I'm thinking im going to give this mod a shot even though I would need to buy a soldering kit.

All credit goes to the people in these thread/video, I just discovered this.

Heres the link to the post:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1519475/gigabyte-gtx-970-led-swap/250


heres the link to video:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/rDe344t0ebA

Full red/black theme here I come.

 

[Muhad]

Huge mid-tower: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Chassis/Mid_Tower_/Core/C_00002402/Core_V51/design.htm

Only thing is that you will need sata cables having flat to flat ends.

 

[peche]

Huge mid-tower: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Chassis/Mid_Tower_/Core/C_00002402/Core_V51/design.htm

Only thing is that you will need sata cables having flat to flat ends.

i love that case... another point for my bad luck .. not available in costa rica...