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Best cases without tempered glass

Joined
Jun 30, 2008
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370 (0.06/day)
Location
Martinez, CA
Processor AMD Ryzen 5800X
Motherboard MSI X570 Gaming Plus
Cooling Corsair H100
Memory 32 GB Team Xtreme DDR4 3200
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon 7900 XT
Storage 2 TB Corsair MP600/2 TB Intel 660p
Display(s) 31.5" Acer ED323QUR
Case Corsair Carbide 500R
Audio Device(s) Sound Blaster Z
Power Supply EVGA SuperNova 1000 GT
Mouse Havit HV-MS735
Keyboard Corsair K68 RGB
Benchmark Scores 3DMark Time Spy Graphics 26359 CPU 11728 Total 22203
My Corsair Carbide 500R is feeling really dated after 9 years. I would love to get a new case but it seems like tempered glass is in the majority. I personally don't understand why fragile cases are so popular but that's another subject.

I am feeling lost looking for cases without tempered glass Even when I filter results at Newegg, they're still in there. I would love some recommendations. I am hoping for something that supports large video cards while also offering 360 mm radiator support without having to compromise too much. Air flow is important to me too.I'm not worried about budget since I tend to keep my cases a long time.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
 
Does the Fractal Design Meshify 2 qualify? Its Black Solid version has no glass, and it supports up to a 420mm rad at its top or 360mm rad at its front:
1728439769599.jpeg
 
I like my Meshify C and Torrent C.. pretty sure they made solid panels..

FWIW my Torrent C has 2 glass side panels, I lay it down on wood when I work on it.

Sometimes I will take off the back panel if I have to get in there, but I just leave it on.. not too fragile.

I wouldn't hit it with a hammer though..
 
That Meshify 2 is a nice and clean looking case. I am definitely considering it after reading about it!

My first time working in a Corsair 5000D, the glass door shattered. I realized from that experience that I don't want tempered glass. I tinker with my stuff too much to play the odds with a breakable case.
 
That Meshify 2 is a nice and clean looking case. I am definitely considering it after reading about it!

My first time working in a Corsair 5000D, the glass door shattered. I realized from that experience that I don't want tempered glass. I tinker with my stuff too much to play the odds with a breakable case.
That's just Corsair junk :D

I am not trying to persuade you into buying glass, but I have dropped my panels a few times, my Meshify C was the scariest because it has no frame at all lol..
 
Lol I am so out of the loop. When I bought my last Corsair they were still top notch. I'm guessing they have dropped their quality a bit?
 
Phanteks makes a bunch of solid cases that offer both glass/metal sides and most can accommodate a 360. I'd suggest mine but it's huge, Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 Server Edition. It's little brothers (Enthoo series)are very solid cases, worth checking out.
GL!
 
I almost wanted to recommend the one I'm using (Phanteks P600S), but that one is also a bit dated (bought new in 2021, launched in 2019). Kinda surprised the number of newer models that don't have solid panel options.
Also consider cases from be quiet . Especially Pure Base 500 and Silent Base 802 . I expected almost all be quiet! cases to have a noise dampening side panel option, but apparently that's not the case anymore. Disappointing...*sigh*
All the examples I listed have noise dampening panels as a feature. Fractal Torrent (linked is black solid panel variant) is probably still the airflow king, and the "I want the most performance (preferably without swapping fans)" choice.

Giant (or any) fan on side panel is much much much much harder to find though.
 
Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 will easily fit 360mm AIO's, has a solid side and is pretty reasonably priced.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I ended up going with the Meshify 2.
 
I have a P360 that is nice and I think they have a model without Tempered Glass. Even the front panel is like a USB header instead of the Spaghetti strings we usually get. There is 1 USB 3.0 and USB C cord that gives you a USB C and USB A. The power button is at the front of the case and has RGB. It is light, easy to work in and looks good when finished. It also has front and top 360 rad support. Phanteks P360 the price is good too. I am sure I paid less than $90 Canadian for mine and it came with 4 ARGB fans too. Phanteks make some of the quietest fans you can buy too.

Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 will easily fit 360mm AIO's, has a solid side and is pretty reasonably priced.
That is a huge case. It used to be my main until I got the 7000D Airflow.
 
Lol I am so out of the loop. When I bought my last Corsair they were still top notch. I'm guessing they have dropped their quality a bit?
It's a recent development, but yes. While their quality has slipped, their prices have not, so it's become quite a pain point to recommend anything Corsair barring their power supplies (which are a step removed from being white-labeled SeaSonic/Super Flower boxes anyways). Corsair Vengeance has been superseded by Teamgroup Vulcan Z and G.Skill Ripjaws, their signature cases are getting outdone by the likes of Lian Li and Fractal Design, their computer accessories—well, they've always been undercut by Redragon and beaten by Logitech if you were to ask me, honestly.

In any case, I would also recommend a Fractal case for a chassis with a solid/mesh side panel and a great build experience. North, Meshify, Torrent, Pop, there's something for everybody. I use a Pop myself, actually! Accidentally sat on the glass panel once while doing some maintenance, took it like a champ lol.
 
I like my Meshify C and Torrent C.. pretty sure they made solid panels..

FWIW my Torrent C has 2 glass side panels, I lay it down on wood when I work on it.

Sometimes I will take off the back panel if I have to get in there, but I just leave it on.. not too fragile.

I wouldn't hit it with a hammer though..

Could go for the torrent too, although a little pricey but..

FD-C-TOR1A-05
 
I have the big brother with tinted glass, LX easy to work with , fits a 4090 with ease ,plus Arctic lll 420 push/pull .
 
My Corsair Carbide 500R is feeling really dated after 9 years. I would love to get a new case but it seems like tempered glass is in the majority. I personally don't understand why fragile cases are so popular but that's another subject.

I am feeling lost looking for cases without tempered glass Even when I filter results at Newegg, they're still in there. I would love some recommendations. I am hoping for something that supports large video cards while also offering 360 mm radiator support without having to compromise too much. Air flow is important to me too.I'm not worried about budget since I tend to keep my cases a long time.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Keep your case, replace the fans
 
Glass is by far the easiest thing to replace. You can buy whatever case you find satisfying and just order what you want from a glazier. You can also use other materials like polycarbonate, plexiglass etc. You can also choose a different colour if you feel adventurous enough. Of course it's more expensive than just buying a case without fragile glass but it might end up being a better overall product. Unique one, too. Up to you.
 
The Phanteks P600S is a great case and can fit a 420mm AIO in the front with push/pull. I'm running it with a 3090 in it and temps on both cpu/gpu are really good.

Both top and front support 360mm AIO's as well.
 
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