Easiest to build in cases?

[TPCEA]

I'm often inside my case (Corsair iCUE 5000x RGB) swapping things and I'm wondering whether there are better cases to use for frequent changes, and highly compatible with all cooling, especially air coolers. Some of the cases that MIGHT work including the list below, most of which were suggested to me.
InWin ModFree
BeQuiet! Dark Base Pro 901
Phanteks P600S
Fractal Design Torrent Full-sized
Thermaltake CTE C750
Thermaltake Core W200/P200
Lian Li Lancool 2
Lian Li Lancool 3
Lian Li Lancool 216
Fractal Design North with mesh side
Fractal Design Meshify C
Antec Performance 1 FT
Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Maybe something from Mountain Mods or Case Labs? Anything else? What's the best choice? Why?

Nothing open/sideless, please (e.g.: Thermaltake Core P3 SE, test bench). Thank you!

 

[TPCEA]

Isn't there anyone who can give me any feedback on the listed cases, or suggest others?

 

[bonehead123]

Right off the top of my head, a couple more that come to mind are:

A) Corsair Air 740
B) Thermaltake Tower 900

I have used both of these and they were a joy to build & work in, due to their sheer volume of space inside, cooling options (not just number, but types and sizes) and cable routing possibilities...but the same can be said about the Enthoo & Case Labs too, which I have also used on occasion for client rigs when the requested "go big or go home" preferences were expressed to me

Just as an example, in my TT900, I used a 560mm push/pull AIO in a 1 of a kind, custom-built-by-me mounting arrangement, plus 11 additional 140mm fans, and STILL had tons of room to install/remove/re-install parts to & from it and hide 99.7% of the cables, without having to disassemble a bunch of stuff nor worry about breaking anything

 

[Block10]

I used to have this case, the (Corsair iCUE 5000D) but I changed it for the NZXT H9 Flow, I can say that the change was positive, especially for the improvement in airflow and the ease with which I can install my components, something I would like to point out I have an Asus strix 4070 TI OC, it is quite big, I couldn't close the front glass, to solve it, I bought the support to put it vertically. It is the same one that NZXT manufactures, for that case and it greatly improved the aesthetics. Greetings.

 

[maxfly]

I recently built a backup rig in the Corsair 5000D Airflow and found it to be nice and roomy. While I went with a custom loop in it rather than air, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for an easy to build in air cooled rig. It was gravy building a dual rad loop in it. Overall it's a well thought out case. You should find it more than adequate for any dual tower set up. There's plenty of fan mounts and overall case flow is top notch. I would have no qualms running it strictly air cooled. At some point I probably will.

 

[freeagent]

The Meshify C and Torrent C are about the same to build in. The Torrent C requires a bit more attention to detail due to the space behind the tray.

The Meshify C is a little more flexible when it comes to cooling options, the Torrent C is basically a straight up air cooling chassis. You can use an AIO/CLC in a TC, but you have to be creative when it comes to choosing fans.. and you will have to run them..

But.. Meshify C can move hella CFM's

A little air flow

Noctua iPPC, Meshify C, Thermalright FC140

youtube.com

 

[Bobaganoosh]

I have the version 1 Dark Base Pro 900 and I still love it. It's not the easiest to work in, but it has tons of options that make it easy to find solutions for whatever parts you want to throw at it. Version 2 improved everything that made mine difficult at times and the 901 is a complete overhaul with a bunch of new features and a focus on better airflow options. Seems like an awesome case. The quality of their high end products is outstanding.

 

[ShiBDiB]

I have a Fractal Design Meshify C and love it.

 

[Keullo-e]

A) Corsair Air 740

I hate myself that I had that and I sold it. Now when thinking, that was a truly great case.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

The Lian Li o11 series opens up to the front and side, with the side panel also coming off, so are pretty accesable with all the panels off.

 

[cvaldes]

It's unlikely that more than a couple of TPU forum participants have worked directly with more than a couple of cases on this list.

I only have experience with the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh Performance. It is indeed a very easy case to work in. I have zero experience with any of the other cases so I can't make a relative comparison.

I also have a Lian Li O11D Mini. Co-designed by noted overclocked Der8auer it is also very easy to work in and also fairly configurable. You can remove the two glass panels, other metal side panel, and top grill giving easy access. I actually use this case with a mini-ITX motherboard which allows for maximum configuration potential.

I would not hesitate to recommend either case for first time PC builders. The main caveat with the O11D Mini is its requirement for an SFX power supply.

 

[Vya Domus]

The bigger the better, that's all there is to it really.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

The bigger the better, that's all there is to it really.

I'm using a 7000D which is pretty big, and easy to work with, but not really a cheap case.

 

[Keullo-e]

I'm using a 7000D which is pretty big, and easy to work with, but not really a cheap case.

Even it's little brother (4000D) feels somewhat big, at least when I had a mATX setup not that long time ago with some planning, even custom loop cooling fits on this.

 

[freeagent]

I can’t stand big cases, so much wasted space

 

[kapone32]

Isn't there anyone who can give me any feedback on the listed cases, or suggest others?

Enthooo Pro 2. I have used 2 of them in builds. Next is Corsair 5000-7000D and for small Phanteks P360.

 

[datnoz]

I have a Fractal design focus g, it's good to build in but please never buy one.
Screw hole are badly threaded ( mine was so badly threaded that i had to cut the screw to get the side pannel open), super sharp metal inside the case and only 2 hdd drives but it is an "open" case (no compartment) so easy to build in.
Hope it helped
wouldn't be susprised if not.

 

[Keullo-e]

I can’t stand big cases, so much wasted space

Nah, when you have your tower on the floor, it's out of sight and out of mind.

 

[TPCEA]

• @Vya Domus @cvaldes @FoulOnWhite @Kissamies @ShiBDiB @Bobaganoosh @freeagent @maxfly @Block10 @bonehead123 @datnoTh @kapone32 @

Thanks all! Great feedback! First time to this forum, recommended by @freeagent.

Aside from spaciousness, do any of these cases have features built-in to make it easier to build and change things (e.g. sliding/removable mobo plate, customizable features)? If so, what?

I have a follow-up question.

At this time, I'm doing a lot of fan swapping, including RGB and ARGB fans, and I'm using a couple of crappy FCs, one powered by Molex D, the other by SATA, which forces me to keep my side panel ajar so those 2 cables are accessible (I ran them from behind to that side) to these external FCs. I also sometimes plug fans into my 2 CPU headers with an extension. I'm not pleased with this arrangement, and so I'm interested in either something I can add to my (Corsair 5000x) case with a long reach, or preferably a stand alone unit for running fans, including lights.

• Whichever, it must be high quality but
• not gonna break the bank (the only recommendation I have so far is Aquacomputer FCs, which are near the max I HOPE to spend of $200),
• even if it only has a couple of ports each (PWM, RGB, & ARGB) that is fine - I don't need a lot.
• It has to have precise and complete control with a display through the whole range of RPM (I have server and consumer fans), temps (there are 3 thermocouples I can take out of one of my FCs if needed), duration, etc.
• It must fully support PWM - some manufacturers sell 3-pin FCs and yet claim they support PWM.
• individual shut-offs (i.e. kill switches) and/or linear regulators, and high-quality parts;

I'm not an engineer or I'd design and build it myself, but I don't have the time to learn, plus my math skills are weak. If someone wants to design and build it, I'm down for that, or if someone wants to design it and link me to all the parts so I can improve my soldering skills, or use a breadboard, that's also cool.

Bonus points:

• doesn't come from China, N. Korea, Russia, etc. I realize this may not be possible;
• can transmit data to my computer via USB if it's stand-alone, including RPM, timings;
• If it's internal and can plug into headers as well as the PSU, that's nice but my headers only handle 1A each for the signal;
• control amps, watts and/or volts;

I've probably forgotten something.

Separate question: does anyone know where I can get the InWin Mars fan in the USA?

 

[FoulOnWhite]

I can’t stand big cases, so much wasted space

Not in mine it's not

 

[freeagent]

Not in mine it's not

Well.. its not wasted if you can fill it with H2oh gear

 

[FoulOnWhite]

• @Vya Domus @cvaldes @FoulOnWhite @Kissamies @ShiBDiB @Bobaganoosh @freeagent @maxfly @Block10 @bonehead123 @datnoTh @kapone32 @

Thanks all! Great feedback! First time to this forum, recommended by @freeagent.

Aside from spaciousness, do any of these cases have features built-in to make it easier to build and change things (e.g. sliding/removable mobo plate, customizable features)? If so, what?

I have a follow-up question.

At this time, I'm doing a lot of fan swapping, including RGB and ARGB fans, and I'm using a couple of crappy FCs, one powered by Molex D, the other by SATA, which forces me to keep my side panel ajar so those 2 cables are accessible (I ran them from behind to that side) to these external FCs. I also sometimes plug fans into my 2 CPU headers with an extension. I'm not pleased with this arrangement, and so I'm interested in either something I can add to my (Corsair 5000x) case with a long reach, or preferably a stand alone unit for running fans, including lights.

• Whichever, it must be high quality but
• not gonna break the bank (the only recommendation I have so far is Aquacomputer FCs, which are near the max I HOPE to spend of $200),
• even if it only has a couple of ports each (PWM, RGB, & ARGB) that is fine - I don't need a lot.
• It has to have precise and complete control with a display through the whole range of RPM (I have server and consumer fans), temps (there are 3 thermocouples I can take out of one of my FCs if needed), duration, etc.
• It must fully support PWM - some manufacturers sell 3-pin FCs and yet claim they support PWM.
• individual shut-offs (i.e. kill switches) and/or linear regulators, and high-quality parts;

I'm not an engineer or I'd design and build it myself, but I don't have the time to learn, plus my math skills are weak. If someone wants to design and build it, I'm down for that, or if someone wants to design it and link me to all the parts so I can improve my soldering skills, or use a breadboard, that's also cool.

Bonus points:

• doesn't come from China, N. Korea, Russia, etc. I realize this may not be possible;
• can transmit data to my computer via USB if it's stand-alone, including RPM, timings;
• If it's internal and can plug into headers as well as the PSU, that's nice but my headers only handle 1A each for the signal;
• control amps, watts and/or volts;

I've probably forgotten something.

Separate question: does anyone know where I can get the InWin Mars fan in the USA?

The new Lian li o11 dynamic evo XL has everything you need imo

https://lian-li.com/product/o11-dynamic-evo-xl/

Well.. its not wasted if you can fill it with H2oh gear

It is

 

[AsRock]

It's unlikely that more than a couple of TPU forum participants have worked directly with more than a couple of cases on this list.

I only have experience with the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh Performance. It is indeed a very easy case to work in. I have zero experience with any of the other cases so I can't make a relative comparison.

I also have a Lian Li O11D Mini. Co-designed by noted overclocked Der8auer it is also very easy to work in and also fairly configurable. You can remove the two glass panels, other metal side panel, and top grill giving easy access. I actually use this case with a mini-ITX motherboard which allows for maximum configuration potential.

I would not hesitate to recommend either case for first time PC builders. The main caveat with the O11D Mini is its requirement for an SFX power supply.

Yes, he might be better of hunting down the Gamers Nexus video's.

 

[redeye]

lian li LANCOOL iii

 

[bonehead123]

It's unlikely that more than a couple of TPU forum participants have worked directly with more than a couple of cases on this list.

I would tend to disagree with this statement, as the user base here includes people from many different parts of the pc enthusiast crowd.... IT pros, average every day users, young, old & everywhere in between, experienced builders, modders, and tinkerers, tweeners/newbies, people who constantly upgrade/tweak their builds, others who only build a new rig every 3-5 years or stick to prebuilts, etc etc....

The bigger the better, that's all there is to it really.

Or as I like to say: Go big, or go home (and yanky yer wanky )