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Help me choose a case

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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.
 
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FreedomEclipse

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Corsair 650D
 
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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.
 
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- 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"
 
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Norton

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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

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

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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/showthread.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..
 
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Norton

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Joined
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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

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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.
 
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