Best gaming case? (CM 690 II vs Storm Enforcer etc.)

[nubki11a]

Hi!

I was wandering which case to get, as I was originally going with the CM 690 II Advanced. But the CM Storm Enforcer in my opinion looks a bit better ánd has a sidewindow which is a big plus for me. The thing is, in all these 'best case' threads I only see cases like the Antec 900 (I heard I should stay away from this?), the HAF X and 932 (both above my budget of $125), the 690 II Advanced, the HAF 922 (about $15 above my budget) and the HAF 912 Plus. None of the ones I can afford have a sidewindow. The Storm Enforcer looks really good to me, but why don't I read anything about it? Is it really bad?

I saw somebody say on TomsHardware: "As for the Enforcer, it is more or less a HAF 922 with some added styling.." is this true? If so, won't I be off better buying the Enforcer over the 690 II Advanced? Because the 922>690 right? Or should I just shut up and just buy the 690? xD

Sorry for the many questions, I hope someone can help me.

EDIT: It appears that the Enforcer is based on the 912, I guess the 690 II Adv. is better than the 912/Enforcer. Or isn't the difference that big?

 

[lehtv]

I don't think there are any deal-breaking flaws in any of 690 II, HAF 912, 922, Enforcer. They're all good all-round cases rich in features and have decent build quality. However, is this above you budget? http://www.thiando.nl/products.php?Fractal_Design_Arc_9514025. Bit-tech, in its review of the Enforcer specifically mentioned this case as a better alternative at a similar price point.

 

[nubki11a]

Thanks again for your help lehtv Yes, that is above my budget, my budget is about 90 euros MAX. Might be able to push a little more if it is really worth it. I also don't really like the looks of that case, it looks fine. Just.. I'd like something a bit flashier That case is 101 euros, whilst I can get the Enforcer for 80 euros.

 

[Rhezuss]

I own the CM690 II Advanced and I love it. Lots of fans, nice cable management, lots of space to work with, great style, silent (except for those 2 fan slots on the side panel that due to the mesh on the panel, it make the fans whine a bit), bottom mounted PSU, 7 expansion slots IIRC and 5 are removable, all black even interior.

It's a keeper for me and in the $100 range it's one of the best.

 

[nubki11a]

Hm.. Would it be worth buying a sidewindow for it? It's just the idea that I really like. Or do sidewindows get boring fast. If I would buy a sidewindow, then I would have to pay about 100 euros. I think that I *might* be able to get the extra money (I'm 15 years old).
Now that I am looking around for that price are there any other cases I should have a look at that would definitely be better than the 690?

Thanks!

EDIT: What about the Corsair 400R? Isn't that a better case than the Cooler Master ones? I am open to all suggestions!

 

[Rhezuss]

I think they're all similar in that price range.

But here's the things you can check for if you want to keep your case a long time:

- Great cooling and lots of fan slots, good airflow
- Good cable management
- Expansion slots for HDD/SSD and optical drives
- Bottom PSU (optional but it's best)
- Lots of space to work with

That's what i'd look for. The 690 II Adv is great since it got everything of the above without being too big.

 

[lsv]

What about a Corsair 400R?

 

[BoomerD]

Personally, I don't care about a side window. I'm more concerned about the case's cooling than I am about seeing what's inside of it.

Then again, I prefer a case that's not all lit up like Times Square on New Year's Eve.

My HAF 932 has one LED fan in the front, and it's mounted behind the grill, so the light from it is very muted.
The damned power/CPU LED's are bright enough to land the space shuttle with though.

 

[stahlhart]

Personally, I don't care about a side window. I'm more concerned about the case's cooling than I am about seeing what's inside of it.

Then again, I prefer a case that's not all lit up like Times Square on New Year's Eve.

My HAF 932 has one LED fan in the front, and it's mounted behind the grill, so the light from it is very muted.
The damned power/CPU LED's are bright enough to land the space shuttle with though.

I replaced the LEDs on the top panel of my 690 II with a couple of lower intensity blue ones. I had to go through a few types before I found a couple that weren't blinding. I think I ordered them from DigiKey.

 

[nubki11a]

About the Corsair 400R, I don't really like the way it looks. I guess I will just stick with the CM 690 II Advanced then, unless someone can recommend me some other cases to look at.

I also found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687 It's the Lian Li Lancool PC-K62. People describe them as both being great cases... Opinions? (Please give arguments for your choice )

Thanks!

 

[volcane]

Whatever case you choose, make sure it has ample room for the graphics card you want to use.

I have a Coolermaster Storm Scout. Great design and build quality but slightly annoying me because 6950 or 6970 cards won't fit without some surgery.

Here's hoping the mid to high end 7000 series cards are shorter!

 

[BoomerD]

Whatever case you choose, make sure it has ample room for the graphics card you want to use.

I have a Coolermaster Storm Scout. Great design and build quality but slightly annoying me because 6950 or 6970 cards won't fit without some surgery.

Here's hoping the mid to high end 7000 series cards are shorter!

Another thing to keep in mind is the depth of the case. So many of the better aftermarket CPU coolers are TALL...and don't fit in many smaller cases.

 

[nubki11a]

I will be using a Sapphire HD 6870, and a CM 212 Plus CPU cooler. I just found another case that fits in my list: the NZXT Tempest Evo. I definitely looks the best, it has a sidewindow and people are enthusiastic about it. But I don't know how it stacks up against the 690 II Advanced and the PC-K62. Apparantly the K62 is a bit better case, though I am not sure.

 

[HornetMaX]

Personally I'm hesitating between the Fractal Design Arc Midi and the new BitFenix Raider (in FR, they are 80-85E).

Please Anad test the Raider, it looks very promising !

MaX.