case recommendation

[kongfranon]

I am looking to purchase a new case, I currently have this one:


LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Black ATX midtower
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154



I am looking for an ATX midtower case, some are my requirements is to support one video card but be able to support a long one like the 980 ti, very easy to install and replace fans. The current case I have a real hard time to replace the 2 fans in the front by the hard drive. Also a removable mother board tray.

I will have 1 video card, 2 SSD drives, and 2 7200 RPM drives. Other then that nothing esle extra or special, it pretty simple setup.

Does not have to be silent, noise does not bother me, also would like something that is not super heavy if possible, I have a bad back, and picking up a case and putting on the floor each time takes a toll on my back, though this time I might just keep it on top of my desk not sure.


Money is not an issue, it mostly about easy to work in, good air flow. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance

 

[Bearmann]

Do you need a 5.25 inch bay for a DVD writer? I don't think that many cases come with a removable MB tray currently, though I could be mistaken. Maybe you need to compromise on that requirement.

 

[kongfranon]

no i wont be using any DVD or 5.25

most cases dont have removable MB?

 

[Bearmann]

no i wont be using any DVD or 5.25

most cases dont have removable MB?

Yes, the MB is removable, but some cases come with a tray on to which you attach your MB. The MB fastened to the attached tray can be easily moved in or out of the case. With most cases you just screw your MB into the case directly, there is no tray.

Your current case is small and lightweight. Is the lack of GPU space the reason you want to change cases?

 

[kongfranon]

Hard to work in and not great airflow , especially any type of maintenance, for example changing the fans in the front is such a pita, becuase of the hard drive tray, and have to move everything just to get to it

what about this case i was looking at all cases, and this looks like it easy to work in, and has good airflow?

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139022

Corsair Carbide Series Air 540

 

[Bearmann]

I've seen videos of that case, but have never owned one. It's a few pounds heavier than your current case. To stay light, you might want to start with some aluminum cases such as Lian-Li or Silverstone. I don't have a specific case in mind, but someone else might. Consider going to pcpartpicker.com and start a system build. First add a GPU that you might want, then look for cases that can hold it.

 

[imported_jjj]

I think the very first question should be if you will go with air or water.
Removable mobo tray is a very restrictive criteria so be sure you really need it. The only recent case with a removable tray i can think off is the Be Quiet Dark Base Pro 900 but that's a big case and removing the tray is less than easy as the main goal is to be able to invert it.
Weight is usually higher for better cases , thicker steel, more metal overall. Same goes for size and internal room vs weight.

The Define S is great and cheap but i wouldn't use it for water- lots and lots of folks do though. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352054
It's a bit larger and heavier than the Lian Li you mention.
No fan controller, and no optical bays. Has sound proofing. The front panel and filter are easy to remove, the PSU air filter comes out on the back.
Has just 1 front fan and 1 rear, both 140mm.
For air i would add a front fan, try to align it with the CPU cooler and target the GPU with the middle front fan. More fans could be added if needed.
For water, i don't like it because the top has no air filter and you ruin the acoustics once you remove the top cover.The rad in the front would work but getting air to the GPU gets more complicated so maybe water for the GPU too.
The HDD/SSDs slots are behind the mobo but enough for your needs.

The NZXT H440 is somewhat similar with maybe a better way to handle the HDDs and has 3x140mm front fans. I am not a fan of this one as the front air intake seems to be starving the fans a bit and the price is less than great.
The NZXT S340 is smaller but without the optical drives, smaller is ok. It's straight forward, 2 front fans, not much air inside the case so it ends up pretty efficient as all the air moves in and out quickly.. Likely too cramped for you, if you want to remove the top fan easily.

I like Nanoxia cases too but the bigger ones (5 and 6) are the nicer ones.
Or maybe the new and slightly different Project S could interest you. I haven't read any reviews for this one but it does seem to give you easy access while being different. https://www.amazon.com/Nanoxia-Project-Fledged-Drawer-NXPSS/dp/B01HOCV2P8

You don't seem to need much but having both internal room and low weight is difficult. Hard to try to help with suggestions so just mentioned a few cases.
If the Define S works for you, it's likely the easy choice. Cheap, good looking, low noise, large, great air flow with added fan(s).

 

[kongfranon]

Thanks for replying I should have mention will probably just go for AIR, I was never a huge overclocker, I just don't have the time and patience to go through all the testing and stability, for me when I get home from work after 12 hours I like to just play games and not tinker as much, and rather stability.


Yeah I mean weight is not that huge of an issue, I can put the computer on top of my desk, I have plenty of room I guess, so this way if I do ned to work in it, don't have to move it, it just looks better on the floor I guess.


The biggest criteria for me is working inside the case, easy to do any sort of maintenance for example replace fans when they die, or if want to add a SDD drive or another HDD drive. I guess having a mobo tray is not the most important as long as the case is big enough so it easy to instal; the mobo? I know in past cases they were small and such a PITA to get it in the case

one thing is I have super big hands, and have a hard time getting my hands in some of the smaller cases in the past. That is why i was looking at that cube case from corsair it seems very easy to install everything with plenty of room, and for air seems to keep the heat in different chambers?

 

[imported_jjj]

I don't like the Air 540.
The main reason is the lack of an air filter for the PSU. That's just silly when even 50$ cases have one. And it's not a good idea not to filter that air so you would need to figure out how to add a filter.
I also don't like that they don't use the space in the second chamber well. They use very little of it. If you needed an optical drive and wanted a fan in front of the CPU then this case would be interesting, if you solve the air filter problem.
For you, you don't really have that much space in it, look at a system with an ATX board in it. Can take a 320mm GPU. Even the small NZXT S340 can do better.
The Define S can take 450mm GPUs.

I might build a Zen box and will go air for lower idle noise (no pump noise and closed top makes air the better solution). Not aiming for no noise at all, just keeping an eye on it.
Anyway, i am hesitating between the Define S, Be Quiet 800 and Nanoxia 5 - don't wanna go above 200$. The Define S is awesome but having a hard time giving up on lots of drive slots so can't quite decide yet lol.
If you like Corsair, the 270R is cheap and somewhat similar the Define S but haven't looked at it in detail so check some reviews. There is also the dual chamber Air 740 and it has a PSU air filter but costs more and still not that roomy. The Carbide 600C or 600Q ( C for clear as in windowed and Q for quiet) are somewhat interesting. Has a top chamber for PSU while the mobo is upside down.
Cooler Master has some nice cases too but the looks are not for everybody.
Since you don't need optical drives and lots of HDDs, your best bet are cases like the Define S. They leave the front open for great airflow and they create a lot of space.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

There is a reason I like the Corsair Air 540. It is roomy for water-cooling, and could also serve some well-planned air-cooling strategies. It's stylish. There are a lot of vent options there, and if you choose the ones for your particular strategy, you can block off the remainder. I use precision-cut foam-art board, with nylon screws and nuts. I just don't have an Air 540.

There is a reason I don't like it -- the footprint. And that's really minor.

Put it another way. If I can fit two 140mm fans in front, with two more from the side or top or both, that's the case I want. If I can fit those fans in pairs, then I should be able to fit a radiator with each pair of them. If I don't do water-cooling, then I want ample air-intake.

 

[kongfranon]

Thanks all for suggestions meant to get back and reply but was super busy

i keep going back and forth, usually the case is the least important part in the past but now I realize it is one of the most important, for working in , cooling, and will and should last multiple builds

 

[TemjinGold]

How long of a video card? I was looking at the Silverstone FT05 and considered getting that but then found a Corsair 400Q for $69.99 AR and went with that.