Elegant Case Under $100?

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Hello, guys. I've been lurking here for a while but decided to make an account and post my first thread.

I'm making a new summer PC and I've already bought some of the components, inc the graphics card (EVGA GTX 460 SSC+), hard drive (Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB), memory (4GB Patriot Sector 5 1600MHz), and the optical drive (ASUS DVD+RW Burner).

I don't know yet if I'll go the Bulldozer route or not and have decided to hold off on a new motherboard and CPU until the reviews come in.

Anyway, the next thing I'll be buying is the case together with the PSU and I wanted to get some recommendations on a good quality, understated and 'elegant' case with good features and cable routing, if it can be had for $100. I despise LED lights and don't like some of the "gamer" cases, so I've slashed off the list cases like the HAF 922 and the CM Storm Scout. I've looked at the Lancool Metal Boned K7, but I think the top mounted PSU is very off putting. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

[Doclife]

Antec P183
Antec Mini P180 (micro ATX motherboard only)
Fractal Design Define R3
Fractal Design Define Mini (micro ATX) , soon to be released (not sure when)

 

[dbrons]

I just bought a Fractal Designs Define R3
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2010/10/29/fractal-design-define-r3-review/1

ChiefValue has it for $109 and you can find a $5 coupon, so $104 fs

 

[sandorski]

I like the Zalman Z9 Plus I recently bought, but there are a ton of <$100 Cases out there and "Elegant" is rather subjective. Best to Search Newegg or whatever Retailer you prefer with <$100 as a parameter.

Figure out what Features you want, choose what you think is "Elegant", then pick the one that best matches your Features list. Features to consider:

Bottom mount PS
Side Mount HD Drives
Motherboard tray holes for cables(preferably with rubber grommets)

Lots of 120mm Case fan mounts. Top, Bottom, and Side are all very nice to have. With Filters is also nice.

Find a Case with the Front connections you need. For eg USB 2 or 3, Firewire, Headphone/Microphone, Fan controller

A solid colour Inside/Out is essential with Windows/Mesh sides(IMO)

 

[joelmartinez]

Lian li ao5n great for modding and stylish

 

[43st]

I like the Antec 300.. it's small and easy on the eyes. Some may call it more bare bones than elegant though.

If you have LED fans, etc., you can just snip the diodes off. I've done that before. I also have a roll of red lithographers tape that is good for toning down bright lights on electronics.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Thanks for the recommendations. The Fractal Design R3 looks great, but the shipping to where I live is $50. O.O

The Lian-Li A05N has a great design and build quality, but being an ATX Mini Tower I feel it won't have a lot of space to work with. The Antec P183 looks awesome in all aspects, but it's out of the price range; the P180 is similar to the A05N, which means less space to work with in comparison to a mid-tower case. The Zalman Z9 Plus looks pretty understated and the price is affordable. No LED lights is pretty great, too.

Any other recommendations?

 

[fffblackmage]

Yeah, the P183 is really nice, but it's definitely a bit expensive. I was lucky enough to get mine for about $100 AR.

I like the Antec 300.. it's small and easy on the eyes. Some may call it more bare bones than elegant though.

If you have LED fans, etc., you can just snip the diodes off. I've done that before. I also have a roll of red lithographers tape that is good for toning down bright lights on electronics.

+1

 

[SmCaudata]

Lian Li pc-9f. I really like mine.

 

[nyker96]

InWin BUC is the one you want or another fav of mine is Haf 922 but I think BUC has the upper hand in having most modern features for a case under 100!

 

[Vincent]

I'm a fan of the Antec Sonata III.

 

[bleucharm28]

CM Storm Enforcer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119240
(looks sexy)
Antec NSK3480
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129035
(only thing i don't like about this case is the inside is not black, psu is up top. I prefer psu at the bottom of the case.
And i think Silverstone is going to have refresh of the TJ04, i think cost somewhere around 100 bucks. i think.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

I like the Zalman Z9 Plus I recently bought, but there are a ton of <$100 Cases out there and "Elegant" is rather subjective. Best to Search Newegg or whatever Retailer you prefer with <$100 as a parameter.

Figure out what Features you want, choose what you think is "Elegant", then pick the one that best matches your Features list. Features to consider:

Bottom mount PS
Side Mount HD Drives
Motherboard tray holes for cables(preferably with rubber grommets)

Lots of 120mm Case fan mounts. Top, Bottom, and Side are all very nice to have. With Filters is also nice.

Find a Case with the Front connections you need. For eg USB 2 or 3, Firewire, Headphone/Microphone, Fan controller

A solid colour Inside/Out is essential with Windows/Mesh sides(IMO)

Do you think a Zalman Z9 Plus will fit a Scythe Mugen 2? I am very interested in the case. I like the design, the features, and the price. Also, is there a good amount of internal space?

 

[sandorski]

Do you think a Zalman Z9 Plus will fit a Scythe Mugen 2? I am very interested in the case. I like the design, the features, and the price. Also, is there a good amount of internal space?

From what I can tell, it should fit with approx 1.5mm to spare. Unless your CPU socket is towards the back, you won't be able to use the optional top 120mm Fan mount on the Side of the case. I had no problems with Internal space.

The Top PCI-e 16x slot should fit any card, as there's plenty of space in the 5.25" bay cage(provided no Optical Drive installed in lower bays), a lower positioned PCI-e 16x/8x slot should fit any Video card currently available(80&#37; confident a 6990 will fit, my 5870 fits with 1-1.5" to spare, estimated from the top of the attached 6pin power cable), but the largest cards will make the quick release tabs on the upper 3.25" HD bays difficult to access. There are 5 HD bays though, so that likely won't be an issue.

If I had a camera I would provide pics. The case is surprisingly roomy in comparison to my old Thermaltake XaserIII, which actually had larger external dimensions. Mainly due to the thick front panel on the Xaser, but partly, I believe, due to the Side Mounting HD cage and the Cable Management features in the Z9. Especially where Cables are concerned.


Damn, went kinda long

Summary-- lots of space

:biggrin:

 

[dawp]

just got a CM 690 II. similar to the haf models in as far as air flow but a lot more conservative styling. it has lit fan up front that has a switch that turns the LED on and off and plenty of places to add fans if you so desire, if you can find it local in Porto Rico, it can be had for a little over $100.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0328082

newegg has it for $79 after discounts ans rebate.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

Don't forget the NZXT H2
Black: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146072
White: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146071

 

[SZLiao214]

CM Storm Enforcer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119240
(looks sexy)
Antec NSK3480
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129035
(only thing i don't like about this case is the inside is not black, psu is up top. I prefer psu at the bottom of the case.
And i think Silverstone is going to have refresh of the TJ04, i think cost somewhere around 100 bucks. i think.

Don't think those 2 suggestions are considered elegant.

 

[fuzzymath10]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pc-a04&amp;x=0&amp;y=0

above your budget by $10, but I have the silver one and I love it. Holds a lot of hard drives, despite being matx.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

From what I can tell, it should fit with approx 1.5mm to spare. Unless your CPU socket is towards the back, you won't be able to use the optional top 120mm Fan mount on the Side of the case. I had no problems with Internal space.

The Top PCI-e 16x slot should fit any card, as there's plenty of space in the 5.25" bay cage(provided no Optical Drive installed in lower bays), a lower positioned PCI-e 16x/8x slot should fit any Video card currently available(80% confident a 6990 will fit, my 5870 fits with 1-1.5" to spare, estimated from the top of the attached 6pin power cable), but the largest cards will make the quick release tabs on the upper 3.25" HD bays difficult to access. There are 5 HD bays though, so that likely won't be an issue.

If I had a camera I would provide pics. The case is surprisingly roomy in comparison to my old Thermaltake XaserIII, which actually had larger external dimensions. Mainly due to the thick front panel on the Xaser, but partly, I believe, due to the Side Mounting HD cage and the Cable Management features in the Z9. Especially where Cables are concerned.


Damn, went kinda long

Summary-- lots of space

:biggrin:

Sounds pretty much perfect. Thanks a lot for the help; this will definitely be on my list because of the features and price.

just got a CM 690 II. similar to the haf models in as far as air flow but a lot more conservative styling. it has lit fan up front that has a switch that turns the LED on and off and plenty of places to add fans if you so desire, if you can find it local in Porto Rico, it can be had for a little over $100.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0328082

newegg has it for $79 after discounts ans rebate.

Looks pretty good, but I think the

Don't forget the NZXT H2
Black: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146072
White: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146071

The design is very good and it has more features than the Z9 Plus, though with it also comes a higher price.

The Zalman Z9 Plus looks like pretty much the perfect PSU for me. It's not very flashy, it has a good room to work with, it has many features that I want like the good cable routing, and the fans it comes with are good, not to mention you can mount others, not to mention it has a low price.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

From what I can tell, it should fit with approx 1.5mm to spare. Unless your CPU socket is towards the back, you won't be able to use the optional top 120mm Fan mount on the Side of the case. I had no problems with Internal space.

The Top PCI-e 16x slot should fit any card, as there's plenty of space in the 5.25" bay cage(provided no Optical Drive installed in lower bays), a lower positioned PCI-e 16x/8x slot should fit any Video card currently available(80&#37; confident a 6990 will fit, my 5870 fits with 1-1.5" to spare, estimated from the top of the attached 6pin power cable), but the largest cards will make the quick release tabs on the upper 3.25" HD bays difficult to access. There are 5 HD bays though, so that likely won't be an issue.

If I had a camera I would provide pics. The case is surprisingly roomy in comparison to my old Thermaltake XaserIII, which actually had larger external dimensions. Mainly due to the thick front panel on the Xaser, but partly, I believe, due to the Side Mounting HD cage and the Cable Management features in the Z9. Especially where Cables are concerned.


Damn, went kinda long

Summary-- lots of space

:biggrin:

Sounds pretty much perfect. Thanks a lot for the help; this will definitely be on my list because of the features and price.

just got a CM 690 II. similar to the haf models in as far as air flow but a lot more conservative styling. it has lit fan up front that has a switch that turns the LED on and off and plenty of places to add fans if you so desire, if you can find it local in Porto Rico, it can be had for a little over $100.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0328082

newegg has it for $79 after discounts ans rebate.

Looks pretty good, but I think the Zalman Z9 Plus has pretty much the same features and costs lower.

Don't forget the NZXT H2
Black: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146072
White: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146071

The design is very good and it has more features than the Z9 Plus, though with it also comes a higher price.

The Zalman Z9 Plus looks like pretty much the perfect case for me. It's not flashy, it has a good room to work with, it has many features that I want like the good cable routing which will be good considering I'm getting the Corsair TX750 V2, and the fans it comes with are good, not to mention you can add others, plus it has a low price.

Thanks to everyone for the help.