Full tower gaming case recommendations

[chubdeuce]

Looking to get my case before the rest of my parts and wanted some input.

A few things that I should mention, sound is largely not a concern. While I do appreciate if the case is quieter, it really won't bother me too much as long as it doesn't sound like a jet is taking off next to me...I'll just drown it out with the speakers.

Primary concern is airflow as I'll be OCing a Q6600 with 4GB of RAM and probably a SLI 8800 GTX solution. I want a case that can get the air in and out and keep the ambient temperature cool. Whichever case I get I'll probably end up adding more fans on anyways to make sure it'll keep the air going.

Thoughts?

 

[Zepper]

Tt Shark/Eureka (functionally the same case) are very nice and no problem with cooling - same with the Gigabyte Aurora 570. You didn't mention your budget, so those might be a bit pricey. The XClio Windtunnel/Tagan Obelisk (both functionally the same) have good size and cooling for less.

.bh.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

I had nothing but praise for the new Cosmos case.

 

[chubdeuce]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Tt Shark/Eureka (functionally the same case) are very nice and no problem with cooling - same with the Gigabyte Aurora 570. You didn't mention your budget, so those might be a bit pricey. The XClio Windtunnel/Tagan Obelisk (both functionally the same) have good size and cooling for less.

.bh.

Whoops. I'd prefer to stay under $200 CAD/USD. Was originally gonna go with a CM Stacker but price might be a bit high.

 

[Quiksilver]

Coolermaster Stacker, NZXT Zero, Enermax Uber Chakra, Thermaltake Armor, you can find them all below $150 if you shop around.

 

[Stoneburner]

Originally posted by: Sentrosi2121
I had nothing but praise for the new Cosmos case.

how do you cool your hard drives?

 

[chubdeuce]

Maybe I'll move to a Mid-tower since the Antec 900 doesn't look so bad. Might be a bit cramped as well.

 

[imported_Eriol]

Antec P180 or P182 are popular for both cooling and low noise. Personally I'm getting a system built right now with a Q6600, 4gb, and an 8800gtx, so I'll let you know how it goes with temps when I get it.

Using a Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme for the CPU cooler, so I hope to have decent temps there, and with the high flow-through of air in the case (I hope to put all cables BEHIND the mobo), hopefully the graphics wll be cooler than usual, though I'm not expecting much there as I'm not doing after-market with that.


(not building it myself because in Canada the prices you can actually get online are marginally less (much better market for that in the USA, but most won't ship to Canada, and it's honestly a crap shoot as to what the border will slap taxes on), and my local place will warranty it too, so not worth my time to do it myself)

 

[trOver]

lian li v2100

 

[Sentrosi2121]

Originally posted by: Stoneburner

Originally posted by: Sentrosi2121
I had nothing but praise for the new Cosmos case.

how do you cool your hard drives?

Inside the PC I built for my friend I put a Raptor 150Gb along with a 500Gb drive.

All I did was seperate the two drives from each other leaving an open space between the two. I suppose you could mount a 120mm fan above the hard drives if cooling is a major concern for you, but with only 2 drives going (noting the 10k RPM of the Raptor) I didn't feel the need for additional cooling.

Given the sheer size of the case I doubt you'd have a lot of problems with hard drives running hot.

 

[emfiend]

I've been shopping around and have my eyes set on the Tt Armor. The 25 cm side fan is nice and should give you a lot of cool air for OCing. Can be had from Clubit AR for around $110 + ship. Too bad they dont have the Alum version with the big fan.

 

[stardust]

CM Stacker, most unappealing yet efficient full tower case design.