OMG, how hard is it to find a Case I like...

[Shagga]

I have spent the last few hours looking for a case for my new build and discovered I'm either expecting too much or just unlucky!

I've been looking for a case which has clean styling, conservative in it's look but has great cooling and acoustic properties. I'm interested in a tool-less design but it isn't a deal breaker as I know my way round a tool box, it is wide enough to take the larger GPU cards and has USB 3.0 I/O panel on the front/top...

I like the style of the Cooler Master Elite 334 but alas, no USB3.0 panel, the other is the Antec Three Hundred Two, but it isn't as classy as the CM. There is also the Lian Li PC-60FNWX but I seem to be going off that one for some reason.

There's just too many to look at, so if anyone can provide me with a short cut to something similar that would be great. Budget is about £100 - £130ish.

So, once again I call on the Guru's at AT.

 

[lehtv]

Sounds like the case I'm using.

Fractal Design Define R3 £73
- minimalist looks
- great acoustics (built for silence)
- 2x120mm fans
- add fans for improved cooling, and optionally a fan controller if you want it to be very quiet as well; this is what I did and it's also well within your budget
- USB3.0 on the front/top i/o panel
- up to 290mm (11.4") graphics cards
- not toolless but by no means difficult, uses thumb screws mostly
- decent cable management

Another option is the Arc Midi £70, it is functionally similar to R3 but it lacks the noise dampening features. However it has better stock cooling (3x140mm) and it's a bit wider (can accommodate the tallest cpu heatsinks)

And yet another option that fits your requirements pretty well: Corsair 400R £76. Included 3x120mm fans, but like Arc Midi it is not noise insulated.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

You sound like a friend of mine. He had the hardest time picking out a case until I recommended Fractal Design R3. Other companies with clean styling would be Corsair and Lian-Li

 

[Maximilian]

Best case in the world is the silverstone fortress 02 IMO.

If only they would release an up to date version of it and make it cheaper by using steel instead of aluminium and ditch the tacky plastic HDD mounts... would be a great case for sure!

 

[Charlie98]

Corsair 550D...

 

[Shagga]

Some nice alternatives there. I like the Fractal Design R3 albeit I'm not sure about the door on the front. I guess this adds to the acoustic performance.

The room the case will be in is notoriously warm, ridiculously warm sometimes so moving air is important. Does the door restrict this at all?

 

[lehtv]

Some nice alternatives there. I like the Fractal Design R3 albeit I'm not sure about the door on the front. I guess this adds to the acoustic performance.

It does. The effect on cooling performance is also there though. I remember testing it and the effect on GPU cooling was a couple of degrees at load (using two front intakes), nothing to worry about.

However if your room gets hot, I'd recommend the Arc Midi, it's less expensive and better ventilated.

 

[Athadeus]

The side vents allow air in well, while most of the sound from the front fan is absorbed and dampened by the material on the back side of the front door. If you found that the stock setup was inadequate, you could easily increase airflow by replacing the 1,350rpm fan, or adding more fans (it supports quite a few configurations).

 

[Shagga]

Thinking of this one after hours of deliberating. http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/obsidian-series-pc-case/obsidian-series-650d.html

 

[DSF]

Fractal Design Define R3 £73
- minimalist looks
- great acoustics (built for silence)
- 2x120mm fans
- add fans for improved cooling, and optionally a fan controller if you want it to be very quiet as well; this is what I did and it's also well within your budget
- USB3.0 on the front/top i/o panel
- up to 290mm (11.4") graphics cards
- not toolless but by no means difficult, uses thumb screws mostly
- decent cable management

Did you put your cables behind the motherboard? I'm giving the Fractal R3 a long, hard look for my next build, but AT'a own review had a few negative comments about the cable management. The review said a standard ATX motherboard partially blocked some of the routing holes, and that they couldn't get the 4-pin 12V plug to fit through the hole designed for it.

 

[jlfirehawk]

I still love the NZXT H2 Case I now have 2 of them and couldnt be happier.

 

[NTMBK]

Thinking of this one after hours of deliberating. http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/obsidian-series-pc-case/obsidian-series-650d.html

Side window? Ugh!

 

[lehtv]

Did you put your cables behind the motherboard? I'm giving the Fractal R3 a long, hard look for my next build, but AT'a own review had a few negative comments about the cable management. The review said a standard ATX motherboard partially blocked some of the routing holes, and that they couldn't get the 4-pin 12V plug to fit through the hole designed for it.

I didn't have any problems with cable management. The 24pin cable fit through the routing hole fine, and so did everything else. The area behind the mobo tray can be a bit cramped and it may take some time to figure how to best route everything - bring a lot of cable ties. I'm using a modular PSU so that helps a little bit. However, if you're using a nonmodular unit, the cables you're not using can be neatly rolled on top of the fan slot right next to the PSU, unless you plan to occupy that slot.

 

[Shagga]

Side window? Ugh!

In know, it's not me but I'm struggling here. Got a week or two to make my mind up but you just reinforced my first thoughts. and that was stop being hasty.

 

[wpcoe]

@Shagga: I feel your pain when you feel like there is no ideal case! Lots of "near misses," but nothing I can find to suit my needs for my upcoming build. <sigh...>

My limiting factor is that I keep my case in a cubbyhole in my desk which only allows for front-to-back airflow, and renders top-of-case buttons/controls/outlets inaccessible. I've got a couple candidates in mind, but it's a matter of choosing the lesser of multiple evils.

 

[Shagga]

@Shagga: I feel your pain when you feel like there is no ideal case! Lots of "near misses," but nothing I can find to suit my needs for my upcoming build. <sigh...>

My limiting factor is that I keep my case in a cubbyhole in my desk which only allows for front-to-back airflow, and renders top-of-case buttons/controls/outlets inaccessible. I've got a couple candidates in mind, but it's a matter of choosing the lesser of multiple evils.

lol, this sounds familiar. Sell the desk and get a new one.... this is how it all starts and our £500 upgrade becomes £1,000. I often think when I can't find what I'm looking for that my preferred company should employ me as a designer and I'm sure I'd find something I like.

 

[Broheim]

Side window? Ugh!

In know, it's not me but I'm struggling here. Got a week or two to make my mind up but you just reinforced my first thoughts. and that was stop being hasty.

you can buy a side panel without a window

 

[DesiPower]

Sonata looks good but lack of cable management is a worrying...

 

[Shagga]

you can buy a side panel without a window

Interesting.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Corsair 550D...

May have seen my 550D thread on here. Just got one this weekend. No complaints at all about the case. Easily the best I have owned.

 

[Shagga]

That's it. Done deal. Start of the upgrade begins today. Corsair 650D with Blank Side panel ordered and the Z77 Boards appear to be in stock, just waiting for IB to appear!

Thanks for your advice, suggestions and knowledge as always.

 

[Rvenger]

Fractal design Define XL $99 shipped at newegg. Its a steal of a deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352017

Use code EMCYTZT1469

 

[Shagga]

Thanks Rvenger. Unfortunately, NewEgg isn't an option for me in the UK. However, I've pushed the button, more or less out of not being able to find a case I like. The 650D is nice and I'll comment more when it arrives on Saturday but I got tired of looking to be honest Think I must be too picky.

Thanks for the link, I'm watching the review now.

[edit]

Great case, technically. I'm not a lover of doors on the front and as my room does get a tad warm sometimes my gut says the door will restrict maximum airflow through the case. If a silent case was what I was looking for, then this would certainly be a consideration for sure.

 

[yaxattax]

Hey Shagga, glad to hear you finally picked a case. I know I'm a bit late to this one, but I'd have suggested a look at a full tower case, particularly if you're looking to accomodate a large GPU and maybe multiple drives. My last build I got into an Antec Sonata 3, but I would not want to do that again.

My vote would also be for Fractal Design Define XL, as Rvenger suggested.

 

[Topweasel]

Hey Shagga, glad to hear you finally picked a case. I know I'm a bit late to this one, but I'd have suggested a look at a full tower case, particularly if you're looking to accomodate a large GPU and maybe multiple drives. My last build I got into an Antec Sonata 3, but I would not want to do that again.

My vote would also be for Fractal Design Define XL, as Rvenger suggested.

Not all Mid Towers are made the same. A Sonata, was/is targeted at a group using normal parts and the goal is to keep it elegant and Silent. A 650D is a mid tower that's almost a full tower targetting enthusiasts. It's deaper then most mid towers and will support long cards with no issue, therefore not having to lose HD bays.

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/chassis/30127-corsair-obsidian-series-650d-chassis-review/?page=2

They have a 6970 (11.3" card) installed. Tons of room to spare before it gets to the HDD bays. Looking at that pic, it should be able to support a 6990 no problem.