What's the best case you have ever seen or used? Looking for something nice.

[Locut0s]

I'm looking at putting together a fairly beefy system for my next build and would like a quality case. Currently I'm using a Lian-Li PC-V1200 which was and still is a very nice case. However it's a bit on the small side for what I'm going to build. I would like to leave the option open for water cooling and other extras that I may or may not use. High build quality is a must and as for style I go for minimalist looks. I'm looking hard at the Corsair Obsidian 800D which looks like a very nice case. It's a little pricey at 300 bucks but not too too bad for the quality.

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=784

I've looked at a number of other options from Cooler Master and Thermaltake that are lower down on my list but none of them quite have the style AND design down right. Anyone got any other suggestions? What's the best mid to full tower case you've ever used. Again remember it should be fitted out so that watter cooling is an option.

 

[quakefiend420]

i'm happy with my antec p180, although it's getting a bit long in the tooth

 

[Locut0s]

i'm happy with my antec p180, although it's getting a bit long in the tooth

Yeah after having a Silverstone Temjin wave case some years back I no longer want a case with a door in it. I like the sleek looks of the p180 but I want something where the 5 1/4 bays are easily accessible. I may put a fan controller box in there, sound card breakout box, etc which I'd like always visible without the door. I found with the Silverstone case I never closed the door so while it looked amazing with it close ... why bother if it just gets in the way.

 

[busydude]

Mine has to be Azza Helios 910R which I am currently using. Its a fine case, no frills, good air flow.

If you feel 800D is expensive may I suggest you 700D.

 

[Locut0s]

Mine has to be Azza Helios 910R which I am currently using. Its a fine case, no frills, good air flow.

If you feel 800D is expensive may I suggest you 700D.

Thanks. Yes the 700D is also up there. But if it came down to the 800 or 700D I'd be willing to spend the extra little to get the 800. The Azza isn't a bad case, thanks, but I'm not a huge fan of the giant side fan look and I like my IO ports to be on the top (though that's nit picking a bit).

 

[Tullphan]

Is your V1200 black or silver?
I'm currently using a V1000B & it's getting a tad bit cramped, but not too bad.
Since i've owned it, i've also owned a Cooler Master Sniper, Stacker, 690, P180B, Sonata III, that Alienware that they were selling on Woot a while back, and I still keep coming back to the V1000B. The quality just wasn't there in all those others, IMHO.
While the airflow in the V1000B isn't the best, I still like it.
How many 5 1/4" devices will you be using?

 

[Locut0s]

Is your V1200 black or silver?
I'm currently using a V1000B & it's getting a tad bit cramped, but not too bad.
Since i've owned it, i've also owned a Cooler Master Sniper, Stacker, 690, P180B, Sonata III, that Alienware that they were selling on Woot a while back, and I still keep coming back to the V1000B. The quality just wasn't there in all those others, IMHO.
While the airflow in the V1000B isn't the best, I still like it.
How many 5 1/4" devices will you be using?

It's Black The Sniper was also lower on my list and I looked at a number of the others you listed too like the 690. As for the 5 1/4 bays I'll definitely be using 2 but would like to keep the option open to use 3 or 4 just in case. Depending on where prices go I might be looking at DVDR + Blu-Ray + fan controller + some other accessory or I might only go with 1 or 2 of those. It's hard to say right now as this case build is 5 months out or more right now. I'm also looking at the possibility of water cooling. I'm not an overclocker but I'm more than a bit picky about keeping things as silent as possible while still getting MAX performance.

 

[Tullphan]

The reason I asked about the # of 5 1/4 devices was because there was a Tyr 500 in the FS/FT forum for a decent price. Whether or not it's still available, I do not know. The only problem is that while it has opening for four 5 1/4" devices & two 3 1/2" devices, one can only use half.
Soooooooooo...what about that 1200 when you find another case???

 

[MagickMan]

In Atlanta I saw a custom WiNDy case that stunned me, most beautiful case I've ever seen. It was a "Deep Purple Burn" FX2000 with custom Usagi Yojimbo graphics etched and painted into it.

 

[Locut0s]

In Atlanta I saw a custom WiNDy case that stunned me, most beautiful case I've ever seen. It was a "Deep Purple Burn" FX2000 with custom Usagi Yojimbo graphics etched and painted into it.

Something like this?

That's just a rendering though.

 

[nitromullet]

Why not another Lian Li? I haven't bought anything but since my v1200...

Although, the Corsair 700D (I'm not a fan of case windows) is pretty appealing, and I've been looking at Mountain Mods a lot differently since I've started water cooling.

 

[Apocalypse23]

Would you be planning on running your system on air or water?

The reason I ask is because the Obsidian (800D) is a great watercooling case, but a bad air cooling case. You'd need a case with a nice side-fan for that. Check this review out: http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/corsair_obsidian_800d/6

 

[ahenkel]

I want to replace my cosmos 1000 with an 800d. On a side note at current prices I am disappointed with the 700d prices. I'm hoping they go down cause the small difference doesn't justify the cost.

 

[finbarqs]

i got my TJ10B-W just recently, but I really like how the FT02 looks! (especially in silver)

p.s. both made by silverstone

 

[modestninja]

i got my TJ10B-W just recently, but I really like how the FT02 looks! (especially in silver)

p.s. both made by silverstone

I have the FT02 and it's a great case for air cooling. It looks really nice, is very solidly built, has great wire management options, is good at keeping out dust, is silent (for a case with that much airflow) and with the 90 degree rotation and 3 180mm fans, stays really cool.

There are a few issues with it like not being able to fit most drives in the top 5 1/4 bay, and the high price ($229).

 

[davidrees]

I really like my Coolermaster Cosmos S case.

It is absolutely enormous and holds my 4870x2 with the Arctic Cooler HSF with plenty of room to spare. I think this case could hold 3 of those.

Stock, it is very quiet and has incredible air flow but the main problem is that you are limited to CPU HSFs that are about ~154mm in height. You either need to go with a lower profile cooler (like one with the fan mounted parallel to the mobo) or remove the fan.

Since I no longer run a passive video card, I decided to get the replacement panel with the window and give up the 200mm side fan. It looks nice but I need to add another 120mm to the front of the case.

I actually have room in the drive bay area (10 x 5.25") to have 2 front mounted 120mm fans, an optical drive, a Crystalfontz LCD (in a bay adapter) and still suspend 2 hard drives with elastic. Now I have room to add a giant Noctua DH14 or some other enormous CPU cooler.

Appearance and design are personal and most people seem to strongly like or dislike the case, but I keep finding more things to like about it.

As an aside, I have an LG monitor with red LED touch sensitive controls and it's almost like the monitor was made to go perfectly with this case.

Good luck in your quest, let us know what you decide.

 

[Earthmonger]

NZXT Khaos
Nicest case I've ever owned. Stylish, no nasty-arse windows, and quite roomy. (Link just for display, available cheaper elsewhere.) This is NOT a portable case though; it weighs a ton.

I'd like to try a Lian Li Tyr PC-X2000B at some point.

I do not buy plastic or steel cases, so the Corsair 800D is not even an option.

 

[MJinZ]

Banchetto

 

[hclarkjr]

i like me coolermaster HAF932, lots of room and quiet cooling.

 

[NYHoustonman]

I have the FT02 and it's a great case for air cooling. It looks really nice, is very solidly built, has great wire management options, is good at keeping out dust, is silent (for a case with that much airflow) and with the 90 degree rotation and 3 180mm fans, stays really cool.

There are a few issues with it like not being able to fit most drives in the top 5 1/4 bay, and the high price ($229).

This is what I came in to recommend as well . I have the RV-02 (functionally the same thing) and it's the best case I've worked in.

 

[NTAC]

I've had this case for about 4 years now:

NZXT Zero Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-029-_-Product

Has 8 fans and they are all very very quiet, I don't even know they are there. Has tons of room, I couldn't be more happier with it.

It's a bit spendy now, I think it was about 110 when I got it.. not sure if it was on sale or a rebate, it's been a while. There's probably something better out there for that price at this point.

 

[aigomorla]

Windy cases are by far the sexiest... however.... not very practical..

I use a box err a case by Mountain Mods called the U2.
I have an additional Pedistool which makes my case obnoxiously errr very big....

24 inches x 18inches x 18inches.

 

[Red Squirrel]

This is my favorite case:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...19620&CatId=32

When I built my server I wanted something with lot of front bays so I can put in removable drive cages, and I also wanted something with good ventilation. It seems most cases nowdays skimp on front air vents. Next server I build will probably be rackmount, but if I was to build another tower server, I'd use this same case again.

 

[Dorkenstein]

I have my stuff in a Silverstone FT02 but since I am getting a larger video card I am going to switch. I would have switched eventually, but this is sooner than I had anticipated.

 

[Jocelyn84]

Another vote for the FT02. Online Photos/Videos really just don't do it justice (same with the RV02).

I have my stuff in a Silverstone FT02 but since I am getting a larger video card I am going to switch. I would have switched eventually, but this is sooner than I had anticipated.

Which card are you getting? Just asking, because I thought even a 5970 fit if the 180mm fan cover was removed.
Needless to say, I realize this may not be optimal.