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When is a full ATX case necessary?

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  • ATX
  • Cases
  • Build
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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June 22, 2013 3:45:57 PM

I'm working on my first build, and I'm trying to pick out a case. I picked out a decent one that turned out to be full ATX, but people seem to be suggesting that I get a mid ATX instead. I think the build I'm planning is pretty standard, ATX form factor motherboard, 2 storage drives, and either a GTX 770 or 780.

I guess I can understand that a full ATX case like the Rosewill Thor v2 could cause some problems with cabling. Out of curiosity, what would justify me getting a case like that?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

More about : full atx case

June 22, 2013 3:52:11 PM

Nagarya said:
I'm working on my first build, and I'm trying to pick out a case. I picked out a decent one that turned out to be full ATX, but people seem to be suggesting that I get a mid ATX instead. I think the build I'm planning is pretty standard, ATX form factor motherboard, 2 storage drives, and either a GTX 770 or 780.

I guess I can understand that a full ATX case like the Rosewill Thor v2 could cause some problems with cabling. Out of curiosity, what would justify me getting a case like that?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...



Custom watercooling, three/four way GPU set-up, large radiators, better airflow for higher-end cards. There's no need for a full tower case for that build. Any mid tower will be fine.
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June 22, 2013 3:53:20 PM

If you need all this:

6 External 5.25" Drive Bays
6 Internal 3.5" Drive Bays
10 Expansion Slots

then you need a full tower. Otherwise, not so much.
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June 22, 2013 3:54:35 PM

There are extended e-ATX motherboards that require the extra cabinet space. Quad SLI / Crossfire solutions require cases with more then 7 physical pci slots (as most mid towers have, some have 8 for this purpose, but then you pretty much have to watercool)

Space for large radiators/pumps/reservoirs is another reason.

There are dual CPU boards that can get quite large as well.
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June 22, 2013 3:57:18 PM

It easer to work on a first build with a large case. With larger case now you can hide most of your wires. With taller cases there more five inch bays for a fan controller or nxzt hue for case lighting or put a hot swap bay in if it a work pc and you cant lose any of the data. Your need a raid array..you have the bays for the drives.
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June 23, 2013 3:30:37 PM

For he last 18 years I've preferred full tower cases because they are easier to clean, work on, and stay cooler. Plus I prefer a case to sit on the floor.
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June 23, 2013 9:36:48 PM

Full tower gives you room and airflow. if you upgrade later or get into overclocking there is room for larger heatsinks and/or watercooling. Also, look at the published dimesions. Some mid tower cases are almost a large as full tower. I am using a Coolermaster Storm Sniper, a 'mid-tower' case but it has more room and airflow then the previous full tower Cosmos (original configuration). I built a dream pc in a wishlist and I selected the Thor V2 for my case: just looked at that list and the case again this morning and didn't change a thing.
Let me mention size again; make sure whatever case you buy will fit where you are going to place the computer.
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June 24, 2013 4:27:44 PM

Thanks for all the helpful replies, everybody :)  I think I'll keep an eye on both type of cases, and make my decision based on quality/price.
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