Need a nice looking, cool running case with good SSD support

pulp · Sep 25, 2013

I'm looking to upgrade my case because it doesn't have much room for cooling and I wouldn't mind a window and some better looks. The front panel USB ports also cause a USB over-current notice when I boot my PC.

So my requirements are:
Preferably mid, but full is okay
Width requirement: If down-mounted PSU ONLY the base width must be 8.5" or less, if PSU can be upward-mounted then other widths are okay too.
Space on the side(s) for 200-230 mm fan(s) while still using the Hyper 212 EVO
Adequate overall cooling
Support for atleast two SSDs and one HDD
Support for 11.5" GPU
Decent cable management
side window if possible

Specs:
i5-3570k
Hyper 212 EVO
ASUS P8Z77-V LE Plus
OCT ZT 650W
Crucial VLP 1600mhz 8GB
EVGA GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB (Want to get a certain GPU which is 11.5")
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB
LITE-ON iHAS124-04

If the case requires add-on parts to accommodate multiple SSDs, please include those. The problem with my Rosewill Challenger is that there isn't much room between the board and the case, where the sata ports face outward from the edge of the board. There's also no way to use right-angle sata connectors on the SSD because they are so close together on the hard drive rack that the two cables physically cannot be plugged in. It's almost impossible to plug the cables into the motherboard because of the very limited room and the way ASUS placed the sata ports on the board.

Also wouldn't mind a fan controller, because my board doesn't support as many fans as I'd like to use. A touch screen would look nice, and I'd be interested as long as it functions well. One with knobs or sliders would be fine, functionality is more important than looks.

tiny voices · Sep 25, 2013

I had a challenger and I had the same issues.

Have a look at Coolermaster, Corsair, NZXT, Fractal Design for HIGH quality cases.

bubonik · Sep 25, 2013

Corsair just released the 750D, looks like a solid case. Its tagged as a full tower, but its only 1" bigger than the 650d which is tagged as mid.

pulp · Sep 25, 2013

Sorry, I forgot to mention I have a case budget of $100. I would be willing to spend a little more for necessary cooling fans.

pulp · Sep 25, 2013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146105 This case looks very nice, I saw a video by Linus and it seems to have real nice features, including dedicated SSD mounts behind the motherboard.

The fan controller supports up to 10 fans, and the case comes with 3x 200mm and 1x 140mm fans. You can customize the hard drive cages and even completely remove them. I would be able to leave 1 hard drive cage in, and mount my two SSDs behind the motherboard.

tiny voices · Sep 25, 2013

That is full tower, which is huge. You don't need one unless you are building a custom water loop.

I would get the mid tower version of the same case. It is a very good case.

pulp · Sep 25, 2013

As long as it has the features I just mentioned I'm cool with that. It looks like it's missing some fans compared to the full tower.

tiny voices · Sep 25, 2013

I would honestly save the money and get the mid-tower. Still has all the same strong points, and use the extra money too get a better quality PSU and a better GPU.

pulp · Sep 25, 2013

PSU is fine, GPU is already planned to upgrade ($265 currently).. I can afford better cases but don't want to spend much more than $100

tiny voices · Sep 25, 2013

Honestly the PSU is not that great. The OEM isn't the best. the PSU is the most important part of a PC by far.

An xfx 650w unit would be considerably better

pulp · Sep 25, 2013

It's just about the same by specs and reviews.. it's done fine for me since around April.. I have no need to change the PSU.

tiny voices · Sep 25, 2013

The OEM of your PSU is Great Wall, which is not good by any means. i would not trust it to keep your system safe. If it fails, it can likely over-volt and ruin your components. the PSU is the most important component.

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

either way, mostly interested in finding a decent case.. there are several quality psus out there I can take a look at.. I bought this along with the rest of my system when I was on a very tight budget

tiny voices · Sep 26, 2013

For a case, Look at the brands I previously listed. The NZXT you are looking at is good.

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

Well I know which brands are good, I came because I have specific needs and wanted to see if anyone had the same experiences and could contribute an exact model.

tiny voices · Sep 26, 2013

The NZXT phantom 410 is a very good case.

My personal pick for a very high quality case would be the Corsair 300r.

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

I want some big fans, a bigger fan would push more air without having to spin as fast.. so ideally would be quieter and cooler in comparison to the equivalent cooling with multiple smaller fans

tiny voices · Sep 26, 2013

That is not always true. Generally 120mm fans are what you want. Get some of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181027

They will move ALOT of air and be quiet. honestly, moving a crazy amount of air isn't what you really need. Just as long as air is circulating. You want front intake, top exhaust and rear exhaust. The Corsair fans I linked will be very good. I would go with the Corsair 300r and 3-4 of these fans.

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

yeah I understand the circulation idea and I was checking out those fans in the past.. they do look pretty interesting. That case supports 4 SSDs without adapters? And won't have the same problem as my Challenger?

Newegg: "Built-in compatibility for SSDs in the four hard drive bays gives you the flexibility you need."

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

the 500r looks good, but I'm seeing alot about it catching on fire (the front panel). Corsair seems to send a "replacement kit" to users who complain but I wonder if that kit resolves the issue or is just another fail front panel..

edit: nevermind that, they don't use the standard fan connectors :/

tiny voices · Sep 26, 2013

I would get a 400r if you have the money to spend. It is a VERY good case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139013 this is also a GREAT case from Corsair.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087 also the phantom 410. Amazing case.

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

looks nice, wondering about the space between the hdd cages and the board.. because of the ports on my board..

http://www.asus.com/media/global/products/0pRrwqLht4ICb4d1/7gVsGBNwi4POWi1l_500.jpg

those sata ports down there at the bottom left are what cause me problems

tiny voices · Sep 26, 2013

The HDDs go in from front to back so the SATA cable will run from the back of the drive -> behind the back panel -> through a hole and into the board.

like this: http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/images/reviews/cases/CC-9011018-WW/Corsair_Vengeance_C70_PC_Case_Build.JPG

Similar board to yours as well.

pulp · Sep 26, 2013

That wasn't the concern, the problem is not having enough space from the edge of the board being up against the hard drive cages. In this picture it looks like there's a few extra inches of space between the two. In my Rosewill Challenger I barely have enough space for my finger to get in there and connect the cables. If that's a standard sized ATX board then the case should be fine, and also allow for a long enough GPU.

tiny voices · Sep 26, 2013

There will be plenty of space. That board is standard ATX. You will be perfectly fine.

Need a nice looking, cool running case with good SSD support

Distinguished

Titan

Honorable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Distinguished

Titan

Share this page