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Case Selection: Fractal Design R4, NZXT H440, CM Storm Stryker, Others

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  • Cases
  • Fractal Design
  • Systems
  • USB
Last response: in Systems
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March 27, 2014 3:41:37 PM

Hello All,

I am looking to buy a new case, as my current Antec one just ate my printers USB cable. So the front USB ports no longer work, however I didn't really like them to start off with, a lot of the USBs I put into the ports felt rather loose. But hopefully that won't happen with the new case I buy.

I have read quite a bit about some current cases out there but need help deciding on one.

My priorities are as such:
1. Needs to fit ATX mobo and CM Hyper 212 Evo and GTX 660 (with room to spare on GPU). 2x USB 3.0 ports.
2. Reliability, Sturdiness, Long Lasting. I want to be using this case for at least 5 years. My current case lasted me since 2006.
3. Easy to build in
4. Cooling
5. Quietness/Loudness
6. Price (Just as long as its under $200 CAD)

Obviously looks are important but that is pretty subjective. Preferably the case will have a window but it isn't necessary.

The NZXT H440 seems really great for everything, except it has a plain front and giant NZXT on the side. Also I have an external blu ray drive so the fact it doesn't have space for a OD is okay.

The Fractal Design Define R4 also has a plain front but otherwise seems quite functional.

Cooler Master Storm Stryker looks pretty awesome but I've read somethings about people having sketchy experiences with Cooler Master Cases?

I am open to any brand as long as it will work properly for a long time.

More about : case selection fractal design nzxt h440 storm stryker

March 27, 2014 3:54:02 PM

I have a Define R4 non windowed version
(more sound proofing and i like the dark tinted window that comes with Arc Midi better)
Space - there's a literal ton of it - the case is really wide - my zalman cnps12x looks lost in there,
2 usb2's and 2 regular ones on top/front, all feels nice and sturdy - especially the heaphone sockets)
it comes with 140mm fans everywhere ... 3 intakes, 3 exhausts and one side intake/exhaust, 120mm ones can be mounted too,
the 2 included fractal design silent series 140mm fans are real quiet, also in behind the dust filter where most fans start to become whiny.
i can hear the sys/cpu fans a little bit but there's definitely a big difference when you open the front door so the sound dampening definitely works,
the biggest advance comes with gpu fans - i had a gtx580 windforce in there and it can get loud when pushed really hard -
this case makes it so much more silent than what i had before - it's simply amazing

build quality is def nice altho the front parts under the glossy/brushed front panel look a bit plasticy, still all in all looks very nice

one big annoyance - the blue LED in front is too bright and there's no HDD LED - you can use the front led for either/or
(can be modded easily tho - look on youtube)

what i absolutely love - with 3 intake fans on rather slow speed and one exhaust i can keep all the moduvents closed for silence and
my cpu and gpu temps are pretty much the same as on a open case - so this case gets a absolute thumbs up from me.
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March 28, 2014 10:27:38 AM

my modest build in the h440: http://imgur.com/a/CBjCl#0

750d is a good choice, 600t, 760T if you can find it on sale, really liked the nexus prominent 5 i built in (amazon for best pricing), nzxt phantom 410, fractal as mentioned above.

have 3 builds in CM 690II advanced... not overly impressed now that I've used newer cases, but they did their job at the time.
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March 31, 2014 3:02:26 PM

vagrantsoul said:
my modest build in the h440: http://imgur.com/a/CBjCl#0

750d is a good choice, 600t, 760T if you can find it on sale, really liked the nexus prominent 5 i built in (amazon for best pricing), nzxt phantom 410, fractal as mentioned above.

have 3 builds in CM 690II advanced... not overly impressed now that I've used newer cases, but they did their job at the time.


The 760T and 730T look like great cases I'm going to wait until they are released!

Thanks to everyone for their input.
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