Need a quiet, fairly cheap, reliable, full tower case.

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gabsnake

gabsnake

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I recently upgraded my EVGA GTX 460 to a EVGA GTX 660 ti. The GTX 660 is about 3 inches longer, and having a mid-tower and a non-modular PSU, my airflow is completely blocked by my GPU and a bunch of power supply cables. This has caused a spike in my CPU and Motherboard temperatures. They are usually idling at about 60°C - 70°C, and while gaming, I've seen my motherboard spike to 102°C! So I figured I could either invest in liquid cooling, which is expensive, difficult, and overall risky. Or I could go with getting a new full-tower case. I have decided (for obvious reasons) to go with the latter. After doing some research, I found a case I think might be good, but I still would like a second opinion and any other ideas for cases. My requirements is that it is:
-About ~$150 or less
-Fairly quiet, doesn't have to be noiseless, but with these temperatures my fans sound like a turbine
-Reliable. I don't want it to be like my old PSU, fail after a month. I want this new tower to last for a long time.
-I need it to properly cool down my computer. After all, that is the only reason I am getting a new case.
-I honestly don't care much about the looks, I just prefer it isn't a black box with no personality.

The case I have in mind is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147158
The reviews look good, and its quiet, cheap, and has great fans. But as I said, I want a second opinion and I want to see if anyone else has any other ideas.

Current Build:
CPU: AMD Phenum II x6 Black Edition
GPU: EVGA GTX 660 Superclocked
Motherboard: Biostar +TA870U3
PSU: Cooler Master GX 750W Bronze
Current Case: Unknown, it is a black NZXT mid tower case, I couldn't find it anywhere online.
Internal Picture: http://i.imgur.com/QrdrkzU.jpg

tl : dr New GPU blocked my airflow, need to upgrade mid-tower to full-tower case. Need help deciding new case

Thank you for all responses and advice

 
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lowriderflow

lowriderflow

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I have the HAF X... i've reused it for several builds over the last few years. There's nothing better on the market than it in my opionoin. $160 AR on newegg

it has adjustable GPU support bracket, side 200mm blowing on GPUs, and a mountable 120mm with shroud that shoots air between the GPUs.

it's perfect for any SLI setup... plus there's no LED crap. I just want a big monster black case, i dont need lights blinking 24/7 to tell me i have a nice PC
 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

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Honestly you have no need for a full tower at all. A normal mid-tower and PROPER CABLE MANAGEMENT will get you perfect temps. And you will NEVER get a silent full tower.

You build is TINY for a full tower case.

Your case is 100% fine. Just neaten those cables up a bit.

Also, if your CPU is sidling at 60, you have BIG problems that are not case related at all.
 
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ssddx

ssddx

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yes. it sounds like some propper cable management is all that is needed.

it sounds like you might also be needing an aftermarket cpu cooler. you shouldnt be getting such high numbers unless you are running stock. also i'd suggest that your cpu cooler exhausts out towards the back instead of vertical. this way any front airflow is directed straight towards it.

honestly cases like the corsair 750d, phantom 530 and haf-x are all good if you wanted to upgrade but its probably not needed. at most i'd say you need some cable organization, perhaps some better fans and perhaps a cpu cooler if you dont have an aftermarket one yet. also if you are idle at 60 perhaps you dont have something seated right or you have an issue with thermal compound. either that or your pc case has almost zero airflow.

post a few pics of what you have now and we can better comment.

@RazerZ, nice avatar :p

 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Haha thanks ;)


Well OP it looks like the mods have made some good points. As long as it has good airflow, cable management, and is spacious, the rest falls into which design you like the best.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Good point, just looked at its case and I believe it's a NZXT Gamma mid tower. The GPU should be the problem then. The case from what I can tell is looking a bit dusty on the bottom and a good clean up on the 660 might help or solve the problem.
 
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RazerZ

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Oh sorry I misread. Well nevertheless it does seem like the stock cooler is dusty as well and I think cleaning the cooler as well as reapplying thermal paste could help the problem.
 
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ssddx

ssddx

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@tiny

actually.... thats not all that unbelievable.

in my old corsair 800d which ran stock with good cable management and with the stock cpu cooler with no overclocking i typically idled at 40-45c and after half a day or when doing anything even somewhat taxing i was up around 60c.

the main issue of course is that i was running a stock cooler and that case didnt have ideal airflow. it was somewhat of a hotbox despite its great build quality and looks hence why i upgraded to a hyper 212 and a corsair 750d. even with a mild overclock now my temps are still cool at low case fan speeds.

--

@op... looks like i missed that internal picture before... doh...

you definitely need to fix those wires but if that case has any decent fans up front you can likely still use it.

you can probably tuck those wires under the hdd to clear up that rats nest.
 
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gabsnake

gabsnake

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Thank you everyone for your quick response. Being my first post, I am completely stunned at all the input. Many of you are saying the problem isn't the case, it's the cable management and the stock CPU cooler. However, when I was running my old EVGA GTX 460, my case had proper airflow and the motherboard and CPU were reading temperatures at about 40C, 25C when idle. The temperatures only started spiking after installing my 660. Yes, my case still needs cable management and the sorts, but I know almost 80% the problem is with the airflow.
Again, thank you for your responses.
In the way of new cases, I'm definitely loving the NZXT Phantom, not too sure which one though.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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Right, sorry I had the wrong case in mind. I'm guaranteed it's the NZXT M59. It's a decent case and there shouldn't be a problem with it. As the others have said, use the cut out slots on the side and completely redo your cable management.
 
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gabsnake

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Yes that's it. Thanks, I've been looking for it. Also I'v tried the cable management, the problem is my power supply is non modular and has about ten 0.5 in. cables. It's just too much to manage. It's also another reason I'm getting a full tower, it's much easier to set up cable management. I was also wondering about the NZXT Phantom 410. The case looks incredible and the reviews seem great, definitely getting it unless anyone suggests something better. I was wondering though, was the black and orange discontinued? I can't seem to find it on amazon or newegg, and when I try to buy it on teir website, it doesn't exist. This isn't a big problem, I can easily get any other color (except the red, that looks hideous), I would just like to know the deal with the black and orange trim.

 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

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You do not need a modular PSU for good cable management.

Here is my build with a non-modular PSU which has more cables than yours AND cable extensions.

IMG_04051.jpg


I am still in the " you do not need a new case" camp.
 
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ssddx

ssddx

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with the help of google images... here is what i suggested in photos...

if you have a motherboard tray you can pull the wires to the back and zip tie them up like this (what i would suggest)

DpUxf.jpg


from the front side it would look something like this (what i would suggest)

500x1000px-LL-25d2deb0_1014372_3190692062210_1740283579_n.jpeg


or you can tuck the cables in the front in the bottom hdd bay like this (an option, but not as nice as the first one)

DSC_8843-1.jpg

 
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ssddx

ssddx

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are you sure you want a full tower? i've owned a full tower and standard length psu cables DO NOT always reach. i can tell you that from firsthand experience. you might need to get extensions to make it work. also, full tower cases are going to be more expensive and you really dont need one.

you can do fine with a mid tower. now i can see if you want to get a newer/better case for cable management or one with better fan slots for better cooling and that i agree with but a mid tower size should be perfectly fine and it will allow you to use your current psu without having to potentially buy extensions.
 
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gabsnake

gabsnake

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Thanks again for the quick response. However I'm still trying to figure out the major differences between the full tower phantom cases, mainly the Original, the ATX, and the 530. If someone could tell me which is better for what and why so, that would be very helpful. I am not too sure how long my CPU and motherboard can run at the temperatures, and it has really kept me from heavy gaming for free or frying them.
 
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ssddx

ssddx

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different sizes of case, different fan sizes and some different layouts.

the original phantom is a full sized tower i believe. honestly you'd have to go through the specs.

out of them... i'd have to say the phantom 530 is probably the best one for you. its got good large fans (comes with two 200mm, can put a third) and more cable management space than the original.

---

read the cable management ideas and look at the photos above. that is how you should lay out the wires.

---

as a temporary fix you can remove the side panel from your case and run with it open. your temps should drop significantly. if they dont... then something is wrong.
 
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tiny voices

tiny voices

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Before you spend money on a HUGE ridiculous case you will regret, re-do your build properly and see if it helps.

You never told us what fan setup you have and are just trying to jump into some new case without actually trying to solve the issue.

If I was in this situation, I would do the following: 1) reapply thermal paste to the CPU cooler and MAKE SURE it is properly installed. 2) ensure you case fans are spinning properly. Also how many do you have and where are they? 30 rebuild the computer and use proper cable management techniques. I promise, if you do all these things, it will be solved without buying some enormous case.

Look, these are some builds that are neat and tidy done in YOUR EXACT CASE.
r0010387.jpg

sam0270t.jpg
 
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