Best Case For AirFlow, and Minimal Dust.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

I'm looking for a case that has excellent airflow, since i'm not watercooling, but also does not build up dust quickly. I currently have the Rosewill Blackhawk, and the filters on it are horrible. I'm looking for a mid tower case preferably.

Leonell12 · Jul 21, 2014

nehalpatel30 :

what is your budget sir?

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 21, 2014

Just a small amount above a mid-tower.

Listed as Full , but not super huge.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $49.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $99.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBAl6g8BlY
Review.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

Leonell12 :

My budget is 130, maybe a bit more if its worth it.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 21, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $94.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

Just a small amount above a mid-tower.

Listed as Full , but not super huge.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $49.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $99.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBAl6g8BlY
Review.

Hmm, its an okay case, but how is its dust control?

Dark Lord of Tech · Jul 21, 2014

Phanteks Enthoo Pro

Easy to clean front comes off , top pops off , filters on bottom.

Best case I've owned.

cirdecus · Jul 21, 2014

don't get a plastic/steel case, get an aluminium one.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

But its full tower :/, I like the design though. I have limited space at my desk.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

I'm leaning towards this case now. Love the many fan support and the magnetic filters.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

cirdecus :

Any in mind?

Leonell12 · Jul 21, 2014

steel construction all around, even the drive caddies themselves
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-cah440ww1

review: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph530w1

plastic exterior but amazing features
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph530w1

review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v735bGH00rA

The previous cases recommended by blackbird are very very good, however personally i find their looks a bit too bland, they do offer amazing features nonetheless

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

Leonell12 :

I was thinking about the h440, for a while until i saw the matter that it has restricted airflow. Even with high static fan, i don't think it would be sufficient airflow for the case, or should i leave the front and top off? I LOVE that case for its filters and amazing cable management.

Adroid · Jul 21, 2014

I bought this case and it is sweet. I really like the looks and it has 3 dust filters (top, bottom, front). I recommend it.

The one caveat is that it's a little flimsy compared to my previous case. But the 450D is cool, quiet, great dust filters, nice tool less assembly etc.

Leonell12 · Jul 21, 2014

the H440 has restricted airflow however kudos to nzxt for including 4 fans in stock, the cooling is actually very good
http://www.techspot.com/review/828-nzxt-h440/page4.html

unless you live in a hot country you should be perfectly happy with the H440s cooling performance, i've seen people with sli configurations running on air in this case with no temperature issues whatsoever

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

Adroid :

There was one thing i was wondering. Can you remove the HDD drive bays from the case?

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

Leonell12 :

My living room gets pretty warm during the summer. I live in NY.

Leonell12 · Jul 21, 2014

nehalpatel30 :

oh ok then, a silent case may well not be for you then
in that case the 450D or the Phantom 530 i recommended earlier will have pretty good cooling
little cooling comparison of some cases, http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2014/05/05/nzxt-phantom-530-review/3

EDIT: reading the post below, you can also mount fans onto the back of HDD cages in the phantom 530

MkGriff1492 · Jul 21, 2014

450D is an okay case. Filters are a nice feature but have to be maintained to work. The second 140mm should have more open airflow. Front fans are nice but not really usefull if there being restricted by the frame. I recommand getting a case you can mount fans to the front of case and back of hdd cages for good airflow. Its really tough to find a good air cooling mid tower. I recommend finding one on the bigger end of midtowers. More room equates to more airflow. If you get the 450D I would get a pci slot cooler to move air under your graphic card.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

Leonell12 :

nehalpatel30 :

oh ok then, a silent case may well not be for you then
in that case the 450D or the Phantom 530 i recommended earlier will have pretty good cooling
little cooling comparison of some cases, http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2014/05/05/nzxt-phantom-530-review/3

Thanks for the comparison.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

MkGriff1492 :

Do you know of any mid-tower case with back mounted ssd, or a case that doesn't have much restriction of airflow on front fans?

Adroid · Jul 21, 2014

nehalpatel30 :

Yes it only comes with one HDD bay. You can buy another one from corsair if you need more than 3 drives. You can also move the HDD bay it comes with up closer under the DVD drive bays.

geofelt · Jul 21, 2014

Is your motherboard full ATX or M-ATX.
With M-ATX you can find smaller cases.
About what are the dimensions that will suit your space?
I had a space problem with cases that are longer than 16"

How much do you value quiet?

My take is that if a case has two 140mm front intake fans, you can get what you want.
140mm fans move enough air at low rpm to do the job and be quier.
If those two fans are filtered, you will have a positive pressure situation where little dust buildup will occur.
My case sits behind a single 200mm filtered fan and there is no dust buildup.

Looking at the options presented, The Corsair 450D looks good to me.

nehalpatel30 · Jul 21, 2014

geofelt :

I have the Asus Crosshair V Formula Z mobo.
I believe the 450D will be plenty roomy with the HDD cage removed.
My PC can sound like a hair dryer for all I care, I have a noise cancellation headset, which i always use.
I'm thinking the 450D is the best choice.

Adroid · Jul 21, 2014

MkGriff1492 :

This is not entirely accurate. I read multiple reviews, and the thermal performance of the 450D is actually pretty good. My temperatures with a 3570K @ 4.3ghz and a GTX 770 SC are fine.

The 450D is actually a better performer than the 750D according to this article, in part because the 450D changed the front to a mesh with dust filter, so it runs slightly cooler and slightly louder.

http://techreport.com/review/26219/corsair-obsidian-series-450d-enclosure-reviewed/4

When it comes to cases, bigger does NOT necessarily mean better. A smaller case with better airflow will outperform a huge case with hot spots...

Best Case For AirFlow, and Minimal Dust.

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