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Case For Intel i7 920 Build w/ Asus P6T Mobo

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  • Power Supplies
  • Cooler Master
  • Cases
  • Components
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March 24, 2009 9:22:10 PM

I'm having trouble finding the full tower case I want. Since Antec, Cooler Master, and Thermaltake are the major case brands I have had a chance to touch and feel and read reviews on, this has been my extent so far for case options. All these brands have nice cases but lack all the features I want in one in a single case. Right now I'm leaning towards the one of the Cooler Master Cosmo series and paying extra to get the clear side panel for it. The reason I must have the clear side panel is because in my current PC build, I have been able to many diagnose problems early before they ruined my PC like defective fans, motherboards short circuits due to melting connectors (visible smoke), and one of the capacitors exploding on my first graphics card. On my current case I also have the Info LCD, always being able to see the CPU Temp. is reassuring since my house can get quite warm in the summer. Any replies will be much appreciated.

Some of the attributes listed in priority I am looking for are:

- See through side panel

- Tray set-up for 3.5" and 5.25" drives (no tools req. for install or change out)

- Nice cable management characteristics, hate the spaghetti appearance

- Quiet characteristics

- Info LCD for CPU temps, fan speeds, etc.

- Aux. USB, audio, mic, connections towards bottom of case. (The case will be sitting on same level as my monitor)

- PSU, bottom mounted

More about : case intel 920 build asus p6t mobo

March 24, 2009 10:33:16 PM

I would recommend the antec 1200 and pick up a 5.25" temp monitor, the ports and stuff are on the top though but it ticks all your other boxes.
March 25, 2009 12:03:58 AM

cosmos s or silverstone raven :p 
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March 25, 2009 5:20:42 PM

I have boiled it down to two choices now, the Cosmos S or the HAF 932. I know the HAF is cheaper but that won't be factor in my selection.

I like the performance aspects of the HAF regarding big fans which equates to quietness and the tool less 3.5" and 5.25" drive install and swap out and the see through side panels, but the only thing thats making me hesitate is the fact that I think the case is kinda ugly. So I have to think about looking at this thing for the next five years.

I like the Cosmos S because of the physical appearance and the size along with the tool less aspects, but the 3.5" drive cage setup looks quite cumbersome and you have to use screws to anchor the drives in the cage. Also, even though the side panel has a fan, I'm not sure how hard it would be to see through the mesh protecting the side fan. From the pics, it looks like it would be very difficult. The touch power button is a minor turn-off also since this feature has a good chance of becoming defective or irritating. I also love the lever action side panel doors that fold down for extremely easy peeks at the hardware. The case I have now has the sliding panel similiar to the HAF and I hate trying to put it back on because the tabs never line up correctly until after ten minutes of fiddling.

Ultimately, I think I will base my decision on the amount of room inside the case which is tough to determine because I think the case specs take the overall case size and not the internal size. Just looking at these measurements, the Cosmos S is bigger than the HAF but thats probably due to the outside bars on the Cosmos S and the curvature being factored in. From eye balling, the HAF case looks wider. If you look at the cut out for the PSU on both cases, the HAF looks to have more metal on each side of the cut out. I've also read that the side panel fan on Cosmos S interferes with many CPU heat sink models............thinking about getting the Cooler Master V8 or a Zaleman 9900 series.

See spec sizes below, can anyone provide feedback on how to determine the inside dimensions? I may have to drive 30 minutes to MicroCenter and measure them.

Cosmos S: W 10.5" X H 23.5" X D 24.7"

HAF 932: W 9.0" X H 21.5" X D 22.7"
March 25, 2009 6:13:16 PM

raysuave said:
I have boiled it down to two choices now, the Cosmos S or the HAF 932. I know the HAF is cheaper but that won't be factor in my selection.

I like the performance aspects of the HAF regarding big fans which equates to quietness and the tool less 3.5" and 5.25" drive install and swap out and the see through side panels, but the only thing thats making me hesitate is the fact that I think the case is kinda ugly. So I have to think about looking at this thing for the next five years.

I like the Cosmos S because of the physical appearance and the size along with the tool less aspects, but the 3.5" drive cage setup looks quite cumbersome and you have to use screws to anchor the drives in the cage. Also, even though the side panel has a fan, I'm not sure how hard it would be to see through the mesh protecting the side fan. From the pics, it looks like it would be very difficult. The touch power button is a minor turn-off also since this feature has a good chance of becoming defective or irritating. I also love the lever action side panel doors that fold down for extremely easy peeks at the hardware. The case I have now has the sliding panel similiar to the HAF and I hate trying to put it back on because the tabs never line up correctly until after ten minutes of fiddling.

Ultimately, I think I will base my decision on the amount of room inside the case which is tough to determine because I think the case specs take the overall case size and not the internal size. Just looking at these measurements, the Cosmos S is bigger than the HAF but thats probably due to the outside bars on the Cosmos S and the curvature being factored in. From eye balling, the HAF case looks wider. If you look at the cut out for the PSU on both cases, the HAF looks to have more metal on each side of the cut out. I've also read that the side panel fan on Cosmos S interferes with many CPU heat sink models............thinking about getting the Cooler Master V8 or a Zaleman 9900 series.

See spec sizes below, can anyone provide feedback on how to determine the inside dimensions? I may have to drive 30 minutes to MicroCenter and measure them.

Cosmos S: W 10.5" X H 23.5" X D 24.7"

HAF 932: W 9.0" X H 21.5" X D 22.7"



I've got the HAF and you don't have to worry about space at all it is HUGE and yes it is wider as well, However the see through sidepanel would be it's downside in your case, it's at the top and it doesn't reveal too much, don't get me wrong it's good you can see all the inside components but you have to look rather than just glance but if it's a factor in your decision I'd suggest maybe looking at the cosmos (don't know much about it) it depends whether you want the extra width and space vs the ability to clearly see the inside. Another thing I'd like to add is that it is very easy to whip open and tinker inside it, had to do so about 2 times a week for various reasons (none to do with the case) and it's a breeze to do.

Also I'd just like to add that the HAF is a beautiful case and you are wrong which isn't a biased opinion at all =]

I'll take some pictures of mine tomorrow for you when I'm back with it, it's at my dads house and I'm not there at the moment.
March 26, 2009 6:49:11 AM

if you plan on getting the clear sided panel for the cosmos s you won't have to worry about not having enough space for any cooler but if you don't replace the original side panel with the 200mm sidefan you won't be able to fit any decent heatsink into it unless you like cutoff a piece of it lol. If money isn't a problem then I would get the side panel then get a couple of extra fans and go for it with the cosmos s, otherwise go with the haf
a c 248 ) Power supply
March 27, 2009 11:22:53 PM

I have the HAF 932. I installed a large tower style cpu heatsink. There's still plenty of room left between the top of the heatsink and the 200mm fan on the side panel. No problem!
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