Best case under $200 for an i7 920 system?

Hey guys, I'm working on building an i7 system and I've been stuck on which case to get for a while now. I'm not going to do any liquid cooling, all air, and it needs to be $200 or less. I'm looking for the best cooling, airflow what have you.

I plan on adding fans to every extra slot available, so when suggesting a case please try to keep in mind that I'm not looking at them at stock level, but after every fan slot has been filled.

The main ones I'm looking at currently are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119187 (And I would replace the top fans w/ 3 120mm fans, and all the extra fan slots would be filled.)

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0haf%20932 (I would replace the top fan w/ 3 120mm fans, the side fan with 4 120mm fans, and any other slots would be filled)

I want to stick with full tower cases, and I want to avoid the Antec 1200, even if it's better, just because everyone has it. ^^ Thanks.

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I have the CoolerMaster HAF 932. Ventilation, airflow, and cooling are excellent with the stock case fans. No need to replace any of the case fans even with an overclocked Core i7 system. No need to add additional case fans.

Why do you need all those fans? Are you are hardcore gamer into extremely serious overclocking on a do or die mission to save the universe from alien invaders? Resistence is futile!

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by JohnnyLucky on 08-22-2009 at 07:26:26 AM

Reply to JohnnyLucky

The HAF 932 consistently ranks among the coolest in reviews I've seen, like this one:

http://www.overclockersclub.com/re [...] _932/5.htm

Google "HAF 932 review" (or any other cases you are interested in) and scan some results for yourself.

Although I'm still trying to figure out how many folks need 6 optical bays, etc. Make those things removable so the rest of us can get better air flow.

Message edited by Twoboxer on 08-22-2009 at 07:28:59 AM

Reply to Twoboxer

JohnnyLucky wrote :

I have the CoolerMaster HAF 932. Ventilation, airflow, and cooling are excellent with the stock case fans. No need to replace any of the case fans even with an overclocked Core i7 system. No need to add additional case fans.

Why do you need all those fans? Are you are hardcore gamer into extremely serious overclocking on a do or die mission to save the universe from alien invaders? Resistence is futile!

I actually plan to do HD live broadcasting (720p most likely since that's what sites support) while gaming. I'll probably only clock my CPU to about 3.3, that'll probably be fine, but I'll go higher if needed. I plan to live broadcast for long periods of time, even up to the 12 hours or longer at a time marks. Live broadcasting takes a lot of processing power (for example, I have a simple Pentium D currently, and broadcasting at 640x480 resolution while playing World of Warcraft on lowest settings, maxes my processor. I want to do 1280x800, if not higher, resolution, and on higher end games) which can leave the processor running at high loads for long periods of time. Will I need all that extra cooling? I have absolutely no clue, I'm just worried about killing things.

Reply to Scykoh

Here are a few other Cases for you to check out.
COOLER MASTER COSMOS S RC-1100-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119150

ZALMAN PROFESSIONAL GS-1000-TT Titanium Computer Case Aluminum / 1.0mm SECC Steel Full Tower With Hot Swap Bays & PSU Roller Rails - Retail $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811235015
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=24280

Thermaltake Spedo Advance Package VI90001W2Z Black 0.8 mm SECC Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail $199.88
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133072
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Prod [...] 00&ID=1829

Here is a very good Full Tower Case you should look at, but it is abpout $50 over your price range.
Zalman GS1000 Full Tower Server Case w/ Custom Bolt on Window - Black $249.95
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=24922

Reply to Yoosty

Antec 1200. I have one, love it, looks good, has tons of fans, and comes in a blue/black aesthetic theme. Awesome.

Reply to radiowars

Scykoh wrote :

Hey guys, I'm working on building an i7 system and I've been stuck on which case to get for a while now. I'm not going to do any liquid cooling, all air, and it needs to be $200 or less. I'm looking for the best cooling, airflow what have you.

I plan on adding fans to every extra slot available, so when suggesting a case please try to keep in mind that I'm not looking at them at stock level, but after every fan slot has been filled.

The main ones I'm looking at currently are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119187 (And I would replace the top fans w/ 3 120mm fans, and all the extra fan slots would be filled.)

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0haf%20932 (I would replace the top fan w/ 3 120mm fans, the side fan with 4 120mm fans, and any other slots would be filled)

I want to stick with full tower cases, and I want to avoid the Antec 1200, even if it's better, just because everyone has it. ^^ Thanks.

First of all, there is no "best". Everyone has there own qualifications. If you want the best airflow, you'll probably want the Stacker 830:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119122

If you want something much quieter, the Cosmos 1000 could do:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119138

Reply to Crashman

I vote HAF 932.

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

Reply to logainofhades

If you are gonna get the HAF 932, you might wanna get it on amazon cause its $155 with free shipping... I'm not sure how much shipping is on new egg for that gigantic case...

Reply to jchan

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