Antec cases (need help choosing one)

[Pat22]

i am going to be building a new gaming Pc to play some of the newer games (Far cry 2, crysis, bioshock 2) and some of the upcoming games (SKYRIM = AWESOME!!!) and i was wondering which one of these cases to choose

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007582%2050001516%204802&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=7%7C11%2D129%2D021%5E11%2D129%2D021%2DTS%2C11%2D129%2D066%5E11%2D129%2D066%2DTS

in case the links dont work they are the antec 300 illusion and antec 900 illusion

here are the components that i was planning to buy

gtx 560ti (MSi Twin Frozr ii or Gigabyte OC) also going SLI in the future
6gb ddr3 (3x2gb sticks) or 8gb (2x4gb sticks)
motherboard:dont know yet (no clue about motherboards)
amd x4 965 3.4ghz CPU
WD caviar black 1tb 7200 rpm, 64mb cache
PSU = 7oo watts or more (not sure about this one yet)

 

[loosley]

I have been using the Antec 300 for about 4 years, and it is good case overall, with the following positive points:
+ small, but big enough to fit most components & CPU coolers
+ looks professional and not like a toy
+ easy to work inside it

But it has some drawbacks that caused me to upgrade to something else:
- It is a dust magnet. The inside of the case gets really dusty, since the top mounted fan has no dust filter.
- The Antec fans that come with it are pretty noisy.
- Cable management options inside the case is quite poor. There is a small area behind the motherboard where you can stuff cables, but there is not much space there. If you have a modular power supply it helps.

I don't have experience with the Antec 900.

I recently upgraded to a Corsair 600T and I really prefer it over the Antec 300, but as I mentioned the 300 has served me well overall.

 

[processor-pro]

I would actually recomend one of these. lol these are probably better

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007582%2050001516&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=7|11-129-085^11-129-085-TS%2C11-129-100^11-129-100-TS

 

[HEXiT]

buying any case without air filters is a big no no, if your gonna be O.C'n
the 900 mk2 or 902 as its also known has filters but does suffer negative air pressure unless you turn up the front fans and leave the top and back 1s at stock, so can negate the benefits of having filters.

although the cases do look nice... u have the 900 mk2 they are noisy i also found that not all coolers fit comfy in them if you have the side fan attached (i had to remove a corner holder off 1 fan to get my old thermolabs baram to fit.)
and my 5870 is quite a tight fit in the case also... meaning i have to sacrifice 2 hdd bays to it.

the bottom mounted psu bay may also be a problem for some. you may need to get extension cables so you can connect your setup and keep the inside wire free. not the best solution if you have a modular psu.

 

[davcon]

Kinda missed the boat on the Antec 300 in Canada.
Last couple of weeks they were $30 for the regular version at NCIX and Canada Computers.
Just add Tri-cool fans under $11.00 each = instant Illusion
Your best bet is still the 300 Illusion it's $54.99 on E-Blast Promotion code CEMCKFKD25=Newegg.ca with their retarded Canadian shipping cost $14.99
Or you could get a Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced - $79.69/free shipping
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11130AC9811&vpn=RC-692-KKN2&manufacture=COOLERMASTER
Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 - $114.48/free shipping
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=10370AC9501&vpn=NINE%20HUNDRED%20TWO%20V3&manufacture=ANTEC
I've owned a 300 and replaced it with the CM690II which is a very nice case.
Liked my 300 though and the Illusion features 2 more fans then the regular version.
I also have a 902 and unlike HEXiT i have no complaints.
I don't find mine noisy at all,actually the opposite=quiet

 

[Pat22]

I would actually recomend one of these. lol these are probably better

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007582%2050001516&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=7|11-129-085^11-129-085-TS%2C11-129-100^11-129-100-TS

that was yhe worst tip EVER!!! with the shiping and taxes added the first case would cost $150.50 and the second one would cost $238. lol thats a bit too expensive 4 me. BTW if i bought the second case i might as well get another GPU instead )

 

[rawoysters]

my antec fans are anything but noisy. i also placed a filter in the side port of my antec 300 (like the 902) and never had a dust issue.. i did replace the rear and top fans with enermax silence fans though, fronts are antec tri-speed

I agree! I used this case to do a build for my son and it is the quietest comp. I have ever built. I actually had to turn off ny central ac to hear it running the first time I started it.

 

[Uther39]

Well it is a shame because he would be better served with one of the new Antec Df series, its ashame that shipping kills you chaps across the pond.

 

[HEXiT]

i guess your idea of noisy and mine are different. the pc is the only thing on in my room and the room is quiet so the pc noise is probably more noticeable.
not that i ever really hear it with my head bins on. and its not so loud i cant ignore it when sleeping.

 

[djscomputerservice]

Hey, Just built a Antec Skeleton Case. Its awesome cooling, great space and you will fit practically anything and including liquid cooling. I just posted a thread on that system. Hope this helps.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/305998-28-antec-skeleton-antec-kuhler-done-pics

 

[berwicke]

I bought the Antec 900 case for i believe it was only $50 at best buy during a sale (the only time i buy stuff there) and it is a great case still used a year and a half later. i have the unboxing on youtube and will post the link below, you can see everything that you get, and it's features from my video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXh725fXBPI&feature=channel_video_title
If you like it please give it a thumbs up, for some reason it got 7 likes and 7 dislikes, prob from people who have no clue about computer parts at all.

 

[Emperus]

You will need to get an AM3+ chipset board (I heard they support both SLI and Crossfire) if using that processor and SLI needs. There are very few AMD SLI boards available currently.

 

[Pat22]

Best answer selected by Pat22.