Best gaming case around $150?

[a4rocks]

One of my friend wanted to get a new gaming rig. He was actually confused if he should go for the Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus or the HAF 922. I am not quite sure of the differences between the two cases. Also, what other brands of cases can he look into within this segment. Please suggest from only the following brands as others are not available in India - Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair, Lian Li, Thermaltake and NZXT. He wouldn't be doing liquid cooling.

 

[clarkjd]

Depending on needed size, I would recommend an ANTEC 300, 600, 900, or 1200.

 

[Emperus]

Also depends on his budget.. Between the 912 and the 922, i'll recommend getting the 922 because of its size and more amount of interior space.. It is also better at cooling IMO.. Few other options in that price range could be the CM 690 II Advanced and Lancool PC K-62..

 

[a4rocks]

Depending on needed size, I would recommend an ANTEC 300, 600, 900, or 1200.

I would check the Antec ones but they don't look as snazzy and smart compared to just a few years back when the only logical gaming case was the Antec. They now seem like a company fast running out of ideas. I will still have a look at them.

Also depends on his budget.. Between the 912 and the 922, i'll recommend getting the 922 because of its size and more amount of interior space.. It is also better at cooling IMO.. Few other options in that price range could be the CM 690 II Advanced and Lancool PC K-62..

His maximum budget is around the price of the HAF 922. So you can take that as a range. I think a few dealers in India have Lancool with them, I will take a look at that too. And Emperus, if you had to choose between HAF 922 and CM 690 II Advanced, which one would you choose? The CM 690 II Advanced looks a lot roomier but the HAF 922 looks quite good.

 

[Emperus]

If I had to choose between the 690 and the 922 then I'd readily go for the 690.. Its just because I can't stand the look of those HAF cases.. Further, the 690 by itself looks very nice, has good airflow setup and enough room to accomodate a big list of hardware..

 

[davcon]

It will come down to budget since prices are whacky in India.
The CM690II is a very well rounded case.
The 922 is much larger then the 690II height and width wise.
Antec Three Hundred - Rs.3,769 = high quality entry level case
http://techshop.in/store/antec-three-hundred-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-6870.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master RC 690 - Rs.4,549
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-rc690kkn1gp-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-2728.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master CM 692 II Plus - Rs.5,139 - Equivilant to 690II Basic
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-plus-rc692kkn1-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-6744.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master CM 692 II Plus ADVANCED - Rs.5,709
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-plus-advanced-rc692kkn2-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-6742.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master HAF 922 - Rs.6,789
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-rc922mkkn1gp-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-3566.html?cPath=320_24_43
In Canada/US the CM 690 and 690II Plus/Basic pretty much cost the same.Generally only a $10 difference
The 690II Advanced and 922 basically cost the same. = $10 difference here too

 

[a4rocks]

It will come down to budget since prices are whacky in India.
The CM690II is a very well rounded case.
The 922 is much larger then the 690II height and width wise.
Antec Three Hundred - Rs.3,769 = high quality entry level case
http://techshop.in/store/antec-three-hundred-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-6870.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master RC 690 - Rs.4,549
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-rc690kkn1gp-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-2728.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master CM 692 II Plus - Rs.5,139 - Equivilant to 690II Basic
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-plus-rc692kkn1-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-6744.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master CM 692 II Plus ADVANCED - Rs.5,709
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-plus-advanced-rc692kkn2-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-6742.html?cPath=320_24_43
Cooler Master HAF 922 - Rs.6,789
http://techshop.in/store/cooler-master-rc922mkkn1gp-tower-computer-case-buy-online-india-p-3566.html?cPath=320_24_43
In Canada/US the CM 690 and 690II Plus/Basic pretty much cost the same.Generally only a $10 difference
The 690II Advanced and 922 basically cost the same. = $10 difference here too

OK, thanks a lot. Would give my friend quite a lot of options now. He is interested in the CM 690 II Plus Advanced and the HAF 922. But where does the HAF 912 Advanced fit among these two? Wouldn't that be more of a middle man type case here.

 

[davcon]

The 912 is CM's answer to the Antec 300.= same pricepoint in N.A.
It's bigger(wider) and has much better cable management.
It's above the CM 430 Elite and is the HAF series entry level model.
Cases are a personal choice, like Emperus, i don''t care for the HAF series look.
I bought an Antec 902 over a CM 922.
Replaced a 300 with a 690II.
The 690II Advanced is a feature rich case for the price and easy on the eyes.

 

[a4rocks]

The 912 is CM's answer to the Antec 300.= same pricepoint in N.A.
It's bigger(wider) and has much better cable management.
It's above the CM 430 Elite and is the HAF series entry level model.
Cases are a personal choice, like Emperus, i don''t care for the HAF series look.
I bought an Antec 902 over a CM 922.
Replaced a 300 with a 690II.
The 690II Advanced is a feature rich case for the price and easy on the eyes.

This has got me interested too. I think I will go have a look at all the cases talked about here with my friend and then take a decision. I would be upgrading in the next few months too and this would be helpful for me. I guess it's all boiled down to personal tastes now. Thanks a lot for your assistance and inputs man. Appreciate it.