Case recommendations

[Rakivic]

I am in the market for a new case for my up coming build, I was wondering if anyone has some case recommendations they can offer up, my max price is around the $180 mark and my requirements are below (see list)

1) Dust filters
2) High air flow (going to be air cooled)
3)Able to fit E-ATX boards (not necessary but would be nice)
4)Good cable management (should go with out saying)

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Today Bob, I'm in love with this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108376&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
Cooling reviews are all good, takes surfboards and e-atx boards
Cable routing great, hiding them may take more work
and several dust filters (although I'm going to be modding mine with an acrylic window as well)
hope this helps,
Moto

 

[Silvune]

Another one you may want to consider is the NZXT Phantom.

 

[ubercake]

The HAF X would be my first pick for you but runs $10 over your budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129176

The Antec Performance One Series P193 V3 is within your budget, but does not looks as cool as the HAF X:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129176

Also, I'm not a huge fan of Rosewill, though I've never seen the THOR case. It's USD $150 and the specs are great:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147094

 

[Rakivic]

I was looking at the Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 but I was unable to find a retailer with it, is it a new product or something?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Ouch, my google bone hurts....
http://www.frys.com/product/6639144


Moto

 

[Rakivic]

I should have said I am in Canada, and to ship that over the border would cost me mega bucks.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

My two favorite "gamer" cases are the Antec DF-85 and the HAF-X in that order. The 1200 V3 is nice if ya don't want something styled so aggressively. Neither Antec however fits your "optional" E-ATX criteria. I have added USB3 front port as a requirement

The DF, like the 1200, has built in fan controls knobs (vari-speed front / 3 speed back) and the more "secure" feeling when assembling .... . The filters on the 1200 take a while to take out and clean, if the DF it takes seconds. I don't like the weak feel of the "tool less" features of the HAF whicxh can sometimes be frustrating to line up. Then again the "security feature" which allows locking of trhe 5.25 bays can be annoying when accessing tyen drive frequently.

About 3 outta the 4 peeps I build for choose the DF. Best thing about the DF / 1200 however is that they fit CPX form factor PSU's, the advantages of which are well described in the "Conclusions" paragraph here:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article971-page7.html

Not to mention jonnyguru describes it this way:

It is completely unmatched by any ATX unit on the market I can think of. You'd have to spend twice as much as this thing costs to find the next best thing, performance wise.

Antec DF-85 w/ CP-850 ($170 + $120 = $290)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024

Antec 1200 w/ CP-850 ($170 + $120 = $260)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100

HAF-X w/ Corsair AX-850 ($190 + $183 = $373)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015

 

[Emperus]

Well this one should satisfy almost all of your requisites -

www.pricebat.ca/Silverstone-RV03B-W-Raven-3-Black-ATX-Gaming-Case-7X5-25-4X3-5INT-2X2-5INT-No.p_10205531/

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Yes, the whole Canada thing would've influenced my helpage lol
Moto

 

[Uther39]

http://www.pricebat.ca/Silverstone-RV02B-W-Raven-2-Black-ATX-Gaming-Case-8X5-25-3X3-5INT-1X2-5INT-No.p_10100602/

 

[Silvune]

I was looking at the Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 but I was unable to find a retailer with it, is it a new product or something?

Yes it is a new product.

 

[ubercake]

Yes it is a new product.

It looks cool, but doesn't list E-ATX in the specs.

If you're not really concerned with E-ATX at all, let us know.

That opens up way more possibilities.

 

[Motopsychojdn]

^He did say not necessary but would be nice, so more options it is hehe
Moto

 

[ubercake]

I'd have to throw in the Corsair 600T too in that price range (since there's no requirement for pretty lights):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139003&cm_re=corsair_case-_-11-139-003-_-Product

And seriously, if you're not looking just at full towers, an HAF 912 has a crazy amount of airflow, a cutout in the tray behind the CPU mount point, decent cable management, a decent amount of flash, enough room to fit large air coolers (I currently have a Hyper 212+ in mine) all for around $50-60:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

This is $100+ in savings on the case you could turn around and apply to a better video card or processor... Just something else to think about.

 

[Rakivic]

I ended up getting the Cooler Master Haf 932 Black Edition
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=53875&vpn=RC-932-KWN3&manufacture=COOLERMASTER

Along with a 250mm fan "kit" from Performance PCs to mount in the side window
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_327&products_id=21357

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[Rakivic]

Best answer selected by rakivic.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey