Good looking budget gaming case?

[eagleblueline]

Hey guys! I'm looking for a good looking gaming rig computer case that will fit my build below. I've seen so many videos and pictures of people's cases having LED lights that look absolutely stunning and I believe that a few cases come with those lights on the fans and whatnot, but if you have anything that needs to be added to make it look a bit better let me know. Although this is on a budget!

The case has to be from Microcenter as that is where I will be buying my parts from!


Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor- 179.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68 mATX Intel Motherboard- 114.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364087

Barracuda 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive ST310005N1A1AS-RK- 59.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0334293

G2 Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit- 62.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355688

ZT-50303-10M GTX 560 Ti Overclocked 1024MB GDDR5 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card- 229.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0356003

ZS Series 750 Watt ATX Power Supply - 89.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367316

22x DVD±RW Burner with Dual/Double Layer Support - SH-S223F - OEM- 17.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0342674

That is a total of $783.42 and I'd like to stay at around $850.

If you see any issues with the build itself or anything to change for a better bang for the buck then that would be appreciated as well!

 

[jordanjr23]

i really recommend the rosewill challenger its an awesome case for $50 and it got a toms hardware , but i think its only available from newegg. The antec 300 is also another popular budget option you could check out.

 

[eagleblueline]

I really prefer the case come from Microcenter so I can build everything in one fell swoop. I don't have the time to wait or the money to spend on shipping.

Also, I prefer a case with a side window.

I was thinking perhaps this: CM Storm Scout ATX Gaming Computer Case
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0308296

I've heard it's a great case, if not a bit snug. Would that fit all my components? And any way to make it a little flashier? Or would the built in LEDs be enough?

 

[teaser]

the storm scout looks to be out of stock.........its nice though

 

[mildgamer001]

well, for a budget friendly case, get the CM HAF 912, looks okay, you can get 120mm fans for it with LEDs in them, no side window btu the airflow is designed to be amzing. for a better looking version for 20$ more, go with the HAF 922, looks bad ass and is just over all amazing. Also, i second the CM storm scout, nice looking case especially with the shape, oh, and just search the HAFs on newegg and see what you like better. personally i like the 922 but at 80$ it is a tad expencive for my taste.

 

[mildgamer001]

or micro center would probably have them as well, they are very popular.

 

[ilysaml]

a HAF 912 seems to be a good option
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343331
it won't tie you with the GPU space and the CPU Cooler like "Storm Scout", and would be a perfect match if you SLI in future, and it's more high airflow than SC

 

[eagleblueline]

The store that I am buying from has the "Storm Scout" in stock. I like it due to the LED's and side window.

The HAF's as far as I can tell only have mesh siding, not window siding D:

Any other thoughts?

 

[eagleblueline]

ilysaml, do you think the Storm Scout would not be able to fit everything? And how is the airflow?

 

[ilysaml]

no, the scout is great and it will fit, but when you get a longer Card in future, it won't fit... besides the airflow in the HAF series is better than the scout.

 

[eagleblueline]

I'm going to be running 2 GTX 560 ti's in SLI. I'm not sure what cards would be even longer, unless you are referring to a GTX 570 or 580, and I won't be going up to those models.

Do you think it will work for the 560 ti's in SLI? And it will fit the rest of my components?

 

[ilysaml]

for the scout or for the HAF ? the HAF will fit any GPUs in the market, the scout will be just fine for GTX 560ti SLI, any longer GPUs such as 6950/6970, GTX 570/580 will get you in trouble
for example, this GPU won't fit in Scout http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125394

shortly, grab the HAF 912 and you'll be fine

 

[eagleblueline]

I don't think I'd ever go for anything that long, although I may upgrade to GTX 580s in the future when their price goes down. There is no way to fit them in the Scout?

I think the HAF 912 is nice EXCEPT it doesn't have that side window that I love so much D:

How about the Antec 900? It has the side window and room.

 

[ilysaml]

so, get the Antec 900 yea it's good as well, and will have your 580s without any problem

 

[eagleblueline]

Ok, and now two questions about the Antec 900. I've read that it's cable management is terrible. What do you think? lol.

And, with cases like this that come with blue LED fans, would I have to buy all new fans if I wanted them a different color?

 

[ilysaml]

the first question, yes it's terrible the second one, yes you'll have to buy new LED fans..each case has it's advantages and disadvantages...
choosing a case is really hard, and they differ from 50$ to 300$
a HAF 912 advanced do have a side window, and comes with a 200mm red led fan in front, also HAF 922 is very decent and with a high airflow, those cases are on the price range for hand, if you move on you'll go to the HAF 932 and HAF X which are above 160$
so i guess the best option is to get the Scout, it has a better Cable Mgt than Antec 900 and also this site would help if you'll be doing some Modds
http://www.overclock.net/computer-cases/525009-official-coolermaster-storm-scout-club.html

 

[eagleblueline]

I wish so much that I could get my hands on a HAF 912 advanced, or at least the modded side window =X

 

[ilysaml]

anyway i'm still recommending one of the CM, the HAF or the Scout, you choose the best fit for you

 

[obsidian86]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0357897

enforcer

 

[kaweee]

I would definitely go for the HAFs or CM Storm Enforcer if you are worry about GPU length and Cable management.
Cable managing on Enforcer is pretty sweet and easy

But I will always love my Storm Scout, not the best cable management or airflow case but it just looks too awesome

 

[ilysaml]

CM Storm Enforcer is the same as HAF 912 advanced but without a place for side fan
and a bit larger side window

 

[jReps0l]

I'm going to be running 2 GTX 560 ti's in SLI. I'm not sure what cards would be even longer, unless you are referring to a GTX 570 or 580, and I won't be going up to those models.

Do you think it will work for the 560 ti's in SLI? And it will fit the rest of my components?

Just an FYI, the z68ma-d2h-b3 is not a very good SLI board. If you want to run x16/x8 for your cards, you will lose access to your front audio and usb headers. If you want to keep access to those headers, you will have to run the cards in the x16/x4 slots.

 

[eagleblueline]

CM Storm Enforcer is the same as HAF 912 advanced but without a place for side fan
and a bit larger side window

Yeah, seems that way. Although, the HAF 912 advanced isn't sold here in the US, at least that is what I think =X

 

[eagleblueline]

Just an FYI, the z68ma-d2h-b3 is not a very good SLI board. If you want to run x16/x8 for your cards, you will lose access to your front audio and usb headers. If you want to keep access to those headers, you will have to run the cards in the x16/x4 slots.

I have almost no idea what that means. =X I'm new to computer building and Mobos are not my strong point. Would it work with SLI or not? I was told it would. If not, could you suggest a better Mobo in the same price range from Microcenter?

 

[jReps0l]

Yes, it would work but your bottom 560 will be limited by the pcie 2.0 x4 slot. I don't have the performance difference between running SLI in x16/x8 and x16/x4.

Here is a solid gigabyte board, it's recommended by Tom's Hardware as well:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0366193

I own the z68ma; in hindsight, I wish I would have ponied up more money for the z68xp-ud3