Gaming Computer Case

[Sull]

Hey all I am looking to build a new computer for gaming in the next couple months. Probably going to spend around or a little over 2000. I know some new thing are coming out before the end of the year so I will probably be building it in Novemeber/December.

Basically I am looking for a sturdy, well built, nice looking case that has good air flow and is as future proof as possible. My budget is around 300 and under.

I have looked at the new HAF storm trooper, lian li cases, corsair, silvertone and thermaltake. Basically I am not sure which case to pick. I am looking for a full tower with good air flow as I have no idea what I am doing in regards to liquid cooling. If someone could point me in the right direction or has any experience positive or negative with some of the cases and could help that would be great.

Thanks

 

[C0rehound]

I have the Antec 902 and love it. Best case I've ever owned. The Antec 1200 is the full tower version and is a beast as well. There are other nice cases out there, but one of these two would be my recommendation. Be sure to buy a nice power supply as well.

 

[huron]

I have the original Antec 900 and have liked it, though it does lack some features of other cases. I had wanted the Antec 1200 at one point, but didn't really feel like changing from the 900 made too much sense.

I do like the Corsair cases...very clean and lots of features.

It really comes down to personal preference...you'll get a lot of votes for the HAF series of cases as well.

Do you live near a Microcenter or even Frys? If so, they usually have a number of cases you can at least touch and look at...that could help you too.

 

[cutebeans]

HAF X!! HAf 922!!

 

[Sull]

I don't leave near a mirco centre or a fryes, the Storm Trooper from CM is coming out and looks to have better features tham the HAF would that not be a better option?

 

[Uther39]

SILVERSTONE Fortress Series FT02B-W Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163161

Reviews......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMcKvI-zWi0
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/SilverStone-Fortress-FT02-Case-Review/901
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/934/pg1/silverstone-fortress-ft02-chassis-review-introduction.html
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/28091-silverstone-fortress-ft02-mid-tower-case-review.html

Truly excellent, after 11 years of computing its truly the best case ive ever owned,

Heres Mine.....

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Inwin Dragon Rider
Moto

 

[Sull]

SILVERSTONE Fortress Series FT02B-W Black

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163161

Reviews......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMcKvI-zWi0
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/SilverStone-Fortress-FT02-Case-Review/901
http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/934/pg1/silverstone-fortress-ft02-chassis-review-introduction.html
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/28091-silverstone-fortress-ft02-mid-tower-case-review.html

Truly excellent, after 11 years of computing its truly the best case ive ever owned,

Heres Mine.....

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff324/Thruxton/IMAG0095.jpg

How do you find its construction?

Is the airflow good?

How easy was it to assemble the computer?

How much space is there?

This will be my first build solo so I don't want an overly complicated install.

 

[borden5]

Corsair Obsidian Series 800D, Cooler master Haf X , SILVERSTONE RAVEN RV01, rv02, Thermaltake Level 10 GT, NZXT Phantom, you should take a look at these,they all full towers and have good cooling, future proof , good looking, lot of features.

 

[Qris]

The NZXT Lexa Blackline is my all-time favourite http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/Lexa_Blackline/1.html

It might be a little hard to get though since I haven't seen her in US shops lately.

I also have great experiences with Thermaltake cases, therefore I can recommend

Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133191&Tpk=Thermaltake%20Chaser%20MK-1

and the Element product line (I like stylish Thermaltake Element S http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/Element_S/ the most).

Let us know when you choose one

 

[epidot]

I bought my HAF 922 in the spring when they were $50 more than they are now...oh well still worth every penny. I love this case. Solid and sturdy. Good stock airflow. Great airflow if you fill every opening with a fan like I did...and still silent. Wires cleaned up nice and hidden away behind right side cover. Looks like Darth Vadar's PC would look on the Death Star.

Had I had to do it over again, I probably would have gone with the HAF 932 or HAF X.

What realy sold me on the HAF series was the front to rear depth they have. My old case was an Antec 900 which was a great case in its day 5 years ago...but that was before 12" long video cards and tidy wiring and monsterous cpu cooling towers.

Todays gaming cases need to be deeper and wider to give the benefits of great airflow, room for foot long graphics cards and the width for the huge cpu aircoolers. The HAF 922 worked great for my build in my sig. To many of the older style cases arent deep enough for todays long video cards. Ive read countless posts of peeps having to hack out the drive cages of brandy new cases to install a big card in their tiny outdated case. Same with reading about guys hacking out a hole in the side panel so that the new cpu air cooler sits to tall to put the door back on.

Old cases were @ 19" deep and 8" wide. The HAF cases are @22" deep and @10" wide. Makes for a much more hand freindly working environment while trying to plug wires into the MB.

 

[Sull]

Best answer selected by Sull.