Which case?

[scw831]

Hello everyone. I am building my own desktop for the first time and I am having problems deciding on a good case. I am also looking for advice on a liquid CPU cooler. So far the components I am looking at are:

Asus P8Z77 V-Pro Motherboard
Intel i5 3570K 3.4GHz processor
G.Skill Sniper Series Ram
Geforce GTX 660 2GB video card x2
Corsair HX Series 850 Watt PS
LG DVD Burner
480 GB Samsung SSD (taking from another computer)

The only requirements I have for the case is I would like some sort of cable management to help with air flow and it has to be able to fit the items above as well as the liquid CPU cooler's radiator. I do not care if the case comes with adiquit fans or if I have to upgrade them. I am just trying to stay around or under $1500. Any advice or suggestions for improvement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again and have a good day.

 

[sam_p_lay]

I've had some bad experiences with LG writers - many coasters created. For cases, the Antec Elevenhundred, Coolermaster Storm Enforcer, NZXT Phantom 410 and Silverstone Kublai KL04 are all highly recommended. Most Coolermaster, Silverstone and Antec cases are going to be a good bet.

 

[socialfox]

I have a LG writer from 6 years ago and it still works fine but anyways I have heard of some negative reviews currently on their new writers so try this burner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

In addition here are two great cases in my opinion:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Lastly, I would reconsider the liquid CPU cooler if you are going for something pre-made like the H100, H80, Kuhler 920 etc. They perform great BUT their prices are much more than what a high end air cooler can do for a lesser price. I would recommend getting the Noctua DH-14 or this Phanteks Cooler.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018
^ Kind of ugly colour scheme
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709002
^nice looking and comes in 4 different colours, this specific colour is on sale.

 

[DarkSable]

I personally love the NZXT Gamma Classic - put a 120mm fan at the front and another 140 on the top, and you've got an amazing case that performs beautifully. (Even despite having no front USB 3.0 ports.)

That being said, I double up on: do NOT get a pre-made liquid cooling setup. An air cooler at the same price point will out-perform it. Here are the downsides, just so you know:

1) It's more likely to fail, because it has more moving parts.

2) When it does fail, it doesn't have a huge heatsink letting the CPU throttle correctly - there's NO protection left.

3) If it fails catastrophically, you have liquid all over your computer. Not a good position to be in, as it violates pretty much every parts' warranty.

 

[socialfox]

+1^ I hear stories of water coolers damaging video cards when they leak, not the best thing to jeopardize your video card but it is a small chance.

 

[scw831]

Best answer selected by scw831.

 

[scw831]

Thank you all for you advice. I had to be convinced to even start considering a water cooler, and now knowing fans can be just as good, i'm going to try keeping liquids away from my computer's components. Also no longer going with the LG drive; I also have one in my old desktop that's a few years old n still runs great, so figured that might of keep up the quality but guess not. Thanks again.