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In Pictures: Five More Mainstream Gaming Cases, Previewed

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  • Cases
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June 21, 2012 3:46:04 AM

Offering extensive features and unique design options, the five mainstream gaming enclosures in today's story deserve an in-depth look before we launch into our review, comparing them all. And remember, this is just one part of our 15-chassis round-up!

In Pictures: Five More Mainstream Gaming Cases, Previewed : Read more

More about : pictures mainstream gaming cases previewed

a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 4:58:36 AM

Cooling wise, I'm guessing the eleven hundred will come out on top
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1
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 5:06:30 AM

That is correct^^ The Eleven Hundred is one of the cases I have seen that has superb cooling over the competition. I recommend it to anyone who needs a well rounded and cooled system :) 
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1
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a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 5:07:18 AM

EzioAsCooling wise, I'm guessing the eleven hundred will come out on top


Depends. More holes are not always better. Their Dark Fleets are pretty horrible when it comes to cooling.

I still prefer my Corsair 500R as these cases are either bland or ugly.
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-3
June 21, 2012 5:10:43 AM

I lilke the side panel on the eleven hundred and the fan behind the cpu is cool too.
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2
June 21, 2012 9:07:37 AM

Antec 1100. Who is with me? :) 
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7
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 10:21:40 AM

I like the 1100 also, but would probably prefer a version without the big window.

The Raidmax looked like gimmicky junk.
CM has too many "oops"es.
The Fractal Designs and Silverstone cases also didn't quite "get it right," at least not for me; but I could probably make them work. The aesthetics were good on them.
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5
June 21, 2012 10:38:49 AM

Didn't care fore any of these. All seemed boxy and without personality. Whatever the price point is for these, it is probably too high. Hopefully, the next segment will show the HAF XM or the NZXT Phantom 410. These are supposed to be gaming cases yet, they lack most of the features of an enthusiast case. Heck, I'd pick the Rosewill CHALLENGER over any of these and it's only fifty bucks.
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1
June 21, 2012 11:23:34 AM

I would never buy/recommend a case with top mounted fan: just begs to spill something on.
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-3
June 21, 2012 12:26:29 PM

I've had numerous cases including the Antec 900 and 300. I just upgraded to the Antec 1100 for my main PC and have been extremely pleased with it. I mounted 2 more 120mm fans behind the front panel and the cooling is nothing short of amazing. It's a relatively simple looking case, but it's elegance is in it's simplicity. It does everything exceedingly well. Installation was a breeze and future modifications will be easy with the extra interior space. You'd have to pay double the cost of this case to get something that exceeds it significantly in features. An all around great case, and I'd definitely recommend it over any other case in the $80-120 range.
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1
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 12:38:11 PM

they all look the same. why not just tape together a bunch of 120/140 fans and call it case?
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1
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 12:40:36 PM

amuffinThat is correct^^ The Eleven Hundred is one of the cases I have seen that has superb cooling over the competition. I recommend it to anyone who needs a well rounded and cooled system


how does it have "superb" cooling when i can mount the exact same fans in the exact same location on pretty much every case?
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-1
June 21, 2012 12:56:34 PM

Cases are more a personal preference then design.
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0
June 21, 2012 1:12:28 PM

Did I miss the prices?
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1
June 21, 2012 1:37:13 PM

I bought the Antec P280, which is very similar to the Antec 1100. So far, I'm loving the spacious inside and excellent cable management.
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1
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 1:58:33 PM

refillableAntec 1100. Who is with me?

Unless a case can properly house a 2x120 (H100) or larger radiator I'm not with you. Also, I don't like any windows with 'fan holes' (anything) drilled into a clear side panel.
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1
June 21, 2012 2:03:28 PM

Hard to navigate and collect info to compare.
Let's stick to a more user friendly layout, shall we ?
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7
June 21, 2012 2:15:07 PM

Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 M#: VN300M1W2 is without a doubt the Current Reigning Champ for ultimate Gaming Case, and any1 who believes otherwise i demand u give name and model number to anything better...
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-5
June 21, 2012 2:21:19 PM

greenrider02Did I miss the prices?
Full review with prices coming soon!
freggoHard to navigate and collect info to compare.Let's stick to a more user friendly layout, shall we ?
Full review with a comparison table coming soon!
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4
June 21, 2012 2:34:44 PM

Thanks, but personally, I find these picture previews EXHAUSTING to browse through
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10
June 21, 2012 3:00:05 PM

CrashmanFull review with prices coming soon!Full review with a comparison table coming soon!


Ah, a word from the powers behind the scenes. Glad to see that our comments are being read and taken notice off !! :-)
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1
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 3:28:22 PM

freggo said:
Ah, a word from the powers behind the scenes. Glad to see that our comments are being read and taken notice off !! :-)


FYI, Tom's Hardware staff always read our comments and feedback
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1
a c 295 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 4:02:16 PM

Raidmax!!!! That Raidmax case is one of the worst-looking ones I've ever seen - now I remember why I don't recommend that brand.
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4
June 21, 2012 4:39:13 PM

These million picture reviews suck balls.
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1
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 4:48:30 PM

sublime2k said:
These million picture reviews suck balls.


They're more of a preview if you read carefully. The real review will come out later
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0
June 21, 2012 4:58:04 PM

Zalman Z11
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0
June 21, 2012 6:09:26 PM

Out of the cases shown, none seemed great, but the 1100 was the least offensive.
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2
June 21, 2012 6:16:12 PM

I like the looks of the Silverstone, but I'd likely end up with the 1100. Personally, my next case will probably be the Antec P280. Its cooling isn't as good as most of these but it is dead quiet and I think it looks amazing. I currently own a P180 (among others), so I may be a little biased.
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0
a b 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 8:12:37 PM

akarusakage said:
Thermaltake Chaser MK-1 M#: VN300M1W2 is without a doubt the Current Reigning Champ for ultimate Gaming Case, and any1 who believes otherwise i demand u give name and model number to anything better...

And what exactly is your criteria for this claim? But if you want a case to compare it to, look at the Raven 3.
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-1
June 21, 2012 8:38:17 PM

That Raidmax case is the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life....
The white parts of the exterior looked tacked-on.
Who would design such a thing......
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2
a c 295 4 Gaming
June 21, 2012 9:47:33 PM

vakuma5000That Raidmax case is the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life....The white parts of the exterior looked tacked-on.Who would design such a thing......


When I look at that Raidmax case I keep thinking it's gonna transform into something. :lol:  :lol:  :lol: 
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0
June 21, 2012 10:10:18 PM

I'm going to buy the corsair 500R not for looks but for quality i have seen today Antec cases up close didn't caught much attention but thermaltake V6 and V9 looks pretty nice.
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0
Anonymous
a b 4 Gaming
June 22, 2012 4:33:26 AM

I'd like to see a review of the CM HAF XM. I'm almost dead set on buying it, but what's stopping me is the lack of removable dust filters. On the plus side it accommodates 2 top, 1 side, and 1 front 200mm fans, all interchangeable with smaller sizes.
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June 22, 2012 8:34:30 AM

demarestTop side USB ports are called dust cups. Evidently, here on Earth, gravity causes objects to move from up to down. Why does nobody make an actual computer case anymore?
You wrote that under the Page 1 image of a case with forward-facing ports? I hate to be Captain Obvious...
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1
June 22, 2012 6:43:48 PM

When I think of gaming cases, I think butt ugly. All of those look nice except for one.
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1
June 23, 2012 1:22:12 AM

spookymanCases are more a personal preference then design.

No, it's both.
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1
June 23, 2012 6:59:49 PM

poor article. hard to read, compare, etc.

weird way of presenting info. remarkably, imho, ineffective.
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1
June 23, 2012 9:03:34 PM

defg0003poor article. hard to read, compare, etc.weird way of presenting info. remarkably, imho, ineffective.
Poor? Only because you expected it to be a review. Comparison? That's in the review. The review? Scheduled for publication Monday morning.
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1
June 24, 2012 5:53:01 AM

disappointed to not see the case I just bought for my new build here. The same one MaxPC has been featured in many of their recent builds. It's the Fractal Design R3. Very similar to the ARC here but it is better as it has a great hinged door that can be closed and still draw in air, I think it has an extra case fan and soundproofing material inside. It's still under 100 when on sale.
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0
June 24, 2012 2:47:27 PM

cletus_slackjawddisappointed to not see the case I just bought for my new build here. The same one MaxPC has been featured in many of their recent builds. It's the Fractal Design R3. Very similar to the ARC here but it is better as it has a great hinged door that can be closed and still draw in air, I think it has an extra case fan and soundproofing material inside. It's still under 100 when on sale.
Say that to Fractal Design. I dare you :p 
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June 24, 2012 4:31:00 PM

CrashmanSay that to Fractal Design. I dare you


I'm sorry, i don't understand what you are trying to say? I'm saying its an awesome case. Some people didn't like the arc here in the comments. The R3 is basically the same interior, the difference is the R3, on the outside looks classy, with a beautiful magnetically helt hinged door and some soundproofing material. The R3 online is about US $119.00. It goes on sale from time to time at US $89.00. The ARC is basically a slightly stripped down version of the R3, so again, disappointed not to feature there slightly better product.
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0
June 24, 2012 7:40:04 PM

AkarusaKageThermaltake Chaser MK-1 M#: VN300M1W2 is without a doubt the Current Reigning Champ for ultimate Gaming Case, and any1 who believes otherwise i demand u give name and model number to anything better...

The above comment recieve an unexpected 5 thumbs downs, i wasnt trying to be an ass hole when i said that, i simply wanted to see if there was or wasnt a better case than the MK-1. But i didnt come across any1 protesting about a better case, which was very unexpected seeing as 5 ppl thumbed me down... However if u disagree wth the above comment please give voice as to your reasons whether it be that the mk-1 has flaws or that theres simply a better case.
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0
June 24, 2012 7:50:06 PM

AkarusaKageThe above comment recieve an unexpected 5 thumbs downs, i wasnt trying to be an ass hole when i said that, i simply wanted to see if there was or wasnt a better case than the MK-1. But i didnt come across any1 protesting about a better case, which was very unexpected seeing as 5 ppl thumbed me down... However if u disagree wth the above comment please give voice as to your reasons whether it be that the mk-1 has flaws or that theres simply a better case.
Nobody must or even should say why they think a comment about a $170 case is irrelevant to a discussion of $80-120 cases.
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June 24, 2012 8:48:52 PM

RedJaronAnd what exactly is your criteria for this claim? But if you want a case to compare it to, look at the Raven 3.

My criteria were:
Visual Satisfaction

Cooling Capability/Potential

Size (Lets be honest the Full sized case Has the most potential)

Layout (The layout of the MK-1 begs to be utilized)

Lack of Useless features

Lack of Hindering Features - Honestly the fractal design is "Simply Awesome" but having to open the door to better increase the air flow is a hindrance at some point, I mean the whole reason it was redesigned so much was because so many ppls systems were constantly overheating. i was once a vicitim of such a design flaw, i lost a Gigabyte Motherboard because of the first fractal... i overclocked my cpu without adding a liquid cooling system and i just dont wanna get into it

Includes USB 3.0

User Friendly Design - i doubt even a amateur would have trouble figuring it out, and an advanced user will love some of the not so obvious features

Overall Potential it isnt the best of everything but it has more than a fair share of everything, and in that sense i think its the best. also its got this groove with wire management slots, on the inside of the edge that i put some lights on and hooked up to a pressure switch now when i open it lights come on , no need for a flash light, its like a refrigerator.
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0
June 24, 2012 8:50:46 PM

CrashmanNobody must or even should say why they think a comment about a $170 case is irrelevant to a discussion of $80-120 cases.

oh and i got mine for $74.99 with free two day shipping from amazon on black friday, feel free to hate me to the fullest for that one baby! BOOOOOM
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-1
June 24, 2012 8:51:50 PM

BBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM
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-1
June 24, 2012 8:56:34 PM

AkarusaKageBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM
Sorry, more like "oh snap". I'm using an LQ1000 that I received free. Feel free to make your explosion now.
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1
June 24, 2012 9:22:07 PM

CrashmanSorry, more like "oh snap". I'm using an LQ1000 that I received free. Feel free to make your explosion now.

And how did u swing that???
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0
June 24, 2012 9:42:46 PM

just to clarify, i said "And how did u swing that???" in protest to your earlier claim, But honestly its pretty cool if u actually did get a free LQ1000, but the LQ1000 was such an over price model it was hardly worth getting, if i were in that situation i would feel the need to tell any1 who saw it that i got it for free, because the coolness of buying a newly restored 1969 ZL1 Camaro isnt even worth comparing to the coolness of discovering it in a junkyard and restoring it yourself. i personally would rather put my system together piece by piece than buy a CUSTOM build, and buying all my components for near criminal discounts on black friday just adds gravy to the mash potatoes.
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June 24, 2012 9:43:44 PM

BBBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM
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0
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