The Final Five: Our Last Round Of Mainstream Gaming Cases
The Final Five: Our Last Round Of Mainstream Gaming Cases
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Antec Solo II
Antec surprised us by sending a member of its silence-oriented Sonata series as its second choice for our mainstream gaming chassis round-up. Can a design with solid front and side panels stand up to the ventilation standards set by the company's own Eleven Hundred?
Uncovered external drive bays differentiate the Solo II from Antec’s regular Sonatas, while low-sitting front panel connectors indicate that this particular model is designed to sit atop, rather than under, a desk.
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Actually, Lian-Li doesn't usually compete in price-based roundups. I think some of that is due to their use of materials that bolster performance but boost price by a larger amount than performance. Appearance doesn't show up in a performance value chart, but the price you pay for it does.
Hopefully a competent editor...one that at least knows where the spell check button is. I'm not asking for too much, am I?
Anyway, I'll be looking forward to this. I'm on the fence about getting a new rig, now. That Antec Solo II case looks good to me.
The InWin Buc was interesting; reminiscent of a 1950s locomotive. Some people will probably like that look and find it imminently suitable; although it isn't my personal style I can still appreciate it.
MSI has created another child's toy, and Raidmax looks gimmicked out the kazoo with a lot of plastic parts that look about as sturdy as a sugar wafer.
I guess I am more of a less outspoken person these days vs my younger days when I built PC with flame throwing skulls illuminated by blue and red leds all over the side panels.
FTR I absolutely love my Antec P280!!!!
Maybe a box could be placed over the side exhaust with only one opening, to the rear. Not as efficient cooling, but it should muffle more of the noise.
The only issue I can think of is that it may look unsightly.
Actually, Lian-Li doesn't usually compete in price-based roundups. I think some of that is due to their use of materials that bolster performance but boost price by a larger amount than performance. Appearance doesn't show up in a performance value chart, but the price you pay for it does.
I hear you but im with bit_user. Cases are funny things because you can't easily quantify via testing good looks, quality, easy to work in, etc that Lian-LI cases typically have. The PC-9F was selling on newegg $99-$120 over the past year and IMHO was one of the best all around cases last year.
Totally happy with my Fractal Designs R3. Thinking of upgrading the front ports to USB3 (It's standard now but when I bought, it was an option.)
IMO, the rest of the cases are ugly, but I prefer the clean looks of Antec and Lian-Li's cases.