Last week we previewed the first four mainstream gaming cases in our 11-way sub-$100 round-up. Now we get to build four systems and test them. What other features will we uncover along the way, and how will they affect thermal and acoustic performance?
A high-quality case can outlast even the fastest build. Ironically, though, value-oriented enthusiasts spend money on components that improve performance and tend to cut back on those that don't. You already know that a $30 enclosure won't give you the durability, airflow, or room to expand that a smart upgrade should be expected to offer. But there's no guarantee that a $300 chassis will give you anything more in those areas than a far cheaper model. Sometimes, splurging on a case is simply wasted expense.
Knowing that there are a few solid enclosures out there available for under $100, we made that our budget for this month's round-up. As you read in In Pictures: Four Sub-$100 Cases For Your 2013 Gaming PC, we received 11 total submissions, all battling for supremacy. Today's story is a follow-up to our first picture-based exploration, designed to go beyond our initial visual inspection and lead to more concrete conclusions.

| Cougar Evolution BO | Lian-Li PC-9N | Nanoxia Deep Silence 2 | SilverStone Precision PS06 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||
| Height | 20.2" | 18.7" | 18.4" | 20.8" |
| Width | 8.7" | 8.3" | 8.2" | 8.4" |
| Depth | 20.6" | 19.7" | 24.2" | 20.0" |
| Space Above Motherboard | 0.0" | 0.5" | 1.3" | 1.2" |
| Card Length | 12.1" | 17.3" | 13.6" | 12.1" |
| Weight | 19.1 Pounds | 10.8 Pounds | 24.6 Pounds | 19.5 Pounds |
| Cooling | ||||
| Front Fans (alternatives) | 1 x 120 mm (2 x 120 mm) | 1 x 140 mm (2 x 140 mm) | 2 x 120 mm (None) | 1 x 120 mm (None) |
| Rear Fans (alternatives) | 1 x 120 mm (None) | 1 x 120 mm (None) | 1 x 140 mm (1 x 140/120 mm) | None (1 x 120 mm) |
| Top Fans (alternatives) | None (2 x 120mm) | None (None) | None (2 x 140/120 mm) | 1 x 180 mm (None) |
| Left Side (alternatives) | None (1 x 140 mm) | None (2 x 120 mm) | None (1 x 140/120 mm) | None (None) |
| Right Side (alternatives) | None (None) | None (None) | None (None) | None (None) |
| Drive Bays | ||||
| 5.25" External | Six | Three | Three | Five |
| 3.5" External | None | None | 1 x Adapter | 1 x HDD Bay |
| 3.5" Internal | Four | Three | Eight | Four |
| 2.5" Internal | Four* | Two | Eight* | Four* |
| Card Slots | Eight | Eight | Seven | Eight |
| Noise Dampening | ||||
| Sides | None | Plastic Covers | Cloth/Mat | None |
| Top | None | None | Cloth/Mat | None |
| Front | None | Plastic Cover | Foam | None |
| Price | $90 | $100 | $90 | $100 |
| *Shared on 3.5" Tray | ||||
Quality is the primary consideration for our round-up, though unusually good or unusually bad performance could certainly set a single case apart from the pack. Features are next up for evaluation, primarily when comparing price to value. Let’s take a closer look at the quality and features each case offers.
- Can You Find Value In A Sub-$100 Case?
- Cougar Evolution BO
- Building With The Evolution BO
- Lian Li PC-9N
- Building With The PC-9N
- Nanoxia Deep Silence 2
- Building With The NXDS2B
- SilverStone Precision PS06
- Building With The PS06
- Test Settings And Equipment
- Temperature, Noise, And Acoustic Efficiency
- Which Of These Four Cases Impresses Us Most?
Also, I would like to see more cases at this price point. The Cooler Master HAF XB is one I would like to see included personally.
HOWEVER, I'd be curious to see how it's GPU temperature problem can be alleviated by adding a few fans, and how that affects it's noise reduction. if the overall picture is still good, then it is the clear winner
I was thinking the same thing g-unit. Im 90% sure im going to use the PS06 for my Haswell build in a few months.
HOWEVER, I'd be curious to see how it's GPU temperature problem can be alleviated by adding a few fans, and how that affects it's noise reduction. if the overall picture is still good, then it is the clear winner
I have the exact same opinion.
If I had the case, I don't think I'd put a fan on the side panel. I'd be more inclined to install some stand-offs and install a larger baffle, allowing passive airflow but still keeping things quiet.
Of course, if I needed more fans, I'd fill all the other slots with Noctua NF fans...
http://www.quietpc.com/na-ds2
Bottom line: I think this would be an excellent choice to replace my 14-year-old In-Win Q500 case.
To me, the most important part of a build is the case. If you have a nice case, then it at least looks like you have an awesome build. That's why I have the Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window. And for only 20$ more than these rather cheap looking cases, you can't beat it. I expected these cases to be 40-60$, except for the Lian Li and the DS2, they all just look really cheap. And the Lian Li, I think, was the one with no cable management. So judging my sheer looks and quality the DS2 is the clear winner.
Personally I can't see anyone chosing to spend 100$ on these cases that wouldn't spend 20 more bucks for the Fractal R4.
I've been considering the DS2 for my next build for some time. Also have been keeping an eye on Fractal R4 prices as I missed out when NewEgg had them for $80.
I totally agree with you on this one. These manufacturers need to stop making ugly cases. I don't like the plastic looks with ugly designs and it's the reason I am waiting for some panels to continue face lifting my Haf XM. If I had a choice between all of these cases, I would choose NDS2. And Lian Li need to stop making cases that don't have enough room above motherboard trays to handle even 27mm rad with push or pull configuration.
I suggest you grab yourself the Fractal Design Define XL R2, slightly bigger version of R4 (minus removable fan filter) but tons of room and great cooling.
Yeah if I were going to do a whole new build from scratch I'd use the PS06 from this article and get this:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/UvWF
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/UvWF/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/UvWF/benchmarks/
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($135.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.61 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($379.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS06B-W ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1638.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-02 12:44 EDT-0400)
But then use the i5-4570K and Z87 motherboard.
I understand you're trying to put the hottest, loudest parts in the cases to really stretch their thermal and acoustic performance. I understand that these numbers represent a worst-case scenario, and that an average builder could and should expect better results than this. But that leaves me wondering just how much better results I should expect with a system I would actually build if I were to use one of these cases.
I mean do I really worry about the higher GPU temps on the DS2 when current video cards run considerably cooler and quieter than the 580? What kind of CPU temps would I see in these cases with an OCd IB opposed to a SB-E chip, or with a better CPU cooler? And while I know you can't test using additional or aftermarket fans, is there a better way to use the stock fans included other than the arrangement suggested in the manual? ( I'm guessing you already do this. )
I'm not meaning to complain that you're not doing a good job. I love the reviews and I realize you're often crunched for time. I would love it more if you could have a few standard hardware configs that you could put in cases to get a better idea of how they perform in varying situations:
If you had these configs set, then you just choose which one or two are most applicable to the case being tested ( obviously a budget build isn't going in a $150+ case and you won't throw a dream machine in a $50 chassis, ) just like you don't bother benchmarking games at low-res on high-end cards. I think it's better testing using components at the top end of mainstream rather than at the extreme. It gives a fairer look at the case for the majority of the readers while the fewer extreme builders will know they don't have quite so much wiggle room.
newegg has the fd-r4 for $80, but the sale ends today.