Four Sub-$100 Cases For Your 2013 Gaming Build, Reviewed
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?
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bbnjz4gskPCL3s6WrbxhCY-320-80.jpg)
Can You Find Value In A Sub-$100 Case?
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.
Header Cell - Column 0 | 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.
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Current page: Can You Find Value In A Sub-$100 Case?
Next Page Cougar Evolution BO-
g-unit1111 Nice choice of cases that aren't from the usual contenders. I'm a fan of Silverstone - I think I might use the PS06 in my next build, but the polished metal look of the Lian Li is awesome, I wish more case manufacturers would use that look.Reply -
mjmjpfaff Nanoxia, in my opinion has produced a winner. It is pretty significant what they have been able to do with such a short time in the American market. My vote goes out for Nanoxia DS2. The size of it is a plus, as well as its looks. And of course it is aesthetically very pleasing, especially for its price.Reply -
ASHISH65 Good review,i think there should have been more cases and contenders,but personally liked SilverStone’s case due to looks.Reply -
slomo4sho I would like to see the temp ratings with a GPU that isn't using a blower style cooler since these seem to be the minority these days.Reply
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. -
vmem I think Nanoxia is the winner in this contest imhoReply
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 -
dudewitbow I think Nanoxia. albeit temperatures are one thing, silence is another. there is a trens for people to pick up better fans, and the trend of people using low end AIO WC units with Dwoods brackets to cool gpus.Reply -
rolli59 I say it again any case that has a door for drive bays or a flap for ports, does not work for me. Making the Silverstone and Cougar cases my choice out of the lot but I would prefer both all black.Reply -
dalmvern g-unit1111Nice choice of cases that aren't from the usual contenders. I'm a fan of Silverstone - I think I might use the PS06 in my next build, but the polished metal look of the Lian Li is awesome, I wish more case manufacturers would use that look.Reply
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. -
major-error vmemI think Nanoxia is the winner in this contest imhoReply
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 winnerI 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. -
BVKnight Why does the Nanoxia look (inside) like a chopped-in-half version of the Rosewill Thor V2? Design characteristics, materials,and layout are almost exactly the same. Seems like both companies may have sourced from a Chinese general supplier in making these cases.Reply