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?
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.
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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