Case recommendations?

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Danja

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
195
I was convinced in another thread to upgrade my PC to a new case, but when I looked at newegg the choices were overwhelming! I wanted to post here and see if anybody knows of any cases that approximately fit what I want. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. good airflow. I have an i7 930 and an HD 4870, and I might add another card in crossfire later on

2. Full ATX but support for microATX. I have a uATX board but would like the extra slots

3. Room for the above video card

4. less than $150; preferably around $100 or less

5. Front eSATA port would be nice

6. Light enough that I can move it semi-regularly (every other month or so). I lift weights so it's not like I couldn't move a 50 lb case, but I'm only 5'5" 160 lbs, and I live on the third floor of my apartment.

7. Sturdy, for the reason above.

8. I'd like to say that I want control over the obnoxious lighting, but judging by what newegg throws at me, that's not an option :p

Is there anything out there that fits my needs better than the rest? There are about 50 cases which appear to satisfy all the above, and I have no idea which one to pick. Any personal preferences among the forumgoers?
 
NZXT Phantom, on sale for 109 at newegg.com

id get the white or black personally
 
Try the Storm Scout. It has great cable management, is inexpensive $80 and it has built in handles. The handles are steel reinforced, and even though the case is steel its lightweight.
 
audirs said:
NZXT Phantom, on sale for 109 at newegg.com

id get the white or black personally
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Mmm... that's tempting. My room mate isn't a big fan of the storm trooper; since we're living together for at least another year and a half I'm letting him have veto power (to an extent). I'll see what he has to say about the Phantom.

He recommended this one last night: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

How does it compare to the Phantom?
 
I just bought the white Phantom yesterday from newegg, it has pretty good reviews, will be putting my new system in my sig in it :D
 
Danja said:
Mmm... that's tempting. My room mate isn't a big fan of the storm trooper; since we're living together for at least another year and a half I'm letting him have veto power (to an extent). I'll see what he has to say about the Phantom.

He recommended this one last night: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

How does it compare to the Phantom?
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That's a mid tower right? i thought you said you wanted a full tower?
 
zyzeast said:
That's a mid tower right? i thought you said you wanted a full tower?
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Sorry, I wasn't clear in that post. I want a case that supports a full size ATX form factor motherboard. Mid tower or full tower doesn't matter; as far as my priorities go I'm split about 60/40 between airflow and portability.
 
+1 for Lian Li though they don't have the best airflow, their premium lines are all aluminum so the lightest.
 
stock, the phantom cools amazing and doesnt even come fully loaded with fans. i think there is 2-3 more fans after the fact to bring temps down more. its a pretty flexible case. the built in fan controller is good too, 20w per channel, 5 channel
 
Antec 900 Two.

Corsair 600T (though a little above what you want to spend).
 
The 600T doesn't look like it gets too great of airflow. Only one fan as far as I can tell. The Antec 900 II looks good but I'm put off by the front LEDs. We use the PC for movies as well as gaming and those can get distracting in the dark.

Does the lack of a top fan like in the 900 II hurt the Phantom in terms of performance?
 
Danja said:
The 600T doesn't look like it gets too great of airflow. Only one fan as far as I can tell. The Antec 900 II looks good but I'm put off by the front LEDs. We use the PC for movies as well as gaming and those can get distracting in the dark.

Does the lack of a top fan like in the 900 II hurt the Phantom in terms of performance?
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The 600T actually gets a decent amount of airflow. I would not go with ANY of the Antec 900 or 1200 cases because they're relatively cramped compared to cases that costs just as much if not less than those cases.

Lack of a top fan doesn't really hurt.
 
Danja said:
The 600T doesn't look like it gets too great of airflow. Only one fan as far as I can tell. The Antec 900 II looks good but I'm put off by the front LEDs. We use the PC for movies as well as gaming and those can get distracting in the dark.

Does the lack of a top fan like in the 900 II hurt the Phantom in terms of performance?
Click to expand...

The 600T does in fact have a good flow through the case. The fans in the front of the 900 can be swapped with non LED fans (what I did for my server) if desired, however they are not a very bright blue, and I never had an issue with them.
 
Danja said:
The 600T doesn't look like it gets too great of airflow. Only one fan as far as I can tell. The Antec 900 II looks good but I'm put off by the front LEDs. We use the PC for movies as well as gaming and those can get distracting in the dark.

Does the lack of a top fan like in the 900 II hurt the Phantom in terms of performance?
Click to expand...

The 600T has a 200mm front intake fan, 200mm top exhaust fan, and 120mm rear exhaust fan.
 
dual 200mm top fans on the Phantom huh? So when are they coming out with the 2x200 radiator? :cool:
 
Thanks for the input guys. I went with the Phantom. One last question: it says that they can only guarantee compatibility with NZXT fans, but I can't seem to find a 230 mm NZXT fan to fill the 230 mm slot. Anyone know where I could find one? Or will any 230 mm fan work?
 
I do not see a 230 mm NZXT fan, but the slot appears to accept a 230 mm or a 200 mm fan, and NZXT has a 200mm fan readily available.
 
There is indeed a 200mm case fan by NZXT here. I got one to use in a Corsair 600T. It's a bit noisy at full tilt, but it quickly quiets down and it moves plenty of air.
 
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