Best pick mid/full tower case under $120?

Trying to decide on a good case to get to replace my Antec P180.

If you were going to pick a mid or full tower case under $120, which would it be?

If you're not too committed to the cold rolled steel look the Define R5 is an excellent all-around choice for a mid-tower case, and both windowed and solid panel versions have crazy good deals going on for Newegg's Cyber Monday today:

Define R5 Black - reg. $109.99, currently $69.99 after $10 promo code CMFDZTU10
Define R5 Black w/ Window - reg. $109.99, currently $69.99 after $10 promo code FDSAVE10

I believe today's the last day on the sale, just FYI.

Fractal Design NA said:

If you're not too committed to the cold rolled steel look the Define R5 is an excellent all-around choice for a mid-tower case, and both windowed and solid panel versions have crazy good deals going on for Newegg's Cyber Monday today:

Define R5 Black - reg. $109.99, currently $69.99 after $10 promo code CMFDZTU10
Define R5 Black w/ Window - reg. $109.99, currently $69.99 after $10 promo code FDSAVE10

I believe today's the last day on the sale, just FYI.

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You mean Fractal Design is recommending Fractal Design? Jk

Yeah that was one of my top choices actually and it is on sale for a crazy good price. I hate case shopping because I want to poke around the thing in person and see if I like it lol. Cant really do that online shopping. But everyone seems to recommend Fractal Design, maybe I will just give it a try.

Anyways, thus far with the minimal shopping around I have done, the cases I have been looking at are....

Antec P100 ($65AR)
Fractal Design Define R5 (On sale for $70 on newegg right now)
Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower Chassis with Window Cases PH-ES614P_BK ($80AC)
Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Performance Full Tower Case ($100)
Corsair Carbide Series 100R Silent Edition Quiet Mid Tower Case ($40AR)

I just did a build in the newly released Fractal Design Define C and I'm really loving it.

Why do you need all the internal space? Need a lot of drives in it or something? If not, consider something like the NZXT S340. No 5.25" bays (optical drives aren't much use these days) but plenty of space for 3.5" and SSD mounts. Tons of radiator mounting area. Supports long GPUs, some of the biggest HSF setups... It's a nice, compact case with good airflow that runs about $75.

Very happy with mine, and I've had a lot of higher end cases. Cooler Master ATCS 840, Lian Li PC-V2000B Plus II, Antec P180, Silverstone FT02-BW, etc.

silent-circuit said:

Why do you need all the internal space? Need a lot of drives in it or something? If not, consider something like the NZXT S340. No 5.25" bays (optical drives aren't much use these days) but plenty of space for 3.5" and SSD mounts. Tons of radiator mounting area. Supports long GPUs, some of the biggest HSF setups... It's a nice, compact case with good airflow that runs about $75.

Very happy with mine, and I've had a lot of higher end cases. Cooler Master ATCS 840, Lian Li PC-V2000B Plus II, Antec P180, Silverstone FT02-BW, etc.

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Yeah thanks for the feedback. I do actually need at least (1) optical drive so....that was how I ruled out many cases. My current case is the Antec P180 actually. It is just getting older and I would like something designed a little more up-to-date if you know what I mean.(I have not updated much in my PC in like literally years)

Right now my top picks are sorta in this realm:

Antec P100
Fractal Design Define R5
NZXT Phantom 410 Series CA-PH410-B1 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower
Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower Chassis with Window Cases PH-ES614P_BK
Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Performance Full Tower Case
Corsair Carbide Series 100R Silent Edition Quiet Mid Tower Case

Do you need it all the time? There are plenty of USB powered opticals these days.

silent-circuit said:

Do you need it all the time? There are plenty of USB powered opticals these days.

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Not really, no. But I already own it, where as I would have to buy usb powered optical. Anyways. I just did a quick search and yeah that case you mentioned does have a lot of positive reviews.

Retsam said:

Not really, no. But I already own it, where as I would have to buy usb powered optical. Anyways. I just did a quick search and yeah that case you mentioned does have a lot of positive reviews.

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Is space at all a concern? A new drive is like $20. Dropping 5.25" bays can save you a ton of room.

silent-circuit said:

Is space at all a concern? A new drive is like $20. Dropping 5.25" bays can save you a ton of room.

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I suppose you have a point. Just something I had not considered. I almost do not game anymore but just was getting the "itch" to try a few of the new ones. I wanted a new monitor, and for that I need a new vid card. Both of those two things require me to get a new case to some extent. I was just getting to the point where my Antec P180 is somewhat "dated" and needs a revamp. I have had it for literally years and years, so it is time for something newer.

To answer your question directly. I only plan on having one video card and do not care about water cooling or any crap like that. Just mediocre gaming rid and I obviously want decent airflow and silence.

I suppose if it's a DVD drive I'd dump it for an external, but bluray is pretty different story.

I haven't found an enclosure or external unit for less than $80!

Add the corsair 600c/q it maybe my next case based on the popular trend to ditch the 5.25" spot.