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Any recommendations for a case?

R

Ryiort

n00b
Joined
Dec 3, 2011
Messages
8
Hi!

I'm a long time [H] reader, but first time poster here and I hope some of you savy people might help me in my search for a case.
I have some specific needs that kind of limit my available choices and I haven't had much success finding a suitable candidate on my own.


So yes, what are my needs? Well, here goes:
  • Needs to support 9 harddrives (7 mechanical and 2 SSD's).
  • Good cooling options are a must.
  • I would very much like a fan on the side of the case to blow air onto the graphics card (and incidently my RAID controller too).
  • USB ports on the front (or top). Some USB3.0 ports would be lovely but not required.
  • Ability to have more than 1 exhaust fan in the back (or top). As I will install a Corsair H80 cooler blowing in, some exhaust fan(s) would be needed.
  • Support for EATX motherboard (as my motherboard is such a thing).
  • Good cable management options.
  • Nice looking. I don't want lights, transparent side panels and such things. Just a clean looking tower, along the lines of the Lian-Li PC-A71F that I have now. It doesn't have to look exactly like that, but it kind of gives you an idea of what I like.
The reason I want to change from my current case is that I want better cooling. It's a great case but cooling is a bit limited and it does get somewhat hot in there, especially if I install a H80 cooler, which will greatly limit the ability for air to get out of the case.

Again I would really like a side fan to blow air onto the graphics card and my RAID controller.

And yes, I need that many harddrives. ;) A bunch of them running in RAID for video and such work. This is probably the main thing causing so much trouble, as there aren't a whole lot of cases supporting that many harddrives.

I did find the Fractal Design Define XL, but after reading a bit about it I've kind of given up on it for various reasons.
The bottom chamber has barely no exhaust option, which worries me. With 6 drives down there and a PSU it will get pretty hot.
It's a bit cramped (with EATX boards) and the cable management could be slightly better.

It should be noted that I also need to install a DVD drive in the front, so harddrives can't take up all the external drive bays.

I don't really have a budget. I know a case like this won't come cheap and I'd rather spend some extra money getting what I want than settle for something I'm not satisfied with.

I think that's about it. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. :)
 
Last edited:
ParasiticJ said:
Do you have a budget?

The CM Storm Trooper might fit what you're looking for.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245
Click to expand...
I don't really have a budget, I should probably have mentioned that. So I updated the original post. Thanks for reminding me. :)

That case looks very interesting and seems to have plenty of cooling options.
I actually have the first CM Stacker case which has served me well in the past.

It doesn't mention EATX though but instead XL-ATX. Is it the same or how does this work?

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. :)
 
NZXT Phantom or one of its variants? I just picked one up on cyber monday and it looks good.
 
Have you considered the Corsair 800D? I think that may be right up your alley. The Corsair cases are fairly pricey, but worth the dough from what I hear.

The Silverstone TJ01 may be something like you are looking for as well.
 
Thanks a lot for the suggestions, it's much appriciated! :)

The NZXT Phantom overall looks nice, but lacks harddrive space. Would require use of converters to put the remaining up in the external bays. I would honestly rather avoid that (would also lack ventilation up there).
I also sort of feel it lacking in regard to intake over the harddrives. Just a single fan for 7 harddrives...

The Rosewill Blackhawk Ultra is interesting and seems to fit the bill. Only problem is getting it in my country (which currently seems impossible), but I might be able to find it somewhere else within the EU.

I have looked at the Corsair 800D previously. I like it overall but the "cooling zone" is not something I'm a huge fan of. Half the time it ends up being a problem instead of something that's actually useful.
It also lacks a side fan.
Harddrive space in it also seems a little limited, where I again would have to convert for the external bays. Overall I think it doesn't meet my requirements fully.

The Silverstone TJ10 (I assume you mean TJ10 as the TJ01 is an old model which doesn't support EATX). It lacks harddrive space (again would require converters for the external bays, which will then lack cooling) and the side fan is oddly placed for cooling a graphics card (as it's placed all the way in the front, from what I can gather).

The Mountain Mods stuff isn't exactly my bag. I guess my choice would be something like the Pinnacle case, which I don't find all that pretty (yeah yeah, it does matter that it looks good, even though it's just standing under my desk ;)).
 
Can't recall any that meet all those specifications. Personally I'd mod a fan onto the side of your current case and use the H80 as exhaust (unless you're currently within a few degrees of thermal shutdown on the CPU and need that few extra degree headroom). :)
 
Ryiort said:
That's internally identical to what I'm using now (PC-A71F) and lacks the cooling I need (side fan and better exhaust when using a liquid CPU cooler).
Click to expand...
True, though the airflow in the front is less restricted. What exactly is the nature of your heat problem right now? It would help to know exactly what hardware you have and what parts you think are currently running too hot.
 
I'm curious why you don't just have the H80 blow the air out the back? I'm thinking of getting one myself and would like to hear your reasoning.
 
Having the H80 blow air out the back would mean warm air going across the rad and most likely, increased temps.
 
This. Also, Lian Li cases are usually pretty good with cooling. Better than a Corsair 800.
 
Samury said:
I'm curious why you don't just have the H80 blow the air out the back? I'm thinking of getting one myself and would like to hear your reasoning.
Click to expand...

As mentioned, he'd get slightly increased CPU temp (though likely not to be an issue unless he's running his CPU very hot) but he would get better internal temps (especially if he's currently lacking case exhaust).
 
I use a Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 Its very quiet , and one of the best built/designed cases ive worked on.


ParasiticJ said:
Having the H80 blow air out the back would mean warm air going across the rad and most likely, increased temps.
Click to expand...
Keep in mind blowing warm air into the case inst going to help you out much. You'd be better off setting it up as an exhaust instead of recycling pre-warmed air back into your case and warming everything else up in the process.
 
Zero82z said:
True, though the airflow in the front is less restricted. What exactly is the nature of your heat problem right now? It would help to know exactly what hardware you have and what parts you think are currently running too hot.
Click to expand...
Well, I can achieve the same thing then by removing the door in the front of my case. ;) But that's not overly going to do much as the harddrives will still make all the air going in hot as it passes over them.

My system is an i7-2600k (currently not overclocked) on a ASUS Maximus IV Extreme motherboard. CPU cooled by a Thermalright Archon with 2 fans on it.
A ASUS 570GTX graphics card (not the 3-slot version).
A RAID controller (passively cooled).
ASUS Sonar Essence STX sound card.

CPU idles at about 45-48 degrees celcius and gets about 10 degrees warmer under full load.
GPU idles at around 45-49 degrees and 68-71 degrees under full load.
My RAID controller sits directly below the graphics card and the sound card directly above the graphics card (sadly the only configuration I can do due to the slot layout and IRQ assignments (sound card is picky about its IRQ)).
So yeah, the RAID controller gets somewhat hot too.

The values aren't exactly critical but not good either. And the room with my computer in it gets somewhat hot during the summer, which increase those values a bit.

So yeah, I'm basically trying to improve on all that. Switching to liquid cooling for the CPU should help a great deal, but will require a bit more exhaust options than I have now.
And a side fan is something I really want to help the graphics card and RAID controller stay a bit cooler.
 
Mosher said:
What about a Fractal Design?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352017

Full tower, 10 HDD's and probably be able to get one since it's made in Sweden... I think o_O

Just to Add that CM Storm Trooper looks like it is a good beefy case as well, alot of people liking that one.
Click to expand...
I have looked at that case, but I have a few issues with it (read my original post).

The CM Storm Trooper is currently my favourite, except for the fact that I don't know if I can actually put my motherboard in it... I need to contact them as I have been unable to find a clear answer regarding EATX motherboards in it. Some shops sell it as an EATX case, to add to the confusion.
 
Yeah XL is Extended ATX. I love my storm trooper case. I would go as far to say that it is probably one of the best cases CM has made IMO.
 
Ryiort said:
I have looked at that case, but I have a few issues with it (read my original post).

The CM Storm Trooper is currently my favourite, except for the fact that I don't know if I can actually put my motherboard in it... I need to contact them as I have been unable to find a clear answer regarding EATX motherboards in it. Some shops sell it as an EATX case, to add to the confusion.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, looks like as said above indeed EATX boards will fit.

So... we totally wanna see it when you build it!! :D
 
Yes, I add one to the fractal case. I wanna see this build. They have some clean looking cases.
 
Just want to give a follow-up here. :)

I have decided to get the newly released Cooler Master Cosmos II. It does have cooling zones, but it seems to be done just right, with the HD fans blowing in from one side and out the other - and not towards the PSU, which is otherwise usually the case (creating sort of a heat buildup that the PSU then also has to deal with getting out).
So yeah, all in all it seems to meet my requirements and have gotten awesome reviews. It's pricy though, but when you have specific needs you often have to pay up to have them met. :p

I should hopefully have this some time next week and then assemble everything, including a Corsair H80 cooler for my CPU.

I will make sure to take some photos of it and post them here. :)

Again thanks for all the help you provided. :)
 
Ryiort,
Good choice! I have the CM Cosmos II and love it. Easiest build I have ever had and the wiring does not look like dinner at the Italian restuarnt. For me, that is a vast improvement. :)

I am still looking to find the optional forklift to move the case around.

Enjoy!
 
Went from a Fractal Design Define R3 to an Antec P280 today. Never before have I enjoyed building a case so much. Slots for SSD's that snap in place, same for optical drives, no screws necessary. Front filters release EASY and DO NOT LIE FLUSH W/ FAN ala Define R3. They're a good inch away and the flow's MUCH better. The whole case, paneling, rubber grommets, rubberized thumb screws, heft, FULL INCH or more of space behind the tray!! I needed no zip ties and didn't have to force the side panel shut like the Define. GRADE A!
 
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