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I need a new case, suggestions?

C

Chris583

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
240
I have the once beautiful NZXT Lexa black with silver front panel, blue leds etc, sidewindow... its been a great case, I've enjoyed it, being my first built-for-myself case for my first personal build.

Unfortunately its starting to show its age, wear, with scratches on the finish, faded front strip panel leds, and most importantly non-functional/broken front side usb ports. Here it is last year before numerous fan/led/hardware additions.
IMG_0297.jpg

It has a great lan carry strap-on that makes it really easy to lug around.

Anyways...I've totally outgrown the style now with the two tone silver/black, and spaceship like front.

I think some years down the line i will be ready to settle in to a quiet, fan-minimizing, windowless case... but at this point I want to get a relatively cheap windowed-case that should last me until I'm down with LED fans, interior dazzling and so on.

My budget is around 50-100, possibly a little more if its a must have, but im trying to keep costs on this somewhat low. So far I've seen great Antec, XCLIO, and NZXT which may be good and in my price range. Yes, I use newegg for searches. I'm not a pc-gamer anymore (video editting/music/movies usage mostly) so I'm looking for a more conservative- PRO looking probably Black case with a window to show off my

I have plenty of multi-colored fans of various shapes and sizes so finding a case already pre-configured with colors/led fans etc. is not as important to me. I just want a case like the Corsair 800D. Im probably looking for a mid-tower as i don't really need the extra space for full, nor have I personally owned a full, ever.

nzxt lexa new model, might be the winner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146060&Tpk=NZXT LEXA S LEXS

antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156078

cooler master storm scout
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196

anyways there is so many cases and im trying to narrow down the options, so please offer any advice that you can.

So what would be the most pro-looking, affordable-bang for the buck, windowed, case.

other hardware specs
-using only 1 nvidia GPU-9800GT
-only 1-2 internal HDs
-1-2 DVD burners
-asus p5k-e-wifi
-corsair 650w modular psu
-asus xonar d2 sound

24" samsung and 20" viewsonic monitors. Use both for video/adobe suite editing.


Thanks for your help!
 
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Brilliant, the Antec 900-2 or Lancool may very well suit my needs... I think right now I'm leaning towards the Antec 900-2 or NZXT Lexa hmm... i love that the Lexa is essentially much improved/updated model of my current case, and that it has bottom-mounted PSU. Antec has all-around better airflow, way better front I/O panel and positioning, but aethetically worse imo with less stream-lined and sleek looks with their traditional mesh front and conservative design.
 
I have the Raidmax and the Scout. Out of just those two, since I own them, I prefer the Scout. Better airflow and very quite compared to the Raidmax(I'm still trying to figure out which fan is making the loud noise), but the Raidmax has a removable mobo tray if you prefer it. Buttons are on top and you get 4 USB and a eSata if that matters to you. It was a plus for me. Also, it has a handle which is useful if you're going to move around your computer from time to time.

I was considering that Lexa also, but the Scout won it over for me. That Antec looks like it will be loud, but I can't really say anything about it since I've never seen it in action.
 
thanks a bunch guys for your input...
some more deciding factors I've made.
must have:
-black interior (Lexa S has this down perfectly)
-bottom mounted PSU (Lexa has a raised bottom with a vent for bottom PSU airflow)
-better I/O front panel mounting, raised, etc. (Lexa S has side ports on the left as opposed to current case which has them on the right, that is a plus for me considering i have the desktop on the right side of the desk...Scout has ports up near the top which is the most convenient, but i prefer the overall chassis design of Lexa more)

for $70 (after instant coupon) I think the Lexa S is my best bet.
-fan controller and lots of cooling that is quiet
-black on black interior/exterior
-IO panel on the left side
-window
-hole in case frame for mobo cpu mount fitting, plus many places to hide cables under the back panel
-bottom placed PSU position with fan dust screen, should be great for my modular psu
-updated brother of the older different, yet similar Lexa i currently have (which is prob at least a 5yr old case from when it first came out till now)

anyone see a better case for me for around this price?
I think i've fully convinced myself this is what I want. NZXT has really done good for themselves making a case with so many features for such a cheap price
 
After looking at the pic and links I wonder if this is a troll post :p

jk just not my style of cases
 
IMO the new NZXT is nice, but it is just not my style. I can also guess that the Antec or the Lancool will have a higher build quality.

If build quality doesn't matter much, I think you are set for your case.
 
Here is a review of that case: click here.

If you can deal with the cons, then I say go for it since you like the design and it fits your needs. Also, the newegg reviews doesn't seem bad.
 
Yeah, I think you're going to be pretty good with the Lexa-S.
Or Scout. That's also a pretty good design.
 
Man its hard to decide... There are some nice cases in the near $100+/- range but I think that is more then i want to spend. This case might be the best for me, but I am very interested to in the $35 more Antec Nine Hundred Two case, and the scout...

I definitely want to got down on fan noise... current system has more fans then I probably should of put in, and sounds like a jet-engine. So I will stick with the stock fans if they are quite, and maybe add 1-2 more quiet fans if needed.
 
If you are interested, the HAF 922 is right at $100 and provides better cable management than the Antec 902 and is bigger than the scout allowing for Video Cards 13.5 Inches in length.
 
hmm thanks for the heads up... i got some gift cards and such now that its after xmas... i guess i can part with my love for the lexa series by NZXT... i REALLY LIKE the new airflow design of the systems with top large extake fans... its a genius idea... i originally got the old lexa partly because of the mass of fans including the underside and top mounted 80mm fans... now they have cases with built in 200+mm fans that are quiet, its hard to believe...

right now im debating between the CoolerMaster CM Storm Scout and the HAF 922... looks like i might be going with CM... i like the Scout's military power buttons haha, does it light up red when u press it? Anyone know? And the handle-bars for transport are good. VERY COOL features in my book, edgy military/industrial design. Clearly the 922 might be better though in terms of airflow, thoughts? I've read some threads on other forums comparing the two, and a bunch of reviews of both... hmm

Also, i dont know if i really should make a new thread for this... but does anyone have suggestions for a sub-$50 cpu cooler that will work well with my shitty stepping Q6600...there are so many coolers now adays and i do have a zalman CNPS9700 led cooler, but its not doing its job well anymore, and some of its fans are warping... i also have an old XP-90C all copper heatsink that i used to use with dual core overclocking, but warping issues as well, i dont think either of these old coolers would be that suitable for a new a case for my asus mobo and quad. I really like the Dark Knight cooler.



thanks again guys for helping through the decision making processes this time around, big help!
 
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I'd pick the HAF 922 over the Scout because it is confirmed to fit a 5970 perfectly. Hopefully video cards won't get longer than that but if you want room to grow, that may be the case for you. The Scout though already comes painted all black if that is your thing and is sealed a bit better for dust but that can be controlled in the HAF 922 if you take the time to do so.
 
I would go with the NZXT.

I have the Apollo which IMO is one of the best cases that you can buy for around $70.
 
Now I'm down to the Scout or the Lancool K62... leaning towards the lancool for its Lian Li features, hard-drive mufflers, fully tool less design that works well, all the stuff i want like cpu mobo cutout and bottom mounted psu without the gamer/more intense look of the other cases. I'm 21 and don't play pc-games really anymore, use pc for multimedia and media production and looking for a more conservative case now. What sells me on the Scout is actually the red light up military power buttons, but I dunno how good they look as I havent seen a video/pic that shows it well.
 
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