Looking for a Good Case

[maverick786us]

I am really impressed 650D. It is one of the best case that provides excellent cooling, good air flow for overclockers, gamers. But I want to keep other options open.

Things that I am looking for
1) Good build quality, that should make the case last for 2-3 upgrades. Usually I don't frequently upgrade my build its usually 2-3 yrs.
2) Good dust management, I know no case if 100% immune from dust
3) Good air flow and cable management
4) Should have glass door.
5) Should have enough room for fitting water cooling kit like Antec Cohuer 750D, Corsair H60 etc

So apart from Corsair 650 D does Antec DF-35 fit into all these factors? Availability of Li-Lion cases is hard so what all other cases do you suggest that are as good as 650 D?

 

[Dodger1]

I just finished a round of dd on a new case and it came down to either the 650D, or the Haf X; both of which would have fit my needs to a T. After a coin toss I ended up ordering the Haf X and I just finished my build.

I had the older version of the Haf, the 932, and the X only refines that that case by finally offering a pretty darn good dust management system and lord knows it's big enough to last for umpteen builds and any water cooling rig and motherboards your likely to encounter will fit with ease.

One thing that kind of irritated me was the complete lack of pro reviews on the 650D but if you do just a little dd you'll find pro reviews up the ying yang on the Haf X.

Just my observations and along that line, I don't think you'll go wrong with either case.

FYI, this review was about as good as any that I found on the Haf X http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLFbjR97moM&feature=player_embedded

Good luck and we'll want pics of your new build

 

[maverick786us]

how is the build quality? Unlike 650 & 800, is it made up of steel?

 

[Dodger1]

With its .8mm SGCC steel chassis, with plastic front and top bezels, the Haf X tips the scales at 31.6 pounds.

Overall I'd rate its build quality as a solid 8 and solid is the operative word. You've heard the old saw about "it's built like a brick outhouse" and this instance I can empathically say that's the case with this case

The other thing I like is that the Haf X moves more air effectively then the much vaunted 932 and with its cooling setup you can keep most everything you'd care to install nice and cool. I did mount an additional 1 x 200mm top fan but don't think it was a necessary mod.

At idle RealTemp is reporting ~ 34C with an ambient of ~ 21.67C and GPU-Z is reporting ~ 32C and that's on air cooling for both the CPU and GPU's.

 

[maverick786us]

With its .8mm SGCC steel chassis, with plastic front and top bezels, the Haf X tips the scales at 31.6 pounds.

Overall I'd rate its build quality as a solid 8 and solid is the operative word. You've heard the old saw about "it's built like a brick outhouse" and this instance I can empathically say that's the case with this case

The other thing I like is that the Haf X moves more air effectively then the much vaunted 932 and with its cooling setup you can keep most everything you'd care to install nice and cool. I did mount an additional 1 x 200mm top fan but don't think it was a necessary mod.

At idle RealTemp is reporting ~ 34C with an ambient of ~ 21.67C and GPU-Z is reporting ~ 32C and that's on air cooling for both the CPU and GPU's.

If you are fitting a water cooling kit like Corsair H70 or Antec 920, do you have to remove the Back Xxhuast 140MM fan in order to make room for that exhuast?

 

[Dodger1]

The back exhaust fan on the HAF-X is a stock coolermaster 140mm fan, but if you take out that fan there are holes for both 140mm and 120mm holes, so you can mount the H70.

 

[ArbY]

Have you looked at the Corsair 600T? The glass door doesn't come stock, but can be ordered separately. I transferred my parts from an earlier Thermaltake case into the 600T just today and I was seriously impressed with what I had to work with.