Looking for a smaller mid tower with great cable management

[foobar490440]

Hi all, long time lurker here.

I'm looking for a mid tower case that is on the small and light side, but has great cable management for better airflow. The only cable management "innovation" that I've seen is cable routing holes. If there are any others, please let me know.

So I'm looking for a case that has these cable routing holes, but is as small and light as possible. All the cases I'm looking at are about 20"x8"x20" (LxWxH) and ~20 pounds. The case needs to fit a 5970 and have great airflow. I like 200mm fans because they can push a lot of air yet still be quieter at the lower RPMs. A removable motherboard tray would be nice, but I don't think it's completely required.

I'm looking at the:

• Antec 902 (25 pounds, but this case looks like it can keep stuff really cool)
• CM 690 II (I may be mistaken, but I think cooler masters have lower build quality)
• CM HAF 922 (its a bit heavier and larger than the Element S)
• Thermaltake Element S

I was wondering what you guys thought of these cases, or could suggest some others to me to look at. I don't particularly care about price at this point.

Thanks.

EDIT: I've seen some reviews that say the Antec 902 and the CM 690 II won't fit 5970s. Boo.

EDIT2: Just measured my current case (a Lian Li PC 201B) which is 24x8x23. So none of these cases are significantly smaller :/

 

[Druneau]

I'm currently using a thermaltake element S.

I'm running it with the front HDD cage removed and 1 SSD in one of the two 2.5" drive spots left after removal of the main HDD cage.

This lesves me with two 120mm fans in front unobstructed, the 140mm rear exhaust and the top 200mm which comes with the case.

As for it being "small" I find it's a bit too large. but not bad to live with. It has bulging plastic panels so it does take more space than a standard case.

the cable routing holes provided are "adequate" but not extreme. they are logically placed for most standard components.

I like the fact that the 5.25" bays are not toolless. Less clutter.

 

[foobar490440]

I'm currently using a thermaltake element S.

...

I like the fact that the 5.25" bays are not toolless. Less clutter.

Yeah, toolless doesn't matter too much to me. I always have a screwdriver on hand and it means less proprietary crap to buy. I like the Element S because it has no dumb LEDs on it and I like it's understated Lian Li like looks.

My only fear is that the 5970 (an inch longer than your 5870) won't fit unless I take out the hdd tray, which probably means I'll need some quiet vibration dampened 3.5" to 5.25" hard drive mounts, which adds cost.

 

[WorldExclusive]

I'll go with the Cooler Master cases when it comes to cable management for a mid-tower.
The 922 and Sniper gets my vote. They can also fit a 5970.

 

[Omerta]

go with the Haf 922. It has better cable management than the antec 902.

 

[foobar490440]

For those with the HAF 922, are the expansion card slot covers replacable? Like if I take them out, can I screw them back in? On some cases, those covers are the kind where you bend em back and forth to take em out and then you cant put them back.

 

[Blazestorm]

For those with the HAF 922, are the expansion card slot covers replacable? Like if I take them out, can I screw them back in? On some cases, those covers are the kind where you bend em back and forth to take em out and then you cant put them back.

They're replacable... only cheap $20-30 cases have those cheap slot covers

Even then you can buy ones to replace the ones that you removed.

 

[Ajhayter]

I've picked up a Lian Li PC-P50 recently.

Plenty of cable hiding spaces, and good air flow. Aluminium too, so very light.

They are about £100 inc tax

Just looked on NewEgg and it seems quite a bit steeper for you at $150USD

 

[Computer Ed]

EDIT: I've seen some reviews that say the Antec 902 and the CM 690 II won't fit 5970s. Boo.:/

While I am not sure about the CM I know this is false with the 900 and 902. You see both cases have a modular design on their drive bays which means they can be moved around. It is possible to reconfigure the drive bays and the leave an open 5.25" area where needed to let the longer card fit.

 

[dizolit]

I'll go with the Cooler Master cases when it comes to cable management for a mid-tower.
The 922 and Sniper gets my vote. They can also fit a 5970.

While cable management is great on the sniper, it is by far not small or light. It is wider and taller than pretty much every midtower there is and relatively heavy (but it has handles!). Great case though unless you are a little girl with spaghetti arms .