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Need a case for my first build

A

apav

Gawd
Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
524
Hey guys, so I just need to get a case to finish my build!

I was looking at this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119194

But my friend(who builds computers for a living who's been super helpful with other decisions in my build) has told me not to get this case. He thinks it looks low quality (flimsy, plasticky) and he says the cables in the case are very thick and appear to be all bunched up and messy. He told me if I'm going all out, I better get a good case, saying while this case is adequate, I should get something better.

As much as I trust his opinion, I feel like he seemed really biased against this case, so I'm asking you guys here for a second opinion.

He told me to get something like a Phantom. As much as I like the Phantom, I really want to go with this case because it seems well more ventilated (the whole front, top and side is mesh). I am looking for something that will give my case plenty of airflow to cool my parts well. But if I went with another "higher" quality case like the Phantom, would I notice a difference in the temps than in the Sniper? Or is case ventilation really not a problem at all?

Again this is my first build, so please tell me what you think of my decision, his opinion, and what I should go with? Thanks guys!
 
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I built several computers with Cooler master cases. And I love the quality of the cases. There layouts are nice and normally very practical.

I have built computers with Antec, cooler Master , Lian Li, ABS , and many more. Cm is just as good, if not better then others.
 
I agree with your friend about not getting that case but for a different reason of sorts. While that Storm Sniper is a decent case, it's a tad overpriced IMO considering that there are better quality cases for not that much more:
$140 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$170 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case

Your friend's recommendation for the Phantom case is also a good one as well. Case ventilation isn't that big of an issue as long as the case has a good airflow layout.
 
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Its not a bad case, but you can certainly get better ones for the price. The materials used for the Sniper are the same for their HAF series, which is their flagship, and those 200mm fans move quite a bit of air at a very low noise. If you can find it at a better price, either on sale, coupon, rebate, clearance etc... then I would pull the trigger. If you can't get a break, then I would probably look at the Corsaid Graphite Series 600TM (linked above in Danny Bui's post) because having the ability to run cables behind the motherboard not only gives you a clean look but reduces clutter for better airflow.
 
Okay, so I got my choices for my case!

SM Storm Sniper
Corsair 600t
NZXT Phantom(still torn over white or black)
HAF X

First 2 are mid towers others are full towers. Not sure if I need a full tower for my specs but just wondering. Notice how all my choices have mesh side panels. I would of gone for the 650D as well but its already wayy expensive for a midtower and I'd have to buy a separate mesh door for it for $20 and a 200mm fan ontop of that, so no way.

Does the 600t or Haf X have dust filters? I know the other two do.

So yea if you guys can help me with my choices below, that would be much appreciated :)
 
Hmm would the Sniper be worth it if it was on sale for something like $110 then or would you still go for something else?
 
Full towers are nice. Lots of room to work with, plenty of space to tuck and tie cables, and I love having lots of fans at low speeds. And yes, $110 makes that case a better deal. Not perfect, but certainly better.

What kind of specs are you looking at? Naturally if you plan to CFX or 3-way SLI it's not going to happen in a mid-tower. Also, if you ever want to consider liquid cooling mids don't really have the space for most radiators on the market.
 
mhenley said:
Its not a bad case, but you can certainly get better ones for the price. The materials used for the Sniper are the same for their HAF series, which is their flagship, and those 200mm fans move quite a bit of air at a very low noise. If you can find it at a better price, either on sale, coupon, rebate, clearance etc... then I would pull the trigger. If you can't get a break, then I would probably look at the Corsaid Graphite Series 600TM (linked above in Danny Bui's post) because having the ability to run cables behind the motherboard not only gives you a clean look but reduces clutter for better airflow.
Click to expand...

Take a look at this picture of the the Snipers interior and look at the front panel cables:
here

Why are the cables so thick and cluttered? And on the Sniper you can run the cables behind the motherboard as well. The side is cut out to allow more cables behind it.
 
mhenley said:
Full towers are nice. Lots of room to work with, plenty of space to tuck and tie cables, and I love having lots of fans at low speeds. And yes, $110 makes that case a better deal. Not perfect, but certainly better.

What kind of specs are you looking at? Naturally if you plan to CFX or 3-way SLI it's not going to happen in a mid-tower. Also, if you ever want to consider liquid cooling mids don't really have the space for most radiators on the market.
Click to expand...

Z68 motherboard with 2 6950's CF both unlocked, and using a Hyper 212 evo heatsink
 
They look thick and cluttered because they are. You have the fan connectors, front audio, front usb, front panel etc... all bundled in a cable orgy. Once you separate them and run then as you see fit it's a lot more manageable. Personally, I never even bothered with front audio or esata on my case (which is an Antec Twelve Hundred) and just tucked those cords behind the motherboard panel.

Also, considering that amount of heat, I'd look into full towers. Most notably ones with at least two rear +1 top exhaust, and a side panel fan that is directly over those video cards.
 
Well I meant thicker and more cluttered than most cases, my bad for not clearing that up.

Alright, full tower it is. I might just get an NZXT Phantom then and buy a separate 200mm fan or the side panel.
 
Ill agree with the full tower recommendations especially if you do lots of tweaking. I love my Antec as its well built and has good room but everytime I dive into it to replace something (I have chronic upgraditus) I punch myself in the nuts for not shelling out some more cash for a full tower.

My next build will be a full tower case and probably a Corsair.
 
apav said:
Does the 600t or Haf X have dust filters? I know the other two do.
Click to expand...
The Corsair 600T does have a dust-filter IIRC.

apav said:
Hmm would the Sniper be worth it if it was on sale for something like $110 then or would you still go for something else?
Click to expand...
Might be worth it at $110. But if I was buying for myself, I'd still go for something else like the Corsair Carbide Series 400R or 500R cases in that ~$110 price range.
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$130 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case

apav said:
HAF X
Click to expand...

IMO, the HAF X case is overpriced for what you get. That particular case would have to be around $150 before I'd start recommending it.
apav said:
Not sure if I need a full tower for my specs but just wondering. Notice how all my choices have mesh side panels.
....
I would of gone for the 650D as well but its already wayy expensive for a midtower and I'd have to buy a separate mesh door for it for $20 and a 200mm fan ontop of that, so no way.
....
Alright, full tower it is. I might just get an NZXT Phantom then and buy a separate 200mm fan or the side panel.
Click to expand...

Also, I wouldn't put much stock in the Full Tower or Mid-Tower names considering that the actual differences in size is relatively small:
22.30" x 10.00" x 21.70" - Coolermaster Storm Sniper "Mid Tower" case
23.30" x 10.40" x 20.00" - Corsair 600T "Mid Tower" case
25.74" x 8.74" x 21.32" - NZXT Phantom "Full Tower" case
23.20" x 9.10" x 21.70" - Coolermaster HAF X "Full Tower" case
21.5" x 9" x 20.5" - Corsair 650D "Mid Tower Case"
20.5" x 8.1" x 19.8" - Corsair Carbide Series 400R "Mid Tower Case"
20.5" x 8.1" x 20" - Corsair Carbide Series 500R "Mid Tower Case"
20.20" x 8.40" x 22.90" - Antec Twelve Hundred V3 "Full Tower" case
22.70" x 9.00" x 21.50" - Coolermaster HAF 932 "Full Tower" case

Just a inch or two of size difference . The whole "Full Tower" and "Mid-Tower distinctions" are pretty blurred.
 
Danny Bui said:
The Corsair 600T does have a dust-filter IIRC.


Might be worth it at $110. But if I was buying for myself, I'd still go for something else like the Corsair Carbide Series 400R or 500R cases in that ~$110 price range.
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$130 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case



IMO, the HAF X case is overpriced for what you get. That particular case would have to be around $150 before I'd start recommending it.


Also, I wouldn't put much stock in the Full Tower or Mid-Tower names considering that the actual differences in size is relatively small:
22.30" x 10.00" x 21.70" - Coolermaster Storm Sniper "Mid Tower" case
23.30" x 10.40" x 20.00" - Corsair 600T "Mid Tower" case
25.74" x 8.74" x 21.32" - NZXT Phantom "Full Tower" case
23.20" x 9.10" x 21.70" - Coolermaster HAF X "Full Tower" case
21.5" x 9" x 20.5" - Corsair 650D "Mid Tower Case"
20.5" x 8.1" x 19.8" - Corsair Carbide Series 400R "Mid Tower Case"
20.5" x 8.1" x 20" - Corsair Carbide Series 500R "Mid Tower Case"
20.20" x 8.40" x 22.90" - Antec Twelve Hundred V3 "Full Tower" case
22.70" x 9.00" x 21.50" - Coolermaster HAF 932 "Full Tower" case

Just a inch or two of size difference . The whole "Full Tower" and "Mid-Tower distinctions" are pretty blurred.
Click to expand...

Thank you! So if my budget is ~$160, what case would you go with? Right now I'm looking at the 600t or the Phantom... tough choice! Are they both overall better build than the Sniper?
 
I'd probably go with the Corsair 600T. They're overall better than the Storm Sniper IMO
 
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