Need a new case with good airflow

S

strebor

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
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113
Well at the recommdation of people here (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1026238405#post1026238405), I have realized many of my CPU issues have to do with my case (a Raidmax 268WBP). I am planning on purchasing a new one but I am torn between ones to get. Basically, I want one that has awesome airflow, a window (don't laugh at me, I know I know), and black would be nice but silver is cool too. Otherwise I'm pretty open.

The ones I am seriously considering right now are the Antec Super Lanboy (I go back and forth with its looks), and the Kingwin KT-424-BK-WM. Does anyone else have any good recommdations? I'd like not to spend too much, no more than $100.

Thanks.
 
The KT-424 is an awesome case. I bought one for my son's comp and almost kept it for myself and gave him my Coolermaster. The one thing that held me back though was the fact that it only comes with 3 case fans. If you don't mind modding the case a bit it wouldnt be any problem to put a blow hole in it. If you don't wanna mod then this case may not have enough airflow for you.
 
I am pretty set now on the KT-424, how are your temps in it without the blowhole? I would be willing to mod it if I get a little practice, but I don't have time immediatly to do so.
 
strebor said:
I am pretty set now on the KT-424, how are your temps in it without the blowhole? I would be willing to mod it if I get a little practice, but I don't have time immediatly to do so.
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Unless you plan to duct blow hole directly to CPU in that case, you won't see much gain other than more dust :p
Antec cases are decent but their air intake is severely restricted with the HDD mechanism they have. Kingwin definiely is good choice.
If you would like something fancier, I use Lian-Li PC V1000 B. Awesome cooling over all. Not like those forced high speed fan cases where its better than leaving outside of case but its darn close to leaving components out of case :) (talking maybe 1c diff between side panel on or off) Window might not be so easy though.
 
strebor said:
I am pretty set now on the KT-424, how are your temps in it without the blowhole? I would be willing to mod it if I get a little practice, but I don't have time immediatly to do so.
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Temps are fine in this case. But my son's comp isn't a bleeding edge of technology rig either. He has a 1900+ XP on an Asus A7V266-E board. Seems to work just fine for his needs. My rig generates a lot more heat than his. (check my sig) And I just didn't think that 3 case fans would be able to handle it. Maybe it could but I didn't want to go through the hassle of switching everything out to find out.
 
jinu117 said:
Unless you plan to duct blow hole directly to CPU in that case, you won't see much gain other than more dust :p
Antec cases are decent but their air intake is severely restricted with the HDD mechanism they have.
Not like those forced high speed fan cases where its better than leaving outside of case but its darn close to leaving components out of case :) (talking maybe 1c diff between side panel on or off) Window might not be so easy though.
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If you're looking at an Antec Case, you should also consider the 3700AMB. The BQE has better grills for airflow, but if you're like me you'll cut them out anyway.

The 3700AMB looks just like the lanboy cases only it's a little bigger (not by much though), and the drive cage is inline with the fron case fan so that airflow isn't disrupted nearly as much.

My case temps actually RISE when I take the side off. Kind of strange, but the Case temp reading actually increses by about 2c when I take the side off...and they go back down once I put the side back on.
 
If you do get the KT-424, be sure to cut out the stamped fan grills, they're pretty restrictive. The drawback though is that when I removed the front ones, air flow increased significantly and thus dust collects a lot faster on the mesh intake grill and the filter behind it. I end up having to clean the fan filter every 1 to 2 weeks, and wipe the dust off the front every few days. I got the black KT-424, but now I'm thinking a silver one might not loook as dusty. I keep my computer near the floor though in a carpeted room, so maybe that's why.
 
I plan to use my LED fans from my current case for it. Is it really difficult to get the two front fans off to replace them?

And when you say the stamped fan grills, are they on the fans or on the case itself?
 
Lian Li V1000. Includes 2 x 120mm fans

edit: just noticed you wouldn't want to spend more than 100. I suggest the sonata
 
I would advise against the Kingwin if you are looking for "awesome" airflow. 3x8cm fans is not what I would consider awesome. I have a LianLi PC61 which is what that case is trying to rip off and I can tell you even with 4x8cm in this case it's quite hot.

I would recommend a case with 120mm intake and exhaust, such as the Sonata, 3700AMB, or 3700BQE.

Also, if you really wanna pimp the airflow... get yourself this bad boy, and install a baybus so it won't be so loud all the time..

http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/cas-01.html
 
The stamped fan grills are part of the case structure themselves ... They're stamped like some Lian-Li's. A pretty horrible shape, causes turbulence and doesn't allow for much air to go through.

I used LED fans up front too, you just need to pop the Lian-Li type fan pushpins off with a small knife slowly and carefully to avoid scratching the case. Getting the new LED fan up close to the front is kind of hard also since there is no removeable hard drive cage, but it definitely is possible.

But what Stellar says is true, 3x8cm fans is definitely not "awesome" airflow. I get better temps with my side panel off, despite removing the stamped fan grills. 2x120mm fans are always going to be better in a well designed case. I say well designed because the Sonata although very nice looking, has a restrictive front intake.

If you're not in a rush, the Chenbro Gaming Bomb II looks interesting but not released yet, I mentioned this in a different thread too. 2x120mm fans and a window, pricing unknown at the moment though.

Official press release: http://www.chenbro.com.tw/PR/GBII.jsp

Google "Chenbro Gaming Bomb II" and you can find better photos, I didn't directly link to them because they're mostly posted in other forums.
 
i have a chieftec dragon mid tower...great comes with 4 80mm fan locations..in there i put 2x ystech 53cfm fans...1x80mm dellta she and 1x80mm tornado...
very nice..and yes..before someone points it out..it is loud...that is why i invested in a fan controller
lol
 
Thanks for clarifying that. I think when I do get a new case, I will be cutting those mesh things out. I will also do it to my current case after I get the pieces out so I can reuse it for another system I want to built (plus I can't have my computer not up for a long time, need it for school).

The Chenbro Gaming Bomb II looks very nice, I'm going to look up some more about it but I really like its looks and it sounds like a great case. Thanks for the tip.

Would it be anyway possible to put a 120mm fan in that Kingwin case, or even the one I currently have?
 
Should be plenty of room on the top panel for 120mm blow hole. And would be a fairly easy mod. As for the 80mm fan locations, it would be more dificult to put a 120mm in there. But if you bought a PSU with a 120mm fan in it then it would probably increase airflow considerably. Hmmmm, now you got me thinking...didn't figure on the PSU fan before. I might have to swap after all. :rolleyes:

The Kingwin is just a very user friendly, cool looking case, with questionable airflow. You'll be happy with this case if you decide to buy it.
 
I will be cutting those mesh things out.
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I meant cutting the stamped fan grills, it's not mesh :confused: ...

Instead of a nice hole 80mm in diameter the KT-424 grills are stamped in like rings ... look at a photo of the rear of the case on newegg and you'll know what I mean. I cut that inner part out to make a nice 80mm hole to improve airflow then put on a less restrictive wire grill to prevent my fingers from getting chopped off. The mesh intake on the front is a nice part of the case, not something you would want to remove.
 
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