Tough PC Case decision (Please see inside)

[VenomousDesigns]

Good evening,

I come to you with a small delimma on my hands, I am faced at buying a new PC Case for my system - This system was the first time I've built one, and its gone quite well up until this point, not to go into details but the case I'm currently using now has NO fans (3 yearold hand me down) and I decided instead of spending $80 (Australian) on new fans I would invest in a new case altogether.

Although exciting whenever it comes to purchasing new PC parts, the doom and gloom soon sets in - Which is the best, should I get this, should I get that etc (The same philosophy can be applied to whenever we spend money ).

BUT to the point - I BELIEVE I've narrowed it down to two cases; the Coolermaster HAF 932 or the ATCS 840. Having read EVERY review to date on both machines (yes, over 8 hours of solid reading across the board no jokes) I am back where I began, as one review put:

Unfortunately, its like comparing to fine automobiles and trying to “prove” one is better than the other. On the one hand you have the equivalent of an American Muscle car and on the other hand you have a Jaguar E-Type. Both are great in their own way and both have their pros and cons.

Currently my computer specs are:

CPU: E8400 with Noctua NH-U12P Heatsink Cooler
Mobo: P5Q Pro
GPU: 8800GTX - Soon to be GTX285/295
PSU: Corsair HX620w
Sound: Audigy 2 ZS
HDD: 1x 1TB, 1x 300GB Samsung 7200rpm 32mb Cache HDD

I come to you with my hands open - if one of you were currently in the market for a new Gaming/Performance case which would you choose? I LOVE the design/exterior of the HAF 932 but with no dust filters it worries me, on the OTHER hand the ATCS 840 has higher temperatures etc.

Please refer to a recent Coolermaster Sniper review that shows graphs comparing a number of up-to-date cases [Basically shows the HAF 932 with better temperature ALL round]:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2009/01/12/cooler-master-storm-sniper-review/4

Also note worthy is another comment from another review concerning the ATCS 840:

We think the difference in performance between our top performers and the ATCS 840 has likely been caused by the sheer size of the case. All our other top performing cases, the HAF 932 especially, tightly surround the CPU and GPU with exhaust or intake fans, drawing heat directly off of, or blowing cool air directly onto the CPU cooler and our test set up’s passive GPU heatsink.

The problem is that the ATCS 840 has become a victim of its size; the primary 230mm cooling fans are placed comparatively far away from the core hardware and so have limited effect in directing airflow off of or on to the sources of heat.

Thanks,
VD

 

[-=WooDWorKeR420=-]

My nod would go with the ATCS 840. I think it looks better!
Best of luck with your choice!

 

[Drakan290]

I personally think the HAF looks better, that would be the deciding factor for me.

 

[VenomousDesigns]

It also depends on how much real estate you are looking for. Do you want something with lots of room like a full tower? Or would you prefer something smaller like a mid? Does Mobo orientation or power supply location make any difference?

To be honest, no I don't need alot of room - as long as it can fit the specifications I posted above, and the general roll of upgrades that are no doubt to roll in over the 2-3 years I'd like to have this case for.

Mobo orientation nor PSU placement worry me, as long as I am getting the best configurable air-flow and temperatures I'm happy - moreso I won't be removing/adding things constantly ethier (just when my bank account can )

Re: Your suggestions for Silverstone and Lian Li - both of those cases you mentioned above are considerable older compared to say the ATCS 840 - going on the general rule of thumb for tech, newer is always better? Wouldn't the ATCS 840 field the same features with better air-flow etc?

@Drakan290 - I do love the look of the HAF 932 ay.. if only you could have that mesh look with the dust filters. If I was looking at the HAF 932, dare I even bring the CM Sniper into the equation...?

 

[stevedave]

I'll throw this out there, just because it looks good.
Thermaltake V9 Black Edition

 

[kencheeto]

http://techgage.com/article/silverstone_ft01_mid-tower/

Silverstone FT01?

 

[memnoch_thedevil]

I wonder how come that bit-tech review didn't include the Antec 1200 in that series?

I have the 1200, and I love it, but I am already starting to look towards other cases again. Having to take both side panels off of the case, and then undo 8 screws per bay to get to the fan filter to clean it, is just a pita. It should be a door that swings open on the front, making it easier to access, or a pull out filter kind of like that $600 ABS beast, but that's just too much to spend on a case lol...

On the other hand though, my main oc'd pc runs at 28 celsius idle.

The new Thermaltake Spedo Advanced looks promising. The HDD bays face out, has a fan placement behind the cpu like the 690, and separate bays for the different hot zones. I would like to see that one up close...I just stumbled across this one too, and it looks clean as well. Much improved design, and I like that the HDD bay is direction-free, that is nice...

 

[TeeJay88]

Go With the Atcs 840.
Ive Owned 3 Cooler master Cases. They've all done well.
I Currently have an 830 stacker. I Debated the 830 stacker over the atcs 840 fore my core i7 build, and the stacker won.
Just be carefull cooler master has horrible customer support, im still waiting on there replay for the cracks in the window and the bent hard drive cage.
The HAF just seems flimsy like the cm 690 was(i have that to. currently modding it)

 

[jordo_99]

I personally think the HAF 932 looks cooler. I don't really like 80mm fans, but if you could get a 160mm fan to replace the 4x80mm on the side panel it'd be heaven.

 

[prasvt]

Yeah I think the HAF looks cooler, but the ATCS has space for a triple rad like my Cosmos S, which I think is a great case as well. Spacious, good airflow, pretty.

 

[faugusztin]

I hate the look of HAF (plus i double hate 23cm fans), so that is out of question in my case .And when i was choosing my next case, i was actually looking at ATCS840, but it have one major flaw in my eyes - the upper side. Yes, that port tray is nice, power buttons are nice - but wtf with that break after it and wtf with those fans here. It looks ugly!!! So i was looking again on LL, and i ordered a PC-V1110 at the end. Yes, no power buttons at top - but in other factors it is way ahead of ATCS840, and price diff is not that high (277 vs 313 euro).

 

[tong]

Own the acts and am currently building a HAF for a buddy of mine, would of gotten the HAF myself but the side panel was ugly.

To the person who said 4 x 80mm it's actually a single 230mm it comes with with the ability to use 4x120mm fans.

Get yourself some Dryer sheets and use them as filters, use a used "filter" up front so it doesn;t dim the LED works fantastic. I skipped the filter on the side panel due to aesthetics.

However if you do decide to go with the ACTS I'll try to get a pic of a slight "adaptation" that i did that lowers the temperatures drastically.

The only regrets i have with the ACTS is: Length of case, the 3.5" bay adapter is steel (only thing out of steel) and weight, weighs more than the HAF. The length of the ACTS is actually aggravating me, the HAF is not as long.

Like i said i'll take pics of either one if you want, however i'd go with the HAF and use dryer sheets as filters. I personally think the side panel is HIDEOUS.

 

[Merc187]

I would go with the HAF, first your looking at a $100 difference. The HAF has a side 230 mm fan which the other does not. The other case looks quite nice, the inside is almost identical but for the money id go with the half. Buy the case, get a good can of krylon, take all the panels off and paont the frame flat black, then 2 coats of clear. let it dry overnight, build your system and enjoy a well priced case with alot of options. lots of space and an overall excellent look. To anyone knocking the 230mm fans, i would rather enjoy the noiseless 230 mm fan vs 4 120mm fans.

I would definaely say HAF all the way, for $150.00 priced case.

 

[Merc187]

hrere are some pics of the HAF

 

[dtess17]

I think the 840 is the better looking of the two, and seems to offer some pretty good cooling. The other case mentioned FT-01 is also worthy of consideration. I think they both offer some pretty cool features. I'm debating between these and and Lian Li myself.
I'm thinking i might go the silverstone route myself

 

[VenomousDesigns]

Thanks for all your wonderful replies - just got in from work then (Im live Down Under ) and I'm about to go buy one of these beasts.

Having read all the comments posted here, the HAF 932 looks like its getting more feedback, and the idea of getting aftermarket air filters seems a good idea (be it stockings/tights).

One question I do have for the HAF 932 is, how does one clean it and how often? Also with the Coolermaster Sniper just around the corner, do you think I should wait? Or is the Sniper just a cheap mockoff to attract newbie 'Gamers'?

For the ATCS 840 owner - due to its higher temperatures, when compared to the HAF 932 - is that simply due to the lack of the Side Fan? Do you think it is worth trying to mod a suitable Side Fan to its Panel? Also, do you think the additional HDD Fans and Bottom fan would lower the temperatures to the range of the HAF 932 or would the HAF 932 still surpass it? (Im talkin the 2x120mm HDD and 120mm behind the PSU)?

PS. I would LOVE to see pictures of ur alteration to the 840, I've got maybe 2hrs before I go out and buy one, hopefully your around

Thanks,
VD

 

[Asmodeus801]

The new CM sniper is decent. Lots of airflow, and lots of filters.

If you get the ATCS 840, reverse one of the top fans so it blows on the CPU cooler, and leave the other as an exhaust. That should help with the lack of airflow in the case. Also, if you do that, you may want to see if you can find a filter for that fan.

 

[auceny]

Yeah I think the HAF looks cooler, but the ATCS has space for a triple rad like my Cosmos S, which I think is a great case as well. Spacious, good airflow, pretty.

I say HAF and to prasvt the HAF is also made for triple rad up top...i have one in mine.

 

[ruu]

I think you should just pick the one that looks better or that you like better, logic and public opinion be damned. Fan filters and airflow and things like that are only a minor consideration---once you get past a certain basic level of functionality and acceptable standards, you can always tweak and hack apart the case and paint it different colors and whatnot.

And dust isn't a that much of a problem if you're conscientious about cleaning your case out every month or so.

Personally, I think they both look hideous, lol.

 

[tong]

Wish i had the case out to take pics of the ACTS for you but lets see what i can do for you.

Your statement:
"Also with the Coolermaster Sniper just around the corner, do you think I should wait? Or is the Sniper just a cheap mockoff to attract newbie 'Gamers'?" IS DEAD ON. junk case IMHO

The higher tems of the ACTS is the sheer size of it in combination with bad mathmatical fan calculations: Top 2x230 exhaust each moving 77cfm of air = 154 + 1x120mm rear exhaust moving 40cfm = almost 200cfm in EXHAUST and only 1x230mm sucking in at 77cfm.... need i say more? Even if you add the bottom fan to is (if you try to keep it silent at a reasonable 40cfm on a 120mm fan) you still only hit 117ish cfm. Still doesn't add. Add the two 120's near the HDD rack? still not enough air moving INTO the case to realy make those usefull, all those do is move air inside the case.

The HAF is more than enough case, i would of purchased it but like i said the side panel is FUGLY.

My mod: not realy a mod cost me 3 bux and 2 fan screws. I went to home depot and baught some L brakets (come in packages of 4 and was like $2.83) in lew of screwing another 120mm fan on the existing rear 120mm fan so it could blow air onto the processor area. This is my board : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128352 and basicly i was looking to blow air onto the passive NB because it was hitting about 120F under load. Well ended up that if i placed the fan with two brackets hanging onto the existing fan into both holes (wow this is starting to not make sense) it would interfere with my water tubes... so i decided to only hang it onto the existing bottom left hole of the fan and onto the top left of the new fan, it's far enough out to clear my radeon 4850 and is spaced so it blows air on both the NB and the vidcard *using the top vid slot. So i got a bonus i get to also help cool my vidcard. Basically i got a new 120mm fan at a 90degree angle from the existing exhaust fan hanging onto the bottom hole of the exhaust fan. Dropped my temps to about 95F under load. Yeah that explanation sucks, will try to get pics up sooner.

If you like the look of the HAF I would say purchase that case.

I apologize for the lateness of my reply but the forums have been up and down.

 

[E.T]

Fan filters and airflow and things like that are only a minor consideration---once you get past a certain basic level of functionality and acceptable standards

Bit-techs component temperature test doesn't really reflect gaming PC well: Instead of modern exhausting dual slot cooler graphic card they aren't using even one slot heat recycler/CPU heater but passively cooled card!
If graphic card does its job and kicks heat directly out from case that'll change results of especially those cases which have lower but controlled airflow instead of fans in everywhere.

And problem isn't the dust getting into case but dust getting into heatsinks. For example heatsinks of graphic cards would be very hard to clean.

The higher tems of the ACTS is the sheer size of it in combination with bad mathmatical fan calculations

It has enough airflow like ambient-case temperature comparison shows.
Question is about distribution of that airflow: Most of the exhaust capacity is at top of the case so most of the airflow goes there but where are heat producing parts? Lower and near back end of the case.
Especially foremost top fan draws out air which hasn't done anything to cool any component and because of its position it can't even really cool anything. Considering that overal results aren't bad at all.
Doing some airflow guides which force top fans to draw air from back end of case could increase CPU cooling notably.

Also different speed stock fans makes comparing results also harder without even basic noise level measurements. And neither does side fan automatically mean lower temperatures:
http://plaza.fi/muropaketti/artikke...oler-master-haf-932-ja-thermaltake-armor-mx,4
Antec wins in stress temperatures even though it doesn't have side fan. Cramming biggest possible fans randomly to as many place as you can simply isn't any miracle maker.
(even less if noise is concern)

Also with the Coolermaster Sniper just around the corner, do you think I should wait? Or is the Sniper just a cheap mockoff to attract newbie 'Gamers'?

Yeah, Sniper is meant more as cheaper gamer case.