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I'll be building a new system within the next 6 months or so and one of the toughest things to choose for me has been the case. There are a lot of good cases out there but seems they always have some big flaw that I don't like about them. I'm mostly interested in the Lian-Li/SIlverstone aluminum style cases. Here is what I would really like to see from a case. Feel free to comment.
1). For the frame, I like black and it should be completely aluminum. Mid tower for the size. However, Silverstone uses a method which I prefer for their FT01 and I think some of their other models, it is made from a single piece of aluminum making it stronger and less parts are needed and from what I hear the panels themselves are thicker/stronger than other aluminum cases. Also, anything that can be done to eliminate fingerprints or at least make them not so obvious would be good. I have worked on a Lian-Li A05B and it was pretty bad in that aspect.
2). Front I/O panel. I am really sick of seeing the front I/O panel on the top of the case instead of the front. I know some people like to have their cases on the floor but I prefer having it on the desk because of easier accessibility and less dust. Some good examples to use are like the Cooler Master HAF 932, Lian-Li PC-8B, PC60 Series, PC-A6010B. A bad example would be the FT01, not only is that on the top but it's in a hard to reach position and not ideal for USB flash drives. Also, eSATA should for sure be part of the front panel.
3). Power/reset buttons. Same deal as I/O panel, would like it be on the front, not the top.
4). Bays/Cages. I know for me I only need like two 5 1/4" drive bays, so I think the case should have three of these bays (tool less) to accommodate other things like sound card accessories and temperature monitors. I see so many cases with 4-6 of these bays and it seems like a waste of space.
For the HDD cages, I think a good idea is to have two cages, both tool less and removable. One would fit four 3.5" drives, the other would fit four 2.5" inch SSD drives, which I have never seen a case have before. For these two cages, I prefer them to sit sideways to make them easier to swap and to allow longer video cards. A good example is the Lian-Li A6010B and a bunch of their other newer cases.
Also, there should be one external 3.5" tool less bay for media card readers, etc.
5). Fans. I prefer that the case only have fans between 120mm and 180mm size because anything smaller than that can get noisy and not be very efficient with airflow, and anything bigger usually means the case has to be bigger too (or at least in some places). I prefer not to have fans on the side panels myself.
6). Modularity. I would like to see the side panels and front panel removable. Also, a removable motherboard tray would be nice. All tool less design of course, with thumb screws or any other ingenious designs that can be thought of. Also, a place to run the interior cables behind to keep the clutter free is a necessity.
That's about all I can think of right now. Their are of course othe aspects to a case but I am more open to them..the above items concern me the most. I just wish a manufacturer would make a case with all or most of those features.
1). For the frame, I like black and it should be completely aluminum. Mid tower for the size. However, Silverstone uses a method which I prefer for their FT01 and I think some of their other models, it is made from a single piece of aluminum making it stronger and less parts are needed and from what I hear the panels themselves are thicker/stronger than other aluminum cases. Also, anything that can be done to eliminate fingerprints or at least make them not so obvious would be good. I have worked on a Lian-Li A05B and it was pretty bad in that aspect.
2). Front I/O panel. I am really sick of seeing the front I/O panel on the top of the case instead of the front. I know some people like to have their cases on the floor but I prefer having it on the desk because of easier accessibility and less dust. Some good examples to use are like the Cooler Master HAF 932, Lian-Li PC-8B, PC60 Series, PC-A6010B. A bad example would be the FT01, not only is that on the top but it's in a hard to reach position and not ideal for USB flash drives. Also, eSATA should for sure be part of the front panel.
3). Power/reset buttons. Same deal as I/O panel, would like it be on the front, not the top.
4). Bays/Cages. I know for me I only need like two 5 1/4" drive bays, so I think the case should have three of these bays (tool less) to accommodate other things like sound card accessories and temperature monitors. I see so many cases with 4-6 of these bays and it seems like a waste of space.
For the HDD cages, I think a good idea is to have two cages, both tool less and removable. One would fit four 3.5" drives, the other would fit four 2.5" inch SSD drives, which I have never seen a case have before. For these two cages, I prefer them to sit sideways to make them easier to swap and to allow longer video cards. A good example is the Lian-Li A6010B and a bunch of their other newer cases.
Also, there should be one external 3.5" tool less bay for media card readers, etc.
5). Fans. I prefer that the case only have fans between 120mm and 180mm size because anything smaller than that can get noisy and not be very efficient with airflow, and anything bigger usually means the case has to be bigger too (or at least in some places). I prefer not to have fans on the side panels myself.
6). Modularity. I would like to see the side panels and front panel removable. Also, a removable motherboard tray would be nice. All tool less design of course, with thumb screws or any other ingenious designs that can be thought of. Also, a place to run the interior cables behind to keep the clutter free is a necessity.
That's about all I can think of right now. Their are of course othe aspects to a case but I am more open to them..the above items concern me the most. I just wish a manufacturer would make a case with all or most of those features.
Here's an example, but I'm sure you could find one that fits your needs better. 
