Can't decide on full tower

unnddd

unnddd

unnddd

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At the moment I'm trying to decide on a case for my first build. Size isn't a concern, so I'm looking at those on the large side for future upgradability.

So far, I've narrowed it down to three options, but I'm having trouble deciding upon which to choose.

The first case is the Cooler Master ATCS 840 in black, which I can get refurbished for £112.50 .

The second option I'm looking at is a Lian Li PC-A70B, which is £141.83 new.

Last is the Cooler Master HAF-X for £148.34 new.

Out of the three, which do you think is the best option, and why? Are there any other suggestions you would make?

Thanks,
unnddd
 
i've got the pc-a70, awesome case, bags of room etc etc :)

can't vouch for the other ones, but i have to say the atcs 840 does look nice also...
 
Are there any other Lian-Li full towers below £150 new/refurbished? I missed out on a used PC-A71F a few weeks back. The winning bidder got it for £120 including delivery.
 
Cooler Master HAF-X I'd get if you don't mind the looks etc has some important features such as 360 rad in roof 9 pci slots big fans so more cfm per db usb 3.0 exaggerated side panel so cable management not an issue I'd prefer one without that side fan though.
Only downsides seem to be the looks so if you like those or can live with it then I'd get it.

The Lian li and coolermaster are both great cases and any of those would be good just comes down to whether you wants looks and style over out and out performance and versatility.
 
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I guess being able to see them in person would help me decide, but all of my local computer shops (in North London) are the type that stock a single generic tower. Does anyone know any computer shops in London that stock a good range of Lian Li and Cooler Master cases?

Thanks
 
unnddd said:
I guess being able to see them in person would help me decide, but all of my local computer shops (in North London) are the type that stock a single generic tower. Does anyone know any computer shops in London that stock a good range of Lian Li and Cooler Master cases?

Thanks
Click to expand...

only place I can think of that you might see some are tottenham court road but imo not worth the journey or hassle last time I was up there almost all the shops had were a few antecs.
search youtube for vids and opinions on cases best bet.
 
unnddd said:
Out of the three, which do you think is the best option, and why?
Click to expand...
What other requirements you have?

Like classic styling or butt ugly bling bling toy look?

Silencing potential?
(major differences)

Considering getting lots of storage space/using RAID?
(HDD bay numbers differing considerably despite of similar size)
 
EsaT said:
What other requirements you have?

Like classic styling or butt ugly bling bling toy look?

Silencing potential?
(major differences)

Considering getting lots of storage space/using RAID?
(HDD bay numbers differing considerably despite of similar size)
Click to expand...

In terms of styling, I like plain, classic styling better than the 'bling bling toy' look.

Silencing shouldn't be too important, but it is something to consider, and I wouldn't want something that sounds like a jet engine.

HDD bays aren't important as long as there are a minimum of about 4.

Other requirements:

-I don't know if I'm going to get a modular PSU or not, so it would be nice to have somewhere to hide the excess cables.

-I'm planning to get a Corsair H50 - I don't think any cases will have any problems with this though.


Right now I'm looking at a Lian Li PC-B10 on an auction site. If I can pick it up for about £80, I think it's a very good case despite being mid tower. It's completely tool-less and should meet my needs now and in the future. To be honest, I highly doubt I'll ever buy an E-ATX motherboard or do quad-SLI.

Can anyone recommend any other Lian Li mid/full tower cases?

Thanks
 
If you get a lian li pcb10 for £80 that is a true bargain if not take a look at the new lian li pc-9f if you are now looking at midish towers.
 
C64 said:
If you get a lian li pcb10 for £80 that is a true bargain if not take a look at the new lian li pc-9f if you are now looking at midish towers.
Click to expand...

The PC-B10 went to someonw else for £100 including delivery, after I decided that I wouldn't get it for more than £80. Right now I'm looking at the PC-A70F, which I've found new for less than £150 including delivery. I think it's well worth it over the PC-B10, but there's also the ATCS 840 refurbished for £112.50...

What are the big differences between the Lian Li and Coolermaster cases?
 
tbh mate get the cooler master that is a bargain price for that case I wouldn't think twice at that price
be warned though it is HUGE
 
C64 said:
tbh mate get the cooler master that is a bargain price for that case I wouldn't think twice at that price
be warned though it is HUGE
Click to expand...

I'm worried that I'll regret not spending an extra £35 to get the Lian Li. There are a few things I like about the A70F better, such as the completely tool-less design and the amount of Lian Li accessories I can get for it. I think what would help is if someone who has experience with both cases could tell me more about them...
 
Got a Lian Li A70F here, the tool less system is very good, particularly the hdd mounting, though for an optical drive you still do need 2 screws on one side, as there are only quick release clamps on one side, ease of access to the front fan filters is extremely quick, stock fans are pretty good, the pcie clamping system is very well designed and gives a good secure fit.
 
Difference between normal ATX mid tower and E-ATX full tower is this:
http://www.pc-experience.de/Bilder-Reviews/Lian6/lian.32.jpg (PC-B10)
http://www.pc-experience.de/Bilder-Reviews/Lian44/lian.32.jpg (PC-A70/71F)
HD5870 might be very tight fit in PC-B10... and with any kind gaming graphics card there goes the working space.
ATCS 840 has similar space to PC-A70.

Corsair H50 should fit to any case with 12cm fan near CPU
For PSU there just isn't much sense in getting PSU with fixed cable spaghetti especially if you're not going to need that many connectors for drives and devices.

Those jet turbines are reserved for graphics card coolers so without blocked direct noise escape paths they don't stay quiet in much any use than desktop. (although competed by those "quiet" 1500+ rpm fans used by some)
HAF and other cheese graters are acoustically like non existing wall between apartments and stay quiet only if there isn't anything noise creating in the first place.
Already single direct noise escape path is enough to destroy most noise containing abiltiy. ATCS 840's front cover has edge in there over A70F's open front but again its top is in practise fully open.
PC-A70F's door equipped version A71F is pretty much the biggest available fully silencing friendly case with every feature needed for that and missing only mass damping (easy to add unlike fixing bad design) for getting to Antec P18x like noise containing ability. (for some reason accessing air filters is just lot harder than in original A71)

And don't worry about cooling ability differences. When avoiding "getting Hummer as shopping bag" like bad efficiency parts/overclocking "to eleven in ten leve scale" any modern case with decent design works and proper silencing design doesn't hinder cooling much any... actually allows running case fans faster than with direct noise escape path.

unnddd said:
To be honest, I highly doubt I'll ever buy an E-ATX motherboard or do quad-SLI.
Click to expand...
Easier and cheaper to just buy electric heater than multiple graphics cards... it also retains its resale value lot better.
But E-ATX depth guarantees enough space for any graphics card, with good working space still left.


unnddd said:
such as the completely tool-less design
Click to expand...
Tool-less is often pain in the neck with 5.25" devices although at least Lian Li's expansion card locking system made of metal doesn't decay unlike common plastic clip.

But Lian Li's replaceable parts and accessories are useful for increasing useful life of the case, I/O port module can be changed for getting new/updated ports and I myself got PCI cooling kit for keeping those three cards happier.
Without need for more HDD bays that's only notable advantage of PC-A70F over ATCS 840.
 
EsaT said:
Difference between normal ATX mid tower and E-ATX full tower is this:
http://www.pc-experience.de/Bilder-Reviews/Lian6/lian.32.jpg (PC-B10)
http://www.pc-experience.de/Bilder-Reviews/Lian44/lian.32.jpg (PC-A70/71F)
HD5870 might be very tight fit in PC-B10... and with any kind gaming graphics card there goes the working space.
ATCS 840 has similar space to PC-A70.

Corsair H50 should fit to any case with 12cm fan near CPU
For PSU there just isn't much sense in getting PSU with fixed cable spaghetti especially if you're not going to need that many connectors for drives and devices.

Those jet turbines are reserved for graphics card coolers so without blocked direct noise escape paths they don't stay quiet in much any use than desktop. (although competed by those "quiet" 1500+ rpm fans used by some)
HAF and other cheese graters are acoustically like non existing wall between apartments and stay quiet only if there isn't anything noise creating in the first place.
Already single direct noise escape path is enough to destroy most noise containing abiltiy. ATCS 840's front cover has edge in there over A70F's open front but again its top is in practise fully open.
PC-A70F's door equipped version A71F is pretty much the biggest available fully silencing friendly case with every feature needed for that and missing only mass damping (easy to add unlike fixing bad design) for getting to Antec P18x like noise containing ability. (for some reason accessing air filters is just lot harder than in original A71)

And don't worry about cooling ability differences. When avoiding "getting Hummer as shopping bag" like bad efficiency parts/overclocking "to eleven in ten leve scale" any modern case with decent design works and proper silencing design doesn't hinder cooling much any... actually allows running case fans faster than with direct noise escape path.

Easier and cheaper to just buy electric heater than multiple graphics cards... it also retains its resale value lot better.
But E-ATX depth guarantees enough space for any graphics card, with good working space still left.


Tool-less is often pain in the neck with 5.25" devices although at least Lian Li's expansion card locking system made of metal doesn't decay unlike common plastic clip.

But Lian Li's replaceable parts and accessories are useful for increasing useful life of the case, I/O port module can be changed for getting new/updated ports and I myself got PCI cooling kit for keeping those three cards happier.
Without need for more HDD bays that's only notable advantage of PC-A70F over ATCS 840.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the extensive analysis, but what do you suggest I buy? I'm worried that if I buy the ATCS 840, I'll have to buy a new case when USB 3.0 becomes commonplace. With the Lian Li on the other hand, I'll just be able to buy an upgrade kit as you suggested.

It is true that the A71F probably offers slightly superior sound dampening, but that comes at the expense of having to open a front door to access optical drives and the on/off switch. Also, it's considerably more expensive.

Other than the accessories, there are other advantages to the A70F such as the single thumbscrew motherboard installation.

I don't know a lot about the ATCS. Does it have any advantages over the Lian Li? If there isn't that much difference, does the Lian Li warrant an extra £45?

Thanks for all of the posts so far.
 
Just to keep everyone updated, I ended up buying a Lian Li PC-X1000B. My reasons are as follows:

- The design of the case is simply amazing.
- I will mainly be aircooling, so I wanted a case with great airflow, but without the flashy LEDs or other toy-like features.
- I will be able to replace the top connectors with USB 3.0 when it comes out properly.
- It was cheap, and I can sell it without a loss despite the postage and auction fees if I ever decide it isn't the case for me. In addition, it is likely to retain its value for a very long time to come.

I will keep you updated about what I think of the case once I receive it. Thanks to everyone for their posts.
 
Coolermaster all the way

I've got the ATCS 840 and I love it - light, HUUUUGGEE to fit everything in and massive cooling potential.

Removable mobo tray and mobo cut-out for CPU Cooler bracket top it off.

Looks great and has sooooo much space for extra fans if you're running on air. I love it and will be hanging onto it until it falls apart (if it ever does!)
 
im running the jeantech phantom atm. got it pretty cheap 22 quid brand new. bargain. you'd defo want to go for a full size tower not a mini one or so.
 
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