Cheapest cable management case?

Razor-BladE · 26 Jul 2010 at 16:21

For my new build i'm looking for a case with cable management, but dont want to spend much. I know the coolermaster scout has it, but is there anything cheaper? Or better around the same price if there isn't much cheaper? Or less 'fancy'; something plainer.

Also (for another build), which is better, the CM Elite 330, 334, or 335, or would it be better spending a tenner more getting the Antec 300?

Stripes · 26 Jul 2010 at 17:18

I know that a lot of the NZXT's range have cable management, including the Beta Evo and Gamma. The Akasa Freedom Xone was probably the best budget case with cable management options available until the price was hiked/it went out of stock.

Muel · 26 Jul 2010 at 17:50

The Antec 300 is useless for cable management, unless you chop holes in it. If you do that you can get it really good.

Lodgeinator · 26 Jul 2010 at 18:53

Try the NZXT m59, cheap and has good cable management (no designed hole for the 4/8 pin but you can route the cable through the hole which is ment to be used for heatsink backplate changing).

1234543212345 · 26 Jul 2010 at 19:39

Muel said:
The Antec 300 is useless for cable management, unless you chop holes in it. If you do that you can get it really good.

really easy aswell just drill a few 200mm holes in it and your good to go.

beefybarn · 26 Jul 2010 at 21:15

Yes, but why chop holes in a brand new case when so many come with them already, get your act together Antec.

Eclectic · 26 Jul 2010 at 22:47

Because its fun, man!

MeatLoaf · 26 Jul 2010 at 23:48

Look at the akasa freedom xone seems good for cable management. The Coolermaster 335 is not i have one, check out my pics in the new cases gallery and show us your case thread

Infam0us · 26 Jul 2010 at 23:52

Lancool K52

Muel · 27 Jul 2010 at 00:28

Eclectic said:
Because its fun, man!

Sactly.

Hence all the work I did to my 300 to make it look nice. My new motherboard spoilt all that though.

Razor-BladE · 27 Jul 2010 at 04:24

Should have clarified really. The choice between elite 330, 334, 335 and antec 300 was just for another build, not looking for cable management for that one. And i don't have time/experience/equipment to make my own holes anyway.

I'll have a look at those cases though. Any more?

Cursed · 27 Jul 2010 at 09:38

The Fractal Design Define R2 is around a similar price to the Scout but has a plainer design. The cable management is quite good.

shadowscotland · 27 Jul 2010 at 09:58

Everyone has (or know someone) with a drill.
buy/borrow a large drill bit / dremel cutting disk / sandpaper / file yourself and your good to go.
If your stuck (and west london) you can borrow mine, but I'm sure your dad / friend / landlord has one.

But your point about cutting up a new case is valid - but the point of modeling a case (as with oc'ing)
is to make a cheap stock item into something equal to its MUCH higher price bracket brothers

Razor-BladE · 27 Jul 2010 at 10:54

Yeah my mates dad is a builder so he has enough drills lol. But i just don't have time/cbb to wait.

But for a case without cable management what's better, the Antec 300 or one of the Elite cases?

Marvin · 27 Jul 2010 at 10:56

NZXT Gamma has plenty of cable management opportunities, plus plenty of airflow. Same as most NZXT cases really. And only £35.

Razor-BladE · 27 Jul 2010 at 15:25

The Akasa Xone looks pretty good actually, but i read on a review that it's not that great at keeping things cool?

The Fractal Design one is a bit more than i would like to spend.

Edit: Actually, i think i'll bite the bullet on the NZXT Gamma for the cheaper build. But i think i want something better than that for my build.

Edit2: I don't think i'll get a better case than the Scout for the price actually.. I might just go for it, and take the LED fans off the side or turn it off. And then i'll have to colour coordinate the components.

Razor-BladE · 28 Jul 2010 at 03:34

Ok how about the CM 690 or CM 690 II Lite? A bit over what i want to pay, but willing to pay for it.
So the Scout, CM-690 or CM-690 II Lite?

chipps101 · 28 Jul 2010 at 18:13

for a case without cable management the elite cases are better than the 300 as with the psu at the top you just put the dvd drive in the second bay down and hide all excess cables in the top dvd bay nice and out of the way like this -

and they have tool less drive bays which are quite good

Andrew G · 29 Jul 2010 at 22:26

Muel said:
The Antec 300 is useless for cable management, unless you chop holes in it. If you do that you can get it really good.

I would have to disagree, I have an Antec 300 rev1 and recently done a few build for friends in Antec 300's rev2(has a few more holes plus heat sink back plate hole). There is a nice cubby hole behind the hard drive bay area that you can run you cabels into and out of. A few cable tie sticky block and cable ties and you are golden. Considering the price I think its a great case.

Here is my effort without a modular PSU either...

Muel · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:06

I suppose this is where peoples ideas of good cable management varies.

That's not a bad build by any means, but this is an enthusiasts forum, and what I see there is far too many visible cables.

Realise I'm posting this way too often now, but one more! This is mine, and it's still not as neat as I would like. My 24pin and 4 pin extenders aren't in, and I want to hide the front fan cables too.

Since that pic however, I have got a new motherboard so it looks a right mess. Given up on it now though, it just works, so I'm happy with it.