Picking A Case - Some Help Please! :)

Ph4lanx

Ph4lanx

Ph4lanx

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Surrey
OK, I've been looking at a new case for a while now, and after about 3 months of looking back and forth, it's come down to the wire!

I'm looking for a black/red case (to go with my 5970!), and I've come up with the following:

BitFenix Colossus
SilverStone FT02
NZXT Phantom

All three are available in black/red and as it stands, I'm leaning more towards NZXT and SilverStone, but I honestly can't decide. NZXT have done wonders with the Phantom and both cases are within 3-4 degrees of each other for cooling. I'm wondering which to go for based on looks and rarity, I guess.

For reference, here are the cases mentioned:

BitFenix Colossus:
BitFenix-Colossus-Big-Tower-REDBLUE-LED---black-%287.jpg


Silverstone FT02R-W:
FT02R-red%20edition.jpg


NZXT Phantom:
nzxt-phantom-pc-chassis.jpg


Thoughts welcome!
 
Personally i prefer the silverstone FT02, dont like too much colour on the exterior of a case. I also love the quirky design of the silverstones internal layout.
 
Thanks for the opinions guys, keep 'em coming :)

stormbreaker, thanks for that. I've not seen that before, I will have a look at some reviews. Thanks!
 
Well, I'm impressed by the DragonLord, but not to the extent that I want it for my gaming rig.

I am, however, going to buy one for my folding rig! :D So that's sold!

Just to throw something into the mix. What do you guys think about the Corsair 600t? I know it's not black/red, but it is black! And with some nice Enermax Clusters in red, I reckon it would fit in too!

corsair-graphite-600t-mid-tower-case.jpg


I can see some nice red lighting coming from the front/top/back if I replace the white LED ones (which I've heard aren't that good anyway for cooling!).
 
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If you eventually do decide to get the FT02 limited edition, don't wait too long to get it. There is less than a hundred of them left in our European warehouse. They are already sold out in the US and in other regions.
 
SilverStone Rep said:
If you eventually do decide to get the FT02 limited edition, don't wait too long to get it. There is less than a hundred of them left in our European warehouse. They are already sold out in the US and in other regions.
Click to expand...

Hey siverstone rep, can you tell me does the standard FT02 have the updated Air Penetrator 180mm fans that come with the limited edition case yet?

Also is it worth upgrading the 120mm fan on the top to a noctua or noiseblocker for extra cooling performace?
 
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SilverStone Rep said:
If you eventually do decide to get the FT02 limited edition, don't wait too long to get it. There is less than a hundred of them left in our European warehouse. They are already sold out in the US and in other regions.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the heads up. Kind of nice to have an exclusive case like that, so I'm leaning towards this at the moment now.

However, would you happen to know when the next (possibly last) batch is being delivered to UK retailers (especially OCUK, if they have an allocation)? Everywhere I look says out of stock at the moment.
 
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Right, I've decided to order a FT02 along with an Enermax Apollish Vegas RED to replace the 120mm fan at the top and give the case a nice glow :)

Anyone here got any experience with the Apollish fans? It comes with a temperature sensor. I'm wondering where the best place to put it would be. Nearer the CPU or perhaps along the top of the case to pick up the hottest temperature and spin up quicker?
 
Ive got 2xEnermax Everest LED (twister) fans at the front of my case and an and Enermax Magma (twister) on the exhaust.
Exhaust runs from mobo signal, but the 2 front Everest LED ones at the front run off the temp control wire (which honestly isnt that long, and it limits whereyou can put the cable).
Ive got one stuck into the cooler block of the onboard GPU and the other rests between my RAM sticks.

In all honesty though, I want a fan controller, the cable kinda spoils your wire management.
 
Really? That's a shame. Hmm, so you reckon I should get the unit with the little external control unit? I'm not sure I like the idea of a little block hanging outside the case :(

Edit: Actually, thinking about it, I could put the control unit under the top cover of the case, so that would work actually! :)
 
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magick said:
Hey siverstone rep, can you tell me does the standard FT02 have the updated Air Penetrator 180mm fans that come with the limited edition case yet?

Also is it worth upgrading the 120mm fan on the top to a noctua or noiseblocker for extra cooling performace?
Click to expand...

There are still standard FT02 on the market with older fans, so you may or may not get one that has the Air Penetrator fans. If you want to be sure, you can call the store you are buying from to check the box for you (if they are willing to do that). The stanard FT02 with Air Penetrator fans have newer box that clearly states it has the new fans.

I personally don't think it's necessary to change out the top 120mm fans as aren't likely to notice a difference unless you change to a much faster (noisy) spinning fan. As a reference, the included top 120mm fan has the following specs:

Rated speed: 1200rpm
Max. Airflow: 50CFM
Noise: 19dBA
 
Ph4lanx said:
Wow, thanks for the heads up. Kind of nice to have an exclusive case like that, so I'm leaning towards this at the moment now.

However, would you happen to know when the next (possibly last) batch is being delivered to UK retailers (especially OCUK, if they have an allocation)? Everywhere I look says out of stock at the moment.
Click to expand...

The next scheduled shipment of FT02 limited edition to UK is two weeks away. We will try to work with OCUK to see if they are willing to carry this model and get some to UK quicker.
 
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