new mobo doesnt fit- need advice on a new budget model

ojgbrown · 20 Jul 2011 at 10:43

Hey there, my case (was a mesh bought pc 18-24 months ago so they gave no info on exact model, but it is very small) is not large enough for my new ASRock Z68 Pro 3 mobo.

Rather frustrating as I have bought that, an i5-2500k and some DDR3 and cannot get going with it currently. It is perhaps a bit of a blessing in disguise as the case was becoming an irritation anyway due to its size and general poor quality.

In any case I now require a new case but do not want to spend a great deal of money. I have considered the Antec 300 but this seems quite old and again I am not sure if the new setup would fit.

There is no need for special features, lots of fans, masses of space for 3 way SLI setups and perfect cable management or water cooling etc etc it just needs to be spacious enough to fit everything in without a war, easy to use and decent quality whilst also being cheap!

Any recommendations guys as I am looking to order today- do not want to go above £50 if I can help it but could push to £60 if it meant a much better option. Appreciate the assistance.

I was considering this as well as the antec 300:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-BX&tool=3

Do not know much about cases so really do need a bit of help!

Thanks.

ojgbrown · 20 Jul 2011 at 10:51

coolermaster 430 is another option as that is sub-£40.

I do want to be able to fit the latest graphics cards as well as I will be upgrading my GPU in October for BF3 (currently a 5770). Just the one GPU, no SLI/X-fire.

wonderlust · 21 Jul 2011 at 15:52

I have a CM Elite 430.

Great case but needs extra fans as it's only supplied with one.

My Elite 430:-

C64 · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:44

Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus

teejay73 · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:53

If you can stretch to £60, then this is a great case for the money, It has great cable management, so you can keep everything out of sight and keep good air flow your case, you can also upgrade further down the line and get a window side panel if you desire. For that money, you can get no better case, Imo!

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-212-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29

teejay73 · 21 Jul 2011 at 18:57

C64 said:
Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus

Yep another good case, though just over budget, but there are places around where you can get it just under the top end of your budget.

Purgatory · 21 Jul 2011 at 20:10

Wonderlust I see you have changed the fan on your zalman 9700 cpu cooler, can you let me know please which fan you have there and did you have to modify it to fit ? Thanks .

wonderlust · 21 Jul 2011 at 20:34

Purgatory said:
Wonderlust I see you have changed the fan on your zalman 9700 cpu cooler, can you let me know please which fan you have there and did you have to modify it to fit ? Thanks .

That's the fan that came with it.

The cooler was a freebie in an MSI P45 Zilent Package (cooler and MSI P45 Platinum)