£50-80 ATX case to fit H100?

Audigex

Audigex

Audigex

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3 Feb 2009
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Hey guys

I'm looking for a case for a build, I've got anywhere between £50-100 to spend on the case, but ideally £80 or less as I'd like to put the £20 into fans/fan controllers etc. We were originally looking at the Bitfenix Shinobi, but as far as I know the H100 cooler doesn't fit in it - nor in the Corsair 200R or 300R, which were backup options.

This is to fit a sort-of-top-of-mid-range PC, so cooling isn't totally essential and should be somewhat covered by the H100. Specs are looking to be a HD7870 and a 4670K with a moderate overclock, there's no target on the OC though, I'll just match the clock to the temps.

Things we're looking for
1) Fits an H100 (240mm radiator) plus fans in the top or back of the case - only has to be in push or pull, not P/P
2) A couple of filtered intakes ideally on the front
3) A clean look, not too many vents (I find they let more dust in, I'd rather have the airflow controlled and through filters.
4) A windowed side panel (or windowed side panels available)
5) Black interior
6) £50-100 (ideally <£80)
7) Holes (preferably with rubber protection) in the motherboard tray for cable management

Any form of built in fan control, or sufficiently good included fans would mean that I can spend closer to the £100 end on the case, so that I'd save money on fans/fan controllers. If necessary I can stretch the budget and cut back somewhere else - I'd rather get him a good case with slightly compromised GPU, for example, as the case can last a few builds.

I'd rather avoid Antec or CoolerMaster - too many vents.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
 
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Doomedspeed said:
Take a took at the Fractal Arc midi, It's not avalible on OCUK but it's a very good case.. :)
Click to expand...

Absolutely that's what I have and recommend. Only cost £70 delivered. You need the R2 version (the new one) if you want the window btw (and lots of filters). Just search google shopping for "Fractal Designs Midi R2"

ZiZqtZm.jpg
 
Ticks all the way down the list, assuming it fits the H100. Thanks guys, looks like that may be the winner before the race even begins.

I'm open to other suggestions as I've got a week or two before the build, but that's gonna be tough to beat. Are all 4 fans it comes with 140mm, or are some of them 120?
 
Audigex said:
Ticks all the way down the list, assuming it fits the H100. Thanks guys, looks like that may be the winner before the race even begins.

I'm open to other suggestions as I've got a week or two before the build, but that's gonna be tough to beat. Are all 4 fans it comes with 140mm, or are some of them 120?
Click to expand...

It comes only with 3 140mm fans. 1 in front, 1 in back and 1 on top.
 
That's perfect - I'll just move the top one to the front, leave the back one where it is and add a fan to the bottom and the H100 to the top.

Is the bottom fan slot for a 120 or 140mm? One review says 140mm, another says 120mm
 
Again, perfect - thanks. Decision made, I'll try to post up some pics once I get the internal specs finalised and the build done.
 
Is there any version of this case without the side window? I'm really not one for needing all the lights and bling etc so would rather keep the side solid (minus any fans etc).

Would I be right in assuming the R1 was the exact same apart from the solid side panel (and maybe only USB2)? Might try venturing into the MM see if anyone cares to swap.

Edit:

Also, I'd be moving from a define R2, after adding the same H100 and otherwise making the case quiet. Am I going in the right direction or would I be better served working on the R2? The H100 kinda fits (with a bit of bodging) so I'm in 2 minds whether to stick or twist at the moment.
 
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