ATX/EATX Case with no/removeable PSU shroud suggestions?

Meddling-Monk

Meddling-Monk

Meddling-Monk

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A follow up (and more direct) thread in the case section here; I'm looking to grab a whole new system soon (within next 2 weeks). So looking for options on the case front.

Currently it looks like the motherboard may or may not be E-ATX in size (depends on what is available for me to grab after I wait on the 13th Gen Intel), but definitely will be ATX size at least. It won't be anything smaller (ITX etc). So any case suggestion should keep this in mind.

I have a fanless PSU that I (currently) intend to be reusing in the new system (power budget permitting; 700W PSU; ~900W max pull before protection kicks in), and all such fanless PSU's need the vents aimed upwards, so the case can't have a PSU shroud unfortunately (or one that's more permanent at least anyway; needs to be removeable at least) and allows the PSU to sit at the bottom of the case with the vents aimed upwards, or sits on the other side of the motherboard tray on the other side of the case (so more of a cube style case I guess made up of two sections), in it's own area to passively vent the heat out to.

Not an RGB person, so glass/acrylic/windows, lighting, etc aren't a priority if there is something better in a configuration without such additions.

Currently not got a max price goal, but I'd set it in the region of £300-£400. So anything up to that I can consider. (It's "hopefully" a buy once and replace after 10+ years rig, so the pricing being higher is considered to be more acceptable)

Thanks all.
 
Have you thought about the Antec P120 case?

It does have a PSU shroud but is removable and the PSU sits in the top and has a space for vent, I use a PSU that has a 0 RPM fan mode.

P120 CRYSTAL is the Best New PC Mid Tower Case with E-ATX/Aluminum VGA Holder Included/Tempered Glass Front & Side Panels - Antec

P120 Crystal Mid-Tower pc case is a prime combination of aesthetics and performance.Mainboard Support E-ATX, ATX, M-ATX, ITX Front Access & Controls Power, Reset, White LED USB3.0 x 2, HD-AUDIO
www.antec.com www.antec.com
 
D'oh, that suggestion was almost the perfect one from the get go. :eek:

It's just a shame the top of the case near the end (where the PSU would be) was not vented, if it was, it would have been perfect. :( As it is right now, the current spec for the case suggests there's not quite enough room between the PSU and the top of the case layer to easily allow the PSU to passively radiate the heat out without causing a heat trap that'll cause it to reduce in efficiency or even fail over a shorter period of time.

If the ATX 3.0 PSU's were out now, I'd likely upgrade it from the get go too and have more case options become viable, but currently, need to hold off else I'd be throwing money to the wind, so that's why holding onto the fanless PSU for now for the new rig. But thanks for that suggestion, it's very close to what I'd likely go for, will keep looking around for now. :)

Please keep suggestions coming, as I've been out of the whole PC building for a while now, so not up to date on all makers and available options. Have to manually trawl through all classic case makers at the moment and look at each case one by one and it's not a fast process. :)
 
The bequiet Dark Base 900 claims E-ATX support and does not have a PSU shroud. The 900 Pro (v2) has a shroud, but it's removable.

The PSU mounting is a little unusual, in that you mount it internally (in the bottom of the case) with an extension cable - they also sell a "C19/C20 Cover" directly that allows the PSU to be mounted in a more conventional position; althought that moves it away from the vent in the base.

Something of an old design - it still has 5.25" bays, plus you're paying extra for the modular/configurability, but it's within your budget. The other downside is that the solid front and top restrict the airflow somewhat.

Having had a 900 Pro (v1) for a few years (two builds-worth), I'd summarise them as well built, solid, cases but the modularity, while useful, creates compromises that sometimes leads to frustration.

Looking through OC's full tower listings, it looks like the Fractal Pop XL has vents above and below the PSU?
 
Thanks @VersionMonkey I've had a look at the case before but have been trying to avoid the BeQuiet Dark Base case series due to heavy enclosure (solid panels and dampening materials) it utilises; especially for the front of the case that you also mentioned that'll impact on the air cooling performance (which sounds like is needed for the newer systems to keep at a sustainable temperature if I don't use water).

That Fractal Pop XL looks good though, as that shroud should in theory let the PSU passively radiate the heat out, even under that shroud due to the vents. And it supports everything else I'd want too from specs. That might be what I need. Will go check other images of it to make sure it fits everything, but that might be the ticket there. Thanks for the suggestion there. :)

And not a moment too soon also, as the Intel 13th Gen details are out now, and it's crunch time now here to decide on what to get (AMD or Intel). Thanks again @VersionMonkey and of course @Ace Modder who have provided suggestions on what to aim at. :)
 
hiroofheroes said:
If you're not looking at running a passive system I wouldn't worry about cooling the PSU. Run the case with positive air pressure and you'll be able to get enough air through the PSU to keep it within spec.
Click to expand...

I'm aware. :)

Only, a lot of case designs had full PSU shroud enclosures, so there's little to no positive air pressure reaching it. Or it's at the top and I'd need to flip it upside down but then you'd have heated air going through it all the time from GPU + CPU as I tune the system to heat soak more to a higher temperature and run the fans at a lower speed (for less noise). Or I place it in the normal position and again, little to no positive air pressure reaches it at that point to let the PSU reduce it's internal temps as it's bottom is solid. So that's why I needed to ask for help on finding a case that would fit the bill for it like the Fractal Pop XL.

@BongoHunter

Had a look at the 750D, and having the 650D (it's predecessor); I'm fond of that case and design, original or the airflow update as I've had something similar for 10+ years. But my experience with using such case designs shows that the internal design and structures (cages, etc) tend to cause disruptions to airflow or cause resonance fairly easily. I can fix most of it, but would involve modding the case myself further for what I put in, something I'm keen on avoiding for a new system (and case) by just grabbing something suitable in the first place. But yeah, it (750D) was a (distant) consideration I held for a just in case I can't find anything more suitable option. But thankfully it seems the Fractal Pop XL fits the bill now. :)
 
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