Case advice please

nicktay2605 · 6 Jul 2011 at 00:38

I'm looking for a new case. The most important things I'm looking for in a case are that it has good cable management, and has good cooling performance but can also be quiet. It needs to be as quiet as possible at idle but it doesn't matter if it's a bit louder at load.

I also would like the case to have a black interior as well as exterior, and the maximum I want to spend is £150. I've always had Lian-Li's in the past, and I like cases that look quite simple and understated. So far I'm interested in the Corsair Obsidian 650D, as it seems to fit the bill, and I really like the look of the Silverstone Fortress FT02 but can't spend £200. Are there any other options? What's the difference between the FT01 and FT02?

Icm76 · 6 Jul 2011 at 01:02

nicktay2605 said:
What's the difference between the FT01 and FT02?

everything! http://www.silverstonetek.com/product_case.php?tno=0&case=c_tower&area=usa

nicktay2605 said:
Are there any other options?

Maybe too much of a compromise on styling, but good on performance: RV02 (Identical chassis to FT02. Some people prefer the white one because of the styling) & RV03 (it's ugly, but the performance is good) NZXT Phantom maybe? it seems to get good reviews and user feedback, but the styling is a bit fussy.

Have you looked at Lian Li's latest range? Another Lian Li might just be the best option.

nicktay2605 · 6 Jul 2011 at 19:13

Yeah I had a look at the range of Lian Li's that OCUK do but I don't really see one up to £150 that I'm particularly keen on. I really want to stay with a mid-tower and the only Lian Li mid-tower I like that I looked at was the Z60, but it's £200. At that price, I'd rather have the FT02.

I did look at the Phantom and the reviews are excellent but the styling just isn't for me. The styling also rules out the RV03 unfortunately. I'm actually starting to think twice about whether the FT02 is out of my price range. If I sell my current case I might be able to afford it. I don't know if anyone on here would know this, but there appear to be a couple of different FT02's available online, a v1.4, v1.7, and a USB 3.0. Does anyone know what the difference between them is? Oh and how quiet is the FT02? I've heard it's a great case, but if anyone here has one I'd love to hear from you about your experiences with it.

Icm76 · 6 Jul 2011 at 19:37

v1.4 is the revised silver edition with the Air Penetrator fans.
v1.7 is black with Air Penetrator fans.

USB 3.0 is new so presumably is same as above + USB 3.0 front panel

previous versions have fans that aren't considered to be as good

KiiYzOo · 6 Jul 2011 at 19:41

you can get a Silver ft02 without a window for £167 elsewhere

nicktay2605 · 6 Jul 2011 at 19:48

Hmm that's weird, I've found a 1.4 on another site and they state it's black. The only difference I can see is that the 1.7 seems to have a window and the 1.4 doesn't, I just want to be sure I'm not getting an older model, maybe I'm being too picky lol. Ahh I'm really tempted to go for the case now that I've read a review or two, it seems to combine everything I'm after!

edit: thanks for that KiiYzOo, I completely missed that when I looked on the site you're talking about. Hmm now it's just whether I wait for a deal on a black FT02 or just go for the silver