Case Suggestions Air cooling

Dazzo · 23 Oct 2014 at 13:31

Looking to buy a new case with more room and better layout.

Currently have an antec 300 and wont more space than this offers. I have been looking at a 750D and willing to buy it unless there is something else out there worth looking at.

The space is huge, I currently only have one Gigabyte Windfore 280X and a Raijintek Thermis cooler so will easily fit. I am not looking to go water untill a few more years when I hopefully upgrade to an intel series chip and mobo. I will look at a AIO watercooling option for atleast the CPU then.

Is there anything out there, similarly priced or cheaper that is worth looking at?

Cables management, space and good airflow is important. Windows and lights are nice but will not be a deciding factor as the case is on the floor out of my view for now.

Thanks!

BriT · 23 Oct 2014 at 13:43

Phantek new range are good the pro and the luxe.

Dazzo · 23 Oct 2014 at 14:12

BriT said:
Phantek new range are good the pro and the luxe.

I like the luxe option but it seems the cage holding the HDD caddy's can't be removed? I think this will restrict me with my GFX card as it's on the long side!

The Matrix · 23 Oct 2014 at 16:34

The Corsair 650d is a better option for air cooling over the 750d. The 750d is aimed more at water cooling.

BriT · 23 Oct 2014 at 17:16

How long is your card? i have a gtx 780 ref cooler and fits fine.

badgeruk · 23 Oct 2014 at 17:37

Dazzo said:
I like the luxe option but it seems the cage holding the HDD caddy's can't be removed? I think this will restrict me with my GFX card as it's on the long side!

Both HDD cages can be removed (one of top of the other) and the whole side frame can also be removed if you haven't got anything needing the drive bays.

I have a R9 290 Tri-X in mine with plenty of space. Here are the specs from their site:

Graphic card
347mm
338mm minus reservoir diameter (reservoir bracket installed)
472mm (without HDD Cages)

Dazzo · 23 Oct 2014 at 19:26

badgeruk said:
Both HDD cages can be removed (one of top of the other) and the whole side frame can also be removed if you haven't got anything needing the drive bays.

I have a R9 290 Tri-X in mine with plenty of space. Here are the specs from their site:

Graphic card
347mm
338mm minus reservoir diameter (reservoir bracket installed)
472mm (without HDD Cages)

When I get the replacement back from gigabyte I'll have to double check it will fit.

Not quite liking the look of the 650D but thanks for the suggestion above!

Dazzo · 24 Oct 2014 at 13:21

After looking at the Phantek Luxe even more I think this is deffinately the one.

Anyone got accurate measurements on the length of a gigabyte windforce 280X?

The 750D also looks amazing but I may be wasting the case if I only ever intend to at most watercool the cpu and have the rest run air.

Just looked at Gigabyte website and apparently card will fit

IceShock · 24 Oct 2014 at 19:48

I went for a 750d check out my build log in my cig it's the best case Iv ever owned its amazing and I'm air cooled

DJ_Switch · 24 Oct 2014 at 20:42

How about the silverstone ft02? I'm considering going back to air cooling for my new build and this is one of the cases that seems the most appealing so far. It just makes so much sense for air cooling....not to mention looking amazing.

Dazzo · 25 Oct 2014 at 14:32

DJ_Switch said:
How about the silverstone ft02? I'm considering going back to air cooling for my new build and this is one of the cases that seems the most appealing so far. It just makes so much sense for air cooling....not to mention looking amazing.

£180 is a bit steep considering the competition is under £130. Does it have anything the 750D or enthoo luxe doesn't?

Dazzo · 25 Oct 2014 at 14:35

IceShock said:
I went for a 750d check out my build log in my cig it's the best case Iv ever owned its amazing and I'm air cooled

What mobo and cpu you got in there?

I've got a m5a97 R2.0 evo and an amd 8320 but it's running 60+ on a intel burn test in the antec 300.

Will re-fit the cooler when I move case but I'm hoping the extra space will help with cooling the CPU and drawing gfx card heat away.

DJ_Switch · 25 Oct 2014 at 15:57

Dazzo said:
£180 is a bit steep considering the competition is under £130. Does it have anything the 750D or enthoo luxe doesn't?

It may be steep in comparison but it does have the best layout for an air-cooled system due to the 3 x 180mm fans at the bottom creating a positive pressure environment and the inverted motherboard placement allowing everything to exhaust out the top (which usually would be the back). For air cooling it just makes sense. It is also an extremely well made case and personally I think it's the best looking by far out of the options. I also like the Phanteks Luxe however the reports of the case popping and creaking due to temp changes are the only thing that's made me start to look elsewhere. I'm after a quiet, good looking case with good build quality this time and it just seems to fit the bill. It's a hard call to say it's worth a £50 premium over the Luxe but for air cooling case suggestions it would be crime to not mention it.

Dazzo · 27 Oct 2014 at 10:48

DJ_Switch said:
It may be steep in comparison but it does have the best layout for an air-cooled system due to the 3 x 180mm fans at the bottom creating a positive pressure environment and the inverted motherboard placement allowing everything to exhaust out the top (which usually would be the back). For air cooling it just makes sense. It is also an extremely well made case and personally I think it's the best looking by far out of the options. I also like the Phanteks Luxe however the reports of the case popping and creaking due to temp changes are the only thing that's made me start to look elsewhere. I'm after a quiet, good looking case with good build quality this time and it just seems to fit the bill. It's a hard call to say it's worth a £50 premium over the Luxe but for air cooling case suggestions it would be crime to not mention it.

It does look good but I can't justify the extra to myself. I'm decided on the Luxe but it's of course out of stock!!

Looks like the best option for me after reading about all the different cases over the weekend. Still looking untill it's back in stock though so if anyone has more recommendations please let me know!

Mal X · 27 Oct 2014 at 11:07

Phanteks Enthoo pro but mine is modified, you'll have to remove the cages and the 200 mm fan, because it's too noisy over 1/2 speed.

replace with twin phanteks 140 and place them further forward where the cages were, attach then to the internal side panel....... the fans are now about 4 inches away from the gpu and at about 90% speed, it's dead silent...............pc is now very well ventilated

the hard drive is on the back of the Mobo

.

anthony566 · 27 Oct 2014 at 12:19

Dazzo said:
It does look good but I can't justify the extra to myself. I'm decided on the Luxe but it's of course out of stock!!

Looks like the best option for me after reading about all the different cases over the weekend. Still looking untill it's back in stock though so if anyone has more recommendations please let me know!

Although my case is getting on I cant fault it for space its not 100% screw less but some of it is and there are lots of fan options for it but it is a bit marmite .....

I have seen them sub £70 used .....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-203-CM&groupid=2362&catid=29

Dazzo · 27 Oct 2014 at 12:40

Mal X said:
Phanteks pro but mine is modified, you'll have to remove the cages and the 200 mm fan, because it's too noisy over 1/2 speed.

replace with twin phanteks 140 and place them further forward where the cages were, attach then to the internal side panel....... the fans are now about 4 inches away from the gpu and at about 90% speed, it's dead silent...............pc is now very well ventilated

the hard drive is on the back of the Mobo

.

I quite like the little extra's for the Luxe but at the price range the pro is probably one of the best. I do plan on replacing the 200mm fan at some point but would like to try it in there first and maybe limit the speed.

Does the pro have spcae for fans at the bottom front of the case?

Dazzo · 27 Oct 2014 at 12:43

anthony566 said:
Although my case is getting on I cant fault it for space its not 100% screw less but some of it is and there are lots of fan options for it but it is a bit marmite .....

I have seen them sub £70 used .....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-203-CM&groupid=2362&catid=29

Don't think I could buy a used case with a window will probably be scratched! The look turns me off a bit on the case although cooling and cable management wise it's rated pretty good! Is on the shortlist just incase. Thanks for the suggestion!

anthony566 · 27 Oct 2014 at 12:46

Dazzo said:
Don't think I could buy a used case with a window will probably be scratched! The look turns me off a bit on the case although cooling and cable management wise it's rated pretty good! Is on the shortlist just incase. Thanks for the suggestion!

lol yes like I said it really is a marmite case .... you either love it or you hate it

I did do a "Oh My God what have I bought" when it arrived as it is the biggest case I have ever had

Dazzo · 27 Oct 2014 at 14:15

anthony566 said:
lol yes like I said it really is a marmite case .... you either love it or you hate it

I did do a "Oh My God what have I bought" when it arrived as it is the biggest case I have ever had

I bet you did!

How are your temps on the 8350 with the H80? Think I might go water for the CPU a bit further down the line xmas in dec and Bday in January