Full metal cases

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 12:00

My motherboard is out for an RMA and so I thought now is a good time to change my case. I've got a Cooler Master Storm Sniper which I bought in 2009.

What are the advantages of getting a full metal case? I've got my eye on this one: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/nzxt...0-full-tower-case-orange-black-ca-034-nx.html

I'll be fitting in a GTX 970 but plan to get a 1080 soon. My i7 4790k will stay stock with a Brocken 2 CPU cooler (it's quite big!)

Thanks

Baboonanza · 16 Mar 2017 at 12:24

Not sure what you mea by 'full metal' as the NZXT has plenty of plastic on it?

The difference between that and the case you have is that it's bigger and more modern. More fan mounting positions, better/easier cable management.

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 12:51

On the website there's a category for Full Steel Cases, sorry title should read that not Metal

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 13:46

I'm not sure I'd put too much stock in that. There's some good cases there and some rubbish ones, same with any category. I would just hone in on a particular case you like and see what the reviews/user feedback says. Think about what you will actually want from a case and go from there. You could do a lot better than that NZXT in my view... it's OK, nothing special, but if you love the aesthetic then fair enough.

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 13:49

Legend said:
I'm not sure I'd put too much stock in that. There's some good cases there and some rubbish ones, same with any category. I would just hone in on a particular case you like and see what the reviews/user feedback says. Think about what you will actually want from a case and go from there. You could do a lot better than that NZXT in my view... it's OK, nothing special, but if you love the aesthetic then fair enough.

It goes well with my desk lol That's the only reason I'm thinking of getting it. Not too fussed about its cooling abilities as I don't OC much.

Ace Modder · 16 Mar 2017 at 13:53

The NZXT Phantom has been on the market since 2010. It is a fairly old design, there are many much newer more modern case designs now available.

If you like the NZXT style check the NZXT Source range but there are many other brands to consider too.

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 14:14

elrasho said:
It goes well with my desk lol That's the only reason I'm thinking of getting it. Not too fussed about its cooling abilities as I don't OC much.

Fair enough lol, although cooling really shouldn't only be considered when overclocking, it is important to keep things running at a good temp generally speaking. As Ace says, there are far newer and better all around cases that should be considered, so unless you have fallen passionately in love with that one, I would look elsewhere.

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 14:48

I'm up for some suggestions

Preferably white and less flashy leds the better

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 14:59

These would all be solid choices...

Phanteks Eclipse P400S
InWin 303
NZXT S340 Elite
AeroCool P7-C1

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 15:22

Thanks Legend, but those are all Midi cases. Wont that be too small for my kit?

HoneyBadger · 16 Mar 2017 at 15:36

Corsair C70?

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 15:51

elrasho said:
Thanks Legend, but those are all Midi cases. Wont that be too small for my kit?

I don't see why that should be a problem. What do you have that won't fit?

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 16:37

Heres my kit: GTX 970, Sounblaster Z PCI-E sound card, 1 SSD, 2 HDD. That should be OK right? Dont midi cases have less cooling abilities that full towers?

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 17:04

elrasho said:
Heres my kit: GTX 970, Sounblaster Z PCI-E sound card, 1 SSD, 2 HDD. That should be OK right? Dont midi cases have less cooling abilities that full towers?

That should be fine. Not going to be an issue with cooling.

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 17:07

Sounds good, what if I waned to put a GTX1080 in a Midi case? I see some reviews saying "make sure you have enough room".

EDIT: Think we have a winner: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...ase-white-window-cc-9011095-ww-ca-22e-cs.html

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 17:59

elrasho said:
Sounds good, what if I waned to put a GTX1080 in a Midi case? I see some reviews saying "make sure you have enough room".

EDIT: Think we have a winner: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cors...ase-white-window-cc-9011095-ww-ca-22e-cs.html

Not a bad choice. You'll get a 1080 in pretty much any modern midi tower, I'm not aware of any that don't have room.

Kurgen · 16 Mar 2017 at 19:56

don't forget the corsair case is plastic window, the NZXT and the Phanteks cases mentioned earlier have tempered glass panels

elrasho · 16 Mar 2017 at 20:26

Im not going to be moving the case around so plastic will be fine

Legend · 16 Mar 2017 at 20:50

elrasho said:
Im not going to be moving the case around so plastic will be fine

It's not about movement, it's that plastic looks **** compared to glass lol! Having owned several tempered glass side panel cases now, I could never go back to an acrylic one.

elrasho · 19 Mar 2017 at 23:57

Went for an NZXT Source 340 in white. Also got a corsair H45 cpu cooler.

I'm going to take off the fan on the rear and replace it with the one from the H45. Maybe I could use that fan somewhere else in the case?