Going round in circles looking for a new case...

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:01

Hello gents,

Looking to get myself a new case. Going to list the key factors I want included to make things real easy:

Black
A minimum of 3 unobstructed 5.25" drive bays (no front door)
Excellent build quality
Very quiet
Great looks
Ideally able to use my kick-ass 120mm fans without any modding

Been looking at loads of cases. A few have caught my eye such as the Silverstone Fortress FT02B and Corsair Obsidian 700D + 800D but nothing has convinced me 100%.

Over to you.

wilko49 · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:12

Ah, if only 'great looks' was a helpful description. I take it that you are looking for something fairly understated based on your choices - have you looked at Lian Li's range?

Also, is this to run air-cooled, or water-cooled? The 700/800D are excellent at the later, but only good at the former (read: you could get better for less).

Finally, what are these 120mm fans, and how many of them do you have?

Nightglow · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:21

Some idea as to your budget.

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:22

wilko49 said:
Ah, if only 'great looks' was a helpful description. I take it that you are looking for something fairly understated based on your choices - have you looked at Lian Li's range?

Also, is this to run air-cooled, or water-cooled? The 700/800D are excellent at the later, but only good at the former (read: you could get better for less).

Finally, what are these 120mm fans, and how many of them do you have?

You're right, great looks will mean something else to everybody. I'm actually quite open on style - I really like the old Thermaltake Level 10 but I find the new one garish. Overall I find the subtler ones look better. Not a great fan of LED fan and the like.

Going to be air cooling. Am aware the 700/800D are not great for air cooling, but read you can add 120mm fans to the equation without any modding. Is this the case and if so does it remedy the situation?

The fans are Akasa Apaches and I've got a mother ****load of them.

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:23

Nightglow said:
Some idea as to your budget.

Up to about £300, with a strong preference to spending a lot less!

rgritchie · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:23

Fractal Design XL

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:24

rgritchie said:
Fractal Design XL

It's one I do like but has a door so no good to me.

Randomface74 · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:25

P193 all the way

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:26

billysielu said:
P193 all the way

Again, front door rules it out.

Randomface74 · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:32

Helveticat said:
Again, front door rules it out.

Nope - the door folds back flush with the side panel.

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 10:39

billysielu said:
Nope - the door folds back flush with the side panel.

True enough, but then it loses its good looks in my view.

Nemesis379 · 5 Jun 2011 at 11:01

TJ07 if u plan on water down the road
FT03 if ur an air guy
Simple as.

However if u want tons of 120mm fans then the 690 II Advanced.

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 11:04

FT03 is no good as I have an ATX motherboard and it has a door also.

beefybarn · 5 Jun 2011 at 11:10

Why not go for the 650d, better air cooling than the 700 and 800.

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 11:16

beefybarn said:
Why not go for the 650d, better air cooling than the 700 and 800.

There's something just not too appealing about it for me. The mesh at the front and the window are not my cup of tea, though I admit it's a good case for sure.

Helveticat · 5 Jun 2011 at 13:42

Well I bit the bullet and went for the FT02. Hope I'm not disappointed!

Evoss · 5 Jun 2011 at 15:41

Corsair 650D, 600T ?

Edit: Didn't read above post, hope all goes well