Good, SUBTLE case

PatZ1989 · 3 Jun 2011 at 13:27

My rig is currently housed in an Antec 900 and I don't if puberty has finally kicked in (can but hope) or just changing taste, but i can't stand all the lights and noise and dust it kicks out etc.

I would really like a (large capacity) case which is discreet on the outside, not fans visible everywhere and no side panel and no unnecessary lights.

I quite like the Antec P183 or the Lian Li B25FB? Would just like some opinions on a good one, below is what it needs to be big enough to house

gigabyte x58-ud3r motherboard
a Venom CPU cooler
4 hard drives
an ATI 5870
All the rest but they shouldnt be a problem, also cable management would be nice

Thanks all =D

PatZ1989 · 3 Jun 2011 at 13:34

that second one, the fractal looks perfect but reviews seem quite down beat on it =/

PatZ1989 · 3 Jun 2011 at 15:40

I'm happy to spend the money if the quality is there, I dont think the 300 would wokr through, as mentioned its a full size motherbaord with a 5870 in it, the card itself is just under 30cm long

PatZ1989 · 3 Jun 2011 at 17:20

hmm, nah that thing is ugly

I was thinking the B24FB (lian li) is a nice compromise, it has plenty of fans etc. and it seems to be nicely insulted for noise. no garish LED's on the outside either

PatZ1989 · 3 Jun 2011 at 21:12

yeah some good links, reading some reviews and Lian Li seem like a good one for simple / efficient designs

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 15:45

thanks for all the advice guys, got my heart set on the corsair obsidian 700d (800d seems to be the same with the window and the hot swap, not fussed about hot swap and would prefer without a window.)

Looks very slick, seems quiet yet cool inside and some of the examples of cable management seem orgasmic (you know you work in IT too long when good cabling becomes a fetish =/)

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 16:49

I plan to add a few silent fans tbf

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 18:16

It is only air cooled, but the cable management on the define looks shoddy

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 18:32

You voted against the 700D but suggest the 650D, how come :S

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 18:43

-.- ho ho.

Yeah but i also need quite a large case, in an antec 900 atm and its just way too cramped. the 700D had plenty of space inside

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 19:00

hmm, might have a look at its dimensions then n see if it will do - you say 650 is better for air cooling?

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 21:18

seems like an okay size tbf, just can't get my head around how the airflow could be better in a tighter space, surely the layout of the fans etc is the same

PatZ1989 · 8 Jun 2011 at 21:40

I see, i must admit the case looks identical but a bit smaller, but im really not a fan of the visible LED ridden fan at the front. but i think it will be this case for me

thanks evoss

PatZ1989 · 9 Jun 2011 at 14:01

Definately either 650D or Fractal Define XL, like the defines door thing, all nicely hidden away until needed. but its cable management doesnt seem as nifty - if only there were a Corsal Defidian 650 XL

PatZ1989 · 9 Jun 2011 at 16:59

Mine is going to look as pretty as that , I promise it. i'll take a snap of it currently when i get home - all cramped in an antec 900, the thing is a nightmare to clean aswell

PatZ1989 · 10 Jun 2011 at 15:18

the define XL seems to be slated for its cooling peformance though which concerns me, plus those 3 open vents at the top look awfully noisy =/

PatZ1989 · 13 Jun 2011 at 23:07

as promised, how it is currently *hangs head* - would really like to get this in a new bigger case and tidy it up

And yes, that back fan isnt plugged in (no idea why - didnt realise until i took the picture)
and i'm pretty sure the PSU is mounted the wrong way up (might have done that s the bottom of the case isnt grilled so there would be no air flow)