Help me decide please

Doctor_Zhivago · 23 Apr 2009 at 07:00

Which out of these 2 cases are the best for my first build and why?

Silverstone Fortress FT01B-W or Coolermaster HAF 932

and if the silverstone will the big Noctua i7 cooler fit in it?

Nick1881 · 23 Apr 2009 at 08:47

I think the HAF is ugly so the fortress hands down.

Yes that cooler will fit no problem.

magicroundabout · 23 Apr 2009 at 09:13

mr_x_plosion said:
I think the HAF is ugly so the fortress hands down.

Yes that cooler will fit no problem.

you know i was looking at the HAF thread last night and thought exactly that.
Not a nice looking case at all.

If your only two choices are the Fortress or the HAF then it's an easy win for the Fortress.

Doctor_Zhivago · 23 Apr 2009 at 09:32

magicroundabout said:
If your only two choices are the Fortress or the HAF then it's an easy win for the Fortress.

They not my only two choices just the ones ive read the most good things about. Do you know any better ones under £150?

magicroundabout · 23 Apr 2009 at 09:35

tbh i don't. my only experience of a high end case is the fortress.
You wont be dissapointed if you got one that's for sure

Nick1881 · 23 Apr 2009 at 09:36

I have had various Antec's and Lian Li's under £150 and the Fortress is my fave so far, really good case all round.

Ducky Spud · 23 Apr 2009 at 12:38

Yea, go the Fortress, Im another who just doesnt like the HAFs looks lol.

EsaT · 23 Apr 2009 at 12:58

Doctor_Zhivago said:
They not my only two choices just the ones ive read the most good things about. Do you know any better ones under £150?

If size isn't limitation Lian Li A70.
With that you never have to think about fitting any graphics cards because there's 13.5 inch of space unlike in (tiny, not super) Fortress
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=662&type=expert&pid=7
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/LianLi/PC-A70/4.html

It's possible to attach all smaller heatsinks to motherboard while tray is outside the case and depending on exact size/installing direction of heatsink and position of CPU socket in motherboard also many bigger heatsinks fit that way.
And when tray wouldn't fit back in with heatsink installed it's very easy to install inside case when you just temporarily remove back exhaust fan allowing accessing also that side of CPU socket through fan's hole:

(this is A71 with additional door)

mr_x_plosion said:
I think the HAF is ugly

Word coming into my mind is fugly...

magicroundabout · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:09

if you remove the top HDD tray you can fit in larger graphics.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=FT01&area=

Graphic card length reference:
NVIDIA Quadro FX5600 / AMD FireGL V8600/8650 - 12"
NVIDIA GeForce GTX280/260 - 10.5“
NVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX/9800GTX+ - 10.5“
AMD Radeon HD 4870X2 - 10.5 "
NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT/9600GT/GTO - 9"
AMD Radeon HD 4870/4850 - 9 "
If an expansion card is longer than 10.5", the middle HDD cage needs to be removed, please refer to the Q&A section for more information.

FaceplantSi · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:18

I'm giving another vote for the Fortress - fantastic case, and I have the Noctua cooler and it fits just fine.

Nick1881 · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:20

As above shows the only cards that would require removal of the top hdd bays is FX5600, no home user is going to have one of those anyway.

You can't fault the fortress (I can't anyway).

Ucof · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:30

What are that there those black trapeziod thingmedoodahs on the 5.25" drive bays?
Somebody done stolen mah grammar.

Yikes!

FaceplantSi · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:34

That the tool-less fitting system for 5.25" devices. Fine for a device like a dvd-rw but not so good for a fan controller - easily removed tho.

Ucof · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:37

Cheers

magicroundabout · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:43

FaceplantSi said:
That the tool-less fitting system for 5.25" devices. Fine for a device like a dvd-rw but not so good for a fan controller - easily removed tho.

my fan controller and Kama are in there quite snug. They actually hold them in place quite well.

FaceplantSi · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:45

magicroundabout said:
my fan controller and Kama are in there quite snug. They actually hold them in place quite well.

Ah well, I always have (and probably always will) prefer a screw to a pin!

magicroundabout · 23 Apr 2009 at 13:48

i have screws on the otherside if that helps

LukeTW · 23 Apr 2009 at 16:00

Fortress all the way

a lot better looking.

jlss · 23 Apr 2009 at 16:23

I was looking at the haf thread last night also don't actually mind the case but i don't like the HAF written on the side.

Must admit the Fortress is way better i'm on the lookout for a new case also i do like this one a lot