Small ATX case on a budget?

Scougar

Scougar

Scougar

Soldato
Joined
30 Jan 2007
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PA, USA (Orig UK)
I currently have a used crappy mid tower case that a grabbed out of the garage. It is a bit too big, and isn't really mine, so I need to get something a little more elegant and I would prefer smaller.

What options are there for small ATX cases on a budget? I would prefer slim, even if it meant having to change my Hyper EVO 212+ to something else like an AIO cooler. However, I don't want to rule out my options as I know myself pretty well... and it's likely I will be wanted get get a reasonable graphics card when money allows.
 
That's really nice :-) (I have ATX so I have to compromise somewhere.) I like the almost understated, yet has nice design flairs here and there.

Any other's you've seen that are more box or cube that you like?

Can't seem to find it over here :-( Dang it OcUK... when you gonna open up a US branch!!?
 
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Seems like the VSP5000 might also be called the P70 ? (which was why I was struggling to find it).

Thanks for those others I will look at them as well.

EDIT: I may be wrong btw.. that P70 may not be the quiet version..hmm... EDIT2: (I always make so many darn edits!!), The models number for P70 and VSP5000 match up, they are the same case.
 
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What is your budget? Do you use an optic drive?

I have to say the NZXT S340 is probably one of the best cases going, it is no more and no less than the majority need, and your not paying extra for silly features you may never need.

It's only draw back are thin paint, my power supply screws removed the paint from the PSU bracket and it's noticable. And others have said the window marks easily.

But at £60 it is excellent value, and offers a lot of build options and modability. It also looks great with a 24cm RGB light strip in the roof.
 
I've just built my Xeon build into This case for those that are click lazy, it's the Corsair Carbide Spec-03. I've added the OC link because it would be bad form to advertise someone else, but I also feel it fair to note that you could get this case much cheaper if you shop around.

Henceforth for budget builds, it's my new go to case. Every time someone asks me to build a PC now, I'll be adding this to the order queue - It's beautiful looking, really well constructed and sympathetic to airflow, and you can add fans up the wazoo - my only observation is that it could probably do with being a little more sympathetic to cable management, but considering I got it for £30...I'm not inclined to complain that much.

All in all, I honestly love it as much as I love my H440.
 
One thing I should probably take note of is that any case is likely to be moved around a lot so will need to be externally robust. (Kids plus big dogs plus me buying it with knee in tight space and moving it around rooms).
 
Scougar said:
One thing I should probably take note of is that any case is likely to be moved around a lot so will need to be externally robust. (Kids plus big dogs plus me buying it with knee in tight space and moving it around rooms).
Click to expand...
I'm definitely sticking with my new go to then. I was amazed at how sturdy and light it is.
 
I cannot find the spec 03 cheap over here so far but I can see cheap spec 01. Do you happen to know the difference?
 
OK.... so a bit of a bump, but finally decided I want to go and get one finally:

Options are:

NZXT S340 (in either white/black ; Black ; Black/Yellow)

or

Corsair Carbide Spec-01 (in Black with RED led's)


Leaning towards the white and black S340 I must admit. (Although I would prefer having better case cooling as it gets 90 to 105 degrees F here at times).
 
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Ended up buying the S340 in white/black. Quality wise, the paint could be better, some things just feel a little cheap compared to Corsairs finished quality.

However, I actually really like case. I definitely need to get two intake fans, or 1 intake and replace the to fan with a 140mm. It was pretty simple to get everything looking neat thanks to the cable plate.

After tax, cost was 63 dollars. I wanted an extra fan to go with the case and I laughed at the ridiculous cost of fans nowadays just because they apparently look sexy and each have their own unique and amazing feature (i call BS), with some being 40 dollars for a single fan. Nuts. All I know is I need to get matching black and white fans that have good airflow but relatively quiet.

Edit: This case made it so quick and easy to transfer the system over, really happy with basically next to no effort equals such a best setup)
 
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