Spec me a case for around £100

rustynuts

rustynuts

rustynuts

Associate
Joined
3 Sep 2011
Posts
277
End of the month im buying my new system and im putting together the list. And for this im after a gaming case with the best air flow for £100 or there abouts.

My cpu will be cooled with a Antec Kúhler H2O 620 CPU Watercooler for now so obviously i need room for that. Also Needs to have plently for room for 2 x HD 6870's.

Size isnt a issue nor is colour.
 
Always with the P280 stulid...

OP:
Raven RV03
CM Storm Trooper

They're basically the two best out there for air flow...

I can give you more options with adequate air flow but that look different or the such like...

But they're the first two I'd look at. If you want more, say so...

Edit:
The other options are:
CM 690ii
Corsair 500R

For quieter cases - with less but still good airflow:
550D and Fractal R3.

kd
 
Last edited:
stulid said:
Problem?

Its large, extremely well built.

Packed with options inside.

Quiet.

Great airflow.
Click to expand...


It is large, and looks good. It doesn't have the hugest array of options inside, but isn't bad. It is admittedly quiet, but I'm not sure I'd call it well built. But it's not poorly built either. It's in the middle ground. I wouldn't put it up there with the Lian Li's or Silverstone's, and indeed I'd say it's even slightly worse than the Corsairs.

As for cooling:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/16/antec-p280-review/3

However, cooling is an issue. While it’s certainly not going to come close to cooking your hardware, much of the competition offers lower delta Ts. At £110, we’re surprised to see just three cooling fans too; the Antec Nine Hundred Two (902) is £15 cheaper, yet offers a pair of front intake fans and a 200mm roof exhaust. We’ve no doubt that adding a pair of front intake fans would improve matters, but that’s an additional cost, and there’s no immeadiate way to tie these into the rear mounted fan control panel.

The competition has come a long way since the arrival of the original P180 as well. The Fractal Design Define R3 offers more refined looks and superior cooling, if not as many out and out features, and at only £75 is decidedly more wallet friendly too.

All of which leaves the Antec P280 in a tough spot. Physically sound and with lots of nice extras, it’s in no way a case that we’d regret buying. However, it’s not one we’d actively seek out either, with similar, and more affordable, options elsewhere.
Click to expand...

But large cases aren't always the best, and personally I'd say the Define XL is the better choice if you want a large case...

kd
 
Last edited:
King Damager said:
It is large, and looks good. It doesn't have the hugest array of options inside, but isn't bad. It is admittedly quiet, but I'm not sure I'd call it well built. But it's not poorly built either. It's in the middle ground.

As for cooling:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/02/16/antec-p280-review/3

kd
Click to expand...

Sorry, but my first hand experience with it suggest it is rather good.

Takes most motherboard sizes including XL-ATX

Good cable management.

fitting drives is easy and they dont rattle or lose.

Good fit and finish to the panels.

The OP seems to like it;)

And I dont read Bit-tech reviews anymore, they arent very good.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Antec/P280/6.html
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/chassis/32868-antec-p280/?page=4
http://www.kitguru.net/components/cases/steve-ruxton/antec-p280-case-review/7/
 
Well considering how much you recommend it, I'd expect you to own one..

XL-ATX isn't needed by most, cable management is becoming easier now a days. The 25mm they offer is more than ample, but again, plenty of the competition is now offering similar situations. Fit and finish is also something that is now pretty standard, as is drives that don't rattle. In fact, if a drive rattles you should be sending it back in seconds...

The hexus review again if anything shows that the temperature results aren't great compared to others out there. The Vortez review talks about the lack of vibration support for a PSU, which you'd expect on a 'silent' case..

The biggest issue is still the price. You're paying £100 for a case that doesn't even have front fans, and again, might be on par with similar cases, but price wise just doesn't compete. It's a case that should be competing with the R3/Define XL/550D.

It's never going to compete with something like the HAF/Storm Trooper/Raven for air cooling...
rustynuts said:
For this im after a gaming case with the best air flow for £100 or there abouts.
Click to expand...

I don't have anything against it per say. There's just better out there.

kd
 
Front fans isnt an issue, move the rear one to the front when fitting the Kuhler620 that the OP has;)

And the Hexus review shows it to be more than upto the job, certainly a much better review than Bit-techs which Im surprised you linked to as even I do a better job of reviewing stuff than they do:D
 
Last edited:
King Damager said:
It's not the best for cooling. Everything shows that clearly. OP asked for the best. Simple. Also asked for a 'gaming' case, which I wouldn't say this is one bit...

kd
Click to expand...

It is good;)

And what makes a gaming case compared to one that doesn't have "gaming" in its name?;)

Is it because it doesn't have garish colours and flashing lights? :D
 
stulid said:
It is in the middle ground ;)

And what makes a gaming case compared to one that doesn't have "gaming" in its name?;)

Is it because it doesn't have garish colours and flashing lights? :D
Click to expand...

Fixed for you. But yes, it's exactly because it doesn't have garish colours and flashing lights :p That is unfortunately the 'gaming' standard xD If companies only designed 'sleek, elegant' cases, I wouldn't be complaining one bit...

kd
 
King Damager said:
But yes, it's exactly because it doesn't have garish colours and flashing lights :p That is unfortunately the 'gaming' standard xD If companies only designed 'sleek, elegant' cases, I wouldn't be complaining one bit...

kd
Click to expand...

Hopefully with Rustynuts being 31 years old, hes not into the gimmicky lights anymore that a 16 year old would be;)
 
Hehehe

Loving the debate guys.

I know i said gaming case, but to be totally honest i didnt mean it in terms of looks, i more ment it in terms of space for hardware and air flow space etc. Sorry maybe i should have used a different terminology.

I am drawn in to the sleek design of the P280. It ties in with style of the room, the modern looking fireplace, the floating shelves and wall mounts tv.

But then again the CM Storm Trooper does looks bad ass and wants to bring out the inner child in me. :p

As for the Antec p280 not having any front fans as standard, thats not a problem as i have 5 x Scythe Kaze Jyuni 1900RPM Slip Stream 120mm Fans ill be taking out my old case and using where needed. Sorry maybe i should have added that before.

Thanks for your input guys..
 
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom