Spec request: Good airflow with nice design

Dirk Diggler · 16 Dec 2020 at 00:02

I'm looking for a new case. Criteria as below, and would be interested in any suggestions from those who have bought something similar and been impressed.

Looks good with windowed panel(s)
Great air flow
Accommodate a RTX3080
Accommodate Dark Rock Pro 4
ATX form factor
Budget £150

Gray2233 · 16 Dec 2020 at 00:10

Unicorn vomit a requirement?

Dirk Diggler · 16 Dec 2020 at 00:42

Gray2233 said:
Unicorn vomit a requirement?

No, Christ no.

Gray2233 · 16 Dec 2020 at 12:09

My vote would go for a Corsair 4000D (Mesh) or Lian Li Lancool II, they are under budget but that gives you room to add some nice fans of your choice should you feel the need:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Corsair 4000D Airflow Mid-Tower Case - Black Tempered Glass (CC-9011200-WW)= £79.99
1 x Lian-Li Lancool II Mesh performance Midi-Tower Case - Black= £75.95

Total: £155.94 (includes shipping: £0.00)

It does depend to an extent on what sort of connectivity you need.

Phanteks, Fractal Design, and CoolerMaster also have some excellent high airflow cases.

Good luck finding stock on anything right now though.

https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/3624-corsair-4000d-airflow-case-review-vs-solid-panel

The graphs in this review list both cases, as well as a bunch of others.

Dirk Diggler · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:10

Thanks, I'll get a look through that. The Lian-Li looks the part.

Ree · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:18

been trying to get one of these myself (non rgb) and it has been brutal but it ticks all your boxes if you can find it in stock.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Phanteks Eclipse P500 Air ATX Case Tempered Glass Satin Black= £89.99
1 x Phanteks Eclipse P500 Air ATX Case Tempered Glass DRGB Satin Black= £117.95

Total: £231.04 (includes shipping: £23.10)

snips86x · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:22

+1 for Phanteks.
Their new cases have some fantastic features.

Dirk Diggler · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:47

It's Phanteks I'm replacing as the air flow isn't great, but the build quality is excellent so yes if they've improved the air flow then that's definitely a contender.

Looks like it's going to be a wait into February at the earliest no matter what I go for... Who says PC gaming was dead!

snips86x · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:48

Dirk Diggler said:
It's Phanteks I'm replacing as the air flow isn't great, but the build quality is excellent so yes if they've improved the air flow then that's definitely a contender.

Looks like it's going to be a wait into February at the earliest no matter what I go for... Who says PC gaming was dead!

Yeah, their older cases were quite restrictive. My old Evolv wasn't great but my Evolv X is superb for airflow, cannot fault it.
They made some massive changes to the front panel to increase airflow and it's great.

MikeTimbers · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:50

Which Phanteks are you replacing? It may be possible to replace the front panel on the one you have; e.g. the P400 solid front panel can be replaced with a Phanteks P400A mesh front panel sold separately on this very store.

Dirk Diggler · 16 Dec 2020 at 16:55

MikeTimbers said:
Which Phanteks are you replacing? It may be possible to replace the front panel on the one you have; e.g. the P400 solid front panel can be replaced with a Phanteks P400A mesh front panel sold separately on this very store.

It's the Enthoo Evolv. I need to move to ATX so will still buy something new but if there's a mesh panel available I'd use that in the meantime.

MikeTimbers · 16 Dec 2020 at 21:33

Ah, yes, I heard the cooling wasn't brilliant on that initial model. Sorry, I don't know of any pre-built replacement fronts for that model.

EViLHomer48 · 16 Dec 2020 at 22:26

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x be quiet! Pure Base 500DX ARGB Midi Tower Case - White Tempered Glass= £89.99

Total: £101.09 (includes shipping: £11.10)

RedMogg · 18 Dec 2020 at 16:03

+1 vote for Lancool 2 - performance version if you can find it.
Build quality excellent and cable routing is very simple.