Which case?

Serverman

Serverman

Serverman

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I have been looking for a case for a new build (my first!) and have spent weeks trying to decide but with no luck. Thats why I am now asking for a little help.

I would ideally like a full tower case because I would like plenty of room with a USB 3.0 front panel (Not bought motherboard yet so could always buy one with USB 3.0 tray if neccessary) and side window panel. I will be air cooling so would also like a case that is good for this. On the case size one query I have is there really that much difference between the size of some mid tower cases compared to the full tower ones as loooking at the dimensions there sometimes doesnt seem to be?

I am torn in 2 regards price. I would like to spend around £100 but I could be persuaded to spend up to around £150 if the case fits the bill and looks the part. I have seen some cracking cases for around the £200 mark but find it hard to justify spending this much on a case but again I could be persuaded....

These are some of the cases that have some or all of the features that I am looking for:

Budget options
Cooler Master CM-690 II Lite Dominator Case - Black [RC-692-KKN3] - £59.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-212-CM

Fractal Design Define XL Full Tower Case - Black Pearl - £84.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-011-FD&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1556

Mid range
Lian Li PC-7FNWX Aluminium Mid Tower Case - Black - £132.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-193-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

Antec 1200 Twelve Hundred (V3 with USB3.0) Ultimate Gaming Case - Black - £139.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-165-AN&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=160

Cooler Master HAF X Gaming Tower Case - Black (RC-942) [RC-942-KKN1] - £129.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-203-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29

Persuade me range
Lian Li PC-A70FB Alumiinium Full Tower Case - Black - £173.60
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-171-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

Corsair Obsidian 700D Full Tower Case - Black [CC700D] - £158.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-025-CS&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1489

I can dream:)
Silverstone Fortress FT02B-W Windowed Gaming Case - Black [SST-FT02B-W] - £219.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-067-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1092

Corsair Obsidian 800D Full Tower Case - Black [CC800DW] - £224.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-020-CS&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1489

As you can see i like cases with a more classic look and nothing too strange/ugly. My view is that if money was no object that I would buy the Corsair Obsidian 800D as it seems to be far and away the best case and looks the best imo but I just cannot justify spending so much on a case. The same applies to the Silverstone Fortress FT02B-W. In the cheaper options the Cooler Master CM-690 may be too small and too old now and the Fractal Design Define XL seems a little dull. I have never seen these in the flesh so could be wrong and am open to being told otherwise. The rest all seem to have pros and cons. Are there any other cases that I havent noticed and what are your views?
 
Aesthetically speaking, from your selection I like the look of the Fractal Design Define XL.

I haven't actually used any of the cases listed, probably the closest is the Fortress, which shares the same internals as my own Raven. The external styling is of course better with the more expensive case. (ocuk do have the raven evo for 155.99 but its in white)
 
I would suggest taking a look at the CM ATCS 840 case.

I would remove the Antec 1200 its a old design now and the fans have always been pretty poor from antec I would say every case that you have listed beats it hands down.
 
hideki said:
Aesthetically speaking, from your selection I like the look of the Fractal Design Define XL.

I haven't actually used any of the cases listed, probably the closest is the Fortress, which shares the same internals as my own Raven. The external styling is of course better with the more expensive case. (ocuk do have the raven evo for 155.99 but its in white)
Click to expand...

I am completely open to other suggestions and your case was another I was looking at. Is yours this one?, Silverstone RV02 Raven 2 at £129.98

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-065-SV

The only thing that put me off is that there is no USB 3.0, but I could always get a motherboard with a panel for this, and the fact it is out of stock but I am sure I could get it somewhere else.
 
The Cooler Master HAF X, is a great case for it's price. Good cable management, lots of features. Great cooling over all, and graphics card cooling is fantastic for air. It's all black inside and out. which is really nice if you are trying to build a theme for your system. Those are the pro's I can think of off the top of my head.

The only con I can think is it's looks, as it's like marmite. You either love the looks of it, or hate it.

We also have a Corsair 800D in the house, another great case with lots of features and such. But a bit of a waste if you just want to air cool, much better for water cooling really.

Another case that surprised me was the Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus, for the great features and cooling it gives for it's price range. No USB 3 on the front tho.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-221-CM&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=29
 
I would also say if your going for aircooling I would look not think about the 700/800D they really are watercooling focused cases and thier aircooling is sub standard.
 
Apem said:
I would suggest taking a look at the CM ATCS 840 case.

I would remove the Antec 1200 its a old design now and the fans have always been pretty poor from antec I would say every case that you have listed beats it hands down.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That is a very nice case and seems quite similar to the Corsair 700D in looks and style, as well as being similarly priced. I think if I was paying around £150 I would choose one of these two. The question is is it worth spending so much on a case but then again for a extra few £ should I just get the case that I am really happy with.

On the Haf X the reviews are great and it seems a great case. However as you say I cant make my mind up about the looks, one minute I am almost buying it and the next I change my mind:)

The Define XL seems the best sub £100 case but I am wondering should I spend the extra for what must be a better case, especially as it is the part of the PC that is always visable. I am also not sure about the door on the front.
 
Some of the other cases look like they fell of a space ship. :p

Serverman said:
I am completely open to other suggestions and your case was another I was looking at. Is yours this one?
Click to expand...
Mine is the Raven evolution in black, OcUK don't stock that one.
Silverstone RV02 Raven 2 at £129.98

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-065-SV
Click to expand...
That one is actually the older model Raven, the updated version is the evolution which has internal improvements.
 
Serverman said:
Thanks. That is a very nice case and seems quite similar to the Corsair 700D in looks and style, as well as being similarly priced. I think if I was paying around £150 I would choose one of these two. The question is is it worth spending so much on a case but then again for a extra few £ should I just get the case that I am really happy with.

On the Haf X the reviews are great and it seems a great case. However as you say I cant make my mind up about the looks, one minute I am almost buying it and the next I change my mind:)

The Define XL seems the best sub £100 case but I am wondering should I spend the extra for what must be a better case, especially as it is the part of the PC that is always visable. I am also not sure about the door on the front.
Click to expand...

The ATCS 840 has similar cooling to the HAF but its looks a dam sight better its a great aircooling case which will out perform the 700D.
 
Serverman said:
This also has all the features that I am after but I am just not sure about the Gold trim and the way the back is covered.

Silverstone SST-RV03B-W Raven 3 Windowed Case - £134.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-075-SV&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1092
Click to expand...

The "champagne" coloured trim is IMHO not as pronounced in the flesh as pictures show. I got this case a couple of weeks ago to replace my Antec 900 and I can honestly say it's AMAZING by comparison. It's the nicest case I've ever built into, the cooling performance is excellent (both with the fans on "quiet" or "loud as my 5870 fan at 50%") and I personally like the looks of it. I took some pics in the flesh here: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18274849

If you fancy the concept and can stomach the looks, I'd say go for it. If you can't stomach the looks, then either go for the Fortress (and spend more), the HAF X (if you have the room - it's massive but excellent), or one of the mid-tower ones suggested.
 
I have also found this case, which I really like the look of, and looking on the internet you can even get a USB 3.0 I/O Upgrade Panel

Lian Li PC-A70FB Alumiinium Full Tower Case -£173.60
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-171-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

If I can get the panel from somewhere it seems to tick all the boxes but it may be a bit expensive. As I said previously I liked the Lian Li PC-7FNWX but it seems a little on the small side and the Lian Li PC-A70FB seems a better, bigger version. I also want a case that will last and will be future proofed. Has anyone got this or are there any opinions on this?

I think I have narrowed my search down to

Fractal Design Define XL Full Tower Case - Black Pearl - £84.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=7&subcat=1556

A very good case for the price but just lacks a little of the wow factor and dont like cases with doors.

Cooler Master HAF X Gaming Tower Case - Black (RC-942) [RC-942-KKN1] - £129.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...id=7&subcat=29

This has everything that I am looking for but I am still not sure about the looks

Silverstone SST-RV03B-W Raven 3 Windowed Case - £134.99
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=7&subcat=1092

This again seems to have everything that I am looking for but am not sure about the looks

Cooler Master ATCS 840 Classic Case - Black - £159.98
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-193-LL

Seemingly no front USB 3.0 panels available.

Lian Li PC-A70FB Alumiinium Full Tower Case -£173.60
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-171-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

Looks great but pricey.

I would like to get the Lian Li PC-A70FB with the USB panel kit but dont know if I should spend that much on a case. If not I am probably looking at the Silverstone SST-RV03B-W Raven or Haf X, as they both have all I need, but I cant say I am too thrilled on the looks. It is just a pity though that with a few tweaks all of these cases could be perfect.
 
Apem said:
This is link to my build log of the atcs 840 might help to make a descision

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18247294
Click to expand...

Thanks, that is very nice. I really want a front or top USB 3.0 and that is the only thing that puts me off this case, if it had this then I would get it now. Do you know of anyway around this? I have not got my motherboard yet so if I got say the Asus P8Z68-V PRO Intel Z68 or Asus P8P68 PRO P67 do you know if it is possible to get a front USB 3.0 panel for this case. If you can then I am sold:)
 
As well as the PW-IO7V900 panel kit for the PC-A70FB, Lian Li also do the BZ-U07B black 5.25" drive bay USB 3.0 multi media ports panel, which apparently fits any 5.25" drive bay. It's not cheap, but I can't see any reason why you couldn't use this in an ATCS 840.
 
Ive got a Lian Li A70F, very pleased with it. The build quality is fantastic, excellent tool less installation system for pci cards, rubber mounted hard drive bays, thumb screws for motherboard installation. The amount of space is incredibly good, particularly if you have lots of hdd's or run multiple gpu's. Cooling is also very impressive due to the twin 140mm intake fans.
 
Get the FT-02 if you are spending a lot of money, it really is a exceptional case. Great cooling, great looks, great quality, great interior.

If you're spending less, there are quite a few good cases. The Corsairs look great, but sub-par for cooling, the HAF-X is hideous, and the Lian-Li doesn't have a great interior. All in all, the RV-03 is probably what I would recommend.
 
I've had a similar decision recently, went for a HAF-x in the end and am really impressed.

Personally, i'd have gone fore the Define XL if I wanted a proper quiet pc, the coolermaster if i wanted to WC. I wanted to do a decent air cooled case reusing my H70 so got the haf.
 
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