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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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:)
 
shannowdr said:
Snap, i had my list down to haf x, corsair 650d, window vemon Colossus or Fractal XL.

in the end i pick the 650 over the HAF. Both realy good cases.

Also the Xigmatek Elysium may be worth a look.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.

I too have now decided on the Corsair 650D. The only trouble is I want the latest version of it with the faults fixed and 2 x USB 3.0 which I believe is product code CC650DW-1. The only trouble is overclockers dont have this version yet and I wouldnt really trust to get it from another retailer who may say one thing but you may get something different. I just have a little thing about if I buy a new case and spend a lot of money that I want a case where I will get no problems :)

If I cant get a Corsair 650D (new version) then I will have to get something else as I cant wait much longer and have all my parts ready to go. I have noticed though that some cases such as the Haf X and Antec 1200 V3 have gone up quite a bit in price since I first posted this thread.
 
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