It's about time to buy a new PC and rotate my older ones down the line. I've been keeping track of the pertinent hardware on my list, but I've come to realize that I don't know much about the plethora of computer cases anymore. I've been reusing older ones for the past several years, and the Antec case I'm currently using was a gift from my Wife. This case (and it's components) are going to replace the DVR/Entertainment System in the upstairs den, and all of my older cases are either in use, too old, or too small.
My current Antec case is a bit flashy for my tastes, but it is sturdy enough, but I'd like to hear others first hand opinions of different brands they have personal experience with before randomly picking one of the many that fit the bill from newegg.
Check out CoolerMaster for sure! Excellent design and functionality!
Ya, currently using one of the less flashy coolermasters, good mix of functionality (cooling, size) and cost.
I like the simplicity of Antec's Sonata line.
Lian Li makes a ton of high quality cases, a bit of a different look while not being bling. Good construction.
Corsair's 600T is one I loved from a performance standpoint while looking nice.
Cooler Master Centurion 5 here. Plenty of room, lots of bays for expansion, reasonably priced, great ventilation. Solid construction and comes with all the hardware you'll need. Mine has the blue bezel, looks great.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068
I've been planning on getting this one for my next rig:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517013
I haven't personally had the chance to test it, but I know people who have and liked it. It can fit just about any video card with ease, and has a gigantic fan that saves me the trouble of gluing my room fan to the case again. It is a bit pricey though.
This one has less gigantic fans, but it's cheaper, and has the same space for massive video cards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517016
You guys make a strong case for Centurion (pun intended).
That's my weapon of choice....
I've had several different cases ranging from high end (lian li) to just about everything in between. My current case is cheap, not too flashy, easy to work on, and on sale.
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/60186/amazon.com-antec-three-hundred-atx-mid-tower-computer-case
Give it a look - $45 on amazon and its a solid design imo.
I have one similar to the Centurion and it's been nothing but great.
Wiz...how well does it ventilate when you shut that door?
In the summer, not as well as I'd like, in the winter, no problem. Ambient, CPU and GPU temps do go up a bit with it shut but it is much quieter. (7 fans) I plan on putting a grill on the door eventually. Until then I leave it open slightly.
Best case ever, cheap as dirt, no airflow issues:
So long as you have no kids or pets...
Lian Li cases are pretty nice--lots of amenities and most of them are aluminum so they're not going to break your back if you need to move them like all the steel cases, but they don't come cheap. IIRC my B25 was over $200 back when I did my last build, but it was the only thing that had everything I wanted in a case.
I'm using the CoolerMaster HAF 922 and it's been great. Lots of room inside with good cable management. Only downside on this case...no removable dust filter on the front like they had on the Mystique.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
Depends on if you need a Full Tower or Mid Tower. I love my HAF 932.....best tool-less full tower I've seen. The centurion's a good option for a mid tower but so is the HAF 922. Personally I like the Cosmo if you need a "non-flashy" case.
I have a few old bits I often run like that...it's a P111 ....was gonna 'arrange' it sculpturally - one day.....
....but life is the thing that gets in the way while you're making plans.....
Thermaltake ElementsS:
http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/custompc_by_avadirect
Very nice rig.
Still pining for a Watched Threads function of some sort.
This is the one I have.... link A Thermaltake V9... has served me well for 18 months or so now, no worries.
Thank you all for the responses. Due to the (expected) wildly varied opinions, I am unfortunately more adrift than when I started though.
However, after some more ground work and research, I have narrowed down my search; so unless someone can throw a better bone I'll most likely be getting the HAF 932 or X. Both are full tower's, have decent air flow, and have room for cable management. I don't like the look of it, but I don't like the look of any of the cases so there's no love lost there. The actual selling point was that after examining these cases at the local Frys, they are wider and taller (inside the actual bay) by an inch or two than the other similar cases. With CPU coolers growing excessively taller, and the foot long graphics cards (horribly poor fan and fan "case" designs not withstanding) becoming the norm, that extra room will make tinkering much less annoying for me and my shrek hands.
good choice
I use a Thermaltake case for the system I built a few years ago. It's easy to work in. I recently upgraded both internal drives and replaced the front cooling fan without any difficulties. It has sufficient overall cooling for my quad core AMD with Radeon video card, 2 2gb drives and a DVD burner. I think I only paid $39 for it and added a side fan to the 2 internal fans, for another $15.
I'm thinking of getting the CoolerMaster COSMOS II. Saw an article about it.
I have the Antec 900. I love it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
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