Best Watercooling Case Sub £200?

[Coops_THC]

Hi peeps,

I am looking to make my first watercooling build mostly using components i already have however my current case isn't up to it.

After days of researching various cases and reading hundreds of reviews i have dwindled my decision down to 3 contenders.

My question to you ladies and gentlemen is, which of the following would you buy:

Corsair Obsidian 750D (£140): http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...0d-review.html

NZXT Switch 810 Special Edition (£150): http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...on-review.html

Phanteks Enthoo Primo (£200): http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...se-review.html

I am personally swaying towards the latter case. The Enthoo Primo looks to have so much flexibility while keeping everything neat and tidy with a good build quality. I also like the door on the front hiding the 5.25" drive bays.

The only thing that bothers me about the Switch 810 is that the 5.25" bays are shown when looking through the side window, it's looks very unpleasing to the eye.

This is something i want to last for a long time without having to upgrade to support extra rads etc. I may not use the full potential initially but plan to add more and more rads over time.

P.S: I am not prepared to spend anymore than £200 as my original budget was £100.

Thanks all.

 

[Meoricin]

Personally, I'm currently looking for a case to replace/upgrade my modded CM690 (an excellent case, but It wouldn't handle much more expansion for me).

Currently run a 120 and a 240 rad, and would like to either add to, or replace one of those with a 360. I'm also looking to replace my XSPC bay res/pump with a tube reservoir and D5, so need good internal space.

I've essentially brought my choices down to the following cases, though it looks as if my space requirements might be greater than yours?

Switch 810 - love the fact that it comes in colours other than black (so if I decide to use a different colourscheme I don't have to paint), and love the price.

Enthoo Primo - this was my number 1 choice until I started reading about the below option, which I'm now waiting on more details for, since if it's reasonably priced I think I'd be happy to sacrifice a bit of the appearance.

I think this case looks almost perfect, and the utility of the reservoir mounts/PSU positioning etc really sounds nice. The price is right at the limit of what I'd like to spend, though - which is making me hesitate.

Cooler Master HAF935 Stacker - this is what I'm waiting for more details on. The idea of having a large, separate radbox underneath(or on top of - but for me below) my main box is very appealing - and is to some extent why the final options are still in the running, and why I haven't already purchased the Phanteks.

I think the appearance suffers a bit, but the extra space gained from essentially having two cases makes up for that. The other feature I absolutely love is the PCI-E extension slot, which allows you to display one of your GPUs face-out (the way they're clearly intended to be seen!). If this releases at a price noticeably below the Phanteks, it'll be a clear winner for me - if not, it's still in with a fighting chance.

Corsair 800/900D - a 900d would be perfect, an 800d nearly so, for me. However because of their price new, the only way I'm getting one is if I can find one second hand for a reasonable price.

This is another reason I haven't gone straight for the Phanteks - to give myself a chance, just in case I can find one of these cheaper. I disregarded the 750d and below - feeling like it was just a little too small (though it's not much smaller than the 800d now that I look), and even if I saved a fair chunk of cash with it, I'd constantly regret the size when seeing its bigger brothers online.


To summarize, then - I've maybe given you a couple more to think about. If I were picking from your three alone, I'm pretty sure I'd be jumping at the Phanteks - but it really depends what your mounting/appearance desires are - mine just happen to fit it almost perfectly, wheras if yours don't quite, the NZXT might be better.

I hope this has helped you with your planning - it's probably confused the issue a bit, but it's certainly helped me getting my thoughts on the matter straight(er)!

I'd certainly appreciate some thoughts the other way to help with my dilemma, too!

 

[Coops_THC]

Personally, I'm currently looking for a case to replace/upgrade my modded CM690 (an excellent case, but It wouldn't handle much more expansion for me).

Currently run a 120 and a 240 rad, and would like to either add to, or replace one of those with a 360. I'm also looking to replace my XSPC bay res/pump with a tube reservoir and D5, so need good internal space.

I've essentially brought my choices down to the following cases, though it looks as if my space requirements might be greater than yours?

Switch 810 - love the fact that it comes in colours other than black (so if I decide to use a different colourscheme I don't have to paint), and love the price.

Enthoo Primo - this was my number 1 choice until I started reading about the below option, which I'm now waiting on more details for, since if it's reasonably priced I think I'd be happy to sacrifice a bit of the appearance.

I think this case looks almost perfect, and the utility of the reservoir mounts/PSU positioning etc really sounds nice. The price is right at the limit of what I'd like to spend, though - which is making me hesitate.

Cooler Master HAF935 Stacker - this is what I'm waiting for more details on. The idea of having a large, separate radbox underneath(or on top of - but for me below) my main box is very appealing - and is to some extent why the final options are still in the running, and why I haven't already purchased the Phanteks.

I think the appearance suffers a bit, but the extra space gained from essentially having two cases makes up for that. The other feature I absolutely love is the PCI-E extension slot, which allows you to display one of your GPUs face-out (the way they're clearly intended to be seen!). If this releases at a price noticeably below the Phanteks, it'll be a clear winner for me - if not, it's still in with a fighting chance.

Corsair 800/900D - a 900d would be perfect, an 800d nearly so, for me. However because of their price new, the only way I'm getting one is if I can find one second hand for a reasonable price.

This is another reason I haven't gone straight for the Phanteks - to give myself a chance, just in case I can find one of these cheaper. I disregarded the 750d and below - feeling like it was just a little too small (though it's not much smaller than the 800d now that I look), and even if I saved a fair chunk of cash with it, I'd constantly regret the size when seeing its bigger brothers online.


To summarize, then - I've maybe given you a couple more to think about. If I were picking from your three alone, I'm pretty sure I'd be jumping at the Phanteks - but it really depends what your mounting/appearance desires are - mine just happen to fit it almost perfectly, wheras if yours don't quite, the NZXT might be better.

I hope this has helped you with your planning - it's probably confused the issue a bit, but it's certainly helped me getting my thoughts on the matter straight(er)!

I'd certainly appreciate some thoughts the other way to help with my dilemma, too!

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I have already looked at the 900D and as you said the price is high and way exceeds my budget. I am not to keen on how all your 5.25" drives are visible although i do like the large side windows and bottom compartment.

I have never heard of the HAF Stacker up until now and it does look interesting as its listed for £159 on the BT Shop. How ever i still prefer the Enthoo Primo as i do not like the aesthetics compared the the Enthoo Primo and that build quality does not seem as good. Considering its a large case, i think the space utilization is very poor compared to the Enthoo Primo. The Enthoo Primo can have a maximum rad of 480mm where as the Stacker 935 can only have 360mm, i understand it may be able to fit more rads but how many do you really need. Is 2x 480mm and 2x 140mm not enough? I know that you can also upgrade and add to the Stacker as and when but how much can you upgrade before it starts looking silly, not to mention and accident waiting to happen?

My heart is staying with the Enthoo Primo for now.

 

[Meoricin]

Just wanted to say, this thread prompted me to go out and look at more reviews of the Enthoo Primo. I'd forgotten just now nice it looks in the excitement over the Coolermaster's GPU placement gimmick. I still like that - but the Enthoo really does look like the best option for watercooling options, and so I placed an order a few minutes ago! I even passed up a 800D on ebay, that I watched go for £90 inc shipping.

Now looking forward to upgrading my system bit-by-bit to fill it, as I could only justify buying the case and a new PSU for now, so it's going to be pretty empty for a while.

 

[rpjkw11]

I have the Phanteks Enthoo Primo and couldn't be happier. I'm an airhead using the Phanteks TC-14PE, so I' m very much underutilizing the potential. Eventually I'll install a Swiftech H320 kit, but for now my mildly over clocked i7-4770k is nice and cool. I had been very happy with the NZXT PH630, until the Primo stole my heart. The Stacker looks intriguing, but the style doesn't 'grab' me.