Budget Mid-Tower ATX Compartmentalized Cases

[Csyzrs]

Howdy! this is my first post here and I thought I'd start out by rehashing an age old forum thread, but in my flavor. I dare not ask for "The Best" because its far too general and subjective. What I want is a range of cases that are cheap (under 75$ pref) that don't have those stupid drive bays right in front of all the fans. I have about 4 HDD's and I'd like to hide them away from my fans much like the Enthoo EVOLV ATX does, or the Corsair Air 540. I also think traditional HDD mounting styles are ugly AF. I chose Mid-Tower because I currently have a huge full-tower case that is pretty much empty thanks to having no optical drives and a mid tower would be easier to haul around and fit into tight spaces. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[bob0011]

Ok here is what I have found:

Thermaltake Core V21 $60
Only 3 hdd 3.5 inch bays But the side panels are all interchangeable
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-case-ca1d500s1wn00

Phanteks Enthoo Pro M $65
Hdd are still in the normal place but you can't see them really through the window, but provides great water cooling options
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes515ptg

Phanteks ECLIPSE P400 $75
I love this case, the way it hides HDD is awesome not to mention Phanteks normal watercooling features
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phec416pag

Corsair Air 240 $80
A little over your budget, but also only has 3x 3.5 inch hdd bays, (but i'm sure you could find space to fit another with a bit of velcro)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011070ww

Silverstone GD09B HTPC Case $73
Its a HTPC a bit different from what you suggested but offers another option for small powerful PC's
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-gd09b

Hope this helps.

 

[Csyzrs]

Ok here is what I have found:

Thermaltake Core V21 $60
Only 3 hdd 3.5 inch bays But the side panels are all interchangeable
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-case-ca1d500s1wn00

Phanteks Enthoo Pro M $65
Hdd are still in the normal place but you can't see them really through the window, but provides great water cooling options
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes515ptg

Phanteks ECLIPSE P400 $75
I love this case, the way it hides HDD is awesome not to mention Phanteks normal watercooling features
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phec416pag

Corsair Air 240 $80
A little over your budget, but also only has 3x 3.5 inch hdd bays, (but i'm sure you could find space to fit another with a bit of velcro)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011070ww

Silverstone GD09B HTPC Case $73
Its a HTPC a bit different from what you suggested but offers another option for small powerful PC's
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-gd09b

Hope this helps.

The phanteks Eclipse p400 pick is perfect. Id love to do the corsair 240 but alas, it doesnt support AXT (mini ITX and micro ATX only) as for the enthoo pro M it too is perfect (the modular bays are a nice touch) my only gripe is the side mounted I/O panel that a lot of newer cases seem to have now (but that is pure preference).

All in all a fantastic list for me to choose from! I thank you for your search effort. I am an old pc builder, but the task of searching through endless companies that crop up and not knowing which is worth the money, followed by obviously biased case reviews = too crazy for me to fit into my busy schedule.

 

[bob0011]

Ok here is what I have found:

Thermaltake Core V21 $60
Only 3 hdd 3.5 inch bays But the side panels are all interchangeable
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-case-ca1d500s1wn00

Phanteks Enthoo Pro M $65
Hdd are still in the normal place but you can't see them really through the window, but provides great water cooling options
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes515ptg

Phanteks ECLIPSE P400 $75
I love this case, the way it hides HDD is awesome not to mention Phanteks normal watercooling features
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phec416pag

Corsair Air 240 $80
A little over your budget, but also only has 3x 3.5 inch hdd bays, (but i'm sure you could find space to fit another with a bit of velcro)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011070ww

Silverstone GD09B HTPC Case $73
Its a HTPC a bit different from what you suggested but offers another option for small powerful PC's
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-gd09b

Hope this helps.

The phanteks Eclipse p400 pick is perfect. Id love to do the corsair 240 but alas, it doesnt support AXT (mini ITX and micro ATX only) as for the enthoo pro M it too is perfect (the modular bays are a nice touch) my only gripe is the side mounted I/O panel that a lot of newer cases seem to have now (but that is pure preference).

All in all a fantastic list for me to choose from! I thank you for your search effort. I am an old pc builder, but the task of searching through endless companies that crop up and not knowing which is worth the money, followed by obviously biased case reviews = too crazy for me to fit into my busy schedule.

Glad to Help.