Build: Component Overview and Case Suggestions

[RyanSpooner]

Here are the components I've picked thus far:

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BUILD #1
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Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme6
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K Haswell
GPU: ASUS STRIX-GTX980
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 4x4GB DDR3 2133
PSU: Corsair AX760i (760 Watt)
HDD: Seagate 4TB Hybrid Drive
Wireless Adapter: ASUS PCE-AC56
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My question is twofold:

1) How does the build look to you all? Are there any
pieces seemingly incompatible? or any changes/
recommendations to be made? Bottlenecking? Heat
issues (stock coolers w/ no OCing)? Diminishing returns?

2) Missing from the above list is a case and that is
the second part I am seeking input on.
In the future, I envision adding:
• 2x SSDs
• 2x HDDs (for a total of 3 HDDs in the system)
• 2 optical Drives (BluRay Read/Write)
• Sound Card (Soundblaster ZxR?)
• An additional GTX980 (may hold off till I get a
better MOBO)
• Water Cooling System (probably hold my
radiators in a radbox)

Important to me are:
• build materials (prefer metal and glass, but durable
plastics are fine)
• cable management
• airflow
• easily accessible drive bays--e.g. toolless,
hot-swappable--and general ease of access to
the insides
• Adequate USB 2.0/3.0 I/O
• Plenty of room for fans, and
• a subdued look is preferable.

I want to set the upper limit for the case to $250 (hopefully it
will be much lower than that): ATX Full/Mid form factor. I am,
however, open to all suggestions. A case that comes with multiple
high quality fans would be a plus (120mm), but I can cope with a lack
if the rest of specs look sharp. I will eventually OC the system when
I can afford a rock solid cooling setup, so tubing, et cetera
friendliness is a plus (note I plan to have an external rad config).

The tone of the Elite PC Roundup article was lukewarm at best, so I thought
I would see what the people of the forums are using/want. Of course I am not
trying to have my cake and eat it too; I expect some compromises will be made,
but I wanted to give you all a good idea of what I am searching for.

Thanks for any and all help/adive you can offer.

Cheers,

Ryan Spooner

 

[Eric92]

If I were you I'd look no further than the Rosewill Blackhawk. It's pretty big for a mid tower and has excellent cooling and air flow with two large intakes at the front and two on top. (you'll have to buy the second up top separately for about 8 dollars) Lots of room in the case as well as a double back panel for cable management. I used it on my first build and I have almost no wires dangling around and GPU never gets over 65 C and CPU rarely exceeds 55 C despite some intense gaming.

 

[RyanSpooner]

If I were you I'd look no further than the Rosewill Blackhawk...

Thanks for the suggestion Eric. That Blackhawk is definitely a sick case. I am also considering the Corsair Obsidian Series; do you have experience with them? Rosewill is cheaper, though, and seems like it would be a good fit. Strongly considering it.

 

[Eric92]

I've never had a Corsair case or known anyone who has so I can't speak for them. It mostly comes down to personal preference. The Blackhawk is an excellent case but if you like how the Corsair looks better then go for it! Otherwise, you can't go wrong with Rosewill unless you don't like LED lit fans