GAMING CASE: Full vs Mid; Corsair vs Cooler Master

[llguitargr8]

Hi!

First, I want to say that I have posted quite a few times on this forum to ask about this gaming rig I'm hoping to be putting together late-mid summer (depending on finances). So far this forum has been extremely helpful and insightful! My budget is ~$1800-$2000 for the tower, monitor, and keyboard. I already own a solid mouse.

I am WILLING to spend up to 2k, but I want to save money where I can. However, performance comes first and foremost. I will SLI/Crossfire if I need to get the highest performance possible, and I probably will do it regardless. I'm pretty sure I have solid components, but will continually update until I'm ready to build.

What I'm asking is what case should I get? Looks ARE a little bit important. I want it to look like the monster rig that it is, but I want cooling and performance and expansion to take front seat. I have done a lot of research, and the two cases that constantly come up for a recommendation are the CM HAF 932 and Corsair 800D Obsidian. Another concern is Full vs Mid, but I'm leaning more towards a full tower for the open, cooling space, and the optimization for expansion and upgrading. I'm already thinking of getting 2 SSD's raided and then 2 HDD's raided (which I also would like some advice on).

I just want the best rig money can buy WITHOUT overpaying, and so I would like to keep it between $1800-$2000.

Any advice is welcomed and thank you in advance!

 

[whatsthatnoise]

A case is something you have to decide on, since it's what you are looking at and you have to like. Most cases in the 100-200$ range are comparable in features.

So if you want to get advice on a case, choose some you like and get some feedback on your choices. If you don't look yourself, but only take suggestions, you could end up missing out on a case you would have liked.

There are plenty of awesome Mid Towers with impressive cooling. So cooling shouldn't concern you that much. I'd say you only need to go Full Tower if you are planning to really put a lot of stuff in there, like multiple graphic cards, HDDs and custom watercooling.

If you want to go CrossFire/SLI, go for a triple setup to eliminate micro stuttering. You don't need the most high end card(s) for that, but a good high end card would be advisable. More than 3 cards is not a good idea, since another card doesn't add (scale) that much anymore and you will already have more than enough fps.

 

[llguitargr8]

A case is something you have to decide on, since it's what you are looking at and you have to like. Most cases in the 100-200$ range are comparable in features.

So if you want to get advice on a case, choose some you like and get some feedback on your choices. If you don't look yourself, but only take suggestions, you could end up missing out on a case you would have liked.

There are plenty of awesome Mid Towers with impressive cooling. So cooling shouldn't concern you that much. I'd say you only need to go Full Tower if you are planning to really put a lot of stuff in there, like multiple graphic cards, HDDs and custom watercooling.

If you want to go CrossFire/SLI, go for a triple setup to eliminate micro stuttering. You don't need the most high end card(s) for that, but a good high end card would be advisable. More than 3 cards is not a good idea, since another card doesn't add (scale) that much anymore and you will already have more than enough fps.

Oh, I definitely have some I think look quite nice. It's just after some research I've found that a few of those might not really be the most performance aiding. I really like the hexagon dust grid in the front, nice big side panel, and DEFINITELY blue neons. Blue in black metal is definitely my color choice.

And on the cards, I definitely plan to have two cards, either from the get go or eventually upgrading by adding another card. I also plan on oc'ing, so I want to make sure I have enough space and fans, and overall great cooling and flow. I just don't know enough about cases to know what to look for if I want good cooling. Especially mid vs full

My tastes and what looks good to me (disregarding performance, hence the needed advice):
CM HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119213
Antec 900 Mid
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
Azza Solano 1000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811517004
Lian Li Lancool
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239
Corsair Obsidian 800D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001
Antec 1200 V3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100
Corsair Obsidian 650D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006
CM HAF X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119239
Lian Li Lancool Mid
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112320

On a side note: I really really dislike the look of the Thermaltake Level 10, so please don't suggest that lol

 

[Motopsychojdn]

In wins Dragion rider is available in black or white,
and is a good case to work with/modify
you haven't mentioned if you will be aircooling or water though?
Moto

 

[llguitargr8]

Best answer selected by llguitargr8.