Gaming Computer Case Advice

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hopz

hopz

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Apr 26, 2012
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Hey guys, I am planning on building my own gaming computer, I've figured out almost everything else. Just have some issues with the case decision. I don't know too much about them, but think I have it narrowed down to three choices, but am open to other suggestions as well. Want to make sure it can fit everything so was thinking mid to full tower if necessary, also that the cooling is enough, and hopefully pretty quiet. Here is what I came up with.


COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer -$90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240&Tpk=CM%20Storm%20Enforcer

Corsair Carbide Series 500R -$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

Antec Twelve Hundred V3 Black Steel ATX Full Tower - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100


Thanks,
Alex :)
 
Solution
M
All those cases are good quality. It's kind of hard to figure out if they will be thermally acceptable since you didn't post what was going in it. But a single GPU pc is fairly easy to cool even with just 1 or 2 fans. Quiet fans are going to be the big part of keeping a case quiet but the case certainly does help. If you are wanting to look at some of the quieter ones I would suggest:
Antec Solo II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129177
Antec P280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129179&Tpk=antec%20p280
Fractal Design Define R3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352013
Corsair Carbide 550D...
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It kind of depends on what you are putting in it, and cooling again kinda depends on what you are putting in it. Nearly every case I have owned has had the stock fans ripped out and replaced with quieter fans.

They are all great cases and I'd suggest going for whatever you like the look of best

Personally i am currently using a

http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/crafted_series/tempest_410_elite

Its perfect size for everything I have in it. Has a lovely tray up top for the corsair h100 I have fitted, and its mainly mesh design means the airflow is superb once you have a fan fitted in every available slot. The stock fans were to loud for my liking so I have fitted quieter fans and a fan controller but it is a lovely case.
 
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All those cases are good quality. It's kind of hard to figure out if they will be thermally acceptable since you didn't post what was going in it. But a single GPU pc is fairly easy to cool even with just 1 or 2 fans. Quiet fans are going to be the big part of keeping a case quiet but the case certainly does help. If you are wanting to look at some of the quieter ones I would suggest:
Antec Solo II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129177
Antec P280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129179&Tpk=antec%20p280
Fractal Design Define R3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352013
Corsair Carbide 550D
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139012&Tpk=corsair%20550d
Silverstone Fortress FT02 (Full Tower with or without side window)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=100006644&isNodeId=1&Description=fortress+ft02
All are designed with acoustics in mind. The Fortress FT02 is one of the best performers thermally also. It's huge though and more case than most people will ever need.
 
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Solution


In that case I think the Corsair 500R will do quite nicely. Odd choice of colouring though IMO, mainly black components in a white case. Different I suppose!

I don't know what that case is like acoustically, but as a general rule the fans with built in LED's tend to be a little nosier. If you didn't want to replace them all a simple fan controller installed in one of your optical drive bays would be more than sufficient to tone down the noise when needed.
 
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i was looking into the Corsair Obsidian Series 550D.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139012

Do you know if the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

would fit in?
 
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Thats good to hear, cause I've heard a couple mixed things on newegg. One said, "-Positioning of side vents makes it too narrow to fit a 25mm thick fan with a "tower" style CPU cooler (like a Hyper 212+/EVO). I will try a 15mm thick fan"

then another said, " I fit my gtx 560 ti and hyper 212 evo cpu cooler in with plenty of room."

So wasn't exactly sure. But am hoping to do a little mild overclocking so thought the cooler would be a good idea.
 
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"By our measurements, the maximum CPU heatsink height is 17.9 cm but the release mechanism for the side panel sticks inward, possibly causing interference. With our system configuration there was only 4 mm of clearance above the 156 mm tall FZ120 cooler."

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1255-page4.html

The Hyper 212 = Heatsink Dimensions120 x 80 x 159 mm

So I believe it will fit but the release mechanism would make it a very close fit 1mm of clearance.
 
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assuming that you can spend $150~,i would suggest coolermaster storm trooper,excellent case-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245&Tpk=storm%20trooper
a great case that will fulfill your all needs from good looks-style to enough space(xl-atx) and high airflow.have a look-
CSCOSGC5000KKN1_2.jpg
 
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006
this case for corsair is also a good case if your willing to spend a little extra. Very sleek look in person pictures don't bring out the nice brushed aluminum on the front. My roommate uses this case and has put whole lot of parts in their and still has room to spare. I have a cool master haf and i am sick of the look after seeing the design of corsairs. A fan controller would be recommended its really up to how they look and fit your case. i paid only 30 dollars for mine and it performs just as good as a 60 dollar one. It is controlling four of these beastly fans DFS123812H-3000
3,000 rpm
45.90dBA
133.60CFM
DC12V
0.60 A
on max settings its like a jet taking off no point of going max unless overclocking.
 
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i would recommend you looking for cases and other parts after you figure out what you want and purchase them from amazon. No taxes on the parts and you usually can pick up the parts cheaper and prime delivery which is where you pay four dollars for next day delivery. To receive prime member ship you have to have a student email which you receive prime shipping for a year free. or you can purchase it which is very expensive. I think you also get it free for a month if you havent signed up for amazon yet. But the case i showed you is 20 dollars cheaper on amazon with prime shipping. They also do same day local delivery some times for 4 dollars as well.
 
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I bought the fractal design R3 recently for my install . it has tons of room and was fairly easy to put together . if you buy one make sure you buy extensions for the 8 pin and 24 pin power leads. The leads on the thermaltake toughpower were to short to make for a neat cable free install .

only possible negatives i found were the lack of room on the back of the motherboard tray another 5 mm of depth would have been great . it was however probably the best install i've ever done . ( i have done maybe 20 lol ) i have installed a frio cpu cooler that is massive and heavy . it was rediculopusly easy to install due to the case being designed for such mods.
 
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So I've really started liking the i was looking into the Corsair Obsidian Series 550D.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811139012

Really like the idea of a quiet computer, it also has the 2 USB 3.0, fits 2.5 SSD, the magnet air filters seem really nice, and the cable management seems decent. My only issues now is a cooler for it. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cooler to be able to O/C a i 2500 (hopefully the new Ivy Bridge when it comes out) to around 4 Ghz, but is small enough to for sure fit in the case?
 
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Thanks, do you have any recommendations for something that would similar to the evo, just a little smaller?
 
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i don't know why most of the peeps are saying"get this one because i own it or that one because i own that"WTF?it's not necessary that everything you owned or own is absolutely best.it is better to suggest the case that you think suits to asker.it's his decision to choose.
 
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I currently have the Coolermaster HAF 932 which i find to be amazing!!
I personally think the 2 best Cases out right now are the Coolermaster HAF X and the Thermaltake Chaser MK-1..
The Haf X will definetly keep your computer cooler..but the Chaser does have some awesome flashyness to it..
 
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So I've really started liking the i was looking into the Corsair Obsidian Series 550D.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811139012

Really like the idea of a quiet computer, it also has the 2 USB 3.0, fits 2.5 SSD, the magnet air filters seem really nice, and the cable management seems decent. My only issues now is a cooler for it. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good cooler to be able to O/C a i 2500 (hopefully the new Ivy Bridge when it comes out) to around 4 Ghz, but is small enough to for sure fit in the case?
 
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The Tuniq Tower 120 is about a centimeter shorter than the Hyper 212+ and a solid performer. The 212+/Evo is 160mm tall.
http://www.frostytech.com/top5_lowprofile_heatsinks.cfm
 
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