Looking for a Cube Case / horizontal motherboard tray

[Mokarin]

I've been thinking of addin a fan+fan controller to my system to improve airflow but my current case (Corsair Spec-01) is cramped as is. Theres not really enough space for a molex cable to go behind the motherboard tray so itd not only ruin the aesthetics but wluld also make working in the case a royal pain.

So I've been looking around instead for a new case. Preferably one under $200, Canadian. I've decided that I really like the look of a cube case and the horizontal motherboard tray wjth the bulk of the cables and the power supply fitting underneath it. Problem is I have an ATX board and a bulky down-draft cooler. So I've only found a few options. The Corsair Air 540 would be great for me but I'm seriously just done with vertical motherboard trays. And so far I feel like corsair qc is a bit poor. As my current case arrived with warped side panels that are quite difficult to get on.
The CM HAF XB was looking perfect until I saw that it just barely fits my cooler and I'd like to be able to fit a Hyper 212 or something if I ever feel like it. Maybe evdn something a little bigger. The price is also pretty attractive and despite looking like a window mounted AC unit. i actually like the appearance.

Next is the GIGANTIC Thermaltake Core X9 which meets all of my requjrements. And i recently saw it on sale for 160CAD. Theres just one problem. It's too big. I could fit it in my work space but I'd lose all of my elbow room.

So i was hoping somebody around here could help me out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Vic 40]

Don't post the same question twice,
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3014697/cube-case-horizontal-motherboard-tray.html

 

[Mokarin]

Don't post the same question twice,
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3014697/cube-case-horizontal-motherboard-tray.html

Sorry about that. My phone freaked out a bit while i was editing the first one, which caused be to accidentally post the second one.

 

[Vic 40]

It happens. Other topic solved?

 

[Mokarin]

Nope, still looking. Im not 100% certain I want the HAF XB yet.
Looking at reviews of it and a common phrase i here/read is "great, for the price" In Canada it costs a fair bit more than in the US so great for the price kind of makes it feel like more of a step sideways that an upgrade from the Spec-01. Onecreview I read, i believe on NCIX, mentioned it being a poor choice for air cooling which is a big one for me as I'm not yet comfortable putting liquid in my computer.

 

[Vic 40]

It seeems that the other thread is deleted.

What about this one?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/thermaltake-case-ca1e700m1wn00

Clearance:
CPU cooler height limitation:180mm
VGA length limitation:280mm (With Reservoir) / 320mm (Without Reservoir)
PSU length limitation:200mm

https://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiWtsWowObLAhUFcQ8KHWUvBEAQtwIINjAG&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DVS6PJ49SpC8&usg=AFQjCNFwpfOt8xg92AZWCyBO1QRI6-ncLg
Take a look at the whole video.

Something that costs a lot more than what you really want to spend,
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/lian-li-case-pcv33wx

 

[Mokarin]

That's a super cool idea. But uh... Not really practical. Like at all.

As for the second option. It's pretty unfortunate that it's out of the range I'd like to pay. I couldn't justify spending that much on just a case.

Actually, just in case there's some like, magic zone of cases... I gues... I could probably go a bit over 200, I just don't really want to.

 

[Mokarin]

Tried playing Ryse, yesterday and my temps ran up to 62 on the CPU and 65 on the gpu. I think the gpu is doing alright but that's a new record for for my CPU. It was pretty warm yesterday so this tells me that my rig isn't going to survive the spring/summer if I don't get my cooling figured out.

EDIT: Evidently there's a new contestant in the ring but it's still very large it seems.http://m.newegg.ca/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16811133306

 

[Vic 40]

It may be hard to find what you want in the size you want for the price you want it to be under so the latest is maybe the best option you'll find. I have to say that the Haf XB isn't prticularly great to work with when needing to be under the motherboard tray so take that as well into consideration.

It has been a few days so maybe you alrady have chosen,in that case good luck with the choice made.

 

[Mokarin]

Yeah I did just decide to go with the HAF XB and rdered an NF-A14 IPPC to replace the regular one that's already on my cooler as I noticed it's often hitting its rpm limit when trying to keep my cpu cool.

If what you meant by working under the case is that it's cramped. I was a bit worried about that but I have tiny hands so hopefully it'll be alright. Im concerned about the airflow and footprint moee than anything. And I messed up my wrists already working in the awkward spaces of the spec-01. Hopefully that doesnt get worse in the XB.

Some people on linustechtips suggested I not even replace my case and just get an H80i or something. But there's enough controversy around the web and here on toms hardware to suggest that it's not even really worth what you pay for to get an AIO liquid cooler.

And if i end up doing that anyways. The haf xb has better support i guess.

 

[Vic 40]

The motherboardtray of the Haf XB is removable so no worries about working in the space underneath,it's just that when you need to work there you better take it out and that's a bit of a hassle,even more if that happens more times than you want.Just make sure that all cabling is connected and routed as you want.Also make sure that both hotswapbays are connected to the motherboard so that when adding a hdd you don't have to do that at a later state.

Adding a few case fans and decent cooler like the Cryorig H7 might make all the difference that you want,it's hard to tell for sure.Don't tink you've mentioned your specs.

 

[Mokarin]

I'm using a noctua nh-c14s. At one point I was going to use the cryorig, however there's nowhere you can buy them in Canada.

I'll probably try to use the A14 that's on the cooler right now in the front of the case and swap out the other cm 120 with the Corsair AF140 I have, assuming it moves more air than the 120's in the new case. Idk because coolermaster doesnt specify whether they're the xtraflo slims or the normal version.

 

[Vic 40]

Don't know if the 140's move more air,but they are probably quieter.