Need computer case options

[derekc5475]

1. Better than HAF 912
2. Spacious to hide cables etc for better air flow
3. COOLING IS A MUST NEED TO BE TOP NOTCH
4. Fan slots (i will fill all the fan slots)
5. BUDGET $100~ more or less

ATM, looking into
Antec 900
Rosewill Thor v2 (Won Maximum PC coolest case verdict, interesting but dont know if it's accurate)
Corsair 500r
CM Storm Scout II advance

 

[tiny voices]

You do understand filling all the fan slots will not help right? You want correct air flow. Not a mess of fans. Generally 3 to 4 fans is all any computer needs and more can often times INCREASE heat because of messing up flow of air.

 

[derekc5475]

Can you direct me to a good place to learn how about air flow, etc.
I want to ensure my case has the best possible air flow

Thank you
Sorry that I am a newb
Still learning

 

[tiny voices]

Honestly all you need is for any computer:

1-2 front intake fans
1 top exhaust
1 rear exhaust


Fans should go like this:

Front is intake.
Rear/top is exhaust.
Side/bottom is intake.

BUT many people have found that side fans do nothing and often times mess up air flow and make things hotter. I would do without side fans.

 

[derekc5475]

I will run tests to test this theory.
Aren't side fans theoretically helpful for GPU temps? I would just assume that since it's blasting right at the GPU.
But I can see your point. Maybe having just One single stream of air flow is good.

Lots of testing in my future!

If this is the case I would really like to find a comptuer case that has good cable management.

 

[tiny voices]

Well I have two gtx660ti's in SLI OC'd and my side fan makes the temps worse by 3-5 degrees. It stop the flow from front to back and cause the air to just heat up and blow around in a circle.

The less fans, the better. (to a point)

I would look at the coolermaster haf 912 or 932. Basically the best air flow for anything close to your budget.

 

[derekc5475]

I currently have the haf 912.
I have the luxury of upgrading because my frined is building a new computer and I can give him mine for about the same price I bought it for.
One thing I dont like about the haf 912 is the cable management, cables cables cables everywhere!

Hopefully my future modular PSU will help

 

[tiny voices]

You must not be using the cable management options correctly. Here are some VERY clean builds using that case:

http://cdn.overclock.net/a/aa/500x1000px-LL-aa6b3128_DSC_0129.jpeg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81u5Xg0-dzL._AA300_.png

http://i.imgur.com/qgKju.jpg messy but still good.

The Corsair 300r has good airflow and VERY good cable management.

 

[derekc5475]

Tiny Voices, Thank you.
You opened my eyes as to how to actually do cable management.
I'm a big amateur, just watched a youtube video and skipped 90% of it and built my computer after that.
I will fix my cable managements.

I may be able to secure a VERY good deal for a new 500r on CL. Maybe I might go with that one.
Any doubts/cons about it?

 

[tiny voices]

It is HUGE and overkill unless you have a custom water loop. I would just keep your case. It has BETTER airflow. Just take some time and do the cable management.

 

[derekc5475]

Are there facts/test behind haf 912 > 500r for air flow?

 

[tiny voices]

No. and you won't find any. But simply put both have very good airflow. the haf 912 has been said to have the best airflow. There are never benchmarks for airflow. Even cheap junk cases can easily have perfect airflow if set up properly.

I have 2 overclocked GPUs in SLI and a slightly overclocked CPU shoehorned into a microATX case and I have no heat issues at all.