New case upgrade

[Gam3r01]

Since I have a birthday up and coming as well as some cash saved up I have two things to work on.
First I am building myself a new desk in order to get my PC off the floor and on the desk to look purdy. Since desks are expensive as no other, building one through school will be much cheaper. (that is really irrelevant though)

Second since I will get it off the floor I would want it to look good.

Right now Im running a 430 elite because it met my initial needs, cheap and a window.

But it lacks cable management which, no matter how many zipties I use, looks atrocious. So Im looking for a new case, with cable management and a window, that wont break the bank. It has to be ATX mid or larger.

 

[woltej1]

Always give a budget when asking for advice.

 

[Gam3r01]

Of course that edit didnt save, I would say nothing over 100, unless its worth while to do so. (I have 100 now, but thats set aside for steel for the desk, I will be getting more soon)

 

[tiny voices]

You can actually have a very clean build in your case. You just need some practice with cable management. Here, have a look at this build using your same case and a non-modular PSU. It looks great!

 

[woltej1]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009&clickid=wMpwcWyvA2IUXncwEowWiVUBUkTUHs3uN1A0Tk0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

 

[tiny voices]

Here is another one. Not quite as clean but still very good looking. This build even has 3 HDDs, an SSD, and a fan controller.

 

[Gam3r01]

That does look nice but I see a few issues. My HDD bay has drives in it, so I cant hide cables there. That rig appears to only have the SDD, do the cables can be routed back there. I also have an intake fan on the bottom I have to run the cables clearance.

All around though this case has potential, it just dosent sit right with me. I cant install fans on the top of my case due to my EVO, the bottom intake is literally touching my powersupply. And the front panel connectors are, well, poorly made.

EDIT, with that second picture, somethings different between our cases, my HDD cage is right up against the motherboard tray in the back, so I cant route cables there.

 

[tiny voices]

I would look at a Corsair 300r. The best case for the money.

Also, look at the second build I posted using your case. It has 3 HDDs and an SSD.

 

[Gam3r01]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139009&clickid=wMpwcWyvA2IUXncwEowWiVUBUkTUHs3uN1A0Tk0&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

I have always been a fan of corsair products, cases especially. But that case dosesnt really have a window on it.

This is what my case currently looks like except with a 760 taking up most of the room, and two PCI cables:

 

[tiny voices]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139016 windowed version of the 300r. A VERY good case.

 

[Gam3r01]

The 300R windowed looks pretty appealing to me, It has a nice window and cable management. I also like the sleek look of it.

 

[tiny voices]

The 300r is a really great and one of the most popular cases out there. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Gam3r01]

After looking the 300R windowed over I decided that would be my best bet. My last question with that (seeing as cases are my weak point) would be fan placement. I would be taking all 3 blue LED fans from this build, and moving them over. Question is where to put them, The 300 comes with 140 front and 120mm back fans. I was thinking take two blue fans, move them to the two front fans, then put the third one as the rear exhaust, and put the front panel 140mm as a top exhaust instead. (at least until I buy more fans. Thoughts?

 

[tiny voices]

That sounds perfect. That is more fans than your computer needs anyway. Adding any more than a top exhaust, read exhaust, and front intake will only increase noise. It will not cool any better. More fans DOES NOT mean cooler computer.

 

[Gam3r01]

Yeah I get that much, I just invested in blue fans because I like shiny things and whatnot, so its really just to flood the case in light, that or some cold cathode kits.

 

[tiny voices]

Any more than three or 4 fans is really pointless and will just sound LOUD. Your build will not get very hot at all, so I would just use the three-four fan setup. You can always buy cold cathodes or LEDs that will not add to the noise of the case.

 

[Gam3r01]

Yeah Ill stick with the 3 120mm blue led fans and the one 140 it comes with for one of the exhausts. If the noise bothers me ill take it out.

 

[tiny voices]

The NZXT H440 Is The BEST

This is not in OP's budget which was clearly stated.

 

[Gam3r01]

So just an update, I ordered the 300r from newegg a few hours ago and it shipped out the past hour.
I got free shipping on it, 14-18 days because I was not going to pay 20 bucks shipping, let alone 84 for next day, So I check the tracking info, coming from City of Industry CA, estimated delivery tomorrow.
I guess living 4 hours from LA has its benefits.

 

[tiny voices]

Yeah, I live near Baltimore, and when they ship stuff to me from their NJ warehouse, it usually says 5-7 days and comes in 1-2.

 

[Gam3r01]

Its interesting because every other product I have bought from newegg came from Tennessee.

 

[tiny voices]

I believe they have 4 or 5 warehouses. Most of the stuff I order comes out of Edison, NJ, but I have gotten things from their PA warehouse as well.