Quest for the perfect case (for me)

[rob.salewytsch]

Ok, I'm hoping that someone can somehow help find me the perfect case. I've looked at a tonne of cases over the last few weeks and none seem to be just right. I've got a few fall backs like the Thermaltake Core V21, NZXT 340, Phanteks P400s TG, and the Fractal Design Meshify C. I guess I'll just list my 'must-have' requirements and then the extra 'Nice-to-haves'.

Must-Haves:
- Mid-tower Atx or Micro-atx
- Tempered Glass (either on both sides or just the right side, this is opposite of most cases as my pc sits on my desk and to my left)
- I/O on the right side, or on the front face front (potentially would consider front/top if everything else is met)
- horizontal mobo or inverted mobo
- Moderate to good cooling
- removable dust filters
- can fit a 1080 or 1080 ti

Nice-to-haves:
- USB type C
- RGB (either fans or strips)
- enough clearance for an ARCTIC FREEZER 33 cpu cooler (150 mm I think)
- cube shape chassis
- more metal than plastic
- in the $100-120 range

Hopefully you know something I don't know.

Thanks in advance.

 

[James Mason]

Thermaltake Core x5 Glass might work, it's huge, but it does what you want, you can swap the IO:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811133338

Your price range is a bit below your "exotic" requests. But not that far off at least.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

Also have a look at the corsair air 240\540series.

 

[rob.salewytsch]

Thermaltake Core x5 Glass might work, it's huge, but it does what you want, you can swap the IO:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811133338

Your price range is a bit below your "exotic" requests. But not that far off at least.

In Canada it is $234 so that becomes quite the bump. I did see the x5 just last night, right after I posted, but I'm not sure I can justify the expenditure on a case. Especially when the Core v21 offers almost everything except it has acrylic. There is also the x2 but I can't seem to find them for sale in Canada (after just a quick look)

 

[rob.salewytsch]

Also have a look at the corsair air 240\540series.

So the 240 says it can be standard tower, inverted tower, or desktop. I kind of like this case too, but again it lacks TG. I'm just so hesitant to go acrylic. It is higher priced than the Core V21, I assume it would be similar to the X2, although the price is much better than the X5 listed above.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

X2 - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00TQI9ACQ/?tag=pcp0f-20
some other cases to consider : tt core g3 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01KV6ACLO/?tag=pcp0f-20
FD Node 804 https://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=3004197165
tt core p3 (this is a liquid cooling case) https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/8jL7YJ/thermaltake-core-p3-se-atx-mid-tower-case-ca-1g4-00m1wn-02

 

[James Mason]

Thermaltake Core x5 Glass might work, it's huge, but it does what you want, you can swap the IO:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811133338

Your price range is a bit below your "exotic" requests. But not that far off at least.

In Canada it is $234 so that becomes quite the bump. I did see the x5 just last night, right after I posted, but I'm not sure I can justify the expenditure on a case. Especially when the Core v21 offers almost everything except it has acrylic. There is also the x2 but I can't seem to find them for sale in Canada (after just a quick look)

wow, 100-120 CAD is far worse of a budget. Well, how much does it cost you to move your desk/monitors?

 

[rob.salewytsch]

Thermaltake Core x5 Glass might work, it's huge, but it does what you want, you can swap the IO:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811133338

Your price range is a bit below your "exotic" requests. But not that far off at least.

In Canada it is $234 so that becomes quite the bump. I did see the x5 just last night, right after I posted, but I'm not sure I can justify the expenditure on a case. Especially when the Core v21 offers almost everything except it has acrylic. There is also the x2 but I can't seem to find them for sale in Canada (after just a quick look)

wow, 100-120 CAD is far worse of a budget. Well, how much does it cost you to move your desk/monitors?

Honestly, it is more because of the shape of the room that dictates where the computer goes. I've considered other options, but the trade off is too painful. I realize the budget is tight, but considering I've never bought a case over $50 before, it's hard to spend 3x-4x more. Especially when I have already made hardware concessions. The logical side of me says to skip the aesthetics and just get a black box. But I enjoy the hunt and figure there has to be something that fits my needs. For example, the meshify C and the P400S TG meet the criteria except the side the window is on. The many cuboids out there meet the window criteria but don't have TG without blowing the price point out of the water. I am hoping there is a balance that I can be satisfied with.

I've gotten a lot of potential options from some other posters, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed and will start watching case reviews tonight.

 

[James Mason]

Oh there are definitely cases that exist to meet your "needs," the problem is your budget doesn't meet your needs.
The S340 may be the closest, because it has power buttons on top, but you won't be able to see inside.

Could you put your case "behind" your monitor(s) like I have mine?

 

[rob.salewytsch]

Going to change gears here a little. Let's forget about the right side window and replace it with some sort of futuristic aesthetic.

The issue is that the computer is a joint gift for my son and I. When he sees it, I want a reaction. Maybe something where i can put big rgb fans in the front like meshify C or that has rgb like p400s.

The corsair 240 was neat (not a fan of the 540) but the 240 seemed to have compatibility issues due o size.

So... What do you have that I can make look sweet even without a window

 

[Lucky_SLS]

A phanteks evolv matx TG? It has glass on both the sides. But I haven't worked in one so I don't know abt the parts orientation for right side view

 

[rob.salewytsch]

A phanteks evolv matx TG? It has glass on both the sides. But I haven't worked in one so I don't know abt the parts orientation for right side view

Lol, I was just looking at that one. Right side viewing is non-existent as it has a blackout tempered glass on the right side (except for SSD cutout). I think this one loses to the p400s and the meshify c if I am forgoing right side viewing.

The search continues...

 

[rob.salewytsch]

Ok I have it narrowed down to 4.

Thermaltake v21
Thermaltake P3
BitFenix Prodigy M

or if I forgo the right side window idea...
...Fractal Design Meshify C.

 

[Lucky_SLS]

looking at the cases in general, the meshify is the best deal. but for ur needs, the v21 suits u more.

 

[rob.salewytsch]

looking at the cases in general, the meshify is the best deal. but for ur needs, the v21 suits u more.

So I saw a thread somewhere that said that I can just lay any case down on the right side so the glass will be the top (sort of like the TT P3). Yes it will take up a fair amount of space, but sort of creates a viewable option.

Any reason to not lay a case down?

 

[rob.salewytsch]

So I had someone point out the Apevia QBL (or something like that) and this portal themed case...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olhO1vSpXTY

 

[Agathor]

The Corsair 600c has a right side window and looks quite cool, but I'm not sure what the cost will be for where you are.

 

[rob.salewytsch]

Thanks for the input, but that one is kinda ugly (subjective I know) and is $179 here so overall I think I can do better.