The Final Three: Sub-$100 Cases For Your Gaming Build

[JPNpower]

Thank you ONUS, CRYAND. I'll take a look at that. Also, it seem strange that the ANTEC 300 TWO isn't in this comparison. It seems to be in the sweetspot that toms was aiming for. Too old already? Same for the HAF whateverthenumberwas.

Antec decided to send this one instead of the Three Hundred Two. Neither of these can stand up to the quality of its original Three Hundred however.

I am curious why you say that. Mostly because a computer case should be a box that holds parts together well, and has good airflow, and everything else is a gimmick. Even if it has paper thin walls if it works without failing or making a racket, nobody should care.

 

[slomo4sho]

Hmmm, now I'm curious about the 700; I used a 302 in my wife's build, and while not as sturdy as a Sonata, it wasn't thin like a budget case, and the build went well.

The Corsair 200R has been as low as $30 after rebate on multiple occurrences and would be the recommended mid-tower purchase if you can get it at this price.

 

[Crashman]

I am curious why you say that. Mostly because a computer case should be a box that holds parts together well, and has good airflow, and everything else is a gimmick. Even if it has paper thin walls if it works without failing or making a racket, nobody should care.

I care. If you like $30 cases that collapse if you set something heavy on them, scratch if you toss a cell phone on them, twist so easily that you can't make them sit flat, and lose all the threads in the screw holes when you swap your graphics card, go for it.

 

[JPNpower]

I am curious why you say that. Mostly because a computer case should be a box that holds parts together well, and has good airflow, and everything else is a gimmick. Even if it has paper thin walls if it works without failing or making a racket, nobody should care.

I care. If you like $30 cases that collapse if you set something heavy on them, scratch if you toss a cell phone on them, twist so easily that you can't make them sit flat, and lose all the threads in the screw holes when you swap your graphics card, go for it.

I am sorry, but you seem to misunderstand my message. I was emphasizing this part. " Even if it has paper thin walls IF IT WORKS WITHOUT FAILING OR MAKING A RACKET. These examples you give are good examples of cases that fail.

 

[slomo4sho]

I care. If you like $30 cases that collapse if you set something heavy on them, scratch if you toss a cell phone on them, twist so easily that you can't make them sit flat, and lose all the threads in the screw holes when you swap your graphics card, go for it.

Do any of the reviewed cases exhibit any of these issues?

 

[Crashman]

I care. If you like $30 cases that collapse if you set something heavy on them, scratch if you toss a cell phone on them, twist so easily that you can't make them sit flat, and lose all the threads in the screw holes when you swap your graphics card, go for it.

Do any of the reviewed cases exhibit any of these issues?

I pinched and scraped my fingers on the GX getting the break-out slot covers out without tools, because using the tool slots caused the whole panel to twist.

 

[envy14tpe]

The journey was a long one, but we're finally wrapping up our round-up of sub-$100 gaming cases. Today we review the last three of 11 total product submissions and pick an overall favorite. The competition was vicious, but one model definitely stands out.

The Final Three: Sub-$100 Cases For Your Gaming Build : Read more

Excellent work. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Proving once again why tomshardware is the best for reviews.

 

[phate1337]

where is the CM K280? now that's a budget case with a lot to offer. comes in cheaper than this lot too. decent cable management, USB 3.0, screwless bays (like everything nowadays), fits even a 7990 GPU in. so come on, where is the review?

 

[Crashman]

where is the CM K280? now that's a budget case with a lot to offer. comes in cheaper than this lot too. decent cable management, USB 3.0, screwless bays (like everything nowadays), fits even a 7990 GPU in. so come on, where is the review?

Cooler Master sent the Scout 2 Advanced instead of the K280.

 

[rolli59]

I have to say I agree with the verdict somewhat, that is if case is flimsy even if it has good performance it is not necessarily a winner. Then again for me looks is as well an important factor along with sturdiness.

 

[slomo4sho]

so why are you repeating yourself here?

I am going to say it probably has something to do with the site...

 

[de5_Roy]

looks like a tiny bit of info in the introduction(top of the first page of this article) may have gone unnoticed by a few people.

...
As a reminder, we focused on the value market, setting a price cap of $100 and warning the 28 companies we invited that quality would be a major consideration.
...

TH invited vendors to participate in the case roundup. it was up to the vendors themselves to choose to participate and send the cases fitting the conditions. so asking "why <insert brandname and model number> case is not in the round up" should really be directed towards the vendors.

for the roundup, i was rooting for rosewill r5 and the antec gx700. my caveats with the ostrog are that it doesn't have side fan mounts and it's power and reset buttons are on the top. power and/or reset button on the top of a case, without any safety covering, is like asking for trouble. i am just nitpicking, the case does a lot of other things right.

 

[Crashman]

my caveats with the ostrog are that it doesn't have side fan mounts and it's power and reset buttons are on the top. power and/or reset button on the top of a case, without any safety covering, is like asking for trouble. i am just nitpicking, the case does a lot of other things right.

While I personally don't like front-panel stuff on the top panel, I realize that enough readers do like these things that I don't even consider it in my overall evaluation.

 

[Onus]

My Hoplite has the power and reset on the top, and a few days ago Half a Kitty stepped on the reset button.

 

[Unolocogringo]

As always ,nice, concise, informative review.
Thanks Crashman!

 

[Onus]

That1Guy2, vendors decided what cases, if any, to send. If you had read the article, you would know this.

Future comments concerning specific cases not being reviewed (asking for a future review is of course ok) which indicate the article was not read will be deleted as off-topic to the discussion.

 

[JPNpower]

on a side note..check this out (spam spam spam) ...it looks like you can make some fast cash using google

Hey, its a new type of spam! I was getting tired of the usual great stories of your aunt's friend's ex-husband's brother's laptop money scheme. Or the free beats by dr. dre. Or the replies to nobody above. Or the obvious usernames. Oh wait.

 

[Pizza1337]

This is a great article. It's mentioned that in the G1 a 10.5" wide board would barely fit, but standard is 12"(width) x 9.6"(depth). It might be a silly question, but would a 12" x 8" board fit than? This article sold me on the G1, as long as my mobo can fit!

 

[Crashman]

This is a great article. It's mentioned that in the G1 a 10.5" wide board would barely fit, but standard is 12"(width) x 9.6"(depth). It might be a silly question, but would a 12" x 8" board fit than? This article sold me on the G1, as long as my mobo can fit!

It is a silly question But only because the lingo of ATX specs makes the mistake of assuming a motherboard will lay down. I make the safer assumption that people reading a tower case review will stand their case up, so the spec's "width" becomes 12" tall (in a tower) and and its "depth" is 9.6" wide.

 

[BF4Shifty]

I used to have the CoolerMaster Scout and I loved it. My only problem was the size....once I started to mod the case and put in two 7950's it just got a little to cramped in my opinion. I like to have a spacious clean look to the inside of my PC. Oh and I wish they made the side clear panel a bit bigger and more like the InWin

 

[Pizza1337]

Ah I had a feeling it was something simple! I learned something new non the less!

Thanks Crashman!

 

[Crashman]

Ah I had a feeling it was something simple! I learned something new non the less!

Thanks Crashman!

Just a matter of interpretation, I try to describe things visually from the angle the picture was taken. I'm sure I've been blacklisted by the ATX forum or whatever