Top 10 Cases for 2015?

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Hopefully for 2015 they'll come out with something a bit more innovative. I realize it helps compatibility to keep churning out the same old rectangular cases but there have hardly been any improvements over the past decade or two other than room behind the motherboard for cable management and swapping usb 2.0 for 3.0 ports. Seems like most designs are a massive waste of space and could be engineered a little better. It's hard to justify getting a new case that's basically the same as what I have for another $100 give or take $20-30. For that reason alone I've been toying with building my own.
 
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I don't know what qualifies as a 'best case' for a specific year, if it means the case needs to be a currently good case or if you mean a case introduced solely in 2015. I'm a bit surprised the phanteks enthoo pro wasn't mentioned. Much as I considered building my own it would be a ton of work since I don't have all the tools necessary for metal work and didn't want to build a wooden case. Ended up going for the enthoo pro for $99. Plenty of room for various radiator and reservoir mounts for water cooling, a ton of fan options - I think 200mm/140mm/120mm for front and top in different arrangements, 140/120 for the rear and bottom. Dust filters at the bottom, front and top. Comes with a psu shroud, configurable drive bays in front, ssd mounts behind the motherboard tray and an included fan hub. How useful it is depends on the intended uses, but another cool thing they made the case using screws rather than rivets so the case breaks down with a screwdriver further than just about any case I've ever seen giving access for deep cleaning, custom mounts, painting or anything else. It may not be the most perfect case, but given the price it's hard to beat it.

Here's a vid of bill owen from mnpctech going through it. (warning, kind of a long vid - around 30min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guBAl6g8BlY
 
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Best case is what you need...

I have 2 Phanteks Enthoo Primo's for my systems and I will say for water or air they are spectacular. To tell the truth, I would go for CaseLabs Magnum series as you can build the (create) the case you need.

Again, this is coming from a person that has the Primo, and I would still take a CaseLabs... For me the case list would be...

1. CaseLabs http://www.caselabs-store.com/merlin-st10-case/

2. http://www.phanteks.com/enthoo-primo.html

3. http://www.corsair.com/en-au/obsidian-series-900d-super-tower-case

4. CoolMaster Half X

5. Silverstone Raven

6. CoolerMaster Cosmos II

7. BitFenix Ronin

8. Silverstone TJ11

9. Lian Li PC2120X

10. Phanteks Ethoos Pro

There is a list of 10 I feel are the best on the market. Again I own 2 Ethoos Primo's and still think CaseLabs is the better pick...



 
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At 450$ u might as well get the corsair 900d wich is a huge case and looks nice. But on the cheapish side id get the phantek enthoo pro or primo whichever both are amazing cases. I have the enthoo pro and I haft to say I was just amazed at the features it had for 100$
 
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Have you experienced the easy to scratch clear side panel yet? In Hardware Cnuck's video reviewing it that is about the only thing they mention to be a fault in the case. I have thought about getting the case and having a tinted side panel made to replace the easily scratched one.
 
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I just did a few searches on these cases and got a healthy 510 dollar price tag for the CoolerMaster Cosmos II. For that much money, the interior of the case better be lined with gold and dispense beverages. Just wow.

 
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Cosmos used to be around $345, now as the supply diminishes they will rise, it is just like the Corsair 800D (and I love this case due to the 4 hot-swap drives) and I think the 800d is way better then the 900d, and for the 800d you pay the price. I built a system for a client with a Cosmos, and I will admit it is a very nice case, but once they get past $350, look else where.

If you can find the Ethoo Primo at around $365--400(Max) or if you can order one with out fans (sometimes it happens, I got one) it drops it by $100 go for that. BUT, and I do mean BUT if you are willing to make an investment, look at a CaseLabs, they will cost you WAY more then a normal case, but damn you will be impressed. I was.

I also think Silverstone and Lian-Li make some great cases.

There are good cases out there it will take a bit of research, but Bitfinex has the Shinobi XL, Phanteks has the Ethoo's line, Corsair has the D line, Silverstone the TJ line, Lian-Li about any of their lines, and CaseLabs all there stuff.

You have to think about what you want and what your willing to spend. Simple as that.

Peace.
 
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I haven't had much experience with cases that include side windows, it was mentioned the corsair windows might scratch easy? I've also heard similar about the enthoo pro and wondering if it's not just the nature of plexi windows or if they in fact scratch easier than others. I had a pair of sunglasses that had polycarbonate lenses and despite being ballistic quality (would stop a 12ga shotgun, you know for those times you shoot yourself in the eye but don't mind hamburger face lol) and even 'tough' polycarb scratched easy. Makes me think it may just be the nature of plastic.

Some have had trouble with the enthoo pro and the inside of the plastic window being scratched from the included hardware box coming loose (it's shipped inside the case and retained with a single tie wrapped around it). Thankfully mine arrived ok, the accessory box started to come loose but both sides of the windows were covered with protective film. My only issue was a spot on the side panel where the paint was bubbled and rubbed off, the metal underneath a little burred up.

For those who read bad reviews about phanteks and their support, just wanted to add that I had a good experience with them. Tried the email link from newegg's website (info@phanteksusa.com), they had the wrong email addy for phanteks (my email got no reply). So I gave them a call and someone picked up right away and gave me the correct support email (which btw is support@phanteksusa.com). All I had to do was supply them with photos of the problem and my sales invoice via email and in less than 24hrs I got an email confirming they were shipping out a replacement panel with the tracking number for the shipment. Can't expect 100% perfect products every time and for those times where support is needed it's nice to see a company who really stands behind their products.
 
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It is in the nature of plexiglass to scratch with relative ease but some windows scratch easier than others.


Every manufacturer, and every retailer will have a number of "customer service nightmare" reviews as I call them. I attribute this to 1 part noboday is perfect, and 1 part a lot of people with technical problems are bad at communicating a problem well and/or are generally rude.
 
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True, every company has their bad days. Most people got their enthoo pro's without issue, of the ones who did have issues the most common was scratched windows. I just happened to notice (especially on newegg) the common complaint was lack of customer service. Of course every situation is different and mistakes may have been made. I wonder how many people used the email they found at newegg and got 0 response then attributed it to phanteks ignoring them. A lot of times it's only the bad experiences that get the press, even with a 'problem' with mine I consider it a good experience. It's part of the review that always seems to be lacking on products since there's no real 'test' to compare customer service. Even if there was, a lot of people are skeptical and wonder whether reviewers get cherry parts or non standard white glove service since they know it will make it to the review.

Couldn't agree more on attitude playing a big role, customer service reps hear nothing but issues all day long and I'm sure many are rude (even if they don't intend to be) out of frustration or disappointment. Being calm and civil with csr's goes a long way and they're probably more willing to help out than if the person's rude with them.
 
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I don't want to be a breaker of dreams, but there is in reality no true "ballistic glasses", they use low grade and I do mean low grade bird type shot. True ballistic shot to a "viewing device" will have the lowest quality of shot test at "00 Buck" up to "BMG Rounds", we studied these in the Marines. Sorry but being shot in the face with "Ballistic Glasses" will be the least of my worries... I digress...

Now back on topic, all "Plexi" type of material has a scratch resistance (even true ballistic UL 752 Lvl 10, gets scratched), and to tell the truth, I always expect anything I purchase with "plexi" to end up scratched. Simple cleaning with everyday solvents can scratch or rather "etch" the "plexi"

I kinda laugh when people think that their 10--15mil consumer grade "plexi" will not scratch.

With each case you have the ability to get the side panels with no windows, you just have to order them. It sucks, cause it cost you a bit more but you have to expect these companies to move with the main flow of revenue, but there is 1 exception... I beat this horse before but with CaseLabs Case you pick what side panel you want before the delivery... AND again, CaseLabs do cost more, as you build to taste not to what is premade.
 
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Lol, I know what you mean Amencerment and they were just sunglasses. The point I was making was, the plastic was strong enough (in one dimension) to withstand any type of shot fired from a weapon (even if birdshot) yet in another parameter 'soft' enough to be easily scratched. I've looked through true ballistic plexi/glass and you're right the clarity is horrible (shrapnel resistant windows at the grenade range, quite thick) and the low pro windows from the hatch of the abrams.

I agree, I expect consumer plexi to scratch (tempered glass panels tend to drive the price of a case way up). It probably depends how each individual handles their cases. Everyone's idea of 'careful' is different. Hopefully using lcd cleaner (mostly distilled water) and microfiber cloth will preserve the clarity longer. The enthoo pro has a slightly less expensive option to get without windows, personally I wanted the window and knew the potential extra care involved. I try to treat any plastic as if it were fragile (tv screen, monitor screen, case window etc) just to be on the safe side.

If it ever becomes badly scratched I may try out one of those headlight restoration kits on it they sell for cars to clean up plastic headlamp covers. Usually involving a few different finer sandpaper grits with cleaners and a final seal coat that attempt to fill in any scratches and creates a sort of shell once it hardens/dries.
 
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In no particular order a case from every budget range I think except the $300+ segment (I'm not on that level)

Fractal Design DefineR4/R5
Corsair 750D
Cooler Master Storm Stryker
NZXT H440
Corsair 500R Black
Phanteks Enthoo Pro
Phanteks Enthoo Luxe
Silverstone RVZ01B (Silverstone ML07B)
Deepcool Tesseract
NZXT H230 (Black)
Corsair 550D
 
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Yeah, I've seen the latest Corsair case......can't remember the series right now for some reason, but whatever their latest is shot up to the $300's. I had a hard enough time paying $150 for a case for myself and couldn't talk myself into spending any more than that.
 
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