[SOLVED] Trouble deciding on PC case for first time build. Advice?

[jaged]

Building 2 gaming PC's for my kids for Christmas(I've posted about this previously)
Last 2 things I have left to buy are the cases and the PSU's.

Does anyone have a moment to look over this list of cases and suggest which ones would be preferable? Maybe which 2 since it might be nice to get them to have different looking builds.

I'd like Headphone jacks & USB-A on the front panel preferably. They've both said they wouldn't mind some lighting but it's not the end of the world if there's none.

If you'd go with a different case from these, I'm open to that too.

Thanks guys. Appreciate it.

SilverStone Tech FARA R1. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085KLGP8C...olid=2P3JHB0VJX0DZ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
NZXT H510 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07TD9C5HS...olid=2P3JHB0VJX0DZ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Cooler Master NR400 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PDT745F...olid=2P3JHB0VJX0DZ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Cooler Master MasterBox MB311LARGB https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0842TKK19...olid=2P3JHB0VJX0DZ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0785GRMPG...olid=2P3JHB0VJX0DZ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[Lutfij]

Congrats on building a system for the kid

I personally love mitx/matx/small form factor builds and cases so it's a welcome surprise to see someone asking for advice with them!

Wait, why are you also looking at atx chassis'? Are the two builds different? Got a PCPartPicker link or a specs list for the builds, minus the PSU and chassis? Budget for your case and your location? I'd also look at Fractal Design's offerings, they tend to make some simple yet elegant chassis.

Also, thumb rule, get an matx case for an matx build, don't get an matx board for an atx case, it just makes the build look...incomplete.

Looking forward to your response!

 

[jaged]

Congrats on building a system for the kid

I personally love mitx/matx/small form factor builds and cases so it's a welcome surprise to see someone asking for advice with them!

Wait, why are you also looking at atx chassis'? Are the two builds different? Got a PCPartPicker link or a specs list for the builds, minus the PSU and chassis? Budget for your case and your location? I'd also look at Fractal Design's offerings, they tend to make some simple yet elegant chassis.

Also, thumb rule, get an matx case for an matx build, don't get an matx board for an atx case, it just makes the build look...incomplete.

Looking forward to your response!

Hmm the ATX case must have slipped by me. I got overwhelmed looking at videos/lists of best cases for this & that. Then I walk away from the entire thing for a day(or week) & have to start all over again. There are so many options which is a killer for me also.

Here is build 1:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/mQ2bLP

Build 2:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/NwFBj2
This build has a case on it but it's something I put there for pricing, it's not a decision.

Only thing left on either build is the PSU and the case.

As for the PSU, pcpartpicker says the builds only draw 329w but I'm a little nervous about only buying a 550w psu. Also the SeaSonic FOCUS seems quite pricey to me even though I've bene told it's a reputable unit.

 

[madmatt30]

Hmm the ATX case must have slipped by me. I got overwhelmed looking at videos/lists of best cases for this & that. Then I walk away from the entire thing for a day(or week) & have to start all over again. There are so many options which is a killer for me also.

Here is build 1:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/mQ2bLP

Build 2:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/NwFBj2
This build has a case on it but it's something I put there for pricing, it's not a decision.

Only thing left on either build is the PSU and the case.

As for the PSU, pcpartpicker says the builds only draw 329w but I'm a little nervous about only buying a 550w psu. Also the SeaSonic FOCUS seems quite pricey to me even though I've bene told it's a reputable unit.

A good 550w is more than enough for those components.

Case wise any of those apart from the nzxt or the q300l - they're both compromised fairly badly cooling wise.

 

[gat3keeper]

I have the NZXT h510i ... at first, I thought it was small but as time goes on... It looks big for my taste for mATX motherboard. However, I can't complain since I have a huge sapphire GPU so fitting it with smaller case will be challenging.

I like the NZXT case... actually, Im thinking to build a machine for my wife and my first choice is NZXT h210.

Although, on the reviews online, they say that NZXT is not the best case for airflow. Hmmm hard to comment on this coz I havent encounter any overheat. I only use stock fan from AMD (Wraith Prism). I run my PC probably 20 hrs per day. Playing online games, render videos, watching 4k movies, youtube, name it... I don't have issues with the case. Living in one of the hottest country in SEA, my pc temp is around 40-70c.

 

[geofelt]

First of all, the seasonic psu is an excellent long term choice.
550w will power a strong graphics card upgrade.
Here is a handy chart:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

Looks count. Give the kids a choice of among acceptable choices.
My criteria would be for a case with good front intake capability,
At least two 140mm front intakes and a washable front intake filter.
A filter will keep your parts clean.
An example would be the NZXT Meshify C.
https://www.newegg.ca/black-fractal-design-meshify-c-mini-micro-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811352086
It also comes in white.

I would go with a 1/2tb ssd and omit the hdd.
Intel 665P 1tb is $150:
https://www.newegg.ca/intel-665p-series-1tb/p/N82E16820167469