Need recommendations for stylish new case!!

py2006

Hi all,

I currently have an Antec p182 (special edition). Its a nice case but unfortunately the side panel is broken and wont go back on so all my internal organs are exposed!!

So I need a new case!! Something stylish! I have been drawn to the Antec 902 and 1200 as I like of the idea of the power/restart buttons being on top of the case as I usually have my case on the floor next to my chair! However, I am not entirely sure about the blue lights everywhere! This may get annoying at night! Maybe its not big deal?

Anyway, I am looking for something stylish but also easy to work with. Something that will have room for future upgrades!!

Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions!!

Griffin87

I recommend the HAf 922 or 932 over the antec's

see this thread for info

http://www.overclock.net/computer-cases/392179-cooler-master-haf-932-922-club.html

py2006

Griffin87 wrote: »

I recommend the HAf 922 or 932 over the antec's

see this thread for info

http://www.overclock.net/computer-cases/392179-cooler-master-haf-932-922-club.html

Yea I was looking at the 932. It looks pretty good! No dust filters though!

Blazher

py2006 wrote: »

Yea I was looking at the 932. It looks pretty good! No dust filters though!

The reason it has no air filters is because it would slow the airflow. And as the name clearly states the case is all about Hi Air Flow.

But do you know how easy it is to make filters.



Anyways, Here is something for you to read. The CM Filter thread on the forums
http://forum.coolermaster.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&p=93712

py2006

Blazher wrote: »

The reason it has no air filters is because it would slow the airflow. And as the name clearly states the case is all about Hi Air Flow.

But do you know how easy it is to make filters.



Anyways, Here is something for you to read. The CM Filter thread on the forums
http://forum.coolermaster.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&p=93712

Cheers, thanks for the info! I guess I could just dust it myself regularly! Its def a case I will consider!

Blazher

py2006 wrote: »

Cheers, thanks for the info! I guess I could just dust it myself regularly! Its def a case I will consider!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmjqufJSjpM

Filter!

zappb

If your interested in the HAF 922 - Faccus has a bargain going in adverts with the optional side fan panel for 75 quid.

Lian Li cases are very nice, they are sort of timeless and don't really go out of fashion (maybe they are never really in fashion either however) and suit both office and home - so you can build and rebuild in one of those cases for many years.

This model caught my eye - http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9890/cst-975/Custom_-_Lian_Li_Tyr_PC-X1000_Super_Full_Tower_Case_w_Custom_Bolt-On_Full_Window_-_Black_-_Chassis_Powder_Coating.html - TYR PC-X1000 - which is the latest in their TYR series.

Bloody expensive but you can get it for about 300 euro from the UK. And I think Chilled PC would do the powder coating for 60 pounds - (Blazher may be able to confirm that?)


I also have a Cosmos S from a recent purchase that I'm not planning to keep but I have to saw it seems very nice for a gaming case, and it's partly Aliminium and it's a premium gaming case with good air flow (It's massive).

Youtube is a great place to start, and Newegg user reviews.

Best of luck,

Cmar-Ireland

Coolermaster ATCS 840 is nice looking.

Burgo

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Coolermaster ATCS 840 is nice looking.

But it's not cheap!

cian1500ww

Coolermaster HAF 932, truly an amazing case, the airflow in it is fantastic, it's the first case I've bought that's been really easy to work with. Plenty of place, quick release drives, huge quiet fans that move lots of air, PSU mounted on the bottom, watercooling ready if you ever want it.

BeansBeans

Righto im not a fan of Thermaltake.

But i would recommend the Thermaltake Element G. Its a gorgeous looking case, much nicer in the flesh though i have to say. Extremely well built too, which was what i was worried about before buying.
Only €105 off www.dabs.ie

you can get big towers in there up to 162mm high and 11.02" graphics cards if thats any help.

couple of reviews

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/751/1

this is a slightly better look at it but the guy scares me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFg1JluB8hI


Another alternative is Lancool K62 bloody lovely case

http://www.lancoolpc.com/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=15&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62


http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Lancool/Dragonlord_K62


Or possibly the Silverstone Fortress 2 if its out yet, was supposed to be released last month.

leninbenjamin

py2006 wrote: »

Yea I was looking at the 932. It looks pretty good! No dust filters though!

I'm also a HAF owner and I can't but recommend them.

It's really easy to make dust filters for them too, you literally take off the fan/grill and put it in one leg of a pair of tights, pull it tight then use cable ties to keep it in place and cut off the excess. 5-10 min job.

There's also some company in SA that make magnetic dust filters, and they will cut them to size off the HAF but it'd cost €50 for the full set so I use the homemade ones instead.

The ATCS 840 is also a really nice case, but the HAF does everything the ATCS does for €50-75 odd less (with the exception of having a removeable mobo tray, but it's so damn big inside a HAF it doesn't matter.

py2006

zappb wrote: »

This model caught my eye - http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9890/cst-975/Custom_-_Lian_Li_Tyr_PC-X1000_Super_Full_Tower_Case_w_Custom_Bolt-On_Full_Window_-_Black_-_Chassis_Powder_Coating.html - TYR PC-X1000 - which is the latest in their TYR series.


Youtube is a great place to start, and Newegg user reviews.

Best of luck,

Holy crap, the price of that SOB!!! Nice case but whooooooo! :rolleyes:

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Coolermaster ATCS 840 is nice looking.

Yea looks alright! Kinda small? Not mad on the red lights!

cian1500ww wrote: »

Coolermaster HAF 932, truly an amazing case, the airflow in it is fantastic, it's the first case I've bought that's been really easy to work with. Plenty of place, quick release drives, huge quiet fans that move lots of air, PSU mounted on the bottom, watercooling ready if you ever want it.

Yea I have heard some good things about this case alright! Does the none removable motherboard tray bother you at all. I doubt it is a big deal?

BeansBeans wrote: »

Righto im not a fan of Thermaltake.

But i would recommend the Thermaltake Element G. Its a gorgeous looking case, much nicer in the flesh though i have to say. Extremely well built too, which was what i was worried about before buying.
Only €105 off www.dabs.ie

you can get big towers in there up to 162mm high and 11.02" graphics cards if thats any help.

couple of reviews

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/751/1

this is a slightly better look at it but the guy scares me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFg1JluB8hI


Another alternative is Lancool K62 bloody lovely case

http://www.lancoolpc.com/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=15&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62


http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Lancool/Dragonlord_K62


Or possibly the Silverstone Fortress 2 if its out yet, was supposed to be released last month.

Thanks for all that!! Hmmmm a major
research weekend ahead of me!!

leninbenjamin wrote: »

I'm also a HAF owner and I can't but recommend them.

It's really easy to make dust filters for them too, you literally take off the fan/grill and put it in one leg of a pair of tights, pull it tight then use cable ties to keep it in place and cut off the excess. 5-10 min job.

I may need to borrow some of your old tights! :eek:

cian1500ww

py2006 wrote: »

Yea I have heard some good things about this case alright! Does the none removable motherboard tray bother you at all. I doubt it is a big deal?

Doesn't bother me in the slightest, unless you're installing a watercooling setup with waterblocks on everything,you should have plenty of space. There's a cutout in the tray to allow you access to the CPU backplate which is handy as you don't need to remove the mobo when changing the CPU cooler. If you have questions about the case just shout The airflow really is fantastic, it's very big though and quite heavy s it's all steel, but it comes with wheels as well as casters so it's not a huge problem.

BeansBeans

py2006 wrote: »

Holy crap, the price of that SOB!!! Nice case but whooooooo! :rolleyes:

That is a bloody cool interior, its about time case manufacturers discovered colours

Yea looks alright! Kinda small? Not mad on the red lights!

If youre not into lights you can turn them off on the element with the large knob.

Also unfortunately i dont think the Silverstone FT02 isnt actually out at all but its a beautiful looking case, so ignore that suggestion

py2006

cian1500ww wrote: »

Doesn't bother me in the slightest, unless you're installing a watercooling setup with waterblocks on everything,you should have plenty of space. There's a cutout in the tray to allow you access to the CPU backplate which is handy as you don't need to remove the mobo when changing the CPU cooler. If you have questions about the case just shout The airflow really is fantastic, it's very big though and quite heavy s it's all steel, but it comes with wheels as well as casters so it's not a huge problem.

Cool thanks! How tall is it? I like to place my case under my desk!

EDIT: Just measured the gap. I have room for something up to 68cm! Lots of room! :P

Blazher

leninbenjamin wrote: »

There's also some company in SA that make magnetic dust filters, and they will cut them to size off the HAF but it'd cost €50 for the full set so I use the homemade ones instead.

Do you have a link, Homemade are all well and good but magnetic could be fun

cian1500ww

py2006 wrote: »

Cool thanks! How tall is it? I like to place my case under my desk!

EDIT: Just measured the gap. I have room for something up to 68cm! Lots of room! :P

It's 58 cm high

Venom

HAF 932 owner here as well and it really is a great case. Loads of room, fantastic cable options, very good build quality and very quite fans than give amazing air flow.

Only thing I don't like is that the usb ports on the front are upside down

leninbenjamin

Blazher wrote: »

Do you have a link, Homemade are all well and good but magnetic could be fun

It's in the HAF owners club on overclock.net (link above somewhere). Griffin I think actually bought them (assuming he's the same Griffin as on overclock).

Nehaxak

py2006 wrote: »

Yea looks alright! Kinda small? Not mad on the red lights!

I have an ATCS 840 but there's no red lights on it ? There's two small bue LEDs on the top for HD access/power though which are fairly bright.

It's not small either and is fairly hefty in weight too.

It's a very well designed case, easy to work with. The popup USB/Media/E-Sata/FW access port on the top is nice little feature.

Wouldn't say it's the best looking case though but it is really well designed inside.

Solitaire

Hang on... I know the old 932 doesn't have dust filters but I thought the HAF922 had?

RoyalMarine

corsair obsidian anyone?

leninbenjamin

Solitaire wrote: »

Hang on... I know the old 932 doesn't have dust filters but I thought the HAF922 had?

only on the front intake afaik?

RoyalMarineComm wrote: »

corsair obsidian anyone?

overpriced, plus you're looking at another €40-50 at least on decent fans for it. the HAF922/932 out performs it in almost every regard at stock and is about €150 cheaper overall. But if you're like Anti and are willing to piss away €150 on a brushed aluminium front be my guest :P

kaimera

Since when is the HAF stylish?! It's awesomely functional but stylish is not a word I use to describe the HAF (and I do like it!)

cosmos 1000 or if you can stretch to the type S are dripping with style.

leninbenjamin

kaimera wrote: »

Since when is the HAF stylish?! It's awesomely functional but stylish is not a word I use to describe the HAF (and I do like it!)

Actually it is very stylish. Sure they designed it to look like an army ammunition box. Thus it has a very distinctive and characteristic look, i.e. a style, the adjectival form of which is 'stylish'.

kaimera wrote: »

cosmos 1000 or if you can stretch to the type S are dripping with style.

If you like something that looks like a prop out of Star Trek (the sh*t one) :rolleyes:

zappb

I agree with Kaimera on that comment, The HAF should only be used as a dedicated gaming box based on its design (not that the case looks like total ass so don't worry HAF fanboys) - and it is extremely good value, with excellent function - Flaccus has an absolute bargain on the 922 with some excellent fans if you are interested here:

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=167435&cat=all

What about the Coolermaster Storm scout case? My brother has one and loves it - Everywhere this case gets a five star review, and looks a bit better IMHO than the HAF case but perhaps not as functional) - Peats ships this free for 99 euros (for a benchmark Newegg sells them for 99 USD - Peats are extremely competitive giving a euro for dollar (Cheaper than Dabs and overclockers as well). The internals are black and handles are nice on it.

http://techgage.com/article/cooler_master_storm_scout_mid-tower/

This will be part of Coolermaster's media suite at CES 2010-

District 9 modded case http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/77909585/m/518008791041/p/1

Check out this mod of the scout - http://www.casemodblog.com/?p=970 - if you want it done for you it will cost a cool 1200 usd

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1474719 Thermaltake Level 10 - only 850 USD

BeansBeans

kaimera wrote: »

Since when is the HAF stylish?! It's awesomely functional but stylish is not a word I use to describe the HAF (and I do like it!)

cosmos 1000 or if you can stretch to the type S are dripping with style.

Run away! Run away! The mob will be chasing you with torches and pitch forks soon . Ah i totally agree with you, brilliant case but good god is it hideous, besides other cases are catching up with performance.

Also agree on the Cosmos S its very nice.

I really dont know why but the Panzerbox is another one i love the look of
Ya i know, im alone on that.

zappb

Beautiful Corsair 800D build

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1458728

Looks like a fabulous case - window is perfect, so much room to clean up the cables, and front hot swap drives (This would be nice for Lans etc.. where you can just plug in a harddrive and copy down whatever files would be flying around on the fly).

Venom

zappb wrote: »

Beautiful Corsair 800D build

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1458728

Looks like a fabulous case - window is perfect, so much room to clean up the cables, and front hot swap drives (This would be nice for Lans etc.. where you can just plug in a harddrive and copy down whatever files would be flying around on the fly).

Honestly I think the 932's cable management is better as the 800D relies more on hiding the cables than clean cable work.

Also OP if you do buy a 932 the room its in will get alot cooler temp wise lol.

py2006

Nehaxak wrote: »

I have an ATCS 840 but there's no red lights on it ? There's two small bue LEDs on the top for HD access/power though which are fairly bright.

It's not small either and is fairly hefty in weight too.

It's a very well designed case, easy to work with. The popup USB/Media/E-Sata/FW access port on the top is nice little feature.

Wouldn't say it's the best looking case though but it is really well designed inside.

Ooops, getting my cases confused!

py2006

zappb wrote: »

I agree with Kaimera on that comment, The HAF should only be used as a dedicated gaming box based on its design (not that the case looks like total ass so don't worry HAF fanboys) - and it is extremely good value, with excellent function - Flaccus has an absolute bargain on the 922 with some excellent fans if you are interested here:

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=167435&cat=all

What about the Coolermaster Storm scout case? My brother has one and loves it - Everywhere this case gets a five star review, and looks a bit better IMHO than the HAF case but perhaps not as functional) - Peats ships this free for 99 euros (for a benchmark Newegg sells them for 99 USD - Peats are extremely competitive giving a euro for dollar (Cheaper than Dabs and overclockers as well). The internals are black and handles are nice on it.

http://techgage.com/article/cooler_master_storm_scout_mid-tower/

This will be part of Coolermaster's media suite at CES 2010-

District 9 modded case http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/77909585/m/518008791041/p/1

Check out this mod of the scout - http://www.casemodblog.com/?p=970 - if you want it done for you it will cost a cool 1200 usd

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1474719 Thermaltake Level 10 - only 850 USD

Living in Dub and my wheels was stolen in Jan so no buying off adverts for me for now!

I actually quite like the look of that Scout case


But whats that little dial thing above the mic/headphone section?

EDIT: It switches of the LED lights!!

Not sure I would be into modded cases! In fact I never actually even considered them! I must look at a few though...

py2006

BeansBeans wrote: »

Also agree on the Cosmos S its very nice.

I really dont know why but the Panzerbox is another one i love the look of
Ya i know, im alone on that.

It tells the time?

BeansBeans

Its compact and understated looks

It is one of the smarter boxes around isnt it.
Unfortunately the fan controller is an extra

Blazher

py2006 wrote: »

It tells the time?

That would be great with a side window!

leninbenjamin

zappb wrote: »

What about the Coolermaster Storm scout case? My brother has one and loves it - Everywhere this case gets a five star review, and looks a bit better IMHO than the HAF case but perhaps not as functional) - Peats ships this free for 99 euros (for a benchmark Newegg sells them for 99 USD - Peats are extremely competitive giving a euro for dollar (Cheaper than Dabs and overclockers as well). The internals are black and handles are nice on it.

Actually the Scouts are a good recommendation all right, I'd recommend the Sniper over the Scout though. The Storm Sniper is pretty much a HAF922 with additional dust filters, some fancy LEDs, a fan controller and a nicer IO panel. On the inside it's basically the same as the HAF922. The Storm Scout is similar enough, but it's smaller inside, it's cable management isn't half as good as
the HAF and I don't think it's stock cooling is as good either. But both are definitely worth a look.

py2006

So this is list of cases I have been looking at so far, starting with the most expensive!

Thanks for your suggestions and advice so far.

Feel free to add more suggestions!! :thumbsup:


Corsair Obsidian 800D (prob too pricey)


Lian Li PC-A71FB (prob too pricey)


Coolermaster RC-1100 Cosmos S


Coolermaster RC-1000 Cosmos


Antec 1200


Coolermaster Storm 'Sniper'


Coolermaster HAF 932


Coolermaster Storm 'Scout'

leninbenjamin

Add the Thermaltake Element G to that list:



And another Thermaltake, the Element S.



Both of which also get pretty good reviews.

At the end of the day case choice is a pretty personal thing. Little things like not having a firewire/esata front panel connector can make a huge difference to some people yet are rarely mentioned in threads like these. Just read some review's and go with what seems the one that suits you most.

edit: some people also love this one, the Silverstone RV02

Cmar-Ireland

Gets my vote
I'm going to build a system with this in the new year.

py2006

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Gets my vote
I'm going to build a system with this in the new year.

Which one is this?

leninbenjamin

py2006 wrote: »

Which one is this?

one that was already mentioned, the Coolermaster ATCS 840. It's in the upper end of the price scale though, cost around €180-€200 (before delivery).

py2006

leninbenjamin wrote: »

one that was already mentioned, the Coolermaster ATCS 840. It's in the upper end of the price scale though, cost around €180-€200 (before delivery).

Oh right! Its a nice looking case alright! Nothing too flashy but not too plain either!! Pity its so pricey!

zappb

How about the Lian Li x1000 ? I'm looking to buy this shortly,

very nice case.

Nehaxak

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Gets my vote
I'm going to build a system with this in the new year.

It is a nice case to work with, cable management is grand and enough but not too much space between the right side panel and MB tray to allow decent cable management. Nice little feature of the MB tray was that it has a cut out in the tray to allow you install CPU coolers without having to unmount the MB itself. The HD mountings are really nice and completely tool free.

It's very spacious inside and the stock fans/cooling are more than sufficient to cope with general (though I doubt outrageous) overclocking - keeping your system cool and generally fairly quiet. Has holes for water cooling also if you wished.

It is a lovely case to build with I have to admit, not the greatest on looks but a great case for a good medium between cooling and quietness.

Comes with a nice guide also on the MB tray to let you pre-install the spacer screws depending on the MB form factor, just another nice little touch I found.

The blue LED lights for HD access & power though are very bright, I could disconnect them but just cover them over at times instead - that's the only problem I have with that case and it's a very minor one easily rectified if needed.

It's pricey but it's a top end case and you won't regret purchasing it, have fun

BeansBeans

leninbenjamin wrote: »

Add the Thermaltake Element G to that list:



And another Thermaltake, the Element S.



Both of which also get pretty good reviews.

At the end of the day case choice is a pretty personal thing. Little things like not having a firewire/esata front panel connector can make a huge difference to some people yet are rarely mentioned in threads like these. Just read some review's and go with what seems the one that suits you most.

edit: some people also love this one, the Silverstone RV02

Omg someone actually noticed my suggestion of the Element G
Its a really nice case and very well built i have to say, will see how it performs when my mobo and cpu arrive next week. But yes for €100 its a steal if you ask me.

I love the Raven 2 as well Pretty annoyed the Fortress 2 wasnt out, was supposed to release in november its bloody gorgeous.
There is life beyond black!






Although according to driverheaven its release is this month.

Leman_Russ

Why is it the wrong way arround

BeansBeans

I like the idea to be honest, but there are very mixed reviews on the layout. Hopefully it has been improved since the Raven2.

Nehaxak

I'm more interested in that silentflux passive cooler on the cpu in that pic

py2006

zappb wrote: »

How about the Lian Li x1000 ? I'm looking to buy this shortly,

very nice case.

On quick glance the exterior is probably a little to plain?

py2006

Nehaxak wrote: »

It is a nice case to work with, cable management is grand and enough but not too much space between the right side panel and MB tray to allow decent cable management. Nice little feature of the MB tray was that it has a cut out in the tray to allow you install CPU coolers without having to unmount the MB itself. The HD mountings are really nice and completely tool free.

It's very spacious inside and the stock fans/cooling are more than sufficient to cope with general (though I doubt outrageous) overclocking - keeping your system cool and generally fairly quiet. Has holes for water cooling also if you wished.

It is a lovely case to build with I have to admit, not the greatest on looks but a great case for a good medium between cooling and quietness.

Comes with a nice guide also on the MB tray to let you pre-install the spacer screws depending on the MB form factor, just another nice little touch I found.

The blue LED lights for HD access & power though are very bright, I could disconnect them but just cover them over at times instead - that's the only problem I have with that case and it's a very minor one easily rectified if needed.

It's pricey but it's a top end case and you won't regret purchasing it, have fun

The appeal to me is the more conservative design, its not all flashy and trying to look like a spaceship. I do like the power/reset buttons at the top!

Price though!

Solitaire

Ah yes, the FT02... the case that wishes it was a Mac Pro :P