Best value entry-level case

tusk

Hey, I'm looking for something to start off my build of an entry-level gaming machine. Budget is going to be around €800 for all internal hardware + case.

Of course I know airflow and cooling are paramount, but I'm also looking for something that is quiet enough and doesn't look like alien vomit. I'll use it for movies etc. in a dark room so I'd also like to steer clear of any excessive lighting.

Initially, I won't have much more than the basic components, but I plan on upgrading over time, so I'd like to go for a large case with good expandability.

Thanks!

connorfleming

I really like the Corsair Carbide 300r, massive amount of airflow and an insane amount of room for GPU's, good cable management options and a lot of space behind the motherboard tray. I have a GTX780 and a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo in it with room to spare. I also like the tool free hard drive and 5.25inch bays. Only thing is it's looks. While I really like its professional looking style, it might not be for everyone.

SterlingArcher

connorfleming wrote: »

I really like the Corsair Carbide 300r, massive amount of airflow and an insane amount of room for GPU's, good cable management options and a lot of space behind the motherboard tray. I have a GTX780 and a Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo in it with room to spare. I also like the tool free hard drive and 5.25inch bays. Only thing is it's looks. While I really like its professional looking style, it might not be for everyone.

This .....65 Euro ish.. Or the 200r is a few quid cheaper 50 ish. Both have no gimmicks ,No lights or fins. Just good cooling and building features. Reliable.

Next up fractal design r4 sleak understated quiet ,cool ,good features. 80 ish.

Then the Nanoxia deep silence quiet, efficient cooling all round no lights but class case. 90 euro ish.

Just options but my call goes to corsair cheap enough but still good quality.

connorfleming

Even thought the 300r is a budget case, you won't be disappointed with it. I've had mine for a while now with two different builds in it, I really like the small features like the built in standoffs for the motherboard and the fan filters in the front and on the bottom.

That being said, I have absolutely no experience with the 200r, though I'm sure it has the same build quality.

Genghiz Cohen

€800 is entry-level meow?

connorfleming

Genghiz Cohen wrote: »

€800 is entry-level meow?

It might be, entry level is different for every individual in my opinion.

Genghiz Cohen

You could well be right.

I'd consider entry level to be running games on low in 1080p @ 30FPS. €800 will be high/ultra in 1080p.

tusk

Thanks lads. I'll check those out. Glad to hear you think €800 will get me something better than i'd expected

Luck100

I've had the Antec 1100 for a bit over a year now, and it's served me well. Best price at geizhals is 87 euros at the moment.
http://geizhals.de/antec-eleven-hundred-schwarz-mit-sichtfenster-0761345-15950-0-a692214.html

Great airflow, lots of room behind the motherboard for cable management, all the usual goodies. One blue light on the top fan which can be disabled. Only a couple of small complaints: if you use any of the external bays, the drive face will be a bit recessed from the front of the case. The other complaint is that there's no built-in fan control.

SterlingArcher

tusk wrote: »

Thanks lads. I'll check those out. Glad to hear you think €800 will get me something better than i'd expected

AMD 6300 and a AMD r9 280x / gtx 770 very high/ultra

Or an Intel I5 with a r9 270/ gtx 760 high/very high

With all other parts and windows.Will be around 800

Then add an SSD down the line. Sorted.

tusk

SterlingArcher wrote: »

With all other parts and windows.Will be around 800

Then add an SSD down the line. Sorted.

Have Windows, so the extra few quid will be towards the SSD

tusk

Luck100 wrote: »

I've had the Antec 1100 for a bit over a year now, and it's served me well. Best price at geizhals is 87 euros at the moment.
http://geizhals.de/antec-eleven-hundred-schwarz-mit-sichtfenster-0761345-15950-0-a692214.html

LOVE the look of that antec!

BloodBath

Fractal design define R4 or mini get's my vote if you're looking at spending in the region of €80.

Blitz17

I have the Corsair 300r with the windowed side panel. Just got a 540 Air to replace it. 300r is a fantastic case and would recommend it, there is a few stand out cases around that price and its one of them

tusk

Dear Chrisht above! That 540 is beautiful!

Blitz17

tusk wrote: »

Dear Chrisht above! That 540 is beautiful!

Wasnt too keen on it at first but my god its amazing to work with. Loads of space to do whatever you want Enjoyed using the 300r aswel though, was going to keep it and put something else in it but just gonna throw it up for sale instead. Ill probably regret it though lol

Seaaan

Corsair 200r/300r are very nice cases for the low price. Lots of room, built in motherboard standoffs and nothing too flashy. Tool-less drive bays/hard drive bays are handy too!

Moon54

I put together a Corsair 200r build myself this week and it's actually a very good case for ~€60.
It comfortably takes the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 cooler & large graphic cards, has good air flow & i5 CPU temp was around 25c on idle.
I really liked the pull-out anti-dust mesh screen on the bottom for the PSU, a handy feature.

The finished build was pretty quiet, but if noise is going to be paramount you should consider the Fractal Design R4.

tusk

Hey guys,

Has anybody got any experience with the H440? It's currently at the top of my list and the very edge of my budget.

Any insight from owners would be great!

Cheers

EoinHef

tusk wrote: »

Hey guys,

Has anybody got any experience with the H440? It's currently at the top of my list and the very edge of my budget.

Any insight from owners would be great!

Cheers

By all accounts a great case,every review ive seen anyway.

This is a thorough review,thinking of getting it myself.

Its is expensive alright,definitely not entry level.

For what you get though its good value

tusk

EoinHef wrote: »

By all accounts a great case,every review ive seen anyway.

This is a through review,thinking of getting it myself.

Its is expensive alright,definitely not entry level.

For what you get though its good value

Yep one of the ones I watched. It's beautiful. That and the Switch 810. Think I may have to just grab a cheapo case so I can get my machine built within budget and revisit the nice ones in the near future...

SterlingArcher

tusk wrote: »

Yep one of the ones I watched. It's beautiful. That and the Switch 810. Think I may have to just grab a cheapo case so I can get my machine built within budget and revisit the nice ones in the near future...

It is average cooling, average silence, compared to cheaper models that are made for that purpose. But damn if its not a handsome wee fellow

rolexeagle1

Corsair 200r, really easy to work with