[phillyd]

I think it would be beneficial to the sub-forum to have a dedicated thread to case choices. To get suggestions, just post the following form with your answers, and to promote productivity, Please post at least one suggestion to someone else's request.

Please suggest more criteria to add to the list!

Case Criteria
1.) What is your budget? (include buying limitations or benefits such as access to a MicroCenter, international location, or specific websites)

2.) What size case do you want? (measurements or full tower/mid tower...

3.) What Motherboard support do you want?

4.) What materials do you want the case to be made of?

5.) What color(s) do you want the case in?

6.) What motherboard mounting do you want? (ATX, Reverse ATX, 90 degree ATX, Horizontal...)

7.) How many internal/external 5.25", 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays do you want?

8.) Is extreme silence a goal for your build?

9.) How important is cable management?

10.) What cooling support do you want?

11.) What front panel features do you want? (built in USB 3.0, Media card reader, Fast charge, HD Audio, Fan/ led controller, hotswap bay...)

12.) How many PCI expansion slots do you need/want?

13.) Do you want tool-less mounts for your drives?

14.) How large of graphics cards do you want to be supported?

15.) What style of case do you want? (edgy, simplistic...)

16.) How big of a PSU do you need it to hold?

17.) Any other preferences

 

[Babbalabba]

Hello! I'll kick this thread and my account off with this post XD

MY IDEAL CASE

I have no budget. I have no preference of buying site. I live in Hawaii, so try to choose sites that give various shipping options.

I want a relatively small case. It will be constantly transported. Try to keep the largest dimension around 18 inches. Make it pretty light as well (nothing like the Cosmos II)

It needs to fit e-atx motherboards.

I'd like it to be made of mostly metal, though plastic for accents or a front panel doesn't hurt if it makes the case look nicer and isn't cheap or flimsy.

I can get the case powdercoated, but I'd like it in either red, gold, or white. This is really not an issue.

The type of mount matters not. Whichever one has the best airflow, I guess!

I don't really care about the number of bays. A reasonable number is fine. I usually run two HDDs, two SDDs, and an optical drive isn't needed, but wanted.

No, it is not. I don't want to build a vacuum cleaner, though.

Cable management is super important to me! I sleeve all my cables, and make sure I am happy with the way it looks every time.

Good cooling is a MUST. It gets pretty hot down here. I will probably watercool, but I don't need anything too extreme. One loop for cpu and mobo blocks and one loop for gpu. Space for two 120 mm radiators, or something like that. I don't need the caselabs cases with extreme space =P.

I would like usb 3.0, that would be nice. Space to put a fan controller as well. Anything else is icing on the cake!

Enough for a wifi card (is that the right word?), 2 gpus, and one more extra for anything I decide to put in. That's not a lot.

Tool-less mounts would be convenient, but not a necessity.

A foot would suffice for gpu length.

I would like a case that takes itself seriously. Nothing like a lanboy air or anything with flashy leds everywhere.

So, any suggestions? You can go a little bigger on case size. I can always put casters or handles onto the case.

 

[somebadlemonade]

it's going to be pretty hard finding a case that takes true e-atx motherboards under 18 inches, now if you mean e-atx like the asus RIVE style motherboards, that aren't the full 12 inches wide, that'll make it a good bit easier, but it's still a pretty tall order

 

[Babbalabba]

I mean the rive, smaller kind e-atx mobos.

 

[psyclum]

an often missed but occasionally becoming a major issue criteria would be PSU size requirement. this is especially true for SFF enthusiasts.

other less common criteria that may become an issue is GPU height. there are a number of none standard height gpu cooler for passive cooling cards that may not fit in some SFF chassis. this of course applies to CPU cooler too but that criteria is covered under #10

 

[Babbalabba]

That is a good point, psyclum. Maybe the OP can add those questions in.

I'm staring to think I need to contact an artisan for a quote, someone like lazerwerx so I can get the case I want.

 

[phillyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by psyclum

an often missed but occasionally becoming a major issue criteria would be PSU size requirement. this is especially true for SFF enthusiasts.

other less common criteria that may become an issue is GPU height. there are a number of none standard height gpu cooler for passive cooling cards that may not fit in some SFF chassis. this of course applies to CPU cooler too but that criteria is covered under #10

Thanks for the suggestions, added!
Quote:

Originally Posted by Babbalabba

That is a good point, psyclum. Maybe the OP can add those questions in.

I'm staring to think I need to contact an artisan for a quote, someone like lazerwerx so I can get the case I want.

You could Also try Dwood

 

[Babbalabba]

I will check Dwood out! Frozenq pc has a mid tower that is 18 by 18 by 9, I will email them to ask about the weight and for more pics. It's all acrylic, and I am thinking that's what I want. Other options include the Nzxt phantom, the Kublai Silverstone series, and the 650D/600T

 

[phillyd]

Maybe try the Phantom 630? Or Phantom 410 (mid tower)

 

[CurtTerror]

1.) What is your budget? (include buying limitations or benefits such as access to a MicroCenter, international location, or specific websites)

My budget is anywhere from $ 70 - 250 Australian Dollars

2.) What size case do you want? (measurements or full tower/mid tower...

Mid Tower

3.) What Motherboard support do you want?

Atx

4.) What materials do you want the case to be made of?

Aluminum would be ideal but steel is okay too

5.) What color(s) do you want the case in?

Black

6.) What motherboard mounting do you want? (ATX, Reverse ATX, 90 degree ATX, Horizontal...)

Atx only

7.) How many internal/external 5.25", 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays do you want?

Up to 4 optical bays, at least 2 ssd mounts, 3.5 - up to 4

8.) Is extreme silence a goal for your build?

No

9.) How important is cable management?

Quite

10.) What cooling support do you want?

Descent Air cooling, 240 mount location would be nice but not necessary

11.) What front panel features do you want? (built in USB 3.0, Media card reader, Fast charge, HD Audio, Fan/ led controller, hotswap bay...)

USB 3.0 is all that matters, fast charge would be nice too though

12.) How many PCI expansion slots do you need/want?

5

13.) Do you want tool-less mounts for your drives?

Doesnt matter

14.) How large of graphics cards do you want to be supported?

GTX 680

15.) What style of case do you want? (edgy, simplistic...)

Simplistic, non gamer, non flashy, subtle

16.) How big of a PSU do you need it to hold?

650 - 750q

17.) Any other preferences

I cannot stand the look of Gamer cases currently, I think they look awful, and I am not really into windowed side panels. I'd much rather just have a plain looking but subtle & nice pc case and turn it into a powerful pc with some secrets under the hood.

 

[supermiguel]

Case Criteria
1.) What is your budget? (include buying limitations or benefits such as access to a MicroCenter, international location, or specific websites)
~$300
2.) What size case do you want? (measurements or full tower/mid tower...
Full Tower
3.) What Motherboard support do you want?
RIVE MOBO
4.) What materials do you want the case to be made of?
Dont care
5.) What color(s) do you want the case in?
Black
6.) What motherboard mounting do you want? (ATX, Reverse ATX, 90 degree ATX, Horizontal...)
dont care
7.) How many internal/external 5.25", 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays do you want?
at least 2 HD.. space, and 3 external for the reservoir
8.) Is extreme silence a goal for your build?
kinda
9.) How important is cable management?
VERY!
10.) What cooling support do you want?
WATER!!!!
11.) What front panel features do you want? (built in USB 3.0, Media card reader, Fast charge, HD Audio, Fan/ led controller, hotswap bay...)
dont care
12.) How many PCI expansion slots do you need/want?
enough for 2 GTX 680
13.) Do you want tool-less mounts for your drives?
dont care
14.) How large of graphics cards do you want to be supported?
GTX 680
15.) What style of case do you want? (edgy, simplistic...)
not square
16.) How big of a PSU do you need it to hold?

CPU Motherboard Graphics RAM
3930k ASUS P9X79 (may change to RIVE Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 64GB Corsair Vengance 1866MHz
Hard Drive OS Monitor Keyboard
520 180GB x 2 Raid 0 Win 7 64bit 2 x 2410 Mad Catz S.T.R.I.K.E. 7
Power Mouse Mouse Pad Audio
Corsair HX 1050
17.) Any other preferences
Want it to be water cooling ready, and that supports at least a 360 rad...

I like the 800D, but wanted to see whats out there before i buy

 

[Babbalabba]

supermiguel, if you can dig a little deeper into your pocket, the Caselabs sm8 is practically the perfect case. It is light for its size, and can fit a confounding number of radiators. It will make the RIVE look oh so small.

Other than that, the switch 810 is great. I have to applaud NZXT's use of plastic in their cases, it isn't cringe worthy and actually, I feel, adds to the look and brings the price and weight down.

You can look at mid-towers for a more compact solution. For example, many mid-towers can fit the rive, but they jut out/block some grommets, etc.

The 800D is great, but the sm8 is my choice

 

[Babbalabba]

supermiguel, if you can dig a little deeper into your pocket, the Caselabs sm8 is practically the perfect case. It is light for its size, and can fit a confounding number of radiators. It will make the RIVE look oh so small.

Other than that, the switch 810 is great. I have to applaud NZXT's use of plastic in their cases, it isn't cringe worthy and actually, I feel, adds to the look and brings the price and weight down.

You can look at mid-towers for a more compact solution. For example, many mid-towers can fit the rive, but they jut out/block some grommets, etc.

The 800D is great, but the sm8 is my choice

Aaargh! How do I get rid of a double post?!?!

 

[phillyd]

Edit the posts and ask for a mod to delete them

Check out the following:
NZXT Switch 810
NZXT Phantom 820
Bitfenix Colossus

 

[Evil Genius Jr]

1.) What is your budget? (include buying limitations or benefits such as access to a MicroCenter, international location, or specific websites)
~$100 in the U.S.

2.) What size case do you want? (measurements or full tower/mid tower...
Mid tower unless a full will fit in my budget

3.) What Motherboard support do you want?
ATX Mobo

4.) What materials do you want the case to be made of?
Steel or Aluminum

5.) What color(s) do you want the case in?
Black or Gunmetal

6.) What motherboard mounting do you want? (ATX, Reverse ATX, 90 degree ATX, Horizontal...)
Standard ATX

7.) How many internal/external 5.25", 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays do you want?
At least 3 5.25 bays and 2 3.5 in bays

8.) Is extreme silence a goal for your build?
Wouldn't hurt but not an necessity.

9.) How important is cable management?
Most important, I want the least amount of wires showing as possible

10.) What cooling support do you want?
I'd like to put a dual 120mm rad in at some point

11.) What front panel features do you want? (built in USB 3.0, Media card reader, Fast charge, HD Audio, Fan/ led controller, hotswap bay...)
Not a factor

12.) How many PCI expansion slots do you need/want?
7 or 8

13.) Do you want tool-less mounts for your drives?
Yes

14.) How large of graphics cards do you want to be supported?
Not a factor

15.) What style of case do you want? (edgy, simplistic...)
Simple yet rugged (Think corsair 300r, etc.)

16.) How big of a PSU do you need it to hold?
Just standard size

17.) Any other preferences
Window is a must

 

[Evil Genius Jr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtTerror

1.) What is your budget? (include buying limitations or benefits such as access to a MicroCenter, international location, or specific websites)

My budget is anywhere from $ 70 - 250 Australian Dollars

2.) What size case do you want? (measurements or full tower/mid tower...

Mid Tower

3.) What Motherboard support do you want?

Atx

4.) What materials do you want the case to be made of?

Aluminum would be ideal but steel is okay too

5.) What color(s) do you want the case in?

Black

6.) What motherboard mounting do you want? (ATX, Reverse ATX, 90 degree ATX, Horizontal...)

Atx only

7.) How many internal/external 5.25", 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays do you want?

Up to 4 optical bays, at least 2 ssd mounts, 3.5 - up to 4

8.) Is extreme silence a goal for your build?

No

9.) How important is cable management?

Quite

10.) What cooling support do you want?

Descent Air cooling, 240 mount location would be nice but not necessary

11.) What front panel features do you want? (built in USB 3.0, Media card reader, Fast charge, HD Audio, Fan/ led controller, hotswap bay...)

USB 3.0 is all that matters, fast charge would be nice too though

12.) How many PCI expansion slots do you need/want?

5

13.) Do you want tool-less mounts for your drives?

Doesnt matter

14.) How large of graphics cards do you want to be supported?

GTX 680

15.) What style of case do you want? (edgy, simplistic...)

Simplistic, non gamer, non flashy, subtle

16.) How big of a PSU do you need it to hold?

650 - 750q

17.) Any other preferences

I cannot stand the look of Gamer cases currently, I think they look awful, and I am not really into windowed side panels. I'd much rather just have a plain looking but subtle & nice pc case and turn it into a powerful pc with some secrets under the hood.

Corsair Obsidian Series 550D?

 

[phillyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Genius Jr

-snip-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811345011
NZXT Phantom 410
Corsair 300r Window
Corsair 500r (tad expensive)
Bitfenix Ghost (no window)

 

[somebadlemonade]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Genius Jr

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

1.) What is your budget? (include buying limitations or benefits such as access to a MicroCenter, international location, or specific websites)
~$100 in the U.S.

2.) What size case do you want? (measurements or full tower/mid tower...
Mid tower unless a full will fit in my budget

3.) What Motherboard support do you want?
ATX Mobo

4.) What materials do you want the case to be made of?
Steel or Aluminum

5.) What color(s) do you want the case in?
Black or Gunmetal

6.) What motherboard mounting do you want? (ATX, Reverse ATX, 90 degree ATX, Horizontal...)
Standard ATX

7.) How many internal/external 5.25", 3.5" and 2.5" drive bays do you want?
At least 3 5.25 bays and 2 3.5 in bays

8.) Is extreme silence a goal for your build?
Wouldn't hurt but not an necessity.

9.) How important is cable management?
Most important, I want the least amount of wires showing as possible

10.) What cooling support do you want?
I'd like to put a dual 120mm rad in at some point

11.) What front panel features do you want? (built in USB 3.0, Media card reader, Fast charge, HD Audio, Fan/ led controller, hotswap bay...)
Not a factor

12.) How many PCI expansion slots do you need/want?
7 or 8

13.) Do you want tool-less mounts for your drives?
Yes

14.) How large of graphics cards do you want to be supported?
Not a factor

15.) What style of case do you want? (edgy, simplistic...)
Simple yet rugged (Think corsair 300r, etc.)

16.) How big of a PSU do you need it to hold?
Just standard size

17.) Any other preferences
Window is a must

nzxt phantom 410 (not a full window, but a window none the less)
antec eleven hundred (the 240 would have to be mounted internally, but if it's just a slim rad it'll fit no problem

also the currently hard to find fractal design's arc midi r2 has a window version which is supposed to list for $110

 

[Evil Genius Jr]

Alright thanks guys!
I'm liking the 300r windowed and 500r. How hard is it to see through the 500r's mesh? Also what about a C70? lol It seems like corsair designed all their cases specifically for me

Phantom seems like and awesome case but I'm not really into the external aesthetics.

 

[phillyd]

C70 is a good case too