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Windows 7 - What gaming case to get? |
04-10-2011
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#1 | | |
What gaming case to get? Hey guys, I recently bought myself a new computer and I have almost everything that I need, New hard drive is on the way and then the only thing that I need is a good computer case with good cooling.
For the purposes of this thread I will post the stats of my PC just to you can see them in relation to what kind of case it would need.
Chip:AMD Phenom II X6 1090T
Motherboard:Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
Hard Drive: Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 570SC
Memory:6GB DDR3 Corsair
PSU:850W Corsair
One DVD drive
At the minute the cases that I am looking at the most are The ANTEC 902 or the HAF 932, These cases are both around the same price and in the price range that I am willing to pay.
Which of the two would you go for and if there is another case what would you suggest??
Thank you for the help and advice guys =)## | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self Made =) OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64x CPU AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Motherboard GA-870A-UD3 Memory 8GB DDR3 Graphics Card NVIDIA GTX 570 SC Screen Resolution 1680x1050 Mouse Logitech MX518 PSU Corsair 850W Case Cooler Master 690 II Advanced Hard Drives Western Digital 500GB
Barracuda 1TB |
04-10-2011
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#2 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64, XP Mode(VPC and VMLite), VM Player 4.02, W8 CPreview |
I'm running the Antec 900-2 here and that seems to work out for gaming along with other multitasking loads. You can look that one over at Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Two V3 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
I prefer this over the first 900 model since the case is recessed into a cabinet section of the desk here. The power, reset, usb, and eSata ports are right front rather then reaching back with the 900.
The case is a good solid contruction but may be a bit awkward if you are planning to use a large hsf such as the first one used here until changing brands of memory with heat shelds that bumped up against the under side of the Zalman model seen at Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS10X Extreme 120mm CPU Cooler with Worlds first PWM Fan Speed Controller
The temps were great but the hsf was lifted up on one side due to the heat shields. 
The Cooler Master HAF 932s seem to be priced a bit higher when looking at the 3 models seen at Newegg.com - HAF 932
A much better price is seen with the ThermalTake Element as an alternative. Newegg.com - Thermaltake Element G VL10001W2Z Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64, XP Mode(VPC and VMLite), VM Player 4.02, W8 CPreview CPU AMD Phenom II X4 Deneb 3.4 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 Memory Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 8gb 1.5v Graphics Card MSI Radeon 5750 1gb Sound Card Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer Monitor(s) Displays 2 x Acer P191W 19" widesscreen Screen Resolution 1440x900 native Keyboard Microsoft Recusa Razor Mouse MS Trackball Explorer PSU Corsair 750TX Case Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible Cooling Zalman CNPS9900A Hard Drives WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 6.0 = 2
WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 3.0 = 2 (OS drives)
WD 1tb Green Power sata = 2 1 external
usb flash drives = 15 Internet Speed 30mbps upgrade |
04-10-2011
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#3 | | Windows 7 Enterprise x64 Service Pack 1 |
I'd recommend this case: Scan.co.uk: Coolermaster CM 690 II Advanced Black Mid Tower Computer Case - RC-692-KKN2 I'm using the Nvidia Edition, which is practically the same, and it's a great case for under £100. Many features you'd normally only find in a £100+ case (such as internal space for watercooling radiators) and plenty of room inside, with plenty of space and holes for clean cable management. There's a a basic version as well, which is £20 cheaper.
Video here with the differences YouTube - CMHD.TV - Cooler Master CM 690 II: Advanced and Basic Versions Comparison.
Or if you're wanting one of them two cases, I'd choose the HAF case. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Custom Built OS Windows 7 Enterprise x64 Service Pack 1 CPU Intel Core i7 920 Motherboard ASUS Sabertooth x58 Memory 6GB XMS3 Corsair 1333MHz Graphics Card ASUS Nvidia Geforce GTX470 SLI Sound Card ASUS Xonar DX/XD 7.1 Monitor(s) Displays Dell 24" S2409W + Dell 20" E207WFP Screen Resolution 1920x1080 + 1680x1050 Keyboard Logitech G11 Keyboard Mouse Logitech G5 Laser Mouse (2007 edition) PSU Corsair HX850 modular Case Coolermaster 690II Advanced Nvidia Edition Cooling Zalman CNPS9700-NT Cooler, 3x 140mm, 2x 120mm Hard Drives 1x 120GB OCZ Vertex 2E, 1x 750GB Western Digital Caviar Black, 1x 1TB Western Digital Caviar Green Internet Speed 100Mbps Other Info LG Blu-Ray player |
04-10-2011
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#4 | | |
Out of the two options, I'd go the Haf over the Antec.
Otherwise the CM 690 II linked by Everlong is also a very good choice. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Me OS 7 Ultimate x64 CPU i5 2500K 4.7 Ghz Motherboard ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3 Memory 8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz Graphics Card Asus GTX 580 DirectCU II Sound Card X-FI Forte 7.1 + ATH-AD900 Headphones Monitor(s) Displays x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony Screen Resolution 1920*1200 / 1920*1080 Keyboard Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine MX Black // Filco Ninja TKL Mouse Razer Imperator + Razer Lachesis PSU Corsair AX1200W Case Lian Li PC-V1020A Cooling Noctua NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14 : Noctua NF-P12 120mm Hard Drives 2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0) Other Info Laptop Specs:
Clevo Sager P170HM //
17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
Dedicated GTX 485M //
240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //
Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0 |
04-10-2011
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#5 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64, XP Mode(VPC and VMLite), VM Player 4.02, W8 CPreview |
It will depend on where you are buying from to see which will see the best prices. The Antec wouldn't be one for any liquid cooling set up being one drawback.
Another ThermalTake model that does support water cooling and for SSDs as well is the Armor model seen at Newegg.com - Thermaltake Armor A90 Gaming Mid-Tower Chassis With Cable Management Water Cooling SSD Support And Tool-Less Installation VL90001W2Z
That lacks the options for side and top case fans however as well as side window if you are looking for this as well. For a little more style an alternative to the ones mentioned so far would be a look at the NZXT model seen at Newegg.com - NZXT Digital Artic-Camo (Water Transfer Printing) TEMPEST EVO Mid Tower w. 2 x 120mm Front LED Fans, 2 x 140mm Top Fans, 1 x 120mm Side LED Fan & 1 x 120mm Rear Fan
The price is better then seen with the Cooler Master models but a little higher in price over the Antec. Fans include a 140mm top fan along with a pair of 120s in front, one on the side as well as a rear 120. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64, XP Mode(VPC and VMLite), VM Player 4.02, W8 CPreview CPU AMD Phenom II X4 Deneb 3.4 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 Memory Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 8gb 1.5v Graphics Card MSI Radeon 5750 1gb Sound Card Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer Monitor(s) Displays 2 x Acer P191W 19" widesscreen Screen Resolution 1440x900 native Keyboard Microsoft Recusa Razor Mouse MS Trackball Explorer PSU Corsair 750TX Case Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible Cooling Zalman CNPS9900A Hard Drives WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 6.0 = 2
WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 3.0 = 2 (OS drives)
WD 1tb Green Power sata = 2 1 external
usb flash drives = 15 Internet Speed 30mbps upgrade |
04-10-2011
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#6 | | |
Oh I never saw this case in any of the sites I checked out, It looks really nice and is a little bit cheaper too =)! I'll have to have a closer look at it. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Self Made =) OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64x CPU AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Motherboard GA-870A-UD3 Memory 8GB DDR3 Graphics Card NVIDIA GTX 570 SC Screen Resolution 1680x1050 Mouse Logitech MX518 PSU Corsair 850W Case Cooler Master 690 II Advanced Hard Drives Western Digital 500GB
Barracuda 1TB |
04-10-2011
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#7 | | Windows 7 Ultimate x64, XP Mode(VPC and VMLite), VM Player 4.02, W8 CPreview |

Quote: Originally Posted by Colinjbro Oh I never saw this case in any of the sites I checked out, It looks really nice and is a little bit cheaper too =)! I'll have to have a closer look at it.  Actually if you look around some more you'll find an everincreasing number of both stylish as well as other types of cases to browse through. They come in various price ranges as well like the lengthy list seen at Mid Tower Cases, Mid Tower Case at Xoxide!
For the much higher you can even find air conditioned case for those who like to turn things up a bit. The material used in different cases is another thing to consider when looking around in case you want steel, steel/aluminum, steel/plastic, aluminum, aluminum/plastic.
The steel case will tend to weigh more as a rule. For a case with a number of fans having dust screens is another thing to consider.
Fortunately the 900-2 them while other makes seem to lack. It's a good lower priced durable case for a stock build without liquid cooling. First make out a list of the things you want to see in a case however. price, flexibility, quality are all concerns. | My System Specs | | OS Windows 7 Ultimate x64, XP Mode(VPC and VMLite), VM Player 4.02, W8 CPreview CPU AMD Phenom II X4 Deneb 3.4 Motherboard Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 Memory Kingston Hyper X DDR3 1600 8gb 1.5v Graphics Card MSI Radeon 5750 1gb Sound Card Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer Monitor(s) Displays 2 x Acer P191W 19" widesscreen Screen Resolution 1440x900 native Keyboard Microsoft Recusa Razor Mouse MS Trackball Explorer PSU Corsair 750TX Case Antec 900-2 - SSD compatible Cooling Zalman CNPS9900A Hard Drives WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 6.0 = 2
WD Black Edition 1tb Sata 3.0 = 2 (OS drives)
WD 1tb Green Power sata = 2 1 external
usb flash drives = 15 Internet Speed 30mbps upgrade |
04-14-2011
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#8 | | |
Any of the Cooler Master Storm series chassis are worth a second look. Their newest offering the Storm Enforcer is a nice gaming case and will be reasonably priced.
I reviewed this new case for Cooler master which was published today on the release of this new case.
You can read my review here if you care to: CM Storm Enforcer | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number My Build OS win7 Ult 64 CPU i7 3930K & 3960X Motherboard ASUS P9X79 Deluxe Memory 16GB G-Skill 2133MHz Graphics Card Sapphire HD 7970 Sound Card On-board Monitor(s) Displays ASUS 27 inch Screen Resolution 1920X1080 Keyboard Mionix Mouse Mionix PSU Corsair AX1200 Case NZXT 810 Cooling Custom Loop, Swiftech HDBlock Hard Drives Crucial M4 256GB, 1.5TB WD Black for Data/Images Internet Speed Cable |
04-14-2011
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#9 | | |
The storm enforcer looks like a decent little case. | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Me OS 7 Ultimate x64 CPU i5 2500K 4.7 Ghz Motherboard ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe Gen 3 Memory 8GB G.Skill Ripjaws X 2133mhz Graphics Card Asus GTX 580 DirectCU II Sound Card X-FI Forte 7.1 + ATH-AD900 Headphones Monitor(s) Displays x2 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung / "40 Sony Screen Resolution 1920*1200 / 1920*1080 Keyboard Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine MX Black // Filco Ninja TKL Mouse Razer Imperator + Razer Lachesis PSU Corsair AX1200W Case Lian Li PC-V1020A Cooling Noctua NH-D14: 3x140mm Gelid Wing 14 : Noctua NF-P12 120mm Hard Drives 2x Intel 520 240GB * Crucial M4 128GB * 2x Samsung F3 1TB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0) Other Info Laptop Specs:
Clevo Sager P170HM //
17.3 Matte 1920x1200 //
i7 2720QM // 8GB 1333mhz //
Dedicated GTX 485M //
240GB Intel 520 + 750GB + Blu-Ray //
Samsung Story 2TB USB 3.0 |
04-14-2011
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#10 | | Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Retail |
Ive got the Sniper... very good case | My System Specs | | System Manufacturer/Model Number Black Sniper Rampage OS Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Retail CPU I7-960 Motherboard Asus Rampage III Extreme Memory 3 X 4 GB mushkin Blackline DDR3-1600 Graphics Card Asus GTX570 DC II SLI Sound Card X-Fi Titanium Fatality Champion Monitor(s) Displays Dell U2412M Screen Resolution 1920 X 1200 Keyboard Logitech G19 Mouse Logitech G9x PSU Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1000 W Case Cooler Master Sniper Black Edition Mesh Cooling Corsair H100 Hard Drives 2 OCZ Vertex 2 160 GB RAID0
3 Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB Internet Speed 30 MBPS +/- VDSL All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:12 PM. |  |