Solved Case Hunters

Terronium 12 · Jun 16, 2011

Originally I was out to get an 800D but considering I'm in desperate need of better gaming performance I had to forego that expense and spend the money on a 6950. Now, I'm still looking to pick up a new case with the refund I'm getting from an eBay deal gone bad (need I say more?) and my requirements are as follows:

- Must be able to accommodate a 360mm radiator internally.
- Cannot be more expensive than, say, $210.
- Must have exceptional wire management capability.
- Can be either a full or mid tower, so long as it can accommodate said 6950 and 360mm radiator.

Current things I'm looking at right now is the HAF-X and 650D.

Lordbob75 · Jun 16, 2011

HAF-X would be my choice, but I don't know much about the 650D.

~Lordbob

Terronium 12 · Jun 16, 2011

It's definitely a good-looking case and has plenty of space for everything, and it's cheaper than the 650D. My choice is pretty much already made unless there's a case out there equally as good as the HAF-X that's cheaper.

Zen00 · Jun 16, 2011

I love my p183 from Antec.

It has fair wire management, giving you space to run all your cables up the back and a separate area to hide the power supply in.

I don't know about the radiator, all its fan ports are for 120mm ones, so that might be out of you area.

Terronium 12 · Jun 26, 2011

So I'm now in possession of the HAF-X, and it's been an absolute pain in my ass.

Why?

With the board mounted in the case none of the expansion cards line up properly at all; they're not in-line with the slots, and if I line them up then they'll jog out of place and won't line up with PCI slots at all. Yes, the standoffs are all in the right place, and yes, everything is tightened as it should be. If I use taller standoffs like those that came with the Stacker then the board is too high and won't line up with the I/O panel -- do you see a trend here?

linnemeyerhere · Jun 26, 2011

If you can squeeze a little more than this is an amazing case.
Thermaltake VN10001W2N Level 10 GT Full Tower Gaming Case - ATX, Micro ATX, Extendedn ATX, 4x 5.25, 1x Ext 3.5, 5x Int 3.5, 3x 200mm Fans, 1x 140mm Fan, 3x USB 3.0, 4x USB 2.0, 1x eSATA Front Ports at TigerDirect

Terronium 12 · Jun 26, 2011

I just finished spending $179 on the X, no way am I spending almost three bills on that thing.

A Guy · Jun 26, 2011

Read this thread, OP had some ideas that helped him:

HAF-X expansion slots

A Guy

Terronium 12 · Jun 27, 2011

A bit too late. I appreciate the link (something I ran in to earlier anyway), but I've already begun moving everything back in to the Stacker, and...well, I'll deal with this crap somewhere down the line.

It's a ridiculous fault to begin with.

Maxwell · Jun 27, 2011

If you are going to return it, I completely agree with Zen00. The p183 is an excellent choice! I have the p180 but the internals are basically the same, with just a different external design. I highly recommend it.

DaGooN · Jun 29, 2011

tom did a nice review on the new Fractal case.. lots of room in a mid tower. he gave it a gold award. he fits a dual Rad in the roof of the case with room to spare. even with tall ram such as Corsair Vengeance.

- 8x 3.5 inch HDD trays, compatible with SSD!
- 2x 5.25 inch bays, with 1x 5.25>3,5 inch converter included
- On top of front panel: 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0 and Audio I/O
- No PSU included (removable filter below PSU)
- M/B compatibility: Mini ITX, Micro ATX and ATX
- 1 front mounted Fractal Design 140mm fan @ 1000rpm included
- 1 rear mounted Fractal Design 140mm fan @ 1000rpm included
- 1 top mounted Fractal Design 140mm fan @ 1000rpm included
- 7+1 expansion slots with sleek white painted brackets
- Supports graphic card lengths up to 290mm when removable HDD-Bay is in place
- Supports graphic card lengths up to 470mm without removable HDD-Bay
- Supports CPU coolers with height of 180mm
- Supports PSU's with a depth of maximum circa 170mm, when using bottom 120/140mm fan location
- When not using the bottom 120/140mm fan location, the case supports also longer PSU's, typically 270mm
- Case size (WxHxD): 230x460x515mm with front and top bezel in place

£74..

seekermeister · Jun 30, 2011

Terronium 12 said:
So I'm now in possession of the HAF-X, and it's been an absolute pain in my ass.

Why?

With the board mounted in the case none of the expansion cards line up properly at all; they're not in-line with the slots, and if I line them up then they'll jog out of place and won't line up with PCI slots at all. Yes, the standoffs are all in the right place, and yes, everything is tightened as it should be. If I use taller standoffs like those that came with the Stacker then the board is too high and won't line up with the I/O panel -- do you see a trend here?

That is surprising, because I have a HAF 922, and had no problem with slot alignments. The only problem that I did have was that there is a metal fin on the right side of the case, next to the power supply, that I had to bend upward, or it would not allow the PS to line up in it's proper place.

Considering that ATX motherboards, PSs, etc. are all pretty much standard in dimensions, I fail to understand why there would be a problem putting them in any case...unless it was once of those midget cases, designed to be cramped.

Terronium 12 · Jun 30, 2011

I don't know why either.

This is the third consecutive time I've been screwed out of money buying a PC component; first the two 4870 X2's (one was the result of an RMA), and now this POS. I'm not even sure if I care.

I should have just brought the 800D and foregone the 6950.

linnemeyerhere · Jun 30, 2011

Terronium 12,
You've just hit the nail on it's head. As a high end Mountain Biking shop had displayed under their glass case "Give in to Temptation". It's been my experience that waiting just a little bit longer or even quite a bit longer for quality always pays dividends. But being that computer parts are changing so quickly it's easy to feel in short order like you've been left behind, this is why I tell people invest in a banging spot on case and PSU first as they will be the under pinning of many other component changes. That being said the HAF-X is a fine case and will make a great case for someone later when you finally "give in to temptation" and get the case you actually wanted ! Last point is, I say these words but don't always follow them myself as I too wanted the 800D when it first hit and just couldn't wrap my financial head around it......but now it's all too clear to me and it will be mine...."O' Yes You Will Be Mine" !

Terronium 12 · Jun 30, 2011

You also hit the nail on it's head. CM's online (forum) support blows. Brought the problem to their attention, a moderator asked where I was located and whether or not I could provide pictorial proof of the problem and I obliged. Twelve hours later (that seems to be the window for getting a response; 12-24 hours...on a forum) the next response isn't to acknowledge the problem or offer any kind of worthwhile information, no, the next question is "Where are you located?"

After having already answered "NYC". Is this a joke or something, are they trying my patience on purpose? Doesn't matter because I don't even want a replacement or anything to do with them anymore. One bad experience is all it takes sometimes.

Terronium 12 · Jul 2, 2011

So, late responses and all, we've come to the point where I can RMA, but in order to do that RMA...shipping is going to cost me $52.65. And I'm thinking "No way!" because that's just scandalous.

I do have a question though: by creating an RMA return label via Newegg, is UPS notified to come and pick it up, or do I have to contact them myself?

linnemeyerhere · Jul 2, 2011

UPS won't pick up without charging a fee or if you already have a UPS account so you'ld be advised to find a ups pick up point and drive the case to them for pick up.

Terronium 12 · Jul 2, 2011

I do have a UPS account. Does that change anything?

I ask because I've never really had to return anything other than the X2's before, and I don't wanna be bouncing off of the wall scratching my head. That's if I decide to even part with the money being asked.

pparks1 · Jul 2, 2011

Corsair 600T is is my recommendation. Friend recently upgraded his Antec P180 to a new rig in the Corsair 600T and the 600T is bigger than the P180 was.

linnemeyerhere · Jul 2, 2011

I'm stunned that they are asking you to pay for the shipping, or at the least give you their volume discount. How about the place where you ordered this case most will ship and handle the return if it's under 30 days. Oh and yes it is good you have a UPS account as they will at least pick up without a fee from an account holder.

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