Mid-Tower Case, CPU Fans, Size Does Matter?

[Lollies]

I have a Thermaltake Mid-Tower and when I was in the process of this build two years ago now I had trouble finding a CPU fan that would, A) Fit into a mid tower without blocking the ram or other components, B) Keep the CPU cool enough given the restrictions due to size.

I ended up settling on the Thermaltake V1 but the problem was there was only one way to orient it, horizontally. So that is exhausts into the power supply versus out the read case fan. I was told this would be fine and to go ahead with it so I did but it has constantly bugged my for two years on and off. And since currently my build is sitting on my desk without screens I wanna just make sure everything is correct before I invest in dual monitors encase i need to invest in something else.

Here is a pic which might clarify:

I dono if anyone uses the V1 or has had a similar situation.
Lemme know what you guys think.

-Lollies :shock:

 

[amigo max]

Hello Lollies,
Every thing seems fine, and the fan is blowing air in the correct way in your setup, though back blowing is best, but you cant do that. Is there any problem in using the PC which made u feel to change some parts?

 

[Keiichi25]

I wouldn't worry so much about where the CPU heat is venting within the computer, but more of whether or not it is getting vented out in general. The main issue with computers is just having some sort of air flow and getting not having the heat 'linger' within the system or, more importantly, on the CPU during heavy times.

The size of the CPU fan is not much of an issue per say except of efficiency on getting the heat off the heat sink. The larger fan, however, would mean a quieter sound as you don't have it trying to work nearly as hard to push as much air.

 

[Lollies]

Does anyone have a full tower case they would recommend? I looked at quite a few and I literally don't know where to start.

 

[jorpe]

Does anyone have a full tower case they would recommend? I looked at quite a few and I literally don't know where to start.

I went from a thermaltake M9 to an Antec 1200... boy what an amazing difference

 

[thefabe]

Look at some Thermaltakes, Antecs and Coolermaster cases. Fabe

 

[Mellon Head]

I have an Antec 200 that I love a whole bunch. Really good air flow.

 

[Lollies]

Does anyone have a full tower case they would recommend? I looked at quite a few and I literally don't know where to start.

I went from a thermaltake M9 to an Antec 1200... boy what an amazing difference

That is exactly what i have right now, Thermaltake M9, I'll check it out.

Look at some Thermaltakes, Antecs and Coolermaster cases. Fabe

I'm starting to think your stalking me but I kinda like it :shock: Is that wrong? It won't let me rep you anymore btw lol. I'll check those out.

Anyone have any opinion on the newer cases with the fan speed dial and such on the top front of the case? I don't remember if they were coolermaster or thermaltake. Seems kinda odd to have that there.

 

[Lollies]

I did a search on newegg for ATX Full-Tower cases with only Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec. Most of them I didn't like just because their appearance (I don't like the whole futuristic look).

These are the two I ended up liking most.

Does anyone have a full tower case they would recommend? I looked at quite a few and I literally don't know where to start.

I went from a thermaltake M9 to an Antec 1200... boy what an amazing difference

Is this the same one you have?

This one has some odd aesthetics to it i think personally but it was less than most of the others.
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one seemed pretty basic, almost too basic.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one looked cool but that's the most expensive case I have seen.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Level 10 VL30001N1Z Black Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case

 

[jorpe]

I did a search on newegg for ATX Full-Tower cases with only Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec. Most of them I didn't like just because their appearance (I don't like the whole futuristic look).

These are the two I ended up liking most.

Does anyone have a full tower case they would recommend? I looked at quite a few and I literally don't know where to start.

I went from a thermaltake M9 to an Antec 1200... boy what an amazing difference

Is this the same one you have?

This one has some odd aesthetics to it i think personally but it was less than most of the others.
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one seemed pretty basic, almost too basic.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one looked cool but that's the most expensive case I have seen.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Level 10 VL30001N1Z Black Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case

the odd looking one as you put it is the one I have... I saw the level 10 in the microcenter here in denver, it looked weird and crazy expensive.

 

[Keiichi25]

I did a search on newegg for ATX Full-Tower cases with only Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec. Most of them I didn't like just because their appearance (I don't like the whole futuristic look).

These are the two I ended up liking most.

I went from a thermaltake M9 to an Antec 1200... boy what an amazing difference

Is this the same one you have?

This one has some odd aesthetics to it i think personally but it was less than most of the others.
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one seemed pretty basic, almost too basic.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one looked cool but that's the most expensive case I have seen.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Level 10 VL30001N1Z Black Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case

the odd looking one as you put it is the one I have... I saw the level 10 in the microcenter here in denver, it looked weird and crazy expensive.

The Antec one, I know a friend of mine has. He says given the crapton of fans, it has a wicked nice airflow and literally quiet. With a lot of 120mm fans, lots of air moving without nearly as much noise.

 

[xarden]

I'd go with the Antec one, myself.
As much as I dislike the futuristic look too, the CoolerMaster one is a bit too basic to have people ooh and ahh at it.
The Thermaltake... is most certainly unique. Not sure how all the airflow will work, if any?
It reminds me of the PS2 Slim somehow... I cant picture it being a case that you'd put on a desk with anything more than a 19" LCD and wireless KB&M. Barebasic simplistic desktop setup type, IMO.

 

[Lollies]

I did a search on newegg for ATX Full-Tower cases with only Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec. Most of them I didn't like just because their appearance (I don't like the whole futuristic look).

These are the two I ended up liking most.



Is this the same one you have?

This one has some odd aesthetics to it i think personally but it was less than most of the others.
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one seemed pretty basic, almost too basic.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one looked cool but that's the most expensive case I have seen.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Level 10 VL30001N1Z Black Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case

the odd looking one as you put it is the one I have... I saw the level 10 in the microcenter here in denver, it looked weird and crazy expensive.

The Antec one, I know a friend of mine has. He says given the crapton of fans, it has a wicked nice airflow and literally quiet. With a lot of 120mm fans, lots of air moving without nearly as much noise.

Yeah it does, it has 3 intake and 2 output plus the 120mm on the top which exhausts. And it said you can mount an additional one on the side plus in the middle. Don;t know what they mean by in the middle but its two additional fans either way.

I'd go with the Antec one, myself.
As much as I dislike the futuristic look too, the CoolerMaster one is a bit too basic to have people ooh and ahh at it.
The Thermaltake... is most certainly unique. Not sure how all the airflow will work, if any?
It reminds me of the PS2 Slim somehow... I cant picture it being a case that you'd put on a desk with anything more than a 19" LCD and wireless KB&M. Barebasic simplistic desktop setup type, IMO.

Yeah, its a really nice case, I just don't get the whole futuristic look but maybe its just me. it looks more standard than some other ones. I like the coolmater case just cause its simple but it doesn't offer what the antec one does.

I did a search on newegg for ATX Full-Tower cases with only Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec. Most of them I didn't like just because their appearance (I don't like the whole futuristic look).

These are the two I ended up liking most.



Is this the same one you have?

This one has some odd aesthetics to it i think personally but it was less than most of the others.
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one seemed pretty basic, almost too basic.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one looked cool but that's the most expensive case I have seen.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Level 10 VL30001N1Z Black Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case

the odd looking one as you put it is the one I have... I saw the level 10 in the microcenter here in denver, it looked weird and crazy expensive.

i don't think its odd, I just don't get why most cases have a futuristic look, only thing I found odd about it was the criss cross pattern on the top of the case.

Yes the LvL 10 is like 800 bucks :shock:

I found this funny since I have a EVGA 9800 GX2.
"Even the largest 10.5” graphic cards like AMD’s Radeon HD 3870 x2 and Nvidia’s 9800 GX2 fit into any of the 7 expansion slots within its cavernous interior without limiting hard drive placement within any of the 12 bays. Mini ITX, Micro ATX or standard ATX motherboards likewise fit with ease."

 

[Keiichi25]

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=Njkz

From this, the explanation is putting a fan near or infront of the graphics card area to help push air to the heatsink or fan of a GPU directly, enabling better cooling. It would be in the case and forcing a flow of air over it versus just the GPU's fan or other methods to try and keep it cool.

 

[xarden]

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=Njkz

From this, the explanation is putting a fan near or infront of the graphics card area to help push air to the heatsink or fan of a GPU directly, enabling better cooling. It would be in the case and forcing a flow of air over it versus just the GPU's fan or other methods to try and keep it cool.

Also true.
I've got one of these in the next pci slot over from my graphics card.
Without it, it would be running about 46C-56C.
With it, its a consistant 32C-36C
Power piggybacks the old ATA harddrive power plug.

 

[Lollies]

I did a search on newegg for ATX Full-Tower cases with only Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec. Most of them I didn't like just because their appearance (I don't like the whole futuristic look).

These are the two I ended up liking most.

I went from a thermaltake M9 to an Antec 1200... boy what an amazing difference

Is this the same one you have?

This one has some odd aesthetics to it i think personally but it was less than most of the others.
Newegg.com - Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one seemed pretty basic, almost too basic.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

This one looked cool but that's the most expensive case I have seen.
Newegg.com - Thermaltake Level 10 VL30001N1Z Black Aluminum ATX Super Full Tower Gaming Station Computer Case

the odd looking one as you put it is the one I have... I saw the level 10 in the microcenter here in denver, it looked weird and crazy expensive.

How do you control your fan speed?

 

[Lollies]

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=Njkz

From this, the explanation is putting a fan near or infront of the graphics card area to help push air to the heatsink or fan of a GPU directly, enabling better cooling. It would be in the case and forcing a flow of air over it versus just the GPU's fan or other methods to try and keep it cool.

Also true.
I've got one of these View attachment 98217 in the next pci slot over from my graphics card.
Without it, it would be running about 46C-56C.
With it, its a consistant 32C-36C
Power piggybacks the old ATA harddrive power plug.

I had a single PCI slot fan that I put under the graphics card (only place it would fit) but I don't know if it ever actually made a difference, I just did it cause I noticed it was running hot.

 

[pparks1]

Keep an eye on the Corsair 600T which is coming out at end of month. it's a midtower design, but built like a full tower. it will easily take the largest graphics card on the market, it has the cable management holes everywhere, it's black on black, it's got variable speed fans, it's got large fans and rooms for water cooling radiators, it's got a cut out on the back tray for the CPU for installing aftermarket coolers.

Personally I have an Antec P182 and it's far too large. If I were to build a new computer today, I would go the Corsair 600T route as it's the best of both worlds.

Welcome to Corsair :: Corsair Graphite Series™ 600T Product Information

Here is a video going over the features;

 

[Lollies]

Keep an eye on the Corsair 600T which is coming out at end of month. it's a midtower design, but built like a full tower. it will easily take the largest graphics card on the market, it has the cable management holes everywhere, it's black on black, it's got variable speed fans, it's got large fans and rooms for water cooling radiators, it's got a cut out on the back tray for the CPU for installing aftermarket coolers.

Personally I have an Antec P182 and it's far too large. If I were to build a new computer today, I would go the Corsair 600T route as it's the best of both worlds.

Welcome to Corsair :: Corsair Graphite Series™ 600T Product Information

Here is a video going over the features;

That's a really cool design for a mid-tower. I really like having a mid-tower cause its just kinda middle of the road, were as, some of the full towers, just from looking at the dimensions are hugh(maybe its cause I'm not use to the size of one). This case seems really cool, only thing I kinda dislike about it is the grey/black coloring but the video is kinda deceiving cause the lighting.

Thermaltake M9 (What I currently have)
(L x W x H)
19.45" x 7.87" x 17.32"

Antec 1200
(L x W x H)
20.20" x 8.40" x 22.90"

Corsair 600T
(L x W x H)
23.3" x 10.4" x 20"

Looking at the dimensions mine is definitely the smallest out of the three. The height is the only thing that is smaller compared to the 1200. Overall the 600T looks sick, and I'm not done looking at the site parks provided but so far it looks really promising. but just aesthetically it looks cool in my opinion, not much odd design to it, and if there is there is a reason for it, i.e. lip on the top front is for carrying.

 

[pparks1]

I'm really happy to see Corsair bringing high end features into smaller cases. While I like having extra room to work, full tower cases are just obscenely large for my needs...and the needs of most computer enthusiasts. But we go for these cases often because of the extra functionality they provide.