looking at computer cases

I'm looking at computer cases and cant seem to make up my mind.

I'm mainly looking for good air flow rather than style or prettyness. It needs to be between $50-$80 and support Micro ATX motherboards.

Outside usb ports would be nice on the front or top

Either the Antec Two Hundred,

Newegg.com - Antec Two Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

or the Three Hundred,

Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

would do.

I have mixed feelings about Antec. Their P180, for example, was highly praised, but I thought it wasn't all that good. (Too much plastic.) I'm also a traditionalist - I prefer top mounted PSUs. (It may not matter - the fans may overwhelm convection.) The 900 was pretty nice, though, and the smaller versions may be as good. If you get a case with a bottom mounted PSU, be sure that your PSU cables are long enough, especially the 4 or 8 pin +12V CPU power cable. (That's less of an issue with a small case.)

I haven't used the smaller Cooler Master cases - my main one at the moment is a largish Stacker 830 - but they seem to be relatively purposeful.

Some of the better Asian cases are made by Chieftec. That used to include some of the plainer Antec cases.

A minor detail to look for: some of the newer cases use 10 pin connectors for the front panel USB. Older ones (example: Antec Lanboy) used discrete connectors for each wire. The 10 pin ones will save you from having to study the motherboard's USB header pinouts. (The pinouts are standard, but I haven't memorized them.) It would also save you some time, and avoid the frustration of playing with those fiddly little pins.

i have a friend who bought the 300 case and he is very happy with it.

I have my eyes set on this one, i just wish it was cheaper and the PSU was on the top instead of the bottom.

Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

if you have right psu it will suck heat down and out versus allowing it to rise.

PsychoClown said:

if you have right psu it will suck heat down and out versus allowing it to rise.

Ah, didnt know that

I'm not sure if this will meet your price budget. I have one and soon I'll buy one more. Coolermaster HAF932. Super cooling [......Cooling SystemFront: 230 x 30 mm red LED fan x 1 / 700 RPM / 19 dBA
Top: 230 x 30 mm red LED fan x 1 / 700 RPM / 19 dBA
(supports 120 mm fan x 3 or 120 mm x 1 + 230 x 30 x 1)
Rear: 140 x 25 mm fan x1 / 1200 RPM / 17 dBA
I love it

NCIX.com - Buy Cooler Master Haf 932 AMD Edition Full Tower Red Black EATX Case 6X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PSU - AM-932 In Canada.

JazzSus said:

I'm not sure if this will meet your price budget. I have one and soon I'll buy one more. Coolermaster HAF932. Super cooling [......Cooling SystemFront: 230 x 30 mm red LED fan x 1 / 700 RPM / 19 dBA
Top: 230 x 30 mm red LED fan x 1 / 700 RPM / 19 dBA
(supports 120 mm fan x 3 or 120 mm x 1 + 230 x 30 x 1)
Rear: 140 x 25 mm fan x1 / 1200 RPM / 17 dBA
I love it

NCIX.com - Buy Cooler Master Haf 932 AMD Edition Full Tower Red Black EATX Case 6X5.25 1X3.5 5X3.5INT No PSU - AM-932 In Canada.

Don't you think than a microATX mainboard would be a bit lost in this full tower case?