Time to upgrade my case

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  1. Posts : 784
    Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon | Win 7 Ult x64
       #1

    Time to upgrade my case


    I've been running my Antec 900 two for a couple of years now and it has some annoying attributes that have finally got the better of me.

    The disk enclosures have 8 screws that have to be removed every time you want to do any work with a drive, then you have to remove the 4 screws per drive, and typically I have to unplug the case fans because the cables are relatively short. Irritating.

    The USB 3 connector is a cable that runs from the front of the case through a hole in the back of the case to a USB3 connector on the back of the motherboard. Nuts when my motherboard has a USB3 header on it.

    The fan speed switches are on the back of the case. I do a lot of gaming and media encoding. When encoding video the temp jumps from 35 to 63c. With the fans on full speed it drops to 62c. I have found that I have two fans working against each other, which I will fix, but I don't expect it to make alot of difference.

    The fan power connectors are PATA connectors, so I can't plug them onto the motherboard and manage the speeds from my ASRock tuning utility, meaning I have to keep pulling my PC out of the desk to adjust fan speeds. With both case fans going full speed it is quite noisy.

    I can't put a side fan on because I have a NOCTUA NH-U9B-SE cooler, which must be oriented top to bottom because the memory slots are too close to orient it front to back. The Noctua leaves no room for a side fan. This may be unavoidable.

    I've had a look at the "Show us your rig" and system specs of some of the PCs from members here. There seems to be a lot of variation in cases.

    I am not brand loyal. I have a budget of around $250.

    I have no spot coolers or memory cooler. I strongly prefer quiet.

    I'm not into fancy colored lights and flashing thingies..

    The graphics card is a EVGA 670 SC w/4GB.

    I run my rig overclocked to 4.6 - 4.8 when I'm not encoding, as x264.exe is extremely sensitive to overclocking and becomes unstable above 4.0ghz.

    So, with all of the in mind, any recommendations?

    thanks
    Tanya
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 53,363
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #2

    Toolless HDD bays

    Internal USB 3.0 on front I/O panel

    A bit wider (room for a fan)

    Just throwing it out there

    HAF X - Cooler Master - Leading Provider of Computer Case, Cooler, Power Supply, Laptop Cooling, Gaming Peripherals

    CoolerMaster HAF X Case [C-RC942KKN1] - $189.00 : PC Case Gear

    A Guy
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #3

    I just built a new system for my recording studio, using a Corsair Carbide 500R case. It has four cooling fans and space for more. They are relatively quiet fans. I am using a Corsair liquid CPU cooler with aftermarket "quiet" fans (the OEM Corsair supplied fans are too noisy for my recording studio). The front panel USB jacks can be used for USB2.0 or 3.0 (they provide an adapter cable to connect to a 3.0 jack on the motherboard).

    My old system used an Antec Ninehundred case and I too thought it was a hassle with all the screws and even hard or optical drives mounted with screws instead of the "screwless" that most have. One of the front panel fans in my Antec case went bad and it was a hassle to replace. Another issue I had was the placement of the front panel I/O jacks on the top of the case and not on the front. That was another hassle where I had my tower located.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,240
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #4

    The "Thermaltake" brand has some great cases....

    Welcome to Thermaltake
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,133
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP 1
       #5

    A Guy said:
    +1 for the Haf X. I bought one for my current build about a year ago and love it. Lots of room and the cooling capability is awesome. Keep in mind though that it is a full tower and takes up a bit of space.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,349
    Windows7 Pro 64bit SP-1; Windows XP Pro 32bit
       #6

    A HAF 932 Advanced is what I'm using. It is almost identical to the HAF X. It would be a matter of cost to which would be a better buy.

    USD> Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x 230mm front RED LED fan, 1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 230mm top fan, and 1x 230mm side fan

    Coolermaster web page.
    HAF 932 Advanced - Cooler Master

    I'm using a Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B air cooler with push/pull fans. With a single fan it is noticeably larger than a Noctua.

    Scythe 2 with single fan. 130 x 100 x 158 mm / 5.12 x 3.94 x 6.22 in.> Mugen 2 Rev. B: CPU Kühler, Lüfter, Lüftersteuerung, PC Netzteile von Scythe

    Noctua with twin fans is 125 x 95 x 120 mm.> Noctua.at - sound-optimised premium components "Designed in Austria"!

    So a CM HAF X or CM 932 Advanced would be my choice if I needed a new case.

    My 2 pence/cents.

    P.S. It is quieter than a mouse. You have to look and check if the light is on.
    I have had it for 25 months and not one problem with buttons/connectors/front jacks or fans.
      My Computer


  7. NoN
    Posts : 4,166
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 - x64 [Non-UEFI Boot]
       #7
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,344
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    I will also recommend the Haf-X it is the best case I have ever had, I had a 900 and I upgraded to a Haf-x. The cooling is fantastic and there is hardly any noise with all fans on full. The only thing that could be a problem is as pointed out earlier is that it is a BIG case and also heavy but casters fix that.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 784
    Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon | Win 7 Ult x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Interesting that no-one has mentioned Antec at all. Are they not up to the task? The DF-85 looks worth considering?
      My Computer


  10. NoN
    Posts : 4,166
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 - x64 [Non-UEFI Boot]
       #10

    TanyaC said:
    Interesting that no-one has mentioned Antec at all. Are they not up to the task? The DF-85 looks worth considering?
    Seems that two years old Antec case have some defaults of misconstruction.

    -Lack of anti-vibrations for HDD and 2/1.2" drives
    -No Dust filter for protecting and give fresh air to the PSU
    -Bad socket windows to fix the Backplate
    -Doors 5/1.4" blocking access to dvd/cd drive (even if they are removable)
    -No tool less for Hard drives...
    -Dvd/cd drive have to be short therefore not hitting the 140mm Fan...
    -Difficulties to remove the protections of the bay 5.1/4"
      My Computer


 
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