New case thoughts and recommendations.

[OneSerious]

So it's been a long time coming but by mid October I should have me an HD5870. I'm aware of the size of these beasts and since my current setup has outgrown my case I want to pick up a new one within the next few weeks.

I don't really want to spend more than £150 because at the end of the day, it's just a case.

I'm looking for lots of space, good cable management decent cooling and I wouldn't mind hotswap bays (I don't really need them so they aren't essential).

I'm generally not favourable of the really extreme looking gamer cases, for example the Antec Dark Fleet. So whilst it ticks all the boxes, that look isn't for me.

So far I've looked at the Antec Twelve Hundred and CoolerMaster HAF X. I like both of these, though the Antec is more subtle.

Just wanted to see if anybody had experience with either of these and if so what your thoughts are. Any recommendations would also be much appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[Luckystar]

Just as a recomendation - Coolermaster HAF 932, its a huge case, fantastic for Cable Management and it has a very air flow to help keep the 5870 cool and its got plenty of room to house a w/c kit.

Might even be cheaper than the two choices above. not sure about the latter HAF-X

Lucky

 

[Hondajt]

I really like SFF cases. Have you given any thought to Lan-Gear? I really like the quality of those cases. And they allow for freakishly long GPU's like you are considering.

As for the ones you mentioned, the 1200 is huge and really heavy. I own one, and don't use it. I switched to the Lan-Gear. I like the Antec 902 since it's a smaller version of the 1200.

Also, I really like thermaltake and silverstone. They make some nice cases that aren't all weird looking.

 

[OneSerious]

Just as a recomendation - Coolermaster HAF 932

I ahd considerd the 932 but the place I will be buying from are out of stock

Also, I really like thermaltake

I had seen this, Armour A90, whilst not as big as the other cases, it looks really nice imo and is a lot cheaper. I may have to look up some reviews on this one.

 

[Luckystar]

Just as a recomendation - Coolermaster HAF 932

I ahd considerd the 932 but the place I will be buying from are out of stock

Also, I really like thermaltake

I had seen this, Armour A90, whilst not as big as the other cases, it looks really nice imo and is a lot cheaper. I may have to look up some reviews on this one.

Your best bet would be to shop around, you may even get better deals on other bits if nessecary.

Try places like Amazon.co.uk, ebay.co.uk or overclockers.co.uk.

Just a little extra recommendation.

Lucky

 

[Hopalong X]

I'm using the COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP.

A bit big but room for everything.

Cooler Master also just came out with the HAF 912.
Similar to the 932 layout but shorter. Will take the full size video cards.
The HAF 912 is about $80USD instead of $130-150USD for the HAF 932.

Review of the HAF 912
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=591&Itemid=61

Review on your side of the pond.
Mid September availability. 65 Pounds.
http://www.techradar.com/news/compu...oolermaster-haf-912-plus-case-unveiled-714574

If they would have had the 912 out about a month ago I would have probably bought it instead of the 932.
Hope that helps.
Mike

 

[OneSerious]

Cheers for the thoughts guys. Now the choice is even harder . I'll have to put a bit of thought in to this.

 

[pparks1]

This might be out of your price range, but I really like the Corsair 600T. It's got room for full size video cards...as you can see from their website...but the case is not monstrously large like some of these other cases.
Welcome to Corsair :: Corsair Graphite Series™ 600T Product Information

Also, it looks like it's about $150 USD and releasing near the end of September.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139003&Tpk=600t

 

[kellymac35]

This might be out of your price range, but I really like the Corsair 600T. It's got room for full size video cards...as you can see from their website...but the case is not monstrously large like some of these other cases.
Welcome to Corsair :: Corsair Graphite Series™ 600T Product Information

Also, it looks like it's about $150 USD and releasing near the end of September.
Newegg.com - Corsair Graphite Series 600T Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Stunning, What a beautiful case the Corsair has my vote!

 

[johnwillyums]

I really love my case. It's a Cooler Master ATCs 840 : ATCS 840 - Cooler Master

The one shown is brushed aluminium, mines the same only black. It is a very big case and a dream to use for a build. The whole motherboard tray slides out on roller bearings so you can mount the chip etc on a horizontal surface and then put it back in. Mounting a HSF and GPU is equally easy and cable management is a dream.
The case is all aluminium and beautifully engineered. The only plastics are the hard drive tray clip-ons.
This is a very serene looking case, no flashing lights or wide open mesh grills. Even the front intake has a solid alloy shield. I think it looks a bit like the monolith from 2001.
I could go on and on but I recommend it highly so check it out or better still see one in the flesh.
I've had mine over 6 months and I still admire it when I'm sat in front of my pc.
Cheers, John

 

[OneSerious]

Okay guys, slight change of plan. At first I didn't want to spend more than £150 because as I said, "It's just a case". However looking at all these recommendations and seeing all the different features has sort of got me thinking and I've done a complete u-turn! I just can't help myself...

I'm oddly more pumped about getting a new chassis than the GPU so I don't mind spending a decent bit more on a better case and holding off on the GPU for a few weeks.

pparks1, the Corsair 600T looks great, but that got me on to looking at the 700D £199.96 and 800D £229.97 (Can possibly get it on Amazon for £206). Watched a few video reviews and holy crap the cable management in these things in unreal. The build quality looks immense and the size of the thing! Plus for the extra £30 you get the extras in the 800D. I also love the fact that it looks really subtle and not over the top like a lot of gaming cases. All that combined with the fact that every Corsair product I've owned has really impressed me.

johnwillyums, as for your recommendation of the Coolermaster ATCS 840, it's a contender. Can be picked up here for £172.67. Same as above really, looks nice and subtle plus the current Coolermaster case I own whilst cheap, is one of the better budget cases I've seen.

I guess if I've decided to spend more money... More options are available now, doh!

So far, the ATCS 840 and 800D are looking like the two favourites. They also look like they would last me a lifetime.

I'm going to settle on no more than £250! Honest.

 

[vicnard12]

for design and futureproofing, go with HAF X..

for good room for various accessories inside, cable management, i'd say go for HAF 932.

for the performance, both are better and could be the best out there!

just my thought!

 

[OneSerious]

I really do like the more conservative style of the 800D and ATCS 840.

 

[thefabe]

pparks1 Thanks for posting the Corsair 600T, it has just about everything I'm looking for in my new case. the Black on Black is a must for me along with CPU and the cable cutouts.
Only drawback fo me is I'm really looking to go Full tower this time. Fabe

 

[OneSerious]

pparks1 Thanks for posting the Corsair 600T, it has just about everything I'm looking for in my new case. the Black on Black is a must for me along with CPU and the cable cutouts.
Only drawback fo me is I'm really looking to go Full tower this time. Fabe

What about the 700D then?

 

[pparks1]

pparks1, the Corsair 600T looks great, but that got me on to looking at the 700D £199.96 and 800D £229.97 (Can possibly get it on Amazon for £206). Watched a few video reviews and holy crap the cable management in these things in unreal. The build quality looks immense and the size of the thing!

Yeah, i didn't comment on those other cases, because I knew they were going to be out of your price range. While I like the features of the 800D myself, the size is a real turn-off. I currently have an Antec P182 and it's much too big. I have no reason to have a case that size. I would certainly go with a much smaller case next time.

for design and futureproofing, go with HAF X..

As the original poster said, he isn't into the look of the HAF X. It's not for everybody. I'm not into the "industrial" look as I call it and I really dislike lights and windows and all that fancy stuff.

Only drawback fo me is I'm really looking to go Full tower this time. Fabe

I'm currently using an Antec P182 case myself which is nearly a full tower and it's just too big. I have no need for that kind of space inside of a case. That's why drew me to the 600T case, it's got the cable management and the room for the full size video cards without taking a huge amount of space on the desk or floor. And it's a real bummer when you try to run nice cable management in a large case and find that you need extensions because your power supply cabling and such simply doesn't make it...also makes it harder to hide since there is physically more that needs to be hidden.

 

[OneSerious]

I took the plunge and orderd the Corsair 800D. Got it for £206 so a good £50 cheaper than most places I've seen it. Should be here by Thursday so I'll try and get some pictures up when everything is moved in. Now got to buy 3 more 120mm fans for the top!

Yeah, i didn't comment on those other cases, because I knew they were going to be out of your price range. While I like the features of the 800D myself, the size is a real turn-off. I currently have an Antec P182 and it's much too big. I have no reason to have a case that size. I would certainly go with a much smaller case next time.

Cheers for the input anyway mate. It's aswell you mentioned the 600T because that's what made me check out the Corsair site, otherwise I would of looked over the 800D. It and it's features was what made me decide to drop more coin.

I like big cases, plus mine is under a desk so the space isn't an issue. I'm also generally not fond of side panel windows but the 800D's isn't too bad.

Cheers for all the thoughts guys. Helpfull as ever! I'll post ack with pics soon.

 

[johnwillyums]

Good choice Kyle. I think that's a lovely case and the reviews are excellent. Like you, after a Cosmos S with flashing LEDs, I wanted subtle.
Problem is I like the look of my ATCS 840 so much I've had to put it on the desk instead of under it
Enjoy!

 

[OneSerious]

Okay so the 800D arrived today and I got everything moved in. There's a few reason I bought this case.

1) Current Coolermaster Elite 335 was a cheap case and didn't offer much in the way of upgrading options.

2) Since installing the H50 it was a bit cramped the rad and PSU where touching and it made the simple fitting of the H50 a bit of a pain in the ass because it knocked the screw holes out of place.

3) I'm a bit of a clean freak and wanted all my cables well hidden.

4)I will be picking up an HD5870 soon and wanted more space. I plan in the future when the price drops to get a new mobo and 2nd HD5870 to Crossfire and so really wanted more space and better airflow.

Well here it is...


Now I knew this thing was big but holy crap! It's flippin' huge! The size of the thing plus the fact that all the cables are hidden so well just looses the system in there.

I had heard some bad reviews about the airflow in this case, however my idle and load temps have dropped. H50 had my CPU as low as 25C. I also have 5 Akasa Vipers coming. 3 for the top and 2 to replace on the H50 rad.

So I'm very happy. Yeah this case is HUGE. Maybe even complete overkill but it looks great, it has plenty of room with virtually endless space for upgrades and should last a lifetime. It sort of makes me want to try and move into water cooling after I pick up the new GPU.

Thanks for everybody's input. Particularly pparks1 for his recommendation of the 600T, because had he not, I'd not of gone to Corsair site and probably looked over this beast. Cheers guys!

 

[Hopalong X]

I didn't think they could make a case bigger than a CM HAF 932!
The height is about the same, well maybe, but yours is deeper, front to back by a couple of inches at least.

The HAF came with wheels but I think you may need a crane when you get everything upgraded.!

CM HAF 932 - 22.70" x 9.00" x 21.50"
Corsair 800D- 24.00" x 9.00" x 24.00"
You just had to go there and make everyone on this thread jealous!!!

Looks great! Enjoy!
Mike