Solved Time to upgrade my case

[TanyaC]

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

 

[A Guy]

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

 

[fireberd]

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.

 

[bassfisher6522]

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

Welcome to Thermaltake

 

[LittleJay]

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

+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.

 

[Hopalong X]

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.

 

[NoN]

Those ones got my choice:

HAF XM (side window panel version)

Silverstone Raven 2 Evolution USB 3.0

 

[kodi]

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.

 

[TanyaC]

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

 

[NoN]

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"

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Antec's are excellent cases, as well the Corsair, CoolerMaster, Thermaltake, Lian Li, NZXT, Silverstone, Fractal Design, BitFinex are all outstanding case manufacturers. I just settled on this fantastic full tower case the CoolerMaster Storm Stryker and it's crazy good.

 

[NoN]

+1, outstanding case (storm trooper aswell), they were too big for my rig but it might be the look of my next case in few years.

 

[kbrady1979]

Antex Eleven Hundred or Antec P280....phenomenal cases, and very very good prices.

 

[TanyaC]

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"

Some good points. There seems to be no one manufacturer/model with the perfect combination.

I was leaning towards the DF-85 because of the hot-swap SSD bay, which I will get alot of use from.

And the doors on the front open right up for access to the HDDs.

Gosh, I have looked at so many brands/models over the last two days I have got a headache.

Well, thank you all for your thoughts and feedback. I'll post some pics when I decide which one to get and have it all up and running..

 

[smarteyeball]

I could sell you my Lian Li V1020-A

 

[Wordsworth]

I could sell you my Lian Li V1020-A

Now there's an offer. I really like my Lian Li case.

Tanyac,

there are a lot of cases that offer what you are looking for, hot swap bays, front doors, more cooler room. Both price and style may help you narrow it down a little. Or perhaps smarteyeball's offer much more. Dont' have a headache over it though, take your time and prioritize what you want and have a little fun with it. That way when you're done you'll be very satisfied with what you bought.

 

[dwarfer66]

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

Hey mate I just bought a Coolermaster HF case, from pccasegear.com, cost me $140 including delivery to SA. great case PLENTY of room, have a look on there site.

 

[TanyaC]

I could sell you my Lian Li V1020-A

Thanks for the offer, but I have settled on a Coolermaster HAF 932 Advanced from PC Case Gear for $169.00 AUD. It hasn't got everything I wanted, but it's close.

• I had to lose a 5.25 bay for the USB 3.0 ports.
• The fans don't have filters, which means in my house I'm going to be opening this case up frequently to vacuum inside.
• There is no Hot swap SSD bay on top.

But, there was no one case that had it all. Not even the Cosmos II at $389.00 AUD

Price was not a consideration with any of the cases. Air flow and noise were the primary considerations. The HAF X was no good as the shroud around the side fan interferred with my Noctua Cooler.

The DF-85 was second choice, but was a little cramped for space.

thank you all for your input.

Tanya

 

[kbrady1979]

I could sell you my Lian Li V1020-A

Thanks for the offer, but I have settled on a Coolermaster HAF 932 Advanced from PC Case Gear for $169.00 AUD. It hasn't got everything I wanted, but it's close.

• I had to lose a 5.25 bay for the USB 3.0 ports.
• The fans don't have filters, which means in my house I'm going to be opening this case up frequently to vacuum inside.
• The is no Hot swap SSD bay on top.

But, there was no one case that had it all. Not even the Cosmos II at $389.00 AUD

Price was not a consideration with any of the cases. Air flow and noise were the primary considerations. The HAF X was no good as the shroud around the side fan interferred with my Noctua Cooler.

The DF-85 was second choice, but was a little cramped for space.

thank you all for your input.

Tanya

Take a look at the Antec Eleven Hundred and the Antec P280. Removable dust filters under PSU and front intake, GOBS of room and the P280 is a quiet design case. The Eleven Hundred is $100US on Newegg and the P280 is $119US, I think.

 

[TanyaC]

Take a look at the Antec Eleven Hundred and the Antec P280. Removable dust filters under PSU and front intake, GOBS of room and the P280 is a quiet design case. The Eleven Hundred is $100US on Newegg and the P280 is $119US, I think.

Thanks for the suggestions. The P280 is not what I was looking for. The Antec 1100 I believe has similar design issues as the 900 which were the catalyst for the original decision to change.

Anyhoo.. I now have the HAF 932 up and running. It'q quote sad when I get to build a system and it works first shot.. :shock:

Well, almost. One of the Noctua CPU fans won't respond to the speed controls. The ASRock tuning facility has one slider for both CPU fans, and CPU Fan 2 slows down, but not CPU Fan 1. It's still chugging away at 1870 RPM, whilst I have all others down under 1000.

Noise wise, it's a little louder than the Antec, but it may be because of this single fan. it's running around 3 degrees celcius cooler. I have so much spare space inside. I'll have to find something to fill it up