Choices Choices Choices - Which Case for new build ?

[GuruNot]

Ok, so I am starting to build a new rig. It has the potential to become an uber rig, depending how far I want to go and I need a case that is flexible enough to achieve this.

I currently have an Antec P180 which to be honest I think is a really good case. However it only handles Standard ATX boards and as there is the chance of me using an XL-ATX or E-ATX board with water cooling I need something bigger and more modern but still quiet.

I appreciate cases are incredibly subjective , but I would be interested to hear opinions on the following candidates:

NZXT Phantom 820
NZXT Phantom 630
fractal design define xl r2
corsair obsidian 750d

Or hear about any others not on my list.

Current top contender is the 750d, but I will probably swap the supplied fans with some BeQuiet Silent Wings 2 fans.

My Existing Rig is:

OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
CPU: Intel Core i7 2600K
RAM: 16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P8Z68-V PRO
Monitor: BenQ xl2411t
GPU: 1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 5850 (XFX Pine Group)
Storage: 238GB PLEXTOR PX-256M5Pro (SSD), 1863GB Hitachi HDS5C3020ALA632 (SATA), 931GB Hitachi HDT721010SLA360 (SATA)
Optical Drives: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH08LS20
PSU: 580W Be Quiet Straight Power E8-CM
Cooler: Be Quiet! Dark Rock Advanced
Case: Antec P180 Advanced
Mouse: Razer Deathadder 3.5G
Keyboard: QPAD MK-85

I am going to be getting new PSU (Corsair AX860i) at same time as new case but the rest of the components will not change until the new Intel 9 Series Boards are out. The GPU may change before that.

[herulach]

I'm biased cos I just bought one, but ive just moved into a haf 935 (photos in sig) and it's pretty darn awesome. I could live with a little more room behind their mb tray instead of the slot to mount the GPU in the window, but other than that it's pretty awesome.

[Macadee]

Phanteks Enthoo Primo

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/phant...roductId=81233

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...php?t=18531288

http://themodzoo.com/forum/index.php...wer-review-r67

[Jellyfish]

I would personally say the Fractal as i really dig the cases. However it really depends on budget etc... and what you think looks nice as you'll be staring at it everyday Nzxt cases are good (and those phantoms rated highly) but im not fond of the looks personally I would need dust filters asap if i ever considered one.

Also have you considered the Arc Midi xl? Has a window i think and some nice features!

Hope it helps!

[GuruNot]

I'm biased cos I just bought one, but ive just moved into a haf 935 (photos in sig) and it's pretty darn awesome. I could live with a little more room behind their mb tray instead of the slot to mount the GPU in the window, but other than that it's pretty awesome.

Awesome Rig Herulach, but I doubt I have the space for that beast.

Phanteks Enthoo Primo

Never even considered a Phantek case to be honest. Looks rather impressive though.

I would personally say the Fractal as i really dig the cases. However it really depends on budget etc... and what you think looks nice as you'll be staring at it everyday Nzxt cases are good (and those phantoms rated highly) but im not fond of the looks personally I would need dust filters asap if i ever considered one.

Also have you considered the Arc Midi xl? Has a window i think and some nice features!

Hope it helps!

Midi is nice, but I prefer the define.

That has given me even more food for thought !! Thank you.

[herulach]

Awesome Rig Herulach, but I doubt I have the space for that beast.


Never even considered a Phantek case to be honest. Looks rather impressive though.

The Enthoo primo is about the same size, maybe an inch shorter, but wider as well. TBF it depends what you want, if you don't need 2 360 rads, then you can get tonnes in smaller sizes. In a mid(ish) tower I'd probably wait for the H440, but to be honest there are so many great cases around at basically every price point.

Bear in mind if you're going to be swapping fans out anyway you might be better with something like a nanoxia deep silence, define r4 etc which is already quiet.

[GuruNot]

Just done some further checking, according to their specs the Enthoo primo and haf 935 only support E-ATX and not XL-ATX. Which limits their appeal. I may not end up with an XL-ATX board, but I would like a case that could handle it just in case.

[herulach]

Just done some further checking, according to their specs the Enthoo primo and haf 935 only support E-ATX and not XL-ATX. Which limits their appeal. I may not end up with an XL-ATX board, but I would like a case that could handle it just in case.

Isn't there only one XL-atx board in existence anyway? I'd be amazed if you found something substantially taller that would fit. Are you intending to watercool or not? If not the choices change considerably, something like a carbide air 540 is probably a better choice for air cooling than anything else.

[GuruNot]

Isn't there only one XL-atx board in existence anyway? I'd be amazed if you found something substantially taller that would fit. Are you intending to watercool or not? If not the choices change considerably, something like a carbide air 540 is probably a better choice for air cooling than anything else.

Very true, it is more likely to be an E-ATX than anything else. Definitely leaning towards the Phantek, although it is as deep as my desk, so I may need to re-arrange things.

[zayn93]

I wouldn't recommend the (i) version of the power supply, read some bad reviews about it! The normal Corsair AX860 is what I have and it's great and super quite

[BMAN61]

Just done some further checking, according to their specs the Enthoo primo and haf 935 only support E-ATX and not XL-ATX. Which limits their appeal. I may not end up with an XL-ATX board, but I would like a case that could handle it just in case.

It all depends on your budget; how much of your budget are you willing (and capable of) to spend on a chassis that can handle your needs, if you're pretty flexible, then I'll suggest Caselabs (caselabs-store.com), there you can spend as little as $200 (+accessories, taxes, shipping, etc.) for a Merlin SM8 mini-ITX case, or $600 for a MAGNUM STH10 case.

The thing I like most about their cases; is that if you want to display the top-side of the GPU, the motherboard tray(s) are reversible.

[GuruNot]

I have ended up with a Phanteks Enthoo Primo and I went for the AX860i.

@Zayn93 you posted after I ordered. If I have issues I will RMA it.

@herulach you are right in that it is pretty much the same size as the HAF, but I prefer the look, layout of the Phantek.

I am hopefully going to get the components moved over today. Then I just need to decide on a GPU to upgrade to

[herulach]

I have ended up with a Phanteks Enthoo Primo and I went for the AX860i.

@Zayn93 you posted after I ordered. If I have issues I will RMA it.

@herulach you are right in that it is pretty much the same size as the HAF, but I prefer the look, layout of the Phantek.

I am hopefully going to get the components moved over today. Then I just need to decide on a GPU to upgrade to

I think you'll be pleased with it, I had a good look over both in scan's store, and went with the HAF for price and neatness with WC. For Air Cooling the Enthoo probably does have the edge, mainly due to the bigger fan mounts (the haf could comfortably fit 2*140 instead of 2*120 in the front, but for some reason doesn't.

[Macadee]

Got my Alphacool Monster-480 and UT60-480 rads delivered this week ready for my Enthoo build, can finally retire my Lian-Li PC-75.