A new case!

[Kirano]

Dear Hexusians!

tl;dr
- Antec 1200 = titan, too big!
- new case needed
- smaller, quieter, need to still accommodate large graphics card and cooler

The long version...

I have adored my Antec 1200 from the day I bought it. Even after DHL tried to remove it from this world, it endured - albeit with a smashed side panel. Alas, all the things that once attracted me to it, I now detest. It's behemothic size, that once assured continued upgrade space, no fills me with each dread each time I rearrange my room. It's many fans with their gorgeous blue glow, are now like jet engines to my ears.

I'm looking for a smaller, lighter, less imposing case!

I'd like something that still reasonably spacey (I have quite a long graphics card and large cooler - can get exact measurements tonight!) and has a good number of fans, though as many as six probably isn't necessary. Something of a lighter build would be nice too!

To give some insight to my desires - a friend of mine got a new pc recently (custom built with scan) and has the Corsair Carbide 200R. I loved the weight, the style, how tidy it seemed inside. Something like that, but possibly slightly larger, would be superb.

If you need anymore information to help you with advice/suggestions, please do let me know.

Kindest regards and with much thanks in advance of your help,
Kirano

[herulach]

Whats your budget? Anything in the £100 range should be fine. NZXT H440 looks neat, although is still quite big. Fractal Design R4 is the typical recommendation for quiet.

[nepenthes]

Whats your budget? Anything in the £100 range should be fine. NZXT H440 looks neat, although is still quite big. Fractal Design R4 is the typical recommendation for quiet.

Would also recommend the NZXT H440, it's a great case around that end of the price range. It is bigger though, and about 3kg heavier, but you do get a form of sound proofing and a lot of flexibility on the cable management.

The Define R4 is great too, slightly smaller but not by much, but even more heavier. Seriously, with a full build I wouldn't want to move that around

[Ttaskmaster]

I have a Corsair Carbide 500R and love it to bits.

However, I helped a friend build his rig into a CoolerMaster Elite 430. It's pretty small and light, but handles everything surprisingly well.
I test-fit my 6950 in there while we were awaiting his 270X and there was loads of room.

The 430 is lightweight, easily tidied, holds just about everything the average build would need and is also cheap as chips these days. I'm rather jealous, if I'm honest!

[Kirano]

Hey all!

Thanks for your great responses thus far. I do like the look of the NZXT H440 - its a slick looking case. Unfortunately, ebuyer, scan, overclockers nor amazon seem to have it in stock right now and I was hoping to order today or tomorrow, in time for the Insomnia Gaming Festival next week! (Probably should have thought about all this weeks/months ago - I'm not the greatest at forward thinking right now!)

Tbh, I think my budget is in the <£100 range. I'd love to spend more than that but rapidly accruing academic expenses are giving my finances a beating!

In terms of weight... My Antec 1200 weighs in at maybe 16kg (the case itself is about 14kg I think) - Anything below 8-9Kg is perfectly acceptable to me!

I've looked at some of the other Corsair cases and the Carbide 500R did catch my eye. In terms of size, I think that's as large as I'd want to go. It's smaller than my current Antec and considerably lighter. I'll have a closer look at that and the Define R4 this afternoon.

[Pob255]

How about the Corsair Vengeance C70 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...ow-usb-30-2x12
cooler master Storm Scout II http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...r-case-w-o-psu

Heck even something like the old HAF912 or Storm enforcer would be good, unless you've got a ton of watercooling stuff you really don't need that big a case.

[dfour]

How about something completely different like the corsair carbide air 540?

Its only 8 kg in weight and the height of a normal atx mid case but is just over £100.

[SUMMONER]

Ebuyer currently have the Fractal Design Define R4 White Pearl Case at a bargain price of £59.99 delivered.

- centre HDD cage can be removed for over length video cards
- fan controller for 3 fans
- 3 silent Fractal fans
- sound dampening material
- intake filters front and bottom

[wilsonik]

Hey all!

Thanks for your great responses thus far. I do like the look of the NZXT H440 - its a slick looking case. Unfortunately, ebuyer, scan, overclockers nor amazon seem to have it in stock right now and I was hoping to order today or tomorrow, in time for the Insomnia Gaming Festival next week! (Probably should have thought about all this weeks/months ago - I'm not the greatest at forward thinking right now!)

Tbh, I think my budget is in the <£100 range. I'd love to spend more than that but rapidly accruing academic expenses are giving my finances a beating!

In terms of weight... My Antec 1200 weighs in at maybe 16kg (the case itself is about 14kg I think) - Anything below 8-9Kg is perfectly acceptable to me!

I've looked at some of the other Corsair cases and the Carbide 500R did catch my eye. In terms of size, I think that's as large as I'd want to go. It's smaller than my current Antec and considerably lighter. I'll have a closer look at that and the Define R4 this afternoon.

NZXT H440 that's the case I've chosen for my build. Got it from Aria for just over a £100 (with delivery). black and red version.



For a long time I was going to pick CM Storm Scout2 advanced black, which is really good looking case, but when I first saw a H440, the choice was simple.

That's by far the best looking case on the market (well that's my personal opinion) and it will fit Corsair h100i, which Scout2 wouldn't (at least not fully inside the case).

[Silent_Storm]

NZXT H440 that's the case I've chosen for my build. Got it from Aria for just over a £100 (with delivery). black and red version.

For a long time I was going to pick CM Storm Scout2 advanced black, which is really good looking case, but when I first saw a H440, the choice was simple.

That's by far the best looking case on the market (well that's my personal opinion) and it will fit Corsair h100i, which Scout2 wouldn't (at least not fully inside the case).

The H440 is an amazing looking case and would be amazing! My only issue with it is the lack of 5.25" drive bays :/

[wilsonik]

There 3 new colors of h440 coming in. Green, Blue and orange.
Not too sure if they will be avaiable on UK market though.

http://blog.nzxt.com/2014/04/29/intr...dition-colors/

Green look awesome.

[Ubudan]

I really like the define r4 by fractal design. It's a really gorgeous design and low acoustics to boot.

I went for this case instead after considering NZXT 620 and define R4: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/fract...k)-with-window