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Thread: Case conundrum

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    Case conundrum

    Hi all,

    I am planning on building a pc for the first time. The probable setup would be : Q6600, X38 based mobo (when available next month), 2GB DDR2 RAM, 2x 500GB HD in raid, 2900XT or 8800 GTS.

    I want a quiet and cool case (for overclocking) thats built to last, suitable for upgrading and easy to use (as this is new for me). After reading many reviews this has led me to these 5 cases (2 air cooled and 3 water cooled) and what I see as the pros and cons:

    Cooler Master Cosmos; pros - quiet, but average cooling
    Antec P190; pros - quiet, inclused PSU, but average cooling
    Thermaltake Tai Chi; pros - included good water cooling, supports BTX, removable mobo panel
    Thermaltake Kandalf LCS (with 25cm fan side panel); pros - included excellent water cooling, supports BTX
    Gigabyte 3D Mercury; pros - included water cooling but average cooling, very easy to use with water cooling all pre-installed, best looking case but most expensive.

    Prices are similar (except for the gigabyte which is perhaps the easiest to use).

    Does anyone have any experience of these case/recommendations?

    Thanks

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    I’m not sure which reviews you have read, but maybe you should read the following:
    http://www.guru3d.com/article/cases/444/1/


    The Gigabyte 3D Mercury does look very nice.
    It’s a big case, and the concept seems good.

    I like the fact that the water-cooling is actually built-in and does not take up any inside space.
    This case offers a lot of features, just check out the front panel!
    Gigabyte Poseidon Case - Gigabyte Motherbaord - AMD Athlon64 4000+ - Radeon HD 5870 - 4GB DDR-III - 22" Samsung LCD - Logitech Lazer Mouse
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    I must admit to likeing the idea of the mercury, would be good for a water cooling virgin or self build shy.

    Both of the Thermaltake cases on your list are flipping humungus
    http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review.php?id=298 review of the Kandalf LCS

    That coolermaster actually looks pritty good (as well as pritty in my opinion) by the hexus review the cooling is ok, but the sound reduction is exelent. Heat shouldn't be too major a problem with just a 8800GTS esp if you're not planning on any extreem overclocking of the CPU.
    Also the limited vents means that the dust fitlers should catch far more of the dust than in other case designs.

    I'm not a fan of the p190, the p180/182 looks lovely but they spoilt it by changeing the side pannel and top pannel of the p190.

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    Quote Originally Posted by MilkMan View Post
    I’m not sure which reviews you have read, but maybe you should read the following:

    The Gigabyte 3D Mercury does look very nice.
    It’s a big case, and the concept seems good.

    I like the fact that the water-cooling is actually built-in and does not take up any inside space.
    This case offers a lot of features, just check out the front panel!
    I have read the guru3d review of the mercury and it does look great and well designed, but they have stated that the watercooling isn't that good as the radiator is far too small.

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post
    I must admit to likeing the idea of the mercury, would be good for a water cooling virgin or self build shy.

    Both of the Thermaltake cases on your list are flipping humungus

    That coolermaster actually looks pritty good (as well as pritty in my opinion) by the hexus review the cooling is ok, but the sound reduction is exelent. Heat shouldn't be too major a problem with just a 8800GTS esp if you're not planning on any extreem overclocking of the CPU.
    Also the limited vents means that the dust fitlers should catch far more of the dust than in other case designs.

    I'm not a fan of the p190, the p180/182 looks lovely but they spoilt it by changeing the side pannel and top pannel of the p190.
    I won't be doing any extreme overclocking initially - the reason for the 8800GTS/2900XT is to save cash for when a proper DX10 card comes out - but when it does I will plan on overclocking the Q6600. I plan on upgrading lots, so I want a case that will keep up. Also as I am waiting for an X38 mobo and a GO Q6600 (like everyone else) I don't need one immediately and therfore I could wait for the cosmos/mercury to be available.

    The ease of use of the mercury is what appeals to me (and the looks), but the relatively poor cooling performance has put me off a bit, also it is the most expensive case by far (although if the cooling was better I wouldn't mind).

    All the cases are huge - the cosmos is actually the biggest, but I have plenty of space under my desk, so thats not an issue. I am probably leaning towards the Kandalf as I guess it offers the best cooling (without direct comparisons its difficult to know). I prefer the look of the black, but as it is steel it weighs 7kg more than the aluminium silver one. Will the aluminium version have better thermal properties?

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    Re: Case conundrum

    Yeah, the 3D Mercury is really for entry-level to Mid-range water-cooling solution.

    I personally think that any full-solution kit will not be perfect, this is due to pricing point.

    If you really want proper water-cooling, then buy the case and water-cooling separately.
    www.coolercases.co.uk
    www.aqua-pcs.co.uk

    The 3D Mercury is available in the UK from www.ghstech.co.uk

    Options, options, options ...
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    Re: Case conundrum

    I have changed my mind all together now, I think I will go for a thermaltake mozart - as it should give great air cooling and should be easy to add water cooling to at a later date. Plus it might be best to leave out installing water cooling for my first build.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: Case conundrum

    which thermaltake mozart?
    seems to be 3 types
    TX, square base tall tower
    SX, desktop style case
    IP, smaller desktop style case

    I'm guessing the TX.

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    Re: Case conundrum

    oops

    The TX with the aluminium windowed side panels.

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    Re: Case conundrum

    I've got an Antec 900 its a good case but some people moan that the fans are loud but you get use to them and if your Pc isn't in the front room it does matter cos you just crank the sound up on the surround system :-0 !!

    But because of the fans the cooling is great but you will need to clean the case out every so often !!

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    Re: Case conundrum

    Lian-Li V2000, it's quiet, great airflow, *very* solid, big enough to swing a cat, as well as fitting a watercooling kit of nearly any size into. I know it costs a few quid, but it'll last as long as the ATX form factor exists.
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