New Case Needed

[Kerotan]

As the title suggests, I'm looking to upgrade my case because I'm getting really bored with my Antec 900. I've decided to get shot of the whole "bling flashing lights" gamer thing and go for something monolithic like a Lian-Li.

I am sick of how dusty the 900 is, also the poor cable management and placement of the USB ports where they just gather dust.

I think I want a case door to make the overall look of the PC cleaner, and also want it to be as quiet as possible, but the door isn't a necessity.

My current list in order of preference:

>Lian-Li PC-A71B (Could be too big?!)
>Lian-Li PC-B10 (Doesn't seem to be available yet but combines midi form factor with door and soundproofing- best looking of the lot imo.)
>Lian-Li PC-A10B (This looks like a slightly smaller A71, but costs more?)
>Lian-Li PC-A07B (Much cheaper but smaller and no door.)
>Silverstone Fortress FT01B/W (For some reason the windowed version is much cheaper than the non-windowed version, but I'm not sure If I want a window this time.)

There are loads more Midi-Size Lian-Li cases which look nice, but none of them have doors and I can't see the differences between most of them.

If anyone can recommend any good cases up to about £160 or tell me more about the ones I'm thinking of it would be much appreciated.

[aidanjt]

Considered the Antec P183?.. It sounds like it would fulfil all your requirements.

* Drive door
* 'Dust free' - at least filters well
* Cable management
* Understated looks
* Silent

Bonus: comes in over 30 quid less than your budget.

[Kerotan]

Cheers for the input, I had a look at the Antec, I like the fact that it's had some of the bad points of the P182 addressed, but I don't like the cutaway airflow holes on the front door, even if Antec say they are a requirement for improved airflow.

I also think the use of plastic externally cheapens the case somewhat, I've always thought that about the top and front bars of my 900, in some light they show up a completely different colour from the rest of the case. That might not be a problem depending on the material the actual case panels are made from I suppose. If the P183 had the same door as the P182 I'd probably be seriously considering it, but at this stage I'm thinking of a change from Antec this time.

[llololloy]

How about a coolermaster cosmos (not the s)?
Aluminium doors (no windows)
Front door.
Good airflow (with filters)
Cable management (though I think this could be better)
Fairly quiet as standard.
here @ scan for £132

[Kerotan]

How about a coolermaster cosmos (not the s)?
...

Hadn't thought of the Cosmos, it's a good case but I think the styling is still a little too brash for what I'm after, I wish it didn't have the huge carry handles tbh. Hate to sound like such a perfectionist but I need this case to last me a lot longer than my 900 has which is all of 1 year!

Wish I could get some reliable UK pricing on the Li-Li B10 because I feel like holding off making a decision until I know.

[Brewster0101]

I have moved from a Kandalf LCS to a Lian Li Pc-A70 which is a brilliant case. It is a simple case but big and full of space. It has no door or much cable management, window costs £50. Its an expensive case but light, big and extremely well made.

How come you want a door, I find a door might look good, but it becomes annoying, and restricts in going air.

[Kerotan]

I have moved from a Kandalf LCS to a Lian Li Pc-A70 which is a brilliant case. It is a simple case but big and full of space. It has no door or much cable management, window costs £50. Its an expensive case but light, big and extremely well made.

How come you want a door, I find a door might look good, but it becomes annoying, and restricts in going air.

Thanks for your feedback

Main reason I want the door is noise and aesthetics. Should be an extra layer of alu between me and the fans and hopefully filter out some of the whine (Place to put soundproofing foam if I decide it needs it). Also it will make dusting down the outside a lot easier, as exposed intake mesh is annoying to clean regularly, gathers dust like a retirement home sofa (again speaking from the 900 experience).

I think in a case the size of the A70/A71, the door shouldn't make that much difference as the surface area available for air intake on the sides and bottom of the door would be OK in most circumstances. I rarely crank my fans up all the way, so if I needed to I could just open the door if I was stressing the system.

As you have the A70 which is the same case -door, you mentioned the cable management not being so good? It looks like there is quite a bit of space behind the tray for cables? Have you rotated the front HDD cage at all, I read a review that said it is a mammoth effort with the number of screws needing to be removed.

[Infinite]

Silverstone TJ09 or TJ10. They are teh sex.

[Brewster0101]

Silverstone TJ09 or TJ10. They are teh sex.

Slight price difference and not really worth it. TJ07 is a nice case, but at £220 + its alot.

[Grymdawg]

I would go for the Lian Li A71, i am going to purchase it in black.

Its a nice case, well constructed and it looks cool too.

The Silverstone Temjin series are nice, but 220 quid is a bit pricey and over your budget. aim for something that fits the main reason you're getting it.

For me picking a case was a toss up between the Cosmos S and the Lian Li A71. At one point i considered the HAF932 but i changed my mind as the top of it looks abit wierd and cheap.

Hope that helps you decide.

Cheers

[Brewster0101]

Thanks for your feedback

Main reason I want the door is noise and aesthetics. Should be an extra layer of alu between me and the fans and hopefully filter out some of the whine (Place to put soundproofing foam if I decide it needs it). Also it will make dusting down the outside a lot easier, as exposed intake mesh is annoying to clean regularly, gathers dust like a retirement home sofa (again speaking from the 900 experience).

I think in a case the size of the A70/A71, the door shouldn't make that much difference as the surface area available for air intake on the sides and bottom of the door would be OK in most circumstances. I rarely crank my fans up all the way, so if I needed to I could just open the door if I was stressing the system.

As you have the A70 which is the same case -door, you mentioned the cable management not being so good? It looks like there is quite a bit of space behind the tray for cables? Have you rotated the front HDD cage at all, I read a review that said it is a mammoth effort with the number of screws needing to be removed.

I personally wouldn't bother with a door, it doesn't help with sound proofing and only restricts airflow. The space behind the motherboard tray on the A71 is not that spacious. With the 24 pin power cable behind it, makes putting the side panel on a tight squeeze.

I used a dremmel and hole saw to add 5 more cable management holes in the motherboard tray. I plan to buy the roof panel with 3 fan holes soon but no one stocks it in the UK.

There are some new Lankool Lian Li cases due soon that look good but no idea on price or availability.

[Kerotan]

Cheers all, I think I will probably go for the A71, it's only £5 more than the A70 and from the looks of the manual you can remove the door anyway if necessary- put the screws back in and then the only difference between it and the A70 is that the front is flat profile rather than recessed where the fans are.

As for cable management, I guess I'll have to manage the best I can with the case stock- couldn't bring myself to take the dremel to something that's just set me back ~£150!

I'm pretty sure I'll go for Black, the plain Alu finish is tempting but I want it to be as low-key as possible, and you can't get less intrusive than plain black!

Probably order it in about a week, after my last exam this semester so I'm not tempted to start messing with it when I should be revising...

[Brewster0101]

Brought my case from chilled-pc.co.uk about 3 months ago, was cheapest place at the time, check it out.