-
My Ultimate Case
I'm going to be doing a Haswell build when it comes out, so don't really know the exact components yet, but I'd like to decide on a case ahead of time. It will be used for multiple builds going into the future, so I am happy to spend decent money on something that will last.
The Contenders:
Fractal Design Define R4
Corsair 650D
Corsair 600T
Outisders:
Silverstone FT02 - Not pretty enough, but love the internals.
Corsair 550D - Not pretty enough!
Temjin TJ08-E - Too petite (visually, mATX is fine).
I'm ideally looking for something around 450-500mm tall, elegant, very high quality and reasonably quiet at load.
The Define R4 is almost perfect, I just find the top IO/power elevates it above the Deep Silence/550D in terms of looks:
http://youtu.be/asc9YA32rBc?t=38s
However the 650D is just downright beautiful albeit slightly too tall?
The 600T is pretty in a slightly different way.
Who owns these cases and can give me some opinions on them?
Is there any case I might have missed?
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
My current case is a fortress ft03 so micro atx so prolly to small for what you want.
HAve you looked at the silverstone raven cases?
They orientate the mobo in the same way as the Ft03(expansion slots come out the top instead of the back.
Silverstone buld quality is immense :D
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
I don't mind micro ATX and I did look at the FT03. It does tick a lot of the boxes, looks good, nice height, Silverstone quality.
The thing that most annoys me is that the FT03 Mini just seems better designed, I don't know why the FT03 doesn't just have a single 180mm Air Penetrator at the bottom.
Thing is I'd love to buy Silverstone cases if only they made a few incremental upgrades like Fractal does.
If the FT03 added the improvements from the FT03 Mini it would be great.
If the FT01 had better insides with a cutout and grommets it would be great.
If the FT02 had an update I'd be really tempted..
I'm pretty tempted to do a FT03 Mini build later and have something totally different for my main build.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
Define R4 is a solid and sexy case, it may look plain but its packed with lots of cool features like the front intake is easy to get into, removable hdd cages are great. It is pretty silent when gaming (for me anyway) and has plenty of room to route cables with. Its alot cheaper than most of the cases which you have listed so you might want to consider it!
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
What about Corsair C70? :)
I think out of your contenders it would have to be a white R4 or 600T for me ;)
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
Hmmm, what colour do you reckon for the C70?
I think the main trouble with the C70 is that it has no particular strengths, I like the look but it isn't as pretty as a 600T, it isn't quiet and it doesn't run that cool, even when you move the fans. It's not exactly cheap either.
At overclocked speeds it actually ran 5 degrees hotter than the 'silent' 550D which just seems wrong. But maybe Haswell will run nice and cool compared to previous generations.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5834/c...r-the-gamers/6
I'm not really on a budget here, I mean I'm not going to just chuck money away but I imagine the case lasting a good 20 years+ so spending an extra £30 to upgrade to a 650D doesn't really bother me. I'd just love to hear from some people who own these cases.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
I own a 550D, which I realise you aren't keen on but I'm really impressed by it. It exceeded my expecations on noise (or lack of) and managed to knock about 5 degrees off my CPU and 10 degrees of my GPU temps compared to my previous Lian-Li V1000. The only actual problem I've found is that there isn't much space for cable routing at the cable end of the hard drives. I've for four drives installed, I'd imagine that installing more you might start to have problems with getting all the cables to stay in while you put the side panel on. Although it might just be my sloppy approach to cable routing. :)
Oh, and the intake filters are a bit flimsy, my front filter has a little crease in it where I bent it pulling it out.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
It's kinda weird, on paper the 550D sounds ideal. It's the right size, it has the elegant angular look that I want, it's really quiet and it's well constructed with decent airflow. And the front is proper aluminium right?
It's just all the pictures I see of it leave me a little cold, I'd really love to see one for real, it's often quite hard to tell with photos.
You can buy a plain side panel to replace the one with the cut-out?
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
The front is aluminium, the side (and top) cut outs have a little panel that hides the hole and keeps the noise in. Because mine lives in a pc cabinet I can't see the sides so I don't care that it slightly spoils the look.
Having said about temps in my previous post I ought to mention that I have added a bottom intake fan.
I think I know what you mean about its looks. I don't dislike it, but the looks don't make me go oooo either.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
I have the 650D and im not a huge fan of it to be honest. There isnt a lot of room behind the motherboard tray for cable tidying and i am yet to find a way of organizing the cables that allows me to shut the side panel properly.
The stock fans are quite noisy when they are actually doing something and when cranked down they don't move enough air to be effective. Its also quite difficult to improve the airflow as there is only a single large intake.
I also seem to be suffering from some resonant buzzing, it goes away if you firmly tap the case in a certain place, but its still worth mentioning.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
OK, Thanks that helps a lot. So I guess all these criticisms apply to the 600T as well?
Any 600T owners out there who can confirm?
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
I think the side panels are a bit more forgiving on the 600T, it certainly looks wider. Are you close to a Novatech, Scan or any similar store where you could go and check them out?
I remember thinking that i really wish i had got the 600T in white, its a truely stunning case.
At the moment i have had my eye on one of the new NZXT cases, surprisingly tasteful imo
http://images.tweaktown.com/pr/7/9/7...nched_full.jpg
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
Yes they are quite tasteful, they are just too damn big.
I was really hoping the 630 would be a mid-tower, but actually it's barely any smaller than the 820.
Maybe some of the less garish Phantoms would be OK.
A couple of other cases I am looking at:
BitFenix Ghost
A few things I like here, while not super pretty I like the way the door is framed by the top and bottom of the case, I like the BitFenix Logo, I like the feet, even the optional LEDs are quite tempting, relatively modest and elegant. I like how it has dedicated 2.5" bays.
Even though Anadtech moan about the thermal performance it is cooler and quieter than the R4 even with stock fans and with extra fans is better than a stock 550D.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6442/b...um-treatment/6
Do share their concerns about the 'cheap plastics' though.
There is also the:
Lian Li PC-7HX
Visually looks great (apart from the silly rounded corners, grrr), aluminium great, dimensions great.
Practically speaking and performance wise, not so sure, no data on thermals/noise that I can find.
http://lanoc.org/review/cases/6244
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
It is rather big, im hoping they copy the same style into the 400 series tbh.
Yeah lian li dont seem to put a lot of slots for fans in their cases but the build quality is second to none.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
I'm building a rig with 550D. Generally it's been nice to work with.
Installation of the radiators has been a PITA although they're now in. The case just isn't big enough to make it easy
The fan covers look ok when in place, but to be honest are an eyesore when off (especially the top vent cover)
The choice of plastic material for the top and sides is strange. Seems to mark when just looking at it
IMHO, nice case but too expensive and I wouldn't use one again.
-
Re: My Ultimate Case
Here's a curve ball for you the Anidees AI-6B http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...362&catid=2177
review here http://www.kitguru.net/components/ca...r-case-review/
It's not my prefect case, it's only 15mm clearance behind the motherboar tray for cables, that's a reasonable "normal" amount but is not great compared to some.
Other more choices
Coolermaster 690 II http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...x-dock-w-o-psu not the newest but still a solid performer, and the special edition has solid side panels for a cleaner look.
Nanoxia Deep Silence 1 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nanox...30-air-chimney
BitFenix Raider http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...362&catid=2277 this is the same internals as the survivor had, not the roomiest but ok