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Thread: Replacement PC Case

  1. #1
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    Replacement PC Case

    I've decided that it's time for an update to my current CM 690 case. It's a little on the big side for when we have the office redone and the desk space rearranged so would like something perhaps a bit smaller height wise (without losing too many features) but will still take a majority of the components listed in my profile. Budget wise ideally around £60ish but if something has really good cable management then I could stretch a bit further.

    I was thinking something along the lines of the Corsair Carbide 300R.

    Thanks!
    Last edited by marshalex; 05-06-2013 at 12:51 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    What cpu cooler?

    I don't normally suggest them but OcUK have got the antec 302 for £46 this week http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-174-AN
    Also the Bitfenix Shinobi core for £47 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-047-BX this comes with out the badge (£2) or mesh strips (£5) you don't have to have them, nice thing is you can get them in different colours (red, blue, silver, black) for added colour accent looks.
    Or just plain black for £50 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-019-BX or white and black http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-024-BX
    Fractal design Core 3000 £59 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/fract...re-3000-usb-30
    cooler master silencio RC550 £63 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...-x-doc-sd-card

    CM690 = 213(wide) x 482(high) x 525(long) mm
    300r = 210 x 485 x 450 mm so roughly the same width and height but shorter
    shinobi = 205 x 460 x 490 mm a bit smaller all round
    302 = 229 x 513 x 471 mm taller but shorter, wider for more cabling options
    Core 3000 = 200 x 444 x 480 mm a bit smaller all round, nothing special as a case but not bad ether, although I still think it's a bit over priced.
    RC550 = 210 x 451 x 505 mm not much smaller but has good sound damping

  3. #3
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    I've got a titan fenrir cooler currently in the case.

    Depth is the main one I want to get reduced as with the new desk I'm looking at the 690 will hang out a fair bit (it already does on my current desk's computer shelf but only by a few cm)

    I'm a big fan of the Antec (I built my brother's PC using the old 300) which I've looked at but am not a big fan of the silver interior

  4. #4
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    But if you don't have a window are you looking inside your pc?
    All of those cases should fit the fenrir

    The 300r is the shortest in length

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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    Quote Originally Posted by Pob255 View Post
    But if you don't have a window are you looking inside your pc?
    Thats a good point. Only concern is the USB 3.0 connections on the front. I know you can get an adaptor cable for the carbide but can you for the 302?

    Any ideas on what the cable routing is like behind the motherboard tray as well. The 690 bulges a little with the atx cable routed round that way
    Last edited by marshalex; 05-06-2013 at 02:06 PM.

  6. #6
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    There's plenty of space back there, 30mm
    There are a couple of quirks to it, there's no hole for the 4/8pin motherboard power cable, there is a couple of ways to run the cable see this video at 7:30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNXeuJlS2g0 the other way it to feed it through the cpu backplate hole before you put the motherboard on, to let you do it this way they increased the size of the back plate hole upwards.
    Down sides of this case is that while it's quite tall it actually a bit cramped at the top above the motherboard.

    The ssd mount on the back of the motherboard tray, you have to put the ssd in before the motherboard otherwise it blocks two of the screw holes.

    No filters on the vents on ether side panel (yes you can mount a standard 25mm x 120mm fan behind the motherboard tray on the right side panel) so I would get a couple of basic 120mm filters for them.
    Same goes for the 300r but you'd want to get two 140mm filters for the side panel

    302 vs the 300R is a really tough choice. Both are good cases.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubX0pKrtZiI vs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK1DGZMXmL8

    EDIT: Both the 300r and 302 have an internal usb3 header for the usb3, if you lack an internal header then you'll need a header to usb3 male adaptor, feed the cable through, out the back and into the usb3 on the motherboard IO
    Or a usb2 header plug to usb3 header socket adaptor if you don't care about usb3 (I think antec will supply one for free if your request it)

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    marshalex (05-06-2013)

  8. #7
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    Thanks for all of that pob.

    I think I'm leaning towards the 300r, I prefer the look of it externally to the 302 and it seems to have a good few more features with it compared to the 302 though whether those features are worth the extra cash is what I'm currently debating (though with the cheapest 300R currently on Amazon and the 302 with delivery from OCUK there isn't an awful lot in it.

    I've also spotted the HAF 912+ which seems to tick all of the boxes as well, looks pretty awesome and I do have a soft spot for Coolermaster cases (always had Coolermaster apart from an ill fated experience with a ThermalTake)

    I'll put you on the spot, which would you go for out of all of those mentioned above?

  9. #8
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    That's a really tricky one.

    I've always thought the corsair cases are a bit over priced but very good.

    The HAF 912 I can talk about in more detail (it's my current case), it's a great case.
    The space in it is lovely, love the 220mm width (it's 230mm with the pressed out side panel), I'd not get a tower case less than 200mm now and more if I could, love the layout, the build quality is great and the large fans are great for air cooling.

    I do have a couple of minor niggles with it, the front filter isn't that good, it does let through quite a bit of fine dust, no usb3 (or is there a new version?) and I've got a minor resonance issue.
    My old WD aaks 250gb hard drive creates quite a bit of vibration which is causing the side panel to hum, now and then.
    I'm thinking about water cooling it but I don't want to sacrifice a large fan for a 240 rad so I just don't know where to put it.
    I'm still planning on modding it, but still haven't got around to it as I'm stuck for ideas.
    Also worth looking at the storm enforcer as it's the same internal frame, just a different bezel and side panel.
    I wish they'd use the same frame to make an elite or centurion case

    However from your point of view it's the same length as the cm 690 so the haf 912 is probably ruled out.

    Which moves us back to 302 vs 300r, if you prefer the look of the 300r then that's probably the one to go for.

    If you can wait a while (and save up some more) they are supposed to be coming out with a new ATCS 710 http://www.cowcotland.com/news/35060...-atcs-710.html an aluminium case based on a modified 912 frame, a bit taller for better rad support and a bit shorter, I'm guessing a price tag of over £100 if it's all aluminium.

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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    I'm definitely leaning towards the 300r, especially after looking at that video with all the cable routing etc require for the 302. I'm still a big fan of the HAF and looking at the coolermaster site the dimensions are 230w x 480h x 496d so its still a good inch shorter than the 690. The ATCS looks pretty smart in the images above, if they release a black version thats priced right I could be tempted. I've still got a bit of time before I need to do anything (unless a good offer appears).

    And just to put another spanner in the works http://www.coolermaster.co.uk/produc...roduct_id=6875

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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    Might be worth waiting a little, there were dozens of new cases announced at Computex.

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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    Quote Originally Posted by Willzzz View Post
    Might be worth waiting a little, there were dozens of new cases announced at Computex.
    +1 that. Ive cancelled my recent case order due to this.

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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    Might well be worth hanging on for a month or 2 then, at worst the existing cases I've been looking at should drop in price if there are no improvements

  14. #13
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    Sorry the HAF is a full 30mm shorter, I was getting cases mixed up.
    the centurion 6 has a great looking front bezel, but nothing special inside, ignore the aluminium claims, the only aluminium is the two thin strips down the sides of the plastic bezel, rest is steel
    No way should this case have the £65-70 price tag it does, £40ish is what it should be.
    I would loved it if they used the excellent internal frame of the haf912 and did centurion styling on the bezel with plane side panels.

  15. #14
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    I've just spotted the the new N series cases on the coolermaster website (after following the details in the N200 post) and they've got some good potential to tick all the right boxes. Just need to wait for UK release

  16. #15
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    They already have one in the form of the Force 500 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...usb-30-w-o-psu it's the same inside as the N300 & N400 just psu at the top rather than bottom
    All told I don't think they look that good (from overall specs and details not looks)
    The N500 & 600 look far better in terms of frame and layout.

    The N200 looks great as it's their first really good looking case spec wise since the old elite 340, width being a big thing here as their mATX cases have been far narrower so you couldn't fit a large cpu cooler in them.
    And then the pressed the side panels out for even more space.

  17. #16
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    Re: Replacement PC Case

    It was the N500 which I was most convinced by. Good size, decent specs and looks pretty good to. If it comes in on budget and gets a good set of reviews then we may have a winner

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