Airflow oriented mid-size ATX case, with two type A & one type C USB connectors

[MrJim]

I'm in the process of putting together a new PC build, which I'm planning to be air-cooled. I've been looking for an airflow oriented mid-size ATX case, with two type A & one type C USB front-panel connectors. The case really does need to have dust-filters throughout, but I'm struggling to find a case that fulfils all my criteria. A lot of the best performing airflow cases don't have front dust filters, just mesh front covers (which don't stop the finer dust particles). Whilst omitting dust filters makes a lot of sense in that they do inevitably impair airflow a bit, and therefore reduce cooling performance, I really do need there to be dust filters throughout the case. Cost isn't really a consideration (unless it's over about £300!).

The closest contender so far has been the Corsair 5000D Airflow, but it's a bit too big. The BeQuiet! 500DX would be perfect, were it to have a second type-A USB port front panel, instead of just the one.

Can anyone suggest a case that I may have overlooked? I've considered but rejected such cases as the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh, Phantek P400A, Phantek P500A, Fractal Torrent, and Coolermaster H500M Mesh because they don't fulfil the above critera.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Jonj1611]

Is adding dust filters yourself not an option? Just buy a sheet and cut to shape etc?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cases...g/dust-filters

[cptwhite_uk]

The new Lian Li O11 Air Mini covers you for ports, and is quite a compact ATX system, but is quite wide due to the layout. Check it out.

It's meant to be £110 RRP in the UK

[cptwhite_uk]

Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact:

Might be a better bet, as it has a dedicated dust filter to the front, which you can see around the 2:35 mark

[Jonj1611]

But the OP said he didn't want mesh, he wants proper dust filters

[MrJim]

Is adding dust filters yourself not an option? Just buy a sheet and cut to shape etc?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cases...g/dust-filters

Thanks for the suggestion - that hadn't actually occurred to me. It's certainly an option, although with my DIY skills, probably not the neatest solution

[MrJim]

Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact:

Might be a better bet, as it has a dedicated dust filter to the front, which you can see around the 2:35 mark

Ah, thanks! That might well be the one to go for!

[MrJim]

The new Lian Li O11 Air Mini covers you for ports, and is quite a compact ATX system, but is quite wide due to the layout. Check it out.

It's meant to be £110 RRP in the UK

Thanks for the suggestion - one thing I forgot to mention is that I'd prefer a tower format case rather than a cube, as I have the case sat on one of these to get it off the carpet:



So the width of a cube is a bit too wide, unforunately.

[cptwhite_uk]

But the OP said he didn't want mesh, he wants proper dust filters

It has a mesh and a filter on the front (seperate things)

[Jonj1611]

Ah right I was thinking the OP wanted the proper foam air filters, which the case you mentioned didn't have them hence the confusion I guess

[AGTDenton]

I have a Fractal Design, albeit an older one the Define R3, and once had the original XL.
All I'll say on the dust front is, it will still get in and by the bucket load, despite being a closed and dust filtered system OOB.


The best thing I ever did to combat dust was to buy a proper air compressor.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dusters-Com...dp/B01G1Z0RF0/

This way you're no longer limited to a chassis or fans with poor airflow, as with those dust filters you will affect airflow to a degree, and may make the fans spin faster/louder depending on your overall configuration. You're going to be hoovering those filters more than you would be required to blast away the dust with an air compressor.


A chassis I'm looking to get is a Cooler Master S600 - which might be of interest.
https://www.cclonline.com/product/28...Case-/CAS3701/

Admittedly it doesn't have USB C on top, but it does have a 5.25" bay, you could easily get a control board for that slot with a USB C connector
https://www.amazon.co.uk/EZDIY-FAB-I.../dp/B07B9RNQ29

If it looks like the door doesn't have enough space for a permanent cable, set the control board back into the case slightly so a cable could be there permanently without the need to open the door each time.