Maybe time for a new case?

[silentvoice]

Hi guys,

I’m considering buying a new case. I’ve currently got an Akasa Eclipse-62. It’s a nice case but since receiving it, I’ve had a few alignment issues, in particular when fitting video or sound cards. Unfortunately I didn’t use the case straight away; a number of factors caused me to delay the build and so I’ve just decided to live with it.

However, I’m now looking for a possible replacement (I swear that a choosing a case is that hardest part of a system). Anyway, after going round in circles a few times, I’ve come up with the following:

- A Silverstone FT02B - A Lian Li PC-A70FB or PC-A71FB

Has anyone had experiences with these, in particular the Lian-Li cases. What are their pros and cons (from an unbiased point of view )? What should I go for? Ultimately, I’m after a case that:

- is elegantly designed
- has good cooling ability
- is spacious inside (and can accommodated some of the larger video cards)
- is not too heavy (especially when kitted out)

I’m not fussed about side windows or disco lights . With regards to the Lian Li, my concerns are that:

- there are only 4 fans – and no roof fans – so I don’t know how good cooling will (or can) be
- it may be a bit too big – I’ve got the tape measure out but I’ve not seen the case in person...
- the PSU cables may struggle to reach certain places (I have a Corsair HX850)
- it has a lack of cable management - things could get untidy...

The above seems to be satisfied by the Silverstone but my concerns here are that:

- it may be tight fitting certain video cards (especially future releases, a couple of years down the line)
- custom video cards might not like being rotated 90 degrees(?)
- the case is quite deep
- the fans are taking in air from the bottom of the case, i.e. not great for dust (or fluff from the carpet)
- the fans may be too noisy (do they have a fan controller?)
- the case has (or had) a known issue when securing expansion cards - again alignment issues but this may have been fixed

So what do you reckon?

(I've just stuck a poll up for the sake of it)

[Pob255]

Well both the PC-A05 and ft02 are pretty big cases.
I'd ask do you need a case that big?
(Although I am into smaller is better these days.)

PC-A05 "it has a lack of cable management" Umm not really, cable management is pretty much down to you not the case, yes they've not put lots of little holes in stuff for cables, that because if you look at it, there's no metal there to put holes in, Lian-Li have used an open frame design not played origami with sheet metal.
Granted it does lack pressed out loops for cable tie anchor points.
The PSU can go in the top or the bottom And a fan goes in the other side so yes there is decent cooling space.
If you want to water cool then the PC-A70 is a great case, although it will mean cutting into it however this is true of nearly all water cooled systems.

The FT02 is nice, short but long , the bottom is fully filtered and it works on a positive pressure design so dust an fluff is not a major issue.
I would do something to raise it slightly if on carpet, Just put down a plank or simular that's roughly the same size as the foot print of the case to stand the case on, that will improve it by a large amount.
The fans are quite and being that they are on the bottom the sound has a longer more indirect path to reach your ears, so will sound even more quite.

[Hawker1986]

FT02B has had my vote, ive got one and its a truely excellent case, ive got the same PSU as you and the cabling hasnt been a problem. Fans have vairable speed and the bottom ones are very quiet on either setting. The only cards that are tight are the biggest of the big and they will fit if you whip off the fan guards - I doubt anyone is going to make anything longer than currently available anyhow. Ive had no problems with any expansion cards. As to the dimensions, it is very deep but you just need to get out a tape measure and see if you can accomodate it.

Hawker

[dfour]

What about the corsair Obsidian series. They are both large cases with plenty of airflow and lighter weight. neither are 'bling' and are 'subtle' in design IMHO.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...m-fans-w-o-psu

[silentvoice]

I'd ask do you need a case that big?

I don't NEED a case that big but I'd sooner something on the larger side than on the smaller side. I certainly don't want a case that is smaller than my existing one. However, I can see your point regarding smaller cases potentially being better for cooling.

I also agree - to an extent - that cable management is partly down the the user but a good case design will generally cater for the routing of cables. I'm not looking for a work of art inside but as long as things aren't too untidy and aren't restricting airflow, than I'm happy.


Hawker1986 - Thanks for your feedback, I'll take this on board. I'm not sure I'm as confident as you on future (video) cards though. Unfortunately, I CAN see them getting bigger especially as more powerful cards are required...

What about the corsair Obsidian series.

I've looked at these cases and the general concensus is that they're great for water cooling but poor for air cooling. It seems as though Corsair is releasing the 650D in April though. This may be promising as the internals are based on the 600T, the externals based on the 700D/800D and it's supposed to have better airflow. We can only wait and see...

[Legthigh]

<-- Silverstone fanboy, really nice cases tbh.

I have the FT02B and wouldn't swap it for anything.

[Pob255]

@dfour the eclipse64 is nearly half the weight of the obsidian, which is not surprising as the obsidian is steel not aluminium, it just has a thin sheet of aluminium glued to the front to make it look like it's aluminium.

Another factoid for everyone, it's not 100% confermed but the overall construction and a few design cues point to the obsidian actually being made by Chieftec

@silentvoice, Actually have a look at the Corsair Graphite, granted it's not that cheap, but it is well made, larger than the eclipse, esp in width which helps with hiding cables and well layed out.
It also looks very nice.

[jim]

I love the Silverstone cases - the rotated Fortress is fantastic, especially the red internals version that I saw reviewed a while back