Case Advice

[amjedm]

Hello peeps (haven't posted in ages)

Would like some case advice please

Requirements (want to try a positive airflow setup)

Front - 2 x 120mm fans
Top - 1 or 2 x 120mm (or bigger) fans
Side - would prefer 1 or 2 x 120mm (or bigger) fans or no fans
Depth - not more than 500mm (preferably shorter)

Bottom mounted PSU (must).


Currently using a Coolermaster Elite 340 (M ATX) but fancy a change.

[shakerist]

Antec 902
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/antec...window-w-o-psu

NZXT tempest which is 56cm deep
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/nzxt-...window-w-o-psu

I have a NZXT tempest and I love it but it is a big case

[Skulltrail]

The Antec 300 comes to mind:

Front - 2x 120mm fans (optional), could fill with Thermalright TY-140s witch are 140mm but with mounts for 120mm holes (73CFM @ 21dbA) £15
Top - 140mm Antec Tri Cool
Side - room for 1x 120mm; take from rear if you don't want it there or add another TY-140
Depth -465mm

Total: £47 for 300 + £15 for fans = £62

[amjedm]

Sorry guys, forgot to state budget - don't want to spend more than £50 ish

I have quite a few 120mm fans by the way.

[amjedm]

I think I've found the case I'm after, well the manufacturer at least - Fractal Design.

Look at the prices though

[cloughDavid]

I just bought the Coolermaster HAF 912 plus, would be a good choice if you like the look of the case. Build quality i have found to be excellent and only £46.79 at Scan on Today only offer. Normal price £54.95

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...r-case-w-o-psu

[Georgio1990]

I personally love the Antec 300 tbh, loads of space to work with.

[Homeking]

Top of my list at the moment is the Casecom K5-9388:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/239238

Ticks all the boxes on your list except the 2 front fans as it only has space for one. Also comes in a red LED version:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/239240

Looks a good case for £29.99 but then I do like budget cases!

[amjedm]

I've put the HAF and the Antec 300 on my short list.

Top of my list at the moment is the Casecom K5-9388:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/239238

Ticks all the boxes on your list except the 2 front fans as it only has space for one. Also comes in a red LED version:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/239240

Looks a good case for £29.99 but then I do like budget cases!

Very nice case for the money and similar to the Casecom 6788 .

I don't like spending too much on cases either, ever since I spent over £120 on a Aluminium case several years ago

Also on the shortlist is the Fractal Design Core 3000. Similar to the Antec 300...

I also like the Fractal Arc Midi but that one may be too expensive

[Georgio1990]

totally agree £120 on a case is pushing the boundaries a bit but dont forget how long does a case last? pretty much for ever hehe.

[amjedm]

totally agree £120 on a case is pushing the boundaries a bit but dont forget how long does a case last? pretty much for ever hehe.

Well it sounded like a helicopter with 6 x 80mm fans , had to get a fan controller and the quest for silence started...

Soon after the cases with 120mm fans started appearing , a year or two ago I threw the case away (in the tip)

[Georgio1990]

Well it sounded like a helicopter with 6 x 80mm fans , had to get a fan controller and the quest for silence started...

Soon after the cases with 120mm fans started appearing , a year or two ago I threw the case away (in the tip)

LOOL sounded like a helicopter :d

[Pob255]

That's when you start case modding

the HAF 912+ is a lovely case for your given requirements

Others to add to the list would be the NZXT BETA EVO
and LanCool K58 or K60 (these are a little over the budget) the only difference is that the k60 comes with two top mounted 140mm fans, you can fit 140mm fans in the top of the K58 but you need the Lian-Li screw kit to do it (or get creative) it only takes 140mm fans not 120mm fans

Main thing you'll struggle with though is positive pressure and a lower mounted psu, unless you set the top fans as intakes then you'll have more exhaust flow giving you a negative pressure case.
negative pressure cases do tend to cool better, mainly because the exhaust fans in a lower psu case are surrounding the hot cpu area so your dumping the hot air out of the case as quickly as possible by the shortest route.
The big down side to negative pressure is dust, air will get sucked in through every crack and crevice making it very hard to filter dust out.

[amjedm]

That's when you start case modding

the HAF 912+ is a lovely case for your given requirements

Others to add to the list would be the NZXT BETA EVO
and LanCool K58 or K60 (these are a little over the budget) the only difference is that the k60 comes with two top mounted 140mm fans, you can fit 140mm fans in the top of the K58 but you need the Lian-Li screw kit to do it (or get creative) it only takes 140mm fans not 120mm fans

Main thing you'll struggle with though is positive pressure and a lower mounted psu, unless you set the top fans as intakes then you'll have more exhaust flow giving you a negative pressure case.
negative pressure cases do tend to cool better, mainly because the exhaust fans in a lower psu case are surrounding the hot cpu area so your dumping the hot air out of the case as quickly as possible by the shortest route.
The big down side to negative pressure is dust, air will get sucked in through every crack and crevice making it very hard to filter dust out.

I've got the Beta EVO on the list even though only one front fan - I know some people don't like the look of it but I don't think it's too bad

There was me thinking there were only advantages to positive pressure - no dust etc.

I might get the dust off the modded (have cut grills on front plus back, plus can fit 120mm in front of lower chamber and have removed the middle lower chamber fan bracket) P180 and give that another go and use the top fan as intake.