Fractal Core 3000 or Corsair 300r?

[dokdek]

What do you guys think is the better case? I dont really care too much for aesthetics, the Fractal comes with 3 fans, but USB 2, while the Corsair comes with USB 3, but only 2 provided fans. I'll be running a D14 in the case so I need that to fit as well, also dust filters are required, I hate having dust in my PC. If you have any other suggestions within the 50-60 pound price range, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks.

[Gallarian]

Out of those 2, Id probably suggest the 300R - fans are easy to buy and install, USB 3.0.. not so much!

The 300R is a really nice case and well reviewed by plenty of trusted sites, so IMO go for it

[Willzzz]

What are you planning on putting in there that you think needs all those fans? Are you likely to actually need a front USB 3.0?

From the reviews I have seen the Fractal Core 3000 was better received and actually ran quieter despite the 3 fans:

techpowerup.com/reviews/Fractal_Design/Core_3000/6.html

Personally I'm looking towards the Define Mini for my next build, which I have seen for £63.

[Gallarian]

Really with these two its kind of each to his own - theyre so similar that its really up to personal choice, I just prefer the 300R

[dokdek]

Wow guys, thanks for all the feedback, I think I'll go for the 300r mainly cause it has USB 3, night not need it now but a couple years from now it will probably be standard. With this, I cab finally get rid of USB 2 as the motherboard I chose only has USB 3 too. Thanks everyone!

[doyll49]

Fractal Design has great customer service!

I have an old Define R2 and love it. Lost some of the HDD mount screws and emailed Fractal about where to buy some replacement. They asked for case serial number and my address to send me a new set of screws... free.!!

Have heard similar stories. One was user wanting to upgrade his Define from USB2 to 3 and asked them where to get one... Sent him one free.

No idea how good Corsair is.

PS: Maybe consider a Define or Arc.. both have usb3.0

[dokdek]

The define and arc are like almost double the cost of these cases, so I can't really afford them.

[Pob255]

Tough choice, the 300r isn't bad, but it is the cut down version, they've chopped out small features and bits to get the cost down.
eg it lacks a removable hard drive cage, the space for it is there but to shave a bit off the cost they've not bothered to include it, so it only has the lower 4 drive fixed cage.
It's still a good case, just nothing amazing for the cost, nothing bad nothing outstanding.

For ether of these cases you'll need to buy extra filters if you want the, fully dust filtered.

Same pretty much goes for the core 3000, nothing amazing, nothing bad ether.
It's a little cramped, the cost has dropped a little from launch making it better value for money now.
Lacks a 4/8pin cut out at the top of the motherboard tray (a major mark down in my eyes) and the top is rather cramped, esp if you put 2 fan in there.

Actually I'm not sure a D14 will fit in it, it might but it'll be very tight.
If you're using an AMD system then, not with a top fan, AMD motherboard tend to have the cpu socket slightly higher than intel boards, which makes issues for some cases, because of lack of room in the top.
The Carbied 300r is ok because of the extra space between the top of the case and the motherboard, well it's ok for fans, but again they've left out the pressed out vent to reduce costs, so you can fit fans but a radiator in the top is going to be a very tight squeeze.

All told if you can push the budget slightly look at the Fractal design Arc instead

EDIT: the define R3 and Arc are only £70 so only about £10 over your £50-60 budget
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/fract...ise-absorbing-
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/fract...e-case-w-o-psu
You may be thinking of the Define XL which is around £110

[doyll49]

I do know a D14 will fit in R3.. and I have Phanteks cooler in my R2 and it just fits. Fan over Very Low profile ram. Case has 170mm clearance Fan is 140mm and so only 30mm maximum for ram... or mobo chip heatsink if vented out top like I did mine.

D14 with 120mm fan gives room for ram

[Pob255]

Most good cases are built around 160-165mm clearance as that's the size of 120mm fan based tower coolers and the minimum needed for a rear 120mm fan

You could look at the HAF 912 / storm enforcer, they have plenty of space inside although filters leaves a lot to be desired.

BitFenix raider is worth a look too if you can find it http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/...pid-14908.html

[dokdek]

Oh, you guys are really killing me here, even more decisions, if I bump up around 20 quid for the define, I'll have to down grade the gpu to a 6870 instead of a 6950. I guess I could just xfire the 6870s down the road, this also gives me an extra 40 odd pounds... So now a new dilemma comes about. What case should I get for around 100 pounds now that I made some budget changes? I would preferably like the case to have a window now. Thanks for all the suggestions guys, and keep them coming, thanks!

EDIT: The 500r really piques my interest, especially in white, what do you guys think? I can mod in a window also if I liked.

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsair-carbide-series-500r-white-mid-tower-gaming-case-w-o-psu

[doyll49]

Killing you?
Look what you just did to us!
We do a great job with your first questions.
Then you complicate things with a whole new bunch of questions.

Just kidding.

Windows let noise out. GPU changes so fast I can't keep up. Even with Define R3 there are a few extra costs to consider. You would need to guy a bottom fan.. and I would suggest s Silverstone 140mm magnetic filter too as the bottom filter is not easy to get to and clean. With magnetic one you can slip it out to clean... Same for top if you to top intake. Stock it has sound dampening closing off top vent.. and side vent.

I suggest getting low profile memory with these big coolers. Don't know what price you are figureing for D14, but you could consider several others that are same design, quality and cooling ability... like Alpenföhn K2 for £61.44, and if you go single core instead of dual core Alpenföhn Matterhorn from £30.98 - 54.98.

There you go. You ask more questions and we give more choices.

[Pob255]

Or you could look at one of the all-in-one coolers (corsair H50 or antec 620) now some people will say that they are not that cheap and the d14 cools better, but unless you're really pushing an overclock your not going to be generating that much heat.
And if you are then you should be looking at a custom loop anyway.

[dokdek]

I've never been a really big fan of the all in one stuff. I like the d14 because it cools well and its silent. I'm not overclocking like mad, I'm hoping for a 4.5ghz on a 3570k and keep the temperatures under 80 degrees.

[jackjack]

Vote Corsair 300r

[Willzzz]

The Arc Mini with USB 3.0 is pretty cheap, easily under £60, is there any reason why you cannot go for a mATX MB?

These days there are almost no drawbacks to mATX since add in cards are usually limited to 1-2 graphics cards only.