The best case for desktop build.

[DonnyBoy36]

I am trying to summon up the courage to build my first desktop primarily for gaming, video encoding & web browsing.
I bought an Antec 300 case on eBay a little while ago, but am wondering what other guys think is the "best" case.
I know that everybody have their own preferences & requirements, but would be interested in your views, I know that what goes into the case is more important than the case itself, but I have already broached that thorny topic in previous posts (and am still totally confused).

[ed^chigliak]

Antec Solo II.

Pros for me:
Quiet
Has room for long graphics cards
Has removable dust filters
Mid sized case (personal preference)
Compatible with full size ATX motherboard
Large back plate cut out for fan installation
Has the right amount of drive space for what I need (more is not better IMO)
Direct unobstructed air flow to the GPU from the bottom front intake fan
Removable PSU brace (the original you could not change the PSU without also removing your CPU cooler)
Solid side panels (I don't like mesh / holes or fans installed on the side panels)
No front door (Pointless IMO)
Front facing USB2 / USB3 / Audio

Cons
Price is a little high.
Need to buy two front intake fans.
Cable management isn't the best. (No window so I don't care)

Alternative but more expensive Corsair 550D.

I own a Fractal Core 3000 and is similar to the Antec 300 case. It's OK except for dust build up on the front mesh when you install front intake fans. Best value for money maybe but not the 'best' for me when it comes to the practicalities of noise and dust.

[Willzzz]

Well if you have one then I'd use that.

It may not be the "best" but it's pretty good.

The "best" is going to depend upon personal preference, budget and what you are going to put in it.

[ehhhhhhh]

I'm using a Corsair 600T which is excellent in every aspect (I have a WC loop). I found the 800D very nice as well...these well worth the money in my opinion.

Previously, I had some Cooler Master, Antec and Thermal take cases but I think Corsair makes better products.

[Jasp]

Really is a matter of personally preference tbh, Wouldn't trade my HAF X for a different case.

[csgohan4]

+100 to Haf X, you can buy dust filters from Demciflex which really do filter a good amount of dust and still cools the inside very well

[arthurleung]

I just bought a NZXT H2, pretty decent case. Semi-hotswap trays, hotswap fans, very decent cable management. Just a bit too heavy.

[shaithis]

I really love my Corsair 600T and also the 300R.

But, if you have just bought an Antec 300, then use it, nothing really wrong with it.

[DonnyBoy36]

Thanks for all your inputs guys. I guess I'm just dithering & putting off just getting down to building this thing.

[Willzzz]

Try to decide what you really want, do you want a big case? small case? lots of cooling? quiet?

This should eliminate a lot of the options, and then you can decide between your short-list.

[csgohan4]

don't forget dust filters, a case is useless if it lets in chunks of dust

[dangel]

For me it was the Antec 1200. Big case, very quiet, lots of cooling, good filters (dust over 3 years was surprisingly low) and very easy to work with. Price was good too - I didn't want to spend mega money personally.

Unless you're carrying it around go big.

[scaryjim]

Oooh, best case is incredibly subjective without some boundaries. Motherboard size? Cost? Component choice? All make a difference.

For instance, one of my top contenders (as anyone who's followed my posting on here should be well aware ) is the Antec Aria (you can see it and read my florid praises of it over in my APU Competition review thread). But it's a small mATX cube case, so for a lot of builds it's a complete non-starter. However, I still reckon its the best case I've ever owned. I've also got a huge soft spot for the Antec Minuet 300, and that's a *proper* desktop case (i.e. one that sits on top of your desk, under your monitor). But again, mATX *and* low profile, so no good for many builds.

If I have to pick an ATX case, then it's the Antec Sonata II - long since discontinued and, just like the Aria, replaced with an "update" that removed most of the best features (like the adjustable airflow ducting that pulled cool air from the bottom of the case and blew it down onto the graphics card and CPU). All sorts of nice features on that case, I was very sad that the only two I bought were custom builds for clients.

But when I spec builds for my mates now, I tend not to look past the Casecom K/KM series cases. They're great for the price, and the £30+ I save from getting a "named" case means I can get extra performance elsewhere in the build. Sure, they might not be as "good" as some other cases, but is a £60 tower case really twice as good?

[Colquhoun]

Last case I used for a build, Fractal Design Define R4. Very good case.

Very quiet, 5/7/12v fan controller on front behind the door, plenty of space behind the mobo tray for cable management. Tidiest system I've built. Out of the box cooling isn't great, only 1 intake and 1 exhaust, but plenty of space to add more fans, I added 3 case fans and the case is almost silent when idling.

Did a quick OC on an i5 3750k and got a solid 4.2Ghz on 1.185v with temps maxing at about 70-75 degrees in Prime95, this using an Arctic Cooling Freezer i30 which itself is a very good quiet cooler.

If you're looking for a very quiet, functional mid-tower case which doesn't look too flashy, I can recommend the R4.

[Phage]

Last case I used for a build, Fractal Design Define R4. Very good case.

Very quiet, 5/7/12v fan controller on front behind the door, plenty of space behind the mobo tray for cable management. Tidiest system I've built. Out of the box cooling isn't great, only 1 intake and 1 exhaust, but plenty of space to add more fans, I added 3 case fans and the case is almost silent when idling.

Did a quick OC on an i5 3750k and got a solid 4.2Ghz on 1.185v with temps maxing at about 70-75 degrees in Prime95, this using an Arctic Cooling Freezer i30 which itself is a very good quiet cooler.

If you're looking for a very quiet, functional mid-tower case which doesn't look too flashy, I can recommend the R4.

I have the R3, Top cases. But if I did it again I'd go for a 550D.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/corsa...30-atx-w-o-psu

[scaryjim]

I have the R3, Top cases. But if I did it again I'd go for a 550D.

£120 for a case?

I'm obviously setting my budgets too low when I build a computer