I need some advice on a new PC Case

foozball3000

foozball3000

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With the arrival of Spring comes my long overdue PC upgrade and the tons of choices that it involves.

Is a gaming PC case worth it?
The PC case that I'm planning on building it into has a nice handle, but has serious ventilation issues. (Just the way the components block each other's airflow)
And all the nicer, more effective cases I've seen online doesn't have a handle on the case. (My PC relocates a lot).

I have no idea what to look for, or where to look for something that will keep everything nice and cool, and be practical.

Please share your thoughts...
 
IMO a gaming case *if designed properly* is worthwhile.

What's your budget? I don't like handled cases because they are usually made out of plastic, or are not designed as a physical part of the chassis, rather just screwed or bolted on. A dangerous point of failiure if used often.

The Aerocool xPredator is my current favorite case, it's well laid out, roomy, light, and has practically unlimited expansion options.

It costs ±R1100 or so. The only downside is the lack of drive bays ( Only has space for 5 HDD's ), which I got around by buying a Lian-Li drive bay extender module, which fits in the 3.5'' panels at the front, and has a fan to cool them ( the front of the case is meshed, so air filters through happily )

I got mine through Zapsonline, it was delivered within two days. Though esquire has recently had them on special, so if you shop around, you might get a bargain :)

.. If you weren't interested in a full tower, then this has not been very helpful, has it?
 
WOW have both the above cases mentioned above, yet the 692 is not mine but my brother now.
EDIT: the Corsair 650D and Coolermaster 692 Advanced

Really depends on the budget and exactly what you are looking for.

Here is a nice little thing called a LAN Party Bag.
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1953

ok, a Nice case if you really are on a tight budget is the Coolermaster Elite 430 and the Zalman Z9 Plus both for about R400 - R600 respectivly
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4761 - The Zalman already has 4 fans included plus a temperature reader and 2 way fan controller
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3535 - the Elite only has 1 fan included both have top extraction, great for air flow.

Next case which is +-R200 bucks more than the Zalman Z9 Plus an has very high air flow is the Coolermaster HAF 912/Enforcer if you do not like the HAF's looks. If you do not intend to go for water cooling.
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=4470
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5540

The Coolermaster 692 is absolutely very nice looking and has a ton of features, and gives you the ability to mount dual 240mm water cooling radiators. This is pretty hard to find in a case that is under R 1000, and bloody good value as well. 9x 120mm fans mountable.
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2530

If you do not have the cash for the Corsair 650D get the 400R/500R you will not be disappointed. has all the 650D's features exept the fan controller and SATA X dock on top.
http://titan-ice.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5571

After that it really does become about how many hard drives, number of fans, space for which radiator etc, and how it looks.
 
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I love the CM Storm Enforcer and will be my case when I upgrade.
I've been reading a dozen or so reviews on it and sounds really solid.
Although it's not really what you are looking for but check it out.
 
The best chassis company is still ANTEC... look there before going for any other choice....
 
ponder said:
Why?

My Antec Sonata is really old but I don't see myself flogging it any time soon.
Click to expand...

Give me a case that is beter than the Silverstone TJ07 and the Lian li Armour suits and the A70F as well as the Corsair 800D and the Coolermaster Cosmos 2(coming soon) that Antec makes.

Yes Antec made the best cases 10 years ago, P183 which was awesome but not by today's standards.
 
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ponder said:
Why?

My Antec Sonata is really old but I don't see myself flogging it any time soon.
Click to expand...

And a Zalman Z9 plus is beter than the Sonata IMO. Plus it doesn't even cost R600
 
GeOgre said:
Give me a case that is beter than the Silverstone TJ07 and the Lian li Armour suits and the A70F as well as the Corsair 800D and the Coolermaster Cosmos 2(coming soon) that Antec makes.

Yes Antec made the best cases 10 years ago, P183 which was awesome but not by today's standards.
Click to expand...

GeOgre said:
And a Zalman Z9 plus is beter than the Sonata IMO. Plus it doesn't even cost R600
Click to expand...

Ok, got my Sonata 1 almost 8-9yrs ago and back then it was pretty good. Sad to see they did not keep up with the times.
 
THE BEST LAN PARTY CASE EVER!

The BitFenix Survivor is the best LAN case. It's appearance is far classier than the competition from CM and Antec, but cheaper than SilverStone chassis. The finish is way nicer than CM and Antec.
It has many advantages as a LAN Party case:

1. Structurally tougher. Comes with rounded "bumpers" like cars to absorb shock, and no extremities to snap off while being thrown around in the trunk.
2. The handle is a folding handle that can be hidden when not in use.
3. Feature BitFenix S2, which prevents theft of peripherals with wire-locking mechanism built into the back of the chassis. The bumper also adds an extra step to thieves looking to steal internal components.
4. There is even a card holding mechanism internally to hold your heavy graphics card(s) in place. It is possible that these giant graphics cards can snap off with enough shock.

It is the ultimate LAN Party case.
Exclusive Blue LED version is available at Lockware Systems: http://www.lockwaresystems.com/DesktopCases-cat-29.html
 
lockwareP said:
The BitFenix Survivor is the best LAN case. It's appearance is far classier than the competition from CM and Antec, but cheaper than SilverStone chassis. The finish is way nicer than CM and Antec.
It has many advantages as a LAN Party case:

1. Structurally tougher. Comes with rounded "bumpers" like cars to absorb shock, and no extremities to snap off while being thrown around in the trunk.
2. The handle is a folding handle that can be hidden when not in use.
3. Feature BitFenix S2, which prevents theft of peripherals with wire-locking mechanism built into the back of the chassis. The bumper also adds an extra step to thieves looking to steal internal components.
4. There is even a card holding mechanism internally to hold your heavy graphics card(s) in place. It is possible that these giant graphics cards can snap off with enough shock.

It is the ultimate LAN Party case.
Exclusive Blue LED version is available at Lockware Systems: http://www.lockwaresystems.com/DesktopCases-cat-29.html
Click to expand...

Nice, but they're all in $$$ so, I suspect a hefty import tax is on it's way.
 
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