Suggestions for chassis

knobshine

knobshine

New member
Hey all, my current case is battered to hell and even starting to rust. So I've decided it's time for a new chassis.

I've had my eye on this little beauty: Corsair Obsidian Series 550D

Anyone had any experience with it? Or maybe know of some alternatives in the same price range - around R1300.

I really like the plain, subdued style of this one. No flashy LEDs or mad looking body with edges you could use to cut cheese. :p

So yeah please, hit me up with some good quality cases as I'm a bit clueless when it comes to chassis manufactures.
 
From what I've heard the Obsidian series overall is quite good. Had my eye on the 800D, but it's a bit overkill and very, very expensive. I currently have a Coolermaster CM690, which I think is an amazing case, but if you prefer the cleaner style it might not really be for you.

I've also had some good experience with Antec cases (Performance One series perhaps?), and personally I don't like Lian-Li. They do have some pretty cases (like the PC-B12 for instance), but mostly they don't feel well built. To me at least. I know of many people who are happy with their Lian-Li cases.
 
DuhbLinn said:
From what I've heard the Obsidian series overall is quite good. Had my eye on the 800D, but it's a bit overkill and very, very expensive. I currently have a Coolermaster CM690, which I think is an amazing case, but if you prefer the cleaner style it might not really be for you.

I've also had some good experience with Antec cases (Performance One series perhaps?), and personally I don't like Lian-Li. They do have some pretty cases (like the PC-B12 for instance), but mostly they don't feel well built. To me at least. I know of many people who are happy with their Lian-Li cases.
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Shot. I did look at the CM690 but the mesh put me off. The mesh of my current case is what's rusting and it tends to get quite dusty.
I'll check out the Antecs. Never heard of Lian-Li before, but yeah don't want something that feels cheaply built.

-edit: Damn that PC-B12 looks nice, but a bit too pricey. Also digging that Antec P280.
Looks like it's a tossup between the P280 and the 550D
 
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I got the Corsair 650D and it's really great. It's really big and heavy so not the type you want to be moving around too often if you're planning on lanning a lot. But the look is sleek, not over-the-top and it's got a few big fans as well (no side-panel fan though).
 
Namdrater said:
I got the Corsair 650D and it's really great. It's really big and heavy so not the type you want to be moving around too often if you're planning on lanning a lot. But the look is sleek, not over-the-top and it's got a few big fans as well (no side-panel fan though).
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The 650D is a bit much for me unfortunately. Very nice case though. Also been looking at the Fractal R3, only thing is it doesn't come with usb3 ports. Otherwise a very nice case too. So many choices...
 
That's a mighty clean looking case. Very nice.

Only question I have is: Do you have to remove the nice front panel to get decent airflow through the front?

Other than that:

-Those quick remove hard drive bays are king, and are cooled by the front intake fans.
-The mesh over the fans is usually easy to remove and keep clean, which avoids too much effort cleaning the fans themselves.
-Cable-routing behind the motherboard along with 12cm+ fans (slow & quiet) is the most important selling factor for me. Clean air-flow will lower your inside temp dramatically, and it looks great. Just remember to run your chassis fan cabling before you screw in the motherboard.

Really nice case
 
bromster said:
That's a mighty clean looking case. Very nice.

Only question I have is: Do you have to remove the nice front panel to get decent airflow through the front?
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Apparently not. It does run a little hotter than non-silent cases but not by too much. If I start getting over heating issues there is plenty of space for more fans (top and side). But hopefully I won't have to add any more.

Oh well just ordered it, looks like it will be a pleasure to build :)
 
bromster said:
Well played... An exhaust fan at the top of my case seems to really keep the ambient temp down. Enjoy!
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Shot man!

This will be my first proper enthusiast case. Never spent over R500 on one before. But I thought 'why not' as I still have some bonus left over because I'm bucking the trend and only supporting myself and not 3 others. ie. I'm forever alone :p

Will try post some pics of the build once I'm done. Just don't make fun of my stock CPU cooler and crappy PSU :o

Edit:

BEHOLD! Before and after pics.

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Busy saving for a modular PSU now to help get those cables under control.
 
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What did you get eventually? Looks kinda like my HAF X minus a fan or 2. When you buy a bigger power supply, the m/b 4+4 power cable will be longer, so you can run it behind the m/b. If not, just buy an extension.

Looks so much better on black metal.
 
I have to say, with PSU cables running behind the motherboard tray, you almost don't need a modular PSU... Looks good as is!
 
bromster said:
What did you get eventually? Looks kinda like my HAF X minus a fan or 2. When you buy a bigger power supply, the m/b 4+4 power cable will be longer, so you can run it behind the m/b. If not, just buy an extension.

Looks so much better on black metal.
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Went with the Corsair 550D. Such a pleasure to work with. My first screwless case. Well excluding the screws for the PSU.

I was stressing a bit with that m/b 4+4 cable, luckily it fit through the gap under my GPU.
 
I got a Thermaltake - main reason was to fit a radiator of a H100 at the top, its got a lot of mounting options for extra fans etc. It does however have a lot of blue accents, and have multicoloured LED fans (which you can turn off).

I'm pretty impressed with it. was ~R1500
 
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