Which case?

S

StangV2.0

New member
Hey Guys,

I recently build up a reasonable pc. Asus P8p67, gigabyte 720watt odin, corsair vengeance ram and MSI 6950 2gb. Because of my budget when building I skimped on the case. I figured I'd no need for a decent big fancy case.

Well I was wrong,,, dust is getting in there and its becoming a rather serious problem. Its clogging up my cpu cooler and filling the card. There was in fact so much in the card that I decided to open it to clean it properly, and in doing so I damaged the cover. Needless to say I'm ticked off and don't even get me started on the cooling!! Its a nice looking chassis but its just got no function.

So I want a decent case. I'm looking at mid to full tower with plenty space for cable management and any future work or upgrades. I never been worried bout bling bling and I love the corsair 650d. I prefer function over form and would love a straight forward elegent looking case maybe aluminum chassis, but can't decide.

A local pc shop gave me the number of a guy selling some case and when I called him he told me its an NZXT Phantom Black. Having read a full reviews it seems highly recommended but its a little over the top in looks but I feel I could live with it,. I'm also looking for front USB 3 and the reviews say it hasn't got while he says his has. Also, according to the reviews, it only has one dust filter which is under the PSU. And based on past experience I'm worried it won't be enough.

So what I am asking is this:

Am I being silly worrying bout dust in this case?
Is there further steps I can take to prevent dust? (I'm also looking for a decent desk so my pc can get off the floor, but still want better case)
Can I add a front USB 3 port if the case doesn't have?

I have a budget of around R1200 will go more if I feel it is necessary. I'm not wanting silly designs. If the Lanboy was a ferrari, I'm wanting a Maybach,,, I'm wanting elegance with great features. I'm also wanting a case that will last me a very long time! And be able to handle and future work I do on my rig, such as second cards, cpu cooler, water cooling (its like carrying a condom,,, u never know when you'll need it,. But you feel batter having it)

What you guys reckon? And advice would be appreciated,,, shot!
 
Well skimping on a case is not a great idea but it is something a lot of people do.
I build pc's for a living and deal with all sorts of people, and around 70% of buyers skimp on cases, what they don't realise is that a case is damn important, good airflow, good dust filters, ample space and cable managment all go a long way to having a cool, quiet and efficient pc.

As for what case I would recommend, For the budget, I would look at a Silverstone Raven RV02-E.

Image_12S.jpg


Raven-Done.jpg


I've done around 5 builds using these cases and they are an absolute pleasure to work with.
Incredibly high quality, well thought out, ample space and they look quite sleek. There is spcae to fit a double rad and ergonomically the case is flawless.
 
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Hey Joker,

Seen quite a few of ur posts and can see u have a good rep,,,

Thanks for prompt response and ill be sure to check it out. You are quite correct, most ppl skimp on a case, and it is only after having my build for a while now that I realise the importance. I think its just one of those things which people have to learn, consider me promoted! If I were to start all over a great case would be my first purchase. And that's what this case is to me, a first step in the right direction. Hence me wanting something truly great! Thanks for the heads up, ill check it out,,,,,,,,,,
 
Hey Joker,

Nice case but a few things I don't like,,,, Highly unorthodox (which isn't bad,,, nice to see manufacturers trying new things) but not for me,
 
Nice looking case that Joker!

I often recommend the HAF932, solid build, massive amount of space and comes with loads of fans.

However not ideal if you lan a lot as it is huge and fking heavy.
 
Thanks ill check it out,,,,,,,,,, I don't lan a lot and only play online. I did however play by a friend last night as I'm waiting for my adsl (i've just moved) so having to haul a heavy case will barely happen.
 
StangV2.0 said:
Thanks ill check it out,,,,,,,,,, I don't lan a lot and only play online. I did however play by a friend last night as I'm waiting for my adsl (i've just moved) so having to haul a heavy case will barely happen.
Click to expand...

Cool. Then check out the HAF, its a big bad ass case, loads of space and best of all it comes with loads of fans.
 
well a coolermaster elite 310 black edition is always an option when low on budget, its R399 at cafe viva in if you in the cape town or the elite 430
 
Joker is our local computer wiz. The Raven series is really awesome, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of them. There are a lot of options out there though. Depending on the size of you MB, here's some cases I would recommend; (with pricing)

9649163.jpg

http://www.takealot.com/electronics...x-gaming-chassis-no-power-supply-unit,9649163

10827986.jpg

http://www.takealot.com/electronics...ries-500r-black-no-power-supply-unit,10827986

5830462.jpg

http://www.takealot.com/electronics...kn1-haf922-black-no-power-supply-unit,5830462

9599749.jpg

http://www.takealot.com/electronics...90-black-chassis-no-power-supply-unit,9599749

Hope this helps, I'm sure Joker or someone else will have some better ideas though. This was just a quick search.
 
If dust is your problem ill actually advice against the RAven 2 as i saw at a lan that the cae some how gets OODles of dust in to it. I remember asking the oke if he was preparing a garden hahaha.


I have a Antec Df-85 . I got it nr 1 as part of a sponsor. and was also looking at it.

The top fans dont gather much dust and the 3 front fans that suck air into the case has filters that are removable . My pc is almsot dustless as the front intake fan filters top 99% of the dust :D

The case it self is brilliant. My v8 cpu coolers`s fan burned out and i was able to run an entire lan event without my cpu heating up purely on the air from the case blowing over my cooler`s Fins :D
 
Thanks for the replies guys.. At the moment I'm stuck between the NZXT phantom and the newly released corsair Obsidian 550d,,,albeit that I can't seem to find a price in SA right now,,, its got the clean elegent look I'm after with filters throughout the case. Only thing attracting me right now to the NZXT is that it is a local buy at R800 and based on what I've seen online the price seems right. I like the 550d and its door that can open either way,,, I've seen some guys pc's that have lcd displays displaying cpu temp etc do these things come with the case or can they be installed aftermarket. If aftermarket then a door covering everything kinda defeats the object. I'd love to have both worlds, a case with this displayed while front door is closed giving clean look. Are these things just a gadget or are there any real world advantages in having this info 24/7? I'd imagine that being able to see that at a glance while playing bf3 could be handy,,, what u think?

Ill check out above cases so long,,, thanks guys,,,
 
The phantom is not a R800 local buy. Unless you're talking about the phantom mid tower.
Also please take note, the phantom is a decent case but it is incredibly plasticky, I sold mine within a week of buying it..just closing the front panel made me cringe. Internally its a great case...but the plastic...really puts me off.

As for the fan controllers and lcd's, some of them have real world advantages but its mainly just for looks and turning down fans when you don't need them blowing at full tilt, honestly...Its a waste.
 
The Joker said:
The phantom is not a R800 local buy. Unless you're talking about the phantom mid tower.
Also please take note, the phantom is a decent case but it is incredibly plasticky, I sold mine within a week of buying it..just closing the front panel made me cringe. Internally its a great case...but the plastic...really puts me off.

As for the fan controllers and lcd's, some of them have real world advantages but its mainly just for looks and turning down fans when you don't need them blowing at full tilt, honestly...Its a waste.
Click to expand...

Lcd displays and fan controllers are a waste yeah, if you buy the right fans you don't even really have to worry about noise. With new machines we just use software to view temps and fan speeds and control it that way also. And the Phantom full case goes for about R1300 locally I think. (not sure)
 
The advantage is pretty clear? its to display temps on the fly.

Its for willy waving. You dont need to have it. Get Aida 64 ( the old everest ) and all those info is nicely displayed on your logitech lcd or the side of your monitor display. You can get them aftermarket but its not worth it.

The nzxt phantom at 800? IF taht is the case ( pun not intended ) you should take it
 
Hey guys,,

The case is an NZXT phantom black being sold for R800 by a local guy. He has had it for 3 months or so. I am a little bit worried bout the door and how its going to 'feel' or if I could live with it.. Will see how I feel about the case when I view it..

In all honesty my heart is set on the Corsair Obsidian series, which one exactly I haven't yet decided. I love their simple clean elegent look and quality. And they seem to have ample space. That with washable filters and I'm sold! I really like the 650d but its USB 3 ports don't fit internally to the mobo, they have to be routed out the back to connect to the rear, silly,, But haven't commited to anything yet so still open for suggestions.. But right now my heart is with an Obsidian,,

And as far as that lcd thing goes I'm kinda put off it if its just a gadget,, I'm about function over form,, image is nothing without performance =))
 
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