Cases around $50-$60

epidemik

epidemik

Active Member
So, I decided its time to move on from the $20 junker I have. Im tired of loud fans and high temps.

Important to me (in order of importance):

  • Airflow (preferably with stock fans)
  • Quiet: My computer is in my room and its obnoxious with my current case because its really loud.
  • Front USB on top: Kinda weird but my case is on the floor and against a desk on oneside so I'd like front usb to be on the top of the case (:( Apollo)
  • Looks: Windows are nice but not necessary. Easy to work with as far as cable management goes


Top Choices:

Antec 300: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&Tpk=Antec 300
It got a surprisingly bad review from Maximum PC, they said it was too simple and not many features for the price. Personally, I dont really care about screwless stuff and all that fancy stuff so it still seems pretty good to me. I'd probably mod it for better cable management, maybe a window.

NZXT Apollo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025
As of right now, this is probably tied for my top choice. It looks pretty cool. I dont like the posistion of the front USB though and I'm a little curious about the quality of the stock fans and airflow.

Thermaltake V9: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133074
This case seems pretty cool. One review said they couldnt fit in a 3rd party CPU Heatsink though...that'd be bad. Does anyone know about this?


2nd Level Down In Preference:

Cooler Master 534: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119106
Cheap! Seems pretty straightforward. Looks alright =/

Cooler Master RC 600: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
Case is awesome but I think its out of my pricerange (I'm cheep)

NZXT Hush: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146035
Quiet would be nice...but this doesnt seem great

Raidmax Smilodon: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062
IMO, this case is ugly. But it looks like it has decenet cooling.

Essentially, Its between the top three. a300 seemed like the clear choice until it got a bad review from Maximum PC. V9 seems amazing but it got some crappy reviews on Newegg. Apollo is pretty cool but I dont know about the airflow (and the front USB is in horrible spot).
 
A300 would probably give you the best quality based on what I have used (A900 and the Apollo). I think the Apollo is more appealing to the eye, mostly do to the window and the front. I've never worked with a TT, so I can't give you anything there.

If you got the A300 and wanted to put a window in the side, I'd let you use my dremel. =D
 
The Apollo is very quiet-looks great-is a fingerprint magnet-but It keeps everything very nice inside---cable management is relatively easy to figure out-it has plenty of room for the larger PCI-E graphic cards-and oh yeah---looks awesome at night.
 
I have the Antec Three Hundred and it's a wonderful case! Keep things cool and it's very simple, which is great because I like things simple.
 
I've got the V9, although not the Black edition, the one with the window. I think it'd be perfect for what you want, just get rid of the screwless crap on the pci slots, the ones on the drive bays are fine.
Oh, and I'll let you know about the cpu cooler in a few days, I just got one and it looks like it might be tight, but I think it'll just fit.
 
Last edited:
I have Antec 300. Great case, might buy again, unless I find a better one with more filters. It has a dust filter from the front which catches tons of dirt. But on the side, and in the rear/top fans, it doesn't have a filter and the insides get really dirty.
 
I have seen many people that have used the Antec 300. They ALL seem to like it.

Maybe just buy a set of low speed LED fans for the front. That will keep the noise down and also give you the looks.

It has all the I/O ports on the front but right at the top. That's what you are looking for.

And it has free shipping...that's a deal that is hard to beat. That's my recomendation for ya:good:
 
id go for the Cooler Master RC 690,Its like the Antec 300 with its grilled front but better quality and has more features than both the 300 and 900.

But for the price,The Antec 300 is a fantastic choice without a doubt so its realy up to you if you want to spend that little extra bit more :)
 
epidemik said:
[*]Front USB on top: Kinda weird but my case is on the floor and against a desk on oneside so I'd like front usb to be on the top of the case (:( Apollo)
Click to expand...

Totally agree. My Dell PC has them on the bottom ( pointing toward the floor ) and it's a PITA every time I need to plug in a USB - b/c I need to lift up the computer and crawl under my desk with a flashlight to do so
 
Marcin said:
I have Antec 300. Great case, might buy again, unless I find a better one with more filters. It has a dust filter from the front which catches tons of dirt. But on the side, and in the rear/top fans, it doesn't have a filter and the insides get really dirty.
Click to expand...
I just bought separate fan filters for the side and top fans. Works like a charm :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top