Choosing the Right Case

Manakore

Manakore

New Member
I am building a pc for the first time and I will want it to perform well for gaming. This means that I need great cooling and enough space to fit the longer graphics cards and a cpu cooler. I want to stay below $150(preferably $100).

Here are some of my choices, however, feel free to suggest other cases that meet my criteria. Thanks in advance for the help.

NZXT Tempest EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146062

Antec 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Blue RC-932-KKN3-GP (This one is $10 bucks above my dollar range and its a full tower, but I still like it.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=COOLER_MASTER_HAF_932-_-11-119-213-_-Product

NZXT Lexa Backline
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146048

NZXT Lexa S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146060

I really like the Lexa S; does anyone have any feedback on that case in particular?
 
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You actually look to mid tower pc cases. If you want great cooling then you must at least look for a full tower..
 
The Lexa S has room for 5 fans (140mm and 120mm). Even though its a mid tower case, shouldn't it cool just fine for gaming?
 
^^you do not need a full tower to have better airflow. The cases that he posted will do just fine for performance parts.

@OP Out of the ones that you posted I would go with the Antec 900 or the NZXT Tempest Evo. Both seem to have great airflow.
 
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salvage-this said:
^^you do not need a full tower to have better airflow. The cases that he posted will do just fine for performance parts.

@OP Out of the ones that you posted I would go with the Antec 900. I'll search around for anything that might be better.
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Thanks for the help. I figured mid-tower cases would be fine.

As for the Antec 900, I heard there was a lot of dust issues.
 
cough cough NZXT Phantom cough cough... the downfall of this though is if youwant to go water cooling a 3x120 radiator setup is going to be complicated.... but no worries, im working ont hat problem now :)
 
salvage-this said:
^^you do not need a full tower to have better airflow. The cases that he posted will do just fine for performance parts.

@OP Out of the ones that you posted I would go with the Antec 900. I'll search around for anything that might be better.
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Well the problem is with the cables. New graphics cards are very big and require lots of power. So if you going to build a gaming pc you are going to need a "gaming" psu with lots of cables. Mid towers do not provide the space to hide all these cables that block the airflow. Also think that with a mid tower all the components are closer each other that adds something more the overall heat produced.
 
There usually are for cases that have a lot of ventilation. I have to clean mine out about one a month or so.

more air = more dust is kinda how I see it.

You can get dust covers for your fans if you want... Link but it is good to clean it out anyway.
 
Socratesx said:
Well the problem is with the cables. New graphics cards are very big and require lots of power. So if you going to build a gaming pc you are going to need a "gaming" psu with lots of cables. Mid towers do not provide the space to hide all these cables that block the airflow. Also think that with a mid tower all the components are closer each other that adds something more the overall heat produced.
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True there will be more cables if you are using high end performance parts but all I'm saying is that if you look at good gaming mid towers vs. good gaming full towers cable management and airflow will not be a problem in with either one.

If a full tower fits the OP's needs and price I see nothing wrong with getting one. I just wanted to bring that up.
 
Manakore said:
I thought about the phantom, but I really want to be able to see inside my rig after it's built. (I know it's a pointless feature) The phantom looks extremely sharp nontheless.
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If your comfortable with modding a case hers the option, this guy left the mesh in but you can also put in a piece of plexiglass, you lose the ability to put a 200mm fan in that spot, but with any good heatsink you cant put a fan there anyway... also if you mess it up another panel from NZXT is only $20

heres the worklog ... http://www.overclock.net/case-mods-general-discussion/907952-nzxt-phantom-window-alternative.html

img0408n.jpg
 
I appreciate the help. Is there any other cases, that I do not have listed, that anyone would recommend? As for Mid tower or Full tower, I do not have a preferance. I only ask that it falls in my price range, which for the most part will be a mid tower anyways.
 
Manakore said:
I appreciate the help. Is there any other cases, that I do not have listed, that anyone would recommend? As for Mid tower or Full tower, I do not have a preferance. I only ask that it falls in my price range, which for the most part will be a mid tower anyways.
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Check this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108190

It has great rating, falls into your price range and also has lots of features and it is a full tower.
 
Manakore said:
The Lexa S has room for 5 fans (140mm and 120mm). Even though its a mid tower case, shouldn't it cool just fine for gaming?
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more fans doesnt neccasarily mean your case will be cooler. my case came with 15 fans. fans do generate heat, its all about how the air moves through a case. all my fans are intake and i run very low temps.

i have found i run cooler with 7 fans as opposed to ten.
 
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