Shopping for a new case. Advice?

C

Currency

New Member
Hey guy's, after dealing with the RMA process on my video card and getting a replacement sent out, I've noticed that video card temps will be 5 degree's C higher with the side of the case on. Topped out at 72C, generally stayed under 67C with the side of the case off while playing BF3.

So I am shopping for a new case, not too expensive, but not cheap as well. I would like to keep it under $100.

I've been having problems with my primary mode of transportation so that will consume most of my tax return, not counting the ex getting half.

Expectations,
1) Mid to full tower
2) Under $100
3) Also used for planned future build
4) Room to expand
5) Bottom mount PSU or top mount? (Hot air does rise) so,
6) Top mount exhaust fan

Think that sums it up. Also when posting links to your suggested case, could you include other pro's and con's to purchasing that case compared to what others post?

Thanks,
-Currency
 
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Wow, I think anyone else who replies will have a tough time beating either of those cases.

From looking at both of them, and watching review video's, the only differences between the $99 one and the $79 on are; none painted interior, and LED fans.

Looks really nice otherwise. Would rather have the painted interior even for $20. Have lived this long without LED fans but they are a nice touch along with all the other great features.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2MdUGxWEcU
That review makes me want to get that PSU they show as well.
 
I'm currently considering these cases,
NZXT Phantom 410,
LIAN LI K60B Black,
COOLER MASTER HAF 922.

The HAF and NZXT have room to add a fan on the windowed side, where is the LIAN LI doesn't. But overall I believe the LIAN LI is, more or less, constructed better. Talking about locking clips for HDD's, PCI cards, and so on.
The HAF is the only one offering 200MM fans, since they are larger the theory is they spin slower and make less noise.

The 5770 is loud, so sound is not an issue, considering the new speakers the only issue is neighbors :D

They are all back, keeping in line with everything else I own.
Black 23" Acer LCD.
Black Microsoft keyboard,
(Backup) Black/silver HP mouse (Gearhead broke and they want the plastic package it came in or no RMA)

Also my new, 2.1 Sylvania speakers from Biglots @ $26 they are nice compared to my old 2.0 set. Bought last night. 150 Watt's. Link below is PDF.

http://www.curtisint.com/web/..\products\Images\SpecSheets\SHTIB1044P.pdf


So since my current case also has green LED's. I will be looking for blue in everything else as my monitor and speakers have blue LED's.
 
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The 140MM fans on the Lian-Li spin pretty slow. My old case (cheap PowerUp case) had a side panel fan and it got annoying to disconnect the fan every time I took the side panel off. They're more of a hassle than they're worth.
 
That is very true.

After the future build is done, the only times I plan to open the case is to clean it. Since the fans will have screens it shouldn't be too often. I was thinking side fan for better PCI-E and CPU cooling, but I really want to get the Corsair H series water cooler for the planned build. Something similar would be fine if it works as well, granted I cannot locate an H series cooler when the build starts.

Also, Newegg now has the LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62. Will be ordering it when my tax check hits the H&R Block card which I should get registered soon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. They are all great cases but I believe the LIAN LI will work best for my future plans. Thanks again.
 
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If you get a decent cooler then the exhaust fans will take care of the heat.

The front of the PC-K62 comes off very easily, which is good because you'll need to wipe it down every month or so as it collects dust quickly, even on a high surface.
 
Thank you, will keep that in mind.

If it's anything like the speakers, once you remove the plastic film protecting them from getting scratched during shipping. Dust loves sticking to them. Overall I'm happy with the speakers, best $26 dollar improvement I could have made.

Was goofing around on the battle field a couple of nights ago after everyone left me when I went 20 and 3 the round before. So I was playing with my M249 and listening to the empty bullet casings hit the ground. Never knew I was missing that sound before with the cheap Emachines speakers.

Someone showed me their case a while back, they paid $600 just for the case. It was nice but way out of my range. Girlfriends about to get her a vehicle since I'm tearing the front end out from under my 94 explorer. This is what will delay my future build. Thinking my issue is with the front end or transfer case front output shaft bearings. Not sure yet.
 
Case has been ordered and is currently processing. :)

I'll figure out a way to post pictures of it more so if it's damaged from shipping. I have worked at my local UPS hub, and with several drivers, so if it gets here damaged I'll be calling them.
 
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The LIAN LI PC K62 is a good case, have had two or three of them. But really the NZXT Tempest EVO and the LIAN LI PC K63 and both better cases. Both have just as good air flow and cable management, but both are bigger cases an give you more room.
 
From looking over their pictures on newegg I like the overall look of the NZXT Tempest EVO better over the LIAN LI PC K63.

Out of the ones posted before I ordered, I did like the K-62 the best and believe it has more useful features that I would use during my build process in the future and with my current set-up right now. I believe this case will provide me with what I was looking for and a whole lot more than I expected to get within my $100 budget.

This is the first aftermarket case I have purchased in my 12 years of tinkering with computers, and I do not think I could have picked a better case for the money. I looked at hundreds of cases, even cheap ones. Before when I built systems, I would use whatever I had on hand. The last one I built was a while ago and due to a recent house fire, I lost what I considered the golden age of computers. Stuff from Intel, 25 Mhz Pentium, 286's. 386's, and 486's.

Back when I first got into computers, things were easier. Today everything is faster, but I do not consider faster to always be better, faster is more expensive and I live below poverty. But I do not consider that as something that has or will ever stop me of doing great things.

The best price vs. performance is what I will always be after until my degree's get paid for and keeping with in strict budgets is how my life goes everyday.

Should have my K62 on Monday, guessing between 12 noon and 3pm EST as the drivers generally hit the businesses for pickups between 3 and 5. Dealing with an abscessed tooth, on 2,000 MG's on antibiotics a day since Tuesday and it's only getting worse. So I'm heading to my doctor first thing Monday, she was on vacation this week so I went to a local clinic. Now I look like a chipmonk and feel like a toilet.

Sorry if I jump around on the topics, I have a knack for that.
 
Yeah I looked up the 63 on Newegg and didn't care for the overall look. I like the look of the 62 better.

I assembled a rig for a customer yesterday, and they had chosen the HAF 912. I thought that case felt very flimsy and cheap compared to a high quality Lian-Li. Had to remove the HDD bay in order to fit his 6950 in. Was able to slide the bay back into place afterwards though.
 
I was looking at the HAF series cases a few months ago, they looked good but I felt I could do better in my price range.

If everything works out this year I should be piecing a new system together in a few months. But so far not much as worked out this year. It's tough trying to pinch pennies when your trying to evenly spread out the money between computer, transportation, and your child.

Should have my son enough money in the bank sometime this year to get his first $500 CD. Not bad for a 3 1/2 year old. :D
 
Thank you everyone for the great input.

The case is here with my old Emachines ET1331G-03 sitting inside of it with the Antec PSU and 5770. Overall I have to say half the complaints I read on the posted reviews are way off. Things about plugs being to short, panels feeling flimsy. This thing is tougher than my old Emachines case and overall I kind of enjoy the sound of the fans.

The 5770 fan can be a lot louder than these three 140MM fans and lone 120MM rear fan. My bedroom light is off right now with only the light from my monitor and bedside lamp, and these LED fans are pretty bright. Brighter than I expected.

Currently showing a 6 degree C drop in temp when not gaming compared to the old case. Don't think heat will be much of a problem anymore. :)
 
Just another update. Been sick recently so I've not been gaming as much.

But so far I've not seen the video card temp go over 55 C
The highest I've seen the replacement card hit in the old case was 72C's. 67-68C's if I had the side off the old case.

Seeing that tiny mATX board through the window makes me want to build a new system sooner rather than later but it does have to wait for a while. Have some deals going now and may be able to off load a POS car for $800. Not really a POS but it does need some work. Someone recently offered $600 for it but I've seen worse vehicles go to the junk yard for $600 :)
 
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