What should I be looking for in a Case?

J

Jamin43

banned
In reading my build a computer book - it leaves alot to be desired in terms of selecting a case. It basically says buy quality case - and the 2 year old book refers to a pretty slow traffic dated website that pretty much has a sticky that recommends Antec. Searching Newegg - All those cases look to be around 100 bucks?

I've picked up enough info on MOBO and CPU from reading online to pick up on what I want around the sweet spot for a future build around 150 or less for CPU and same for MOBO with the functions ( probably some kindof quad core processor at that price point with 6 -10 mo ) - OC ability I want for future tinkering - if my PC speed starts to become slow with future technology I want to push the processor a bit.

Re: Cases - I'm pretty much at a loss in terms of what I really need - PSU pretty much the same.

* Do I really need a 100.00 case for an all around PC that won't be much of a gaming machine if at all? ( the book I'm reading suggests all others are flimsy with burrs that keep parts from fitting right )

* Is antec about it - or are there other brands that offer quality for a lesser price I can look at?

* Any features must have when looking at a Case? I'm thinkin I want some space ( mid tower or full size )

* I'm thinking I want a full size for flexibility and space within the case. Is there any limitations to a mid tower or is it about as expandable as a full sized PC?

* If you can think of anything I've missed - feel free to post - I'm an open mind on this right now - trying to sift through what's important and what's not re: cases so I can form an educated decision on what to buy for my future build.

* Budget is important to me - so anything I can do to keep cost down while not sacraficing too much on quality I'd like to do.

Thanks
 
Nope. You don't have to spend $100 on a case if it won't be a gaming case- you don't have to spend $100 at all, infact. My case was worth at least $70, and it suits gaming just fine.

The case you need depends on what you'll be doing with your computer. Generally, you'll need a computer case with good airflow. If you won't be doing any intense gaming, video/picture editing, or any of that sort of stuff, you won't need a whole lot of fans (mine can have a total of 6).

There are tons of manufacturers that make cases. NZXT, Raidmax, Apevia, Lian Li, Cooler Master, Thermaltake, etc. Mine is a Raidmax, and it's pretty good, but it could have been better. I wouldn't worry about brand too much if you won't be doing any intensive stuff and won't be needing a very good case (or if you're not too picky with extra features in your case).

A good feature is rounded edges. It so you won't cut your finger, lol. I don't care very much about that, but if you don't want to cut your fingers, you should look for a case that has rounded edges. That, or be carefull. I can't think of any other good features that a case really needs.

A mid tower (middle sized computer case) doesn't have as much I/O slots for add-on cards. It doesn't have as much space, so there's reduced airflow.

The PSU is about the same; it depends on what you'll be doing. The PSU has to supply the amount of wats needed for each piece in the computer, so keep that in mind.

**My mistake, I didn't read the second part of your post. Well, if you want to OC, then I suggest getting a case with a few fans. Or buy a water-cooling setup. I've read that water-cooling kits aren't very good, because you'd be dependant on that manufacturer, so if your willing put together your own. You'll need a pump, radiator, and reservoir. You'll also need a special kind of liquid (forgot the name), or distilled water. If you're going to go water-cooling, I strongly suggest getting a window for your case. You HAVE to show off that sort of thing, especially if it's under UV light and the liquid is UV reactive, lol.

**Personally, I think Thermaltake has the best features for their cases, but they're pretty expensive, at over $100.
 
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Trio said:
Or buy a water-cooling setup. I've read that water-cooling kits aren't very good, because you'd be dependant on that manufacturer, so if your willing put together your own. You'll need a pump, radiator, and reservoir. You'll also need a special kind of liquid (forgot the name), or distilled water. If you're going to go water-cooling, I strongly suggest getting a window for your case..
Click to expand...

No worries about water cooling. I read a little bit on that - and it's not something I'd be interested in.
 
I don't suggest watercooling anyway.
Personally I'd invest in a case. Cheap ones will have A) Poor airflow B) Poor spacing C) Poor lighting\obnoxious D)faulty wiring/flimsiness.
This seems okay as a case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103024, and is only $50+ship, and they have discounts on PSUs if you get theirs. Also, PSUs wattage is important, but not near as much as amperage. On the +12v rail(s) look for at least 35 combined for a dual core/lower quad system, and 500w-600 will suffice. Brand name is everything too, Antec, PC Power, OCZ, and a few others are good names, Rosewill and Raidmax are often cheaper, but have less reputation (though Rosewill is my preference, just bought 750w of theirs from Newegg.)

Here's another case - Antec 300, solid case from what I've heard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042.
and another xclio - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103021 - with either of the xclio, i'd recommend changing the direction of the furthest back side fan to blow air out, much more effective when you have a videocard (who're all heat monsters - most run >90c load with high fans, and that's not the core, that's most of hte card)
 
you can certainly get away with a cheaper case... i personally think buying a good case is worth it in the end. the case is one thing you can use from system to system, year after year.

if you buy a good case now, you may not have to buy another one for 10 years or more. the only reason i upgraded from my Thermaltake Xaser III to an Antec 1200 was because i wanted more room for extra HDs and extra space in general for working in there. had i bought a full tower like my first build, i probably wouldn't be replacing it. the only reason i ever replaced my first case, was because it was old and boring looking.

i guess it's all relative... if you can buy a case and think you'll be happy with it for years to come... i say spend the extra money! i doubt i will be replacing my Antec 1200 for a longgggg time. it has way more HD space than i'll probably ever use and the airflow is just about perfect.
 
lian li do some very clean looking cases, im currently looking into a lian-li case to replace my antec 1200...

i do like the antec range but they just dont do it for me in the looks department!
 
I just bought a flimsy case.

1 - metal is really weak. Have to be extra cautious not to dent the thing.
2 - it has plastic button that broke off because I pushed it too hard.
3 - the front panel connectors for USB/Audio are old generation and are not
compatible with the headers on my motherboard.
4 - didn't include any case fans. Had to spend extra $8 for a 120mm fan.

For $40 you'll pick up a case with power supply. Remember, a $100 case
usually does not include a power supply - so that's an additional $20 to
$70+. So really the choice is $40 or $140.

If you're going to buy a $40 case+PSU, I recommend just going on craigslist/kijiji
and finding used parts. You can offer someone $10 for a case, and $10 for
a PSU.
 
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No you do not have to spend alot on a case, i dual video card game with mine and it cost me £30 WITH a PSU (very bad one, but still a PSU none-the-less).

You don't need a $100 case, get a cheap one that you like the look of and make sure it either has an acrylic panel or (and it probably will because of cheap price) thin metal. This is because should you find that your system is overheating, you can pretty easily cut a fan hole or 2 :D

If you do buy a $100 case though, it will have better quality materials (thicker, more robust, lighter etc), better airflow and generally better looks too (personal opinion, it does ofcourse depend on what you want in a case :))

As i said though, i got a cheap case, it works perfectly, i have cut a fan hole in the side panel to keep my passively cooled heatsinks cool enough, it looks alright, does the job and keeps my system always below 50 degrees, what more could you ask in a case?

Now, you also said you aren't too sure about PSUs either. That is something price DOES matter with. You can go out and buy a $10 one and it will blow as soon as you put it under any kind of strain, that strain can be gaming with a multi core processor, single video card with a couple of hard drives system.

Branding is also important, corsair, OCZ, coolermaster are all good brands.

Finally, look at the ampage on the +12V rail, that is important. noow anything under 27-30 per rail is just about useless because it won't be able to handle that much pressure.

To give you a good idea of a decent power supply, could you post your system up please so we can get an idea of how much power it will be pulling and what it will need for upgrading/overclocking capabilities
 
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