what is the best case that is cheap

Shephard · 11-07-2012, 03:36 PM

For my new build I want a good case with good cable managment.

none of the cases I have ever owned have cable managnment. so power supply wires are everywhere and it doesn't look good. It does not affect my temperature but it's ugly if I have to clean the computer or if it is a clear side panel.

- the case must have 1 front usb 3.0 for easy hookup for my external hard drive.

- good build quality with cable managment.

- enough room for a long graphics card like a 7950 if I decide to get that card. I think it's one of the longest.

- I prefer a clear side panel and led fans. but if you can show me a real clean looking case with no leds and it's cheap I will choose it.

lehtv · 11-07-2012, 04:18 PM

How much are you willing to spend? Where are you buying from?

AFAIK (has to do with personal experience...), USB 3.0 front ports don't supply power enough to spin a drive that powers itself through USB.

Eureka · 11-07-2012, 04:26 PM

Corsair 200R/300R. 10% discount right now with $10 rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139018 ($44)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011 ($57)

windowed:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139016 ($71)

The 200R I think is an amazing deal. If you look at it, you can get extra long cards by removing one of the hard drive bays.

Shephard · 11-07-2012, 04:37 PM

my external hard drive is 1TB with it's own power supply. That should be ok, right?

I am buying from Canada, so any site that has Canadian prices. Newegg, ncix, Canada Computers, Tigerdirect, etc.

an the price as cheap as possible as long as I don't sacrifice the things I listed above. I don't want some flakey case that's all plastic with cheap parts. My current case is all metal besides the front cover it's plastic.

thanks and I will look at above suggestions.

kleinkinstein · 11-07-2012, 05:32 PM

At $45, the 200R sure looks cosmic online, but in person man is it all cheap stamped steel, shit construction and piss poor finish. P U it stinks! But true to Corsair, they want a product at every single price point I suppose. Better options exist with Fractal, NZXT, CoolerMaster, Enermax, Antec and even this Lian-Li for $50.

Shephard · 11-07-2012, 05:43 PM

that Lian-Li case looks nice but I have never heard of this company.

It also has no USB 3.0 and I don't know if it can fit a big graphics card.

I will avoid the Corsar 200 thanks.

Eureka · 11-07-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

that Lian-Li case looks nice but I have never heard of this company.

It also has no USB 3.0 and I don't know if it can fit a big graphics card.

I will avoid the Corsar 200 thanks.

Lian-Li is considered one of the top case companies; they typically make premium all aluminum chassis. The one that is linked is their Lancool line, which makes cheaper steel cases. Very good company. The reason why it's cheap is because it's older stock. Their newer cases fetch high prices.

I haven't seen the Corsair 200R in person, that's a shame if it really is that bad. Corsair's other cases are very well built. But another case to look at in the price range is the CM-690 II, or the Corsair 500R, which IS a good case. By the way, what is your maximum price range?

Shephard · 11-07-2012, 08:25 PM

Ok how about we say under $80.

My budget will be $1000 as I said in general hardware topic, but lower as long as I don't lose performance.

my current case has 4 80mm led fans tri-color. not the best looking, but the case is very solid. I have no idea what the brand is I got it a computer store. It's only downside is no cable managment at all. The fan colors are ugly, I prefer 1 color or none at all.

Carson Dyle · 11-07-2012, 08:31 PM

Consider the Fractal Design Arc Midi for $70 (could be a temporary deal). Here's the Anandtech review from a year ago. There's also a microATX version of the case called the Arc Mini. Great cases for the price.

Remobz · 11-07-2012, 09:50 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp2xTJ2ZKX0

Raincity · 11-07-2012, 10:06 PM

$41.29 for shipping on the Arc Midi. I wish NE would stop this practice.

Carson Dyle · 11-07-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raincity

$41.29 for shipping on the Arc Midi. I wish NE would stop this practice.

Could it be because you're in the US and you were looking at the Canada site? Try the US site:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=arc%20midi

I linked the CA site because the OP said he was in Canada. I'm also in the US, so I couldn't say what shipping is up there.

Shephard · 11-07-2012, 10:24 PM

ya I see $41 shipping too. That's way too much for a case.

seems like there are only 2 cases that are Free Shipping for Canada site.

Mind you, I can get a case from ncix. You guys just tell me the brand I think ncix can price match as well.

crazymonkeyzero · 11-07-2012, 11:31 PM

Fractal Design Arc midi suggested above would be my first choice as well. Especially at that new reduced price.

These are some good alternatives

NZXT Tempest 410 Elite

Cooler Master CM 90 II

Corsair 300r

Shephard · 11-08-2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazymonkeyzero

Fractal Design Arc midi suggested above would be my first choice as well. Especially at that new reduced price.

These are some good alternatives

NZXT Tempest 410 Elite

Cooler Master CM 90 II

Corsair 300r

The Corsair 300r looks really nice. No LEDs but I do like it's design.

The Cooler Master is ok. Has good reviews though.

I don't like that NZXT case.

dma0991 · 11-09-2012, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

The Cooler Master is ok. Has good reviews though.

Get this Cooler Master case instead. Similar in price to the one mentioned earlier but with USB 3.0 front panel connectors. Its one of the case that I regrettably did not buy and went with the Corsair 400R.

Shephard · 11-09-2012, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dma0991

Get this Cooler Master case instead. Similar in price to the one mentioned earlier but with USB 3.0 front panel connectors. Its one of the case that I regrettably did not buy and went with the Corsair 400R.

I guess you get what you pay for.

Some complaints on that case the guy says the rubber gromets are flimsy and can break. another guy says the case is cheaply built.

The other reviews are good though and it does have USB 3.0 which is what I want.

I still got 2 weeks before I have to decide so post more.

dma0991 · 11-09-2012, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

I guess you get what you pay for.

Some complaints on that case the guy says the rubber gromets are flimsy and can break. another guy says the case is cheaply built.

Unless you're manhandling while threading the cables through the grommets, I'd say that any grommets will be strong enough. Its exterior is mostly plastic, you can't avoid the cheap feeling unless its metal. Its one of the reasons why I avoided the 500R, the top is plastic.

About the rubber grommets on my Corsair 400R, the quality isn't that great either. Grommets at the back would leave a black residue on my knuckles every time I remove the side panel.

Shephard · 11-09-2012, 01:20 AM

Do all cases have the grommets? They do make the cable managment look really good.

I know there's a nice Antec case with 3 blue fans for like $60 but I can't remember the name.

I heard Antec cases have no cable managment though.

octavian33 · 11-09-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

I know there's a nice Antec case with 3 blue fans for like $60 but I can't remember the name.

Think you are talking about this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129097

Shephard · 11-09-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octavian33

Think you are talking about this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129097

not a bad looking case I like the blue fans. But I don't think that's it, it didn't have the big fan on the top.

looks like that case has no cable managment either judging from pictures.

stray from antec I guess!

Space69Monkey · 11-09-2012, 02:00 PM

TBH - Best Cheap case is going to be the Antec 300 Two.

Front USB 3.0
Cable management
Cooling
Quiet

~$60

-Space

Kenmitch · 11-09-2012, 02:10 PM

USB 3.0 can be added to almost any case for a minimal cost these days. There are a lot of nice cases that don't have USB 3.0 out of the box.

Shephard · 11-09-2012, 03:26 PM

how about this case? I said stray from antec but this is a $130 case on sale.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...C-C8junctionCA

I can price match for cheaper, what you think?

Raincity · 11-09-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

how about this case? I said stray from antec but this is a $130 case on sale.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...C-C8junctionCA

I can price match for cheaper, what you think?

Looks good to me. I wish they offered the same case without the plexi side pannel. I have the 300-2 and have no issues with cable managment and using a non modular Corsair TX supply.