what is the best case that is cheap - Page 2

Shephard · 11-09-2012, 03:50 PM

ok I read the reviews should have done that before I posted. Even the good reviews say the top fan rattles very loud.

Does anyone have this case, do they replace it for you or have they fixed it by now?

also I agree I don't like the clear side panel if there are no cool LEDs. Looks boring without some illumination.

Raincity · 11-09-2012, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenmitch

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.

Used this http://www.amazon.com/Uspeed-Front-P...rds=Uspeed+3.0 on my office machine to get some more life out of the original Antec Sonata case.

AustinInDallas · 11-11-2012, 10:49 AM

I like my antec three hundred two. Got it for 49.99 free shipping.
USB 3.0, lots of room behind the mobo, and 5 fan option

Shephard · 11-11-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrysAssociate

I like my antec three hundred two. Got it for 49.99 free shipping.
USB 3.0, lots of room behind the mobo, and 5 fan option

ok this one doesn't have as bad reviews as some of the others.

how is cable managment for you?

anything feel cheap?

Cebu · 11-11-2012, 07:40 PM

Hands down the best cheap case I have ever used is the Coolermaster HAF 912. It has a ton of room so it can handle the biggest graphics cards and heatsinks on the market. Plus, it can accommodate a 200mm fan on the front and the top along with a 120mm on the rear, and it has dust filters on the front and the bottom below the power supply to keep the dust out. It also has an opening on the door for another 120mm fan. Additionally, you can remove the top hard-drive cage and mount the SSD hard-drive on top of the bottom one to free up more room for more graphics cards. That is what i did in mine. All of this for the price of $59.95 on Newegg. Here is a link. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119233

Here is a picture of mine with a Radeon 5970 in it.

Shephard · 11-11-2012, 08:37 PM

hey thanks for posting a picture of your own build I appreciate that. Seeing all the parts is a good way to judge to, not just looking at empty picks.

so it has no rubber grommets I see.

Is a lot of the case plastic, does it feel cheaply made?

Did it come with blue LED fans or did you put the LED on?

Not a bad looking case.

My only problem is no USB 3.0. Even one in the front would be nice. I like to use my external hard drive for backups and 1 USB 3.0 in the front for easy access is very convenient.

blastingcap · 11-12-2012, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

hey thanks for posting a picture of your own build I appreciate that. Seeing all the parts is a good way to judge to, not just looking at empty picks.

so it has no rubber grommets I see.

Is a lot of the case plastic, does it feel cheaply made?

Did it come with blue LED fans or did you put the LED on?

Not a bad looking case.

My only problem is no USB 3.0. Even one in the front would be nice. I like to use my external hard drive for backups and 1 USB 3.0 in the front for easy access is very convenient.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811996037

Or if you're really cheap just get a six-foot long USB 3.0 extension cable for less than $5.

Cebu · 11-12-2012, 08:36 AM

Here is the front of mine. It comes with one blue 120mm fan on the front and top, so I changed both of them out with 200mm fans. The front and top of the case is a hard molded plastic but it is very durable. The front and top will pop off for easy cleaning and the top has a nice tray for setting things on. Of course I would have preferred the interior to be black and rubber grommets to hide the wiring but I also recognize that they left those things off to reduce the price. They were not deal breakers for me since it mostly cosmetic. As posted above, you can get an add-on 3.0 5.25" bracket for about $15.00. Coolermaster also makes one http://www.cmstore-usa.com/haf-912-u...t-oem-package/

Shephard · 11-12-2012, 07:42 PM

wow really nice color and not bad looking now that I see actual build not just newegg picks.

I know I can get usb bracket but that is just more extra money.

anyway I will make top 5 list before Black Friday then I decide.

This case is definitely on it man!

Space69Monkey · 11-13-2012, 03:58 PM

You can always check the reviews: Anand even did one for the 300 Two.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5462/a...et-enthusiasts

-Space

Shephard · 11-13-2012, 07:09 PM

ok the 300 two is a nice case it was suggested on the first page.

If you guys can post pictures of your current case unless it's way out of my budget range.

so far I like the...

- Corsair 300r
- haf 912
- fractal arc midi
- antec 300 two
- lian li one suggested above

like I said the case doesn't have to have LEDs. I really like the style and color of the antec 300 two and it has no LEDs. Cebu's case is really nice though with those blue LED.

again I would prefer 1 usb 3.0 and not get a interface because it's just extra money.

thanks

AustinInDallas · 11-13-2012, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shephard

ok this one doesn't have as bad reviews as some of the others.

how is cable managment for you?

anything feel cheap?

great for management. LOTS of room behind the mobo tray.

Metal could be a little thicker, but its good enough. Not a silent case, but never bothers me.

only thing i feel like im missing is two top holes to use a H100

Shephard · 11-16-2012, 01:20 AM

ok thanks FrysAssociate.

There are a lot of good cases I have been looking at lately.

I really like that Coolermaster HAF 912. I think for the price it seems very good. good reviews, good cable managment, but no USB 3.0. That may be the deal breaker.

I really like that Antec 900 case but it's out of my range and lehtv said it was one of the worst he owned. Even the newer version has no cable managment and looks like it can't fit big video cards. I just like all the colored fans and sleek design. The inside sucks though!

I also like that Fractal Arc Midi. It looks really nice inside.

Cebu · 11-16-2012, 09:45 AM

I would rather get a nice case that is easy to work with and spend a couple of bucks to get USB 3.0 than get a case that I don't like that has USB 3.0. There is no way you will be unhappy with the HAF 912. I looked at all of the cases you looked at when I was researching which cheap case to buy and it hands down blew away all of the other cases in its price range. If you are dead set on USB 3.0 then get a USB 3.0 5.25" Bracket from someplace cheap like Ebay and call it a day. If you are willing to spend $99.00 then you can upgrade to a HAF 922 which has USB 3.0 on the front of the case. Personally I will never go back to another case that doesn't allow 200mm fans on the front and the top. The air that those fans move is impressive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119197

p_monks33 · 11-16-2012, 10:42 AM

Ive become a fan of rosewill cases over the past 2 years. The R5 looks very nice. I have had a blackhawk and a Thor V.2 I would still have the Thor had I not fallen in love with my Cosmos 2, you won't find many cases with finished interiors and all the looks of that R5 for a sub 60 dollar case.

MrK6 · 11-16-2012, 11:12 AM

The problem with the Antec 200, 300, and 900 is that they lack good vibration suppression mechanisms and HDD's tend to "echo" and make for a louder build than it should be. I've used all three and none was satisfactory to me. Given your budget, I'd say the Arc Midi is the way to go. It hits all the basics (air flow, soft-mount HDD's, PSU on the bottom, etc.) and offers a lot (aesthetics, features, USB 3.0, etc.) considering the price. Another suggestion is the basic version of my case, the CM 690: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119216 . For $50 that's a steal, although you'd have to rely on your motherboard's rear ports for USB 3.0.

Shephard · 11-16-2012, 02:54 PM

ok good info MrK6. I read on some of the reviews that the fans rattle. I don't want that.

Arc Midi, Coolermaster HAF 912, CM 690, or HAF 922 if it is cheaper on the Black Friday.

If anyone can show me pictures of their case that would be really nice thanks.

Carson Dyle · 11-25-2012, 01:20 PM

Here's a pretty good deal: Fractal Design Core 3000 for $44.99 and $9.99 shipping (on entire order) at NCIX Canada.

http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=583...n&promoid=1030

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=...gory=2&prod=60

Review: http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/chassi...-3000-chassis/

Shephard · 11-25-2012, 07:14 PM

hmm thanks Carson but I might go with the HAF 912. I haven't seen a good case sale yet. It only has USB 2.0 but it looks like it's the best build quality for price.

amdTJL0 · 11-28-2012, 10:37 PM

My biggest decision in life right now, which budget case to buy.... first world problems...

Shephard · 11-29-2012, 02:06 PM

ok I really am thinking of HAF 912 after seeing Cebu's picture.

do you think $58 after taxes with free shipping is a good price?

I don't know if it will be cheaper on Boxing Day. There were no good case sales on the Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

sabahm · 12-07-2012, 02:21 PM

Hmmm well i think 'Corsair' would be a perfect fit for you.

Shephard · 12-08-2012, 12:29 AM

I am looking at Corsair 300r, Fractal Arc Midi, and Haf 912.

Haf 912 has best reviews out of 3, but no USB 3.0.

Corsair is a nice case my friend has it but the fans don't seem so good.

Fractal Arc Midi looks nice but I hear fans and some build quality problems.

I will wait for Boxing day for cases but I don't think I will see good deals. The Black Friday had no good case deals.