Antec 300 Vs CM HAF 912

[OptimumSlinky]

Currently using a Zalman Z7 case for my build (I cut corners and went cheap). Not a bad case at all, but I am looking to pick up a second Radeon HD 5850 and CrossFire it (or step up to the 6970), and the airflow isn't the greatest. So, I'm considering getting a new case, and I think I've narrowed it down to the Antec 300 and the CoolerMaster HAF 912.

I really like the clean, simple style of the 300, but I'm worried about space, particularly if I CrossFire the rig. I also plan on adding a Blu-Ray drive and an SSD, but those are down the road objectives. I'm a fan of smaller, cleaner set ups rather than have a huge hulking monstruo on my desk. The 912 looks like it's a little bit bigger without being a behemoth like the 932.

Can anyone with either case comment on them or make a recommendation?

 

[bleucharm28]

I would look into Bitfenix. They look pretty badass. Someone said it looks like they can transform into a robot. LOL

 

[Maximilian]

I would take the 300 any day, far more solid and less plasticky than the haf series. Its got enough space for a crossfire rig and its easy to clean out as well. The 300 is just a great all-round case.

 

[Termie]

Have you considered the CM 690? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-215-_-Product. Very classy looking, and a bit bigger than the Antec 300.

I've built up a 300 for a basic home build, but I don't think it's ideal for crossfire. It's a bit tight in terms of hard drive bay clearance. Fitting a 6970 would be very difficult, and I'm pretty sure dual 6970s would be impossible (although you didn't mention that option). Cooling is pretty good, but the fans aren't. Every single Antec fan in the 300 I built, as well as those in my personal Antec 900, has been replaced.

To be honest, I'm not sure either of the cases you've selected is a step up from your Zalman.

 

[Nem2k]

Fitting a 6970 would be very difficult

I thought there was like a whole inch of clearance after installing these cards? I was thinking of getting a 6950 in this case and from what Ive read it'll fit in there quite neatly?

Also, what fans did you replace the stock case fans with?

 

[Termie]

I thought there was like a whole inch of clearance after installing these cards? I was thinking of getting a 6950 in this case and from what Ive read it'll fit in there quite neatly?

Also, what fans did you replace the stock case fans with?

You definitely won't have an inch of clearance from the hard drive bays if you install a 6950 or 6970. That will be fine as long as you don't have any hard drives in those bays, so that the end of the graphics card can overlap the bay. My only concern would be whether one of the PCIe slots on your motherboard would line up with the structural divider between the two bays - then you'd probably hit it and wouldn't be able to fit the card. Chances are you won't have that problem. Again, though, I'd suggest a higher-end case - both of the cases you selected are very similar to the Zalman you already have.

I replaced the Antec fans with cheap coolermaster fans in the Antec 300, and in my Antec 900, I first used inexpensive but highly-rated Yate Loon fans, and recently switched to Scythe Kama Flow 2 fans, which are considerably more expensive.

 

[Termie]

OP - another post may be very helpful to you: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2155112. One of the commenters has a picture of a 6950 in an Antec 300. As you can see, it's fine as long as there are no hard drives in the upper bays. That card is not a reference model, though, so it may be slightly shorter than stock.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Have an Antec 300 case and love it, but if you are a gamer, proceed with caution. This case is roomy as hell, but still a midtower, and still is going to get cramped if you are trying to put in 2 video cards. The longer video cards WILL block off hard drive bays also. Keep that in mind.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Have an Antec 300 case and love it, but if you are a gamer, proceed with caution. This case is roomy as hell, but still a midtower, and still is going to get cramped if you are trying to put in 2 video cards. The longer video cards WILL block off hard drive bays also. Keep that in mind.

This. I had a 5770 and six drives in my 300 for a while and can't imagine being able to fit a longer video card in there without blocking off drive bays.

 

[Winston Marmaduke III]

Heh, I got 3 drives in there, and things are already cramped. Not due to the 300, but b/c my cable management skills SUCK. I'm a "God look at this mess, let me just throw this HDD in here anywhere I can get it to fit. I'll rearrange the box later" kinda guy.

I'm sure I can neatly fill all 6 bays, but that would require me completely disassembling my box and reorganizing, which I'm too lazy to do

 

[OptimumSlinky]

Good information. Thanks all. My problem with the Zalman Z7 is that it has no kind of top exhaust fan, and it also lacks the side fan that apparently became standard with the "Pro" version of the Z7 but is impossible to buy separately. Since I haven't taken apart a computer since I was 16 (ten years ago, for those wondering), I'm kind of looking for a case that I will survive multiple upgrades (I'd like to get the new PSU, install the mobo, and then hopefully not have to do it again for another 2-3 years). Might just have to step up to the full-blown HAF for the sake of future expansion.

 

[killster1]

im wondering why people even consider small cases like the cm300? smallest one i have is cm690II and i love it (for a small case that is) i run antec 1200's and lianli giant towers for the rest, have a bunch of Qpac antec tiny matx cases in garage but hate such small computers.. i guess if its a htpc and cramped space might want small one.. but at very least get cm690 imo.. got the one i have for like 40 shipped used and teh antec 1200's for about 115.. ) guess there is a antec1200 II now haha aint bought a case in a while tho thats not lianli full size