Antec DF-85 vs Antec Twelve Hundred?

[MrMuppet]

First of all, I'm going to put it in the closet (and drill a cable hole in the wall), so looks won't matter and noise will be less of a concern (still shouldn't be extremely loud).

Needs:
a) Roomy case with at least eight (8) 3.5" HDD bays.
b) Long graphics cards should fit (while using eight HDDs)
c) Preferably my 210mm long Zalman ZM850-HP PSU should fit. (Worst case I can use my Corsair TX750W.)
d) Good cooling of course.

Budget: Flexible, but preferably bang for the buck. While spending more is fine if it can be used for many generations, I do not want to pay extra for looks though. I live in Sweden, if it matters.


The following Antec cases have caught my eye so far:

• Antec Twelve Hundred : 582 mm (H) x 213 mm (W) x 513 mm (D)
  
• Antec DF-85 : 596mm (H) x 213mm (W) x 505mm (D)

But what's the difference (other than looks), really? The DF-85 seems to provide slightly better cooling than the 1200, but both perform well. See the charts here.

I've been told elsewhere that even 220mm long PSUs fit in the 1200, is this true? Then my ZM850-HP should fit in both, no? I'm open to other options as well, as long as they're up to the task.

What are your thoughts? Which would you recommend?

Thanks!

Other hardware
Bought: cpu: Intel Core i5 3570k | gfx: Palit GeForce GTX 670 2GB
Planned: mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 | ram: Crucial BallistiX Sport 2x8GB DDR3 1600MHz | ssd: Crucial m4 or Samsung 830 256GB
Probably: Seagate Barracuda 3TB (64MB / 7200RPM)
Reuse: psu: Zalman ZM850-HP | psu: Corsair TX750W | 5x HDD | Creative X-Fi Elite Pro (PCI) | Intel NIC (PCIe)​

 

[an1sh]

I'd recommend Rosewill Thor V2
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...96&PID=3938566

Fairly recent, and has better build quality

But if I were to choose between your option, I'd go for DF85

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Cases are all about preference and your style. You like it, you get it

 

[Raswan]

Either one is fine. I like the looks of the DF a little better.

 

[SheHateMe]

I have a 1200, I like this case better. However, its really heavy when you put all your stuff in it. I think this is a positive thing because I know my stuff is protected in there. Don't drop it on your foot!

The air flow is AWESOME too!

 

[Maximilian]

1200 is an old design although its still a decent case.
DF series is fugly as hell and possibly discontinued as im not seeing them in stock as much in the UK, could be wrong though.

Have you checked out the antec 1100? Its newer and may fit your needs.

 

[SheHateMe]

Antec 1200 isnt really that old. Its not tool-less or anything but its built like a tank and pushes crazy air. I bought the case a few years ago and they JUST changed it to add a Motherboard window and a USB 3.0 slot. Thats about it though. I think its still a great case for the prize and it has very good dust management.

I've retired the case and now its just collecting dust. I'm trying to get rid of it. Maybe I can sell it here, but its a bitch to ship lol.