Been looking for a suitable ATX PC case, need help...

[skywalkerluk]

Hi all,
I have been choosing between a variety of PC cases but could not come up with a conclusion. Cases I have considered more seriously include: Antec P380, Corsair Obsidian 750D, Corsair Graphite 760T/780T, NZXT H440. My needs / preferences are listed as follows:

Need:
1. Favourable for positive air pressure, good cooling, keeps internal dust-free
2. Luxuriously/Aesthetically Pleasing, aluminum/steel external/internals preferred
3. Has side window
4. Fits ATX Motherboard
5. Flat top
6. Dust filters present for every opening without outward airflow
7. Easily removed dust filters for cleaning
8. Moving drives do not vibrate the whole system.

Optional & Preferred:
1. Hidden Slim optical drive or optical drive
2. Tool-less screw design for convenient modifications

Would anyone be so kind to provide me one or more of the following:
(a) Comment on cases I have mentioned myself (good/bad...)
(b) Recommend other cases that satisfy the above needs/preferences
(c) List any other cases with slim optical drive bay (hidden or not)

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[lehtv]

All of those are quite good, but expensive. My first thought reading that list of requirements was Phanteks Enthoo Pro M which is just $75, but it does need a couple more fans. Define R5 Window also came to mind.

Antec cases are typically designed for negative pressure but I'm sure you could make positive pressure work as well. P380 is externally beautiful but internally a little dated IMO. Those Corsair cases have a newer modular drive cage design.

As for the NZXT, I'm not sure. I've heard the window scratches easily, but that may be true for most other windowed cases as well since almost all use acrylic.

I don't know of any ATX tower case that comes with a slim optical drive bay. There are adapters for that sort of thing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=slim_drive_adapter-_-17-997-041-_-Product

 

[squirrel dog]

Phanteks Evolv atx . Built high atop the Netherlands by trolls(Mountain Kings) with a hefty wait time of 6~8 weeks this case is all that . http://www.amazon.com/Phanteks-Enth...=1445090882&sr=1-21&refinements=p_89:Phanteks

 

[smitbret]

You forgot your two best options:

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r5-black-window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...352049&cm_re=define_r5-_-11-352-049-_-Product

http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r4-black-pearl-window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...352021&cm_re=define_r4-_-11-352-021-_-Product

 

[skywalkerluk]

@laetv:
Agreed on Antec being designed for negative pressure and have old internals.... there are just too few cases out there that looks as good as Antec P380.... and with a hidden ODD.... such a pity...

@laetv & smitbret:
Yes, I forgot to include F.D. Define R5 Window into the poll... it does have almost all characteristics I'm looking for, except for probably looks (but that's subjective). For R5, which fan placement is better, [front-in*2 rear-out*1], or [front-in*1 + bottom-in*1 + rear-out*1??]

@laetv & squirrel dog
I personally like a lot of Phanteks cases, but those are not easily accessible in my country (no dealers/agency in Taiwan). Thanks for those recommendations!

 

[smitbret]

@laetv:
Agreed on Antec being designed for negative pressure and have old internals.... there are just too few cases out there that looks as good as Antec P380.... and with a hidden ODD.... such a pity...

@laetv & smitbret:
Yes, I forgot to include F.D. Define R5 Window into the poll... it does have almost all characteristics I'm looking for, except for probably looks (but that's subjective). For R5, which fan placement is better, [front-in*2 rear-out*1], or [front-in*1 + bottom-in*1 + rear-out*1??]

@laetv & squirrel dog
I personally like a lot of Phanteks cases, but those are not easily accessible in my country (no dealers/agency in Taiwan). Thanks for those recommendations!

My server is an R4 but the thermal designs are almost identical. I have 2xFront-in/1xRear-out. I have left all other vents covered. I don't remember if the bottom vents into the case or just into the PSU but regardless the dust and noise control is great. Heat has never been a problem with 9 HDDs, a passively cooled 25W GPU and a CPU that is TDP 125W.

 

[WoodButcher]

6. Dust filters present for every opening without outward airflow.

I haven't been around for awhile I guess.
Now we use the PC to filter the air in the room?

 

[lehtv]

For R5, which fan placement is better, [front-in*2 rear-out*1], or [front-in*1 + bottom-in*1 + rear-out*1??]

Upper front in - drive cage removed, supplies cool air directly to GPU and CPU

Lower front in - cools hard disk(s) and makes sure you have positive pressure. If you only use an SSD, you might as well remove the lower cage or install the fan on the floor.

 

[smitbret]

I have an SSD for the OS and a 2.5" spinner that I use for a cache drive that are mounted to the back of the motherboard tray and neither one has ever gotten over 40c degrees.