Best all around case $100 or less

[Tifosi248F1]

The final piece of my planned build is a case, and I have no idea what to look for. It's been years since I've looked into new cases and I'm lost on price/performance. The parts going in it will be:

i5 3570k
ASRock Z77 board
650w PS
AMD 6870/6950/7850 video card
at least 4 hard drives
Hyper 212 Evo

My starting point is the Carbide 400R. I want a mid-tower or larger, preferably without a door on the front covering the drive bays (broke off the door on my current case because of where it's located) What is important to me is cooling over noise, though I don't want a jet engine either. USB 3.0 is a must, I want to be relatively future-proof with the case. Side window I can take it or leave it, it's unimportant. Aesthetics are secondary as well, though I don't particularly care for gaudy "gamer" type cases. Something understated and simple like the Antec 300 or Lian-Li cases. The HAF 922 or NZXT Phantom 410 are about as flashy as I'd care to get. I'd almost prefer not to have to buy extra fans if there's a case option that comes with more fans. I don't want to spend $100 on a case and another $30+ on fans. I don't mind going up to $105-110 if it gets me a good case and a couple better fans, I'd rather spend the extra money on a better video card.

 

[TemjinGold]

Have you looked at the ones from Fractal Design?

 

[Kenmitch]

If your thinking about Cooler Master cases or even coolers then check out the CM store for refurbs. Picked up my HAF 932 from them and it looked new when I got it.

Seems like the better deals are full tower currently.

HAF X $99 http://www.cmstore-usa.com/haf-x-bl...esh-bezel-atx-full-tower-chassis-refurbished/

HAF 932 Adv $79 http://www.cmstore-usa.com/haf-932-...l-atx-usb-3-0-full-tower-chassis-refurbished/

Hyper 212 Evo refurb $20 http://www.cmstore-usa.com/hyper-212-evo-universal-direct-contact-heat-pipe-cpu-cooler-refurbished/

 

[AustinInDallas]

I got the three hundred two for 50 bucks on sale. I had two 120s laying around that I put in the front. Even if I bought them, it would be like 20 more bucks

 

[BuckNaked]

I am getting ready to do a build very similar to yours, and just received a Fractal Design Arc Midi for $100 including shipping from NCIX....

I am very impressed with the case, and thats coming from someone who is upgrading from an older Lian Li case...

Edit:

After you decide, I would like to hear what you went with and your opinion of whatever case you decide on...

 

[crazymonkeyzero]

To name a few good cases less than $100


Antec Ninehundred
CM HafX
NZXT Phantom (as you mentioned)


Fractal design arc midi is very good, but is currently $110, but is on sale sometimes. If you can snag it for 99$ or less I would recommend.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

To name a few good cases less than $100


Antec Ninehundred
CM HafX
NZXT Phantom (as you mentioned)


Fractal design arc midi is very good, but is currently $110, but is on sale sometimes. If you can snag it for 99$ or less I would recommend.

With mild residual interest in the Thermaltake Level 10 design, I don't spend money on high-end cases anymore. All-aluminum provides more for show and less bang-for-buck cooling. I also pick cases that make any desired modding easy -- in context of the sorts of mods I might make (as opposed to what others would do.).

So the CM HAF midtower fills the bill. High-airflow; fewer number of fans; plenty of room for practical needs. It's cheap. And -- with only a little work, a screw-tap kit and a few dollars in 1/4" x 2" x 12" aluminum bars from the metal supply, I can mount two-inch double caster wheels on it without cutting or drilling the case itself.

They could do a little better designing the case panels. They can bow outward before they're properly in place -- requiring all hands to seat them properly.

 

[piasabird]

Antec 300 case is nice but if you want good cable routing you might have to look around. Some people prefer windows on the side or something like the black coating on the inside of the case which is kind of popular lately. Personally I like a case that is that silver metallic color, because it reflects light.

I like the Antec 300/302. It cools nice and it is large enough inside. It is large and on the heavy side but it has good cooling and enough fans. I purchased one with just the two fans on the top and back, that came with an Antec Basiq power supply. I am not into gaming or overclocking.

I think Antec 300 is a good basic case for the money. You can put a lot of drives in this case if that is what you want to do. I purchased it because it was on sale and came with a good power supply. I did not need a case this large. Sometimes smaller is more expensive.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

NZXT H2? Fractal R3/R4?

 

[Rvenger]

How about the Antec 1100.

 

[DSF]

It's just slightly above your budget, but the Fractal Design R4 looks to be a great case. Same basic design as the R3, but it addresses some of the issues from the R3 that people weren't happy with.

 

[Tifosi248F1]

Being over $100 is a strike against the Fractal cases, having a door pretty much takes them out of the running as I can get something relatively close in looks and performance that fits what I'm looking for. I'm probably just going to get the 400R because it's showing as a combo with the Corsair power supply, knocking $18 off the pair.

 

[Gorrillasnot]

Corsair Carbide Series 300R with side window $79.99 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139016

Corsair Carbide Series 300R without side window $59.99 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139011

Edit: oops! just re-read your original post about the 400R being your starting point. However I still think the no bling $60 300r is a good bang for the buck.

 

[nyker96]

if you want something that just comes w/ all fans i'd say haf922, or if you don't mind add a few cheap yate loons, then get the carbide 300R. both excellent. also if you want more silence, then the fractal R4 is an excellent case although i believe it's retailed at 109, kinda more expensive. still it's got nice balance between cooling and noise level.

 

[BuckNaked]

Being over $100 is a strike against the Fractal cases, having a door pretty much takes them out of the running as I can get something relatively close in looks and performance that fits what I'm looking for. I'm probably just going to get the 400R because it's showing as a combo with the Corsair power supply, knocking $18 off the pair.

The Fractal Design Arc Midi doesn't have a door...

 

[kalrith]

I picked up the Antec P280 when it was on sale for $80 AR. I think it's a really nice case. It seems to go for that price every 2-4 weeks if you don't mind waiting for a deal.

It does have a front door, so that might rule it out for you. It comes with 3 120mm fans. I moved them around to have two front intake and one rear exhaust. There are two top exhaust slots that I don't use. I have an i5 2500k at 4.3 GHz and 4870 at 800 MHz with no heat problems. I use a Hyper 212+, and I don't think the CPU ever hits 60°.

 

[weez82]

$70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147161 I have this case and love it. It's clean looking, has removable front and top dust filters, quite, cools well, usb3, fan controller, easy wire management, tons of hd space, solid build quality, I can go on and on about this case. And it's only $70. Rosewill makes solid cases (ive used 3 different rosewill cases and all have been great). Well worth looking into