Best Case for Under $100

[danklumpp]

I don't think I like Thermaltake's cases, so that's out of the question. I would be looking for Antec, CoolerMaster, AeroCool, ect. I'd also like it to be good quality and have good airflow.

 

[Snowice]

check out my FS thread 😉

 

[scrawnypaleguy]

Try the lian-li pc-7 plus. It doesn't have all the features of the 6 plus, but it's got a 120mm fan up front and another 80mm in the rear, and i believe it has a second 80mm up top. They have it for <$100 over at newegg.com.

 

[danklumpp]

What about the Cooler Master Centurion or the Cavalier?

 

[scrawnypaleguy]

They're good too, I just don't like their looks as much as the Lian-li, and I'm not sure if they have a top blowhole like the lian-li. I myself own a Cooler Master Wave Master, it's an excellent case, you can't go wrong with those guys.

 

[danklumpp]

Just my opinion, but I like Cooler Master's looks better. If they are nearly as good of quality as Lian-Li, I might go with Cooler Master. However, I like the front 120 mm fan on the Lian-Li. Do you think that will provide much better airflow than the Cooler Master ?

 

[Deinonych]

Take a look at the Cooler Master Centurion 530. Dual 120mm fans, side CPU duct and ventilated front. Looks nice too. 🙂

NewEgg has it for $79. If you want a window in lieu of the CPU duct, it's $20 more.

 

[danklumpp]

I've heard that the front panel on the 530 is pretty cheaply made. Maybe it's not that bad, I might try it out.

 

[Deinonych]

I haven't experienced any problems with it. YMMV.

 

[danklumpp]

I'm glad you brought that up, I had looked at it earlier, and I couldn't decide. Now I'll be sure to try it. Are the 120 mm fans pretty silent and move a decent amount of air ?

 

[jdogess123]

well it depends which 120 mm fan u get. Their a great fan to move air. I have 2x 120mm and 3x 80mm. Its kinda loud but its fine because i play music and games so the speaker
cover up the sound. In my opinion i dont care how loud it is but the performance and cooling.

Their are some really nice silent 120 mm fans.
get it a www.newegg.com
I think lian-li cases are actually the best cases for air cooling.

HEY SIDEWIPE I almost have the same system AS YOU sept for the casE. (^-^)

 

[Deinonych]

Bear in mind that the 530 only ships with one fan (in the front). I can't speak to how quiet it is, because I replaced it with a Papst 120mm fan from the outset (and added a second to the rear). It's VERY quiet with those fans, and my internal case temp is 30C (room temp is ~24C). The Papst fans are rated at 18dB and each moves 26CFM. Hope that helps. 🙂

[edit] If you're interested in the Papst fans, I got them at http://www.quietpcusa.com