Best case under (or around) $50-$75?

[dafoomie]

I'm looking for the best case I can get in the $50-$75 range and under. It doesn't need a PSU, but it needs either 2 120mm fans (front and back) or one of those hugeass fans like on the Antec 900. It also needs to fit a huge heatsink, such as a Tuniq Tower. I've got an Antec SLK-1650 for another project, but if thats better than my other options I'll just use it.

What I've found so far:
Rosewill 560x series $50+$17
Rosewill 6A series $50
Thermaltake Matrix VD2000BNS $48+$13
Thermaltake Soprano VX VD6000BNS $54+$16
Cooler Master Elite RC-330 $40+$15
Cooler Master Centurion 531 or 534 $30/$35+$15
Cooler Master Mystique 631 $45
Enermax Chakra $70
Enermax Pandora 185 $52+20
Enermax Phoenix $80
HEC 6AR6 $39+$17

Any other suggestions? Which one would you recommend?

 

[Zepper]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1894534&enterthread=y

I also have a source for a case that is identical to the Kingwin KT-424 series which I consider one of the best of all time. It isn't for general publication as there are probably very few left and I don't want them gone due to the AT effect. I also have a way around the small rear fan without cutting too much. If you're interested, PM me. There are only siver w/o window and black w/ window left. Whether it will fit a huge tower HSF is an open question (the case is 8-1/8" wide but some of that gets eaten up by the slide-out mobo drawer), though a good radial-fin HSF will work nearly as well w/o needing all that space.

And here is a review of the KT-424.

.bh.

 

[dafoomie]

You've got a PM.

I'll have to be more diligent about these rebadged cases in the future, certainly looks like there are deals to be had that are flying under the radar.

 

[Zepper]

Too bad you missed the sale on those Rosewill cases - they are excellent too. The sale (free shipping) is still going on on the R6A series which is also a nice case (same as the Antec SLK-3000B but look better, IMO - can be had w/ or w/o door).

And I should mention that the Kingwin case probably won't be able to handle one of those long video cards like the 8800. It may be possible if you only use the very bottom bays for your HDDs but no guarantees. Personally I have no use for such video cards...

The R5601/5604 have 11" of card space - I own an R5604. I have a review of it here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ in the Cases section.

.bh.

 

[dafoomie]

The video card length is not an issue, though I was hoping to squeeze a Scythe Mine in there.

Those 560s look very interesting, though I might wait on a sale if I go in that direction.

 

[SparkyJJO]

This rosewill is pretty nice at $48 with free shipping. Even has rubber mounting for the HDs. Looks like it is based off one of those Antec cases (I can't remember the model).

 

[RallyMaster]

I think it's the Antec SLK3000B?

 

[Zepper]

dafoo...,
You have PM!

.bh.

 

[paydirt]

I'm a big fan of the Rosewill R604-P ATX Mid Tower Case. $43 (including shipping). 120mm front/rear/GPU vent fan mounts. I run one or two high-end graphics cards in those cases though.

 

[Fiat1]

Here is the P-180 for $79.00 after rebate.

 

[50cent1228]

i say if you want a good quality case for cooling your pc...spend the extra cash and get this!link...u won't regret it..this is an awesome case...i highly recommend it

 

[dafoomie]

The airflow on the 900 is almost unmatched, 4 120mm fans and a 200mm fan. Its a little more than I wanted to spend, but cooling is one of my top priorities, so its getting ample consideration.

 

[Zepper]

There are several places doing better on the 900 than Newegg - at least one much better. You can almost always beat Newegg for Antec.

.bh.

 

[Fiat1]

The antec 900 has been as low as $59.00 after rebate at Fry's.com if you can wait. It will come around again. If not jump on the P-180 for $79.00 after rebate on sale now at Fry's. Get black as they are rev. 1.1.

 

[Zepper]

If I can't convince you to save money for something else and grab my R5604, then Froogle will find the best deal on the 900 with no problem - from a good reseller too.

.bh.

 

[dafoomie]

I know Provantage has a decent deal, but they have a shipping surcharge to MA.

I was actually hoping for something closer to the $50 range to leave money for a heatsink, but I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll stick with my SLK-1650 for a little while longer

 

[Frintin]

Just got a Rosewill 5604 and I am liking it a lot. Still a couple free shipping Rosewill's on Newegg too (might be single 120mm fan in back though.) You are basically getting Antec like case design and fantastic quality for the cheap! Pick out a Rosewill case with a style you like and buy a fan for the front and get busy with a bargain!

Personally I am not an Antec fan, and would have to see $50 prices on them to even consider them...but that is just me.