Best pick mid/full tower case under $120?

[Fallengod]

Trying to decide on a good case to get to replace my Antec P180.

If you were going to pick a mid or full tower case $120, which would it be?

 

[UsandThem]

Cases are such personal choices as some people like plain-looking ones, some like them glowing like the Northern Lights, and some likes ones that look like a Transformer

However, I am in plain-looking camp, and I recommend reading some reviews on the Fractal Design R5. Great case.

 

[Fallengod]

That is definitely true. I just wanted to get some random peoples opinions on what they would pick.

I like simple, not flashy. Decent airflow because it is for light gaming, but dont do much of that anymore and like silence as well with good functionality. I am just having a hard time narrowing down a case because there are so many cases that are in the range of what I am looking for and which are recommended.

Heres my list thus far of what I started to consider:

Antec P100 ($65AR)
Fractal Design Define R5 (On sale for $70 on newegg right now)
Phanteks Enthoo Pro Full Tower Chassis with Window Cases PH-ES614P_BK ($80AC)
Corsair Obsidian Series 750D Performance Full Tower Case ($100)
Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-01 Mid Tower Gaming Case ($40AR)
Corsair Carbide Series 100R Silent Edition Quiet Mid Tower Case ($40AR)

 

[UsandThem]

All of those can be good choices depending on your needs, but some of them have some potential drawbacks like the Spec-01.

For example, it doesn't have sound-deadening material, has one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 connection on the front, only has mounting for 120mm fans, only comes with one 120mm fan, and the top remains open (no removable covers if not used) like the higher-end cases on the list.

Things like accommodating 140mm fans, included fans, easily removable filters, and sound-deadening material is important to me. So that's why I chose the R5. Plus, I paid $90 for it a year ago, and $70 is a steal in my opinion.

 

[Fallengod]

Yeah, Fractal is pretty highly rated. I almost pulled the trigger but I have only done minimal shopping around so just wanted to look a little bit. Its hard to beat at $70AC probably.

The Phanteks is pretty highly reviewed too, and it would be a larger case for me for the future. So I have been looking at that one as well.

 

[UsandThem]

Yeah, Fractal is pretty highly rated. I almost pulled the trigger but I have only done minimal shopping around so just wanted to look a little bit. Its hard to beat at $70AC probably.

The Phanteks is pretty highly reviewed too, and it would be a larger case for me for the future. So I have been looking at that one as well.

I don't have any hands on experience with the Phantek, but I did read several reviews on it before making my decision.

The R5 is a pretty substantial case as well. Anandtech has a pretty detailed review on the R5, Phantek, and the 750D. They cover the pros and cons of each case pretty well, and you really can't make a 'bad' choice between those three cases. They are all on the bigger side and have good cooling.

 

[Fallengod]

I don't have any hands on experience with the Phantek, but I did read several reviews on it before making my decision.

The R5 is a pretty substantial case as well. Anandtech has a pretty detailed review on the R5, Phantek, and the 750D. They cover the pros and cons of each case pretty well, and you really can't make a 'bad' choice between those three cases. They are all on the bigger side and have good cooling.

Those are probably my top (3) choices right now. I was considering more expensive cases, but honestly it just starts giving more options to consider and making a decision harder. And not to make things more difficult on myself, the Fractal R5 sale at $70 ends today lol.

This entire decision is based on wanting to get a new g-sync or freesync monitor and my Antec P180 just cant fit a video card over 8" long. So I was deciding between freesync(AMD) or g-sync(Nvidia). G-sync more expensive but the video cards would be shorter possibly and use less power. Freesync monitors are cheaper by a good $100, but AMD use more power and do not really have "mini" or short models to fit in my Antec P180. So If I went G-sync, I probably wouldnt need a new case, but I figured it was just time to upgrade anyways. I loved my P180 but honestly it is kind of outdated with the layout and functionality.

Thanks for the input anyways.

 

[Valantar]

Considering your P180 was one of the first truly quiet cases (as in properly insulated against noise), I'd strike anything without sound dampening from my list if I were you. I have the Fractal R4, and I'm really pissed I bought it a few months before the R5 launched - it fixes quite a few nagging annoyances with the R4. But all in all, great cases.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I am running out of compelling reasons to buy anything that isn't made by Fractal Design.

 

[aigomorla]

I am running out of compelling reasons to buy anything that isn't made by Fractal Design.

Phanteks Enthoo are pretty hardcore... im actually eyeing the tempered glass one

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Just visiting the thread. The one constant economy most noticeable in my enthusiast budget is a very infrequent purchase of a new case.

I've got a drill. I've got cutting tools of various kinds. I have a tap and die kit for various sizes of machine screws. I have a bin full of 6-32 and other sizes big enough that I just don't bother sorting through it anymore.

the latest case I bought was a Corsair Vengeance C70 in the charcoal black. It's got a window -- which I may or may not replace. You could probably fit a 240mm radiator in front, and a 240mm radiator on top. Everything else as a unit has been re-installed to that case -- ready-to-run. I'll get to it.

But it's only one type of case among several I can see as having great potential in either of two directions, or in a hybrid direction in between.

I'll window-shop your Enthoo and other mentions and have a closer look. I probably eye-balled it once before -- I just don't remember. It was supposed to be a popular and functional case.

I'll just say -- what it looks like as opposed to what it does in various measures has different importance for this or that enthusiast with this or that set of ideas.

AFTER: That case could tempt someone who only wanted to spend $140 -- to spend the ~$240 for certain features. There are two fan ports of equal size on the rear panel. That may or may not wick your willie for water-cooling, and I'd have to think about it some more. But the Duckt-ster would really like to have that second fan vent.

Maybe in a couple or three years -- I'll see what I can see in that time.

 

[Fallengod]

Anyways. I went ahead and purchased the Fractal Design R5. It has kinda the stuff I am looking for and was only $75 after tax. I will try it out. I can always return it if I so desired if it doesnt work out. I just need a day off so I can actually mess with it. Its still sitting in the box...

I was really torn between like 3 other cases, but its hard finding cases that have good sound dampening and configurable for good airflow etc, and dont cost over $100.

I definitely liked the Corsair 750D and the Phantek Enthoo Pro. Couple NZXT cases I thought were cool too.