Can't find the right case

[guru007]

I am looking for that perfect case, though such thing may not exist, for my new build. So far no luck. may be you folks can help me out.

before I talk about the case I want, let me tell you what it will house. It will house either 3570K or 3770K with a mid range or a high end (6+6 pin) GPU. Most likely the GPU will be 7870. I intend to moderately overclock both CPU and GPU on the air.

Now about the case:

-- Must have clean looks, like what Bit Fenix or Lian Li offer.

-- I don't want slots for top fan mount. I am very particular about it. The reason is that the place i live in it gets pretty dusty in summers. I want as few as possible fan mounts (without affecting cooling too much). This means I just want two fans in front and one or two in the back.

-- Front panel USB 3.0 is nice to have though not must.

-- If possible, I don't want plastic anywhere in the case. If it has to be there, it should be very sturdy and finishing must not feel cheap.

-- I don't need transparent side panel.

-- In general I need a case that feels sturdy (no rattling or flimsy sheet anywhere) and has clean, compact look.

Now there are two cases I am eying. One is Lian Li PC-A70F and the other is Lancool PC-K9X. The lancool one feels too expensive for what it has. Also I have no idea about its build quality and finishing.

Lian Li PC-A70F seems ideal but again is bit on the expensive side. Also, I have no idea about its built quality. Not in terms of finishing because Lian Li finishing is good but it terms of how sturdy it is. If somebody here has the case please pitch in.

I have heard that steel cases are generally sturdier than aluminum ones

Any suggestions? And yes, I will not spend more than $200 on case.

 

[lehtv]

Sounds like a Corsair 550D. It fits all the criteria you listed including number of fans, and as an added bonus it is noise insulated.

 

[guru007]

Sounds like a Corsair 550D. It fits all the criteria you listed including number of fans, and as an added bonus it is noise insulated.

I am definitely considering 550D but I haven't seen one in actual. And from Youtube videos, its build quality, apart from the hinged door, looks mediocre.

550D owners can you please comment on the build quality and finish?

Just for an idea, currently I have CM690 and I don't like its build quality.

I am also concerned about with the fact that 550D fared rather poorly in Bit Tech's temperature testing. (I forgot to add earlier that it also gets quite hot in my place. In summer room temps in mid 30s are common).

I know I am looking for something unique: A case that doesn't have too many fans and vents and yet has reasonable airflow... may be somewhere, there is a case that can match my requirements :\

 

[CurseTheSky]

Obligatory TJ07 recommendation.

Too bad the case is rather outdated feature wise, and quite expensive. It's still one of my favorite looking cases of all time.

 

[guru007]

Obligatory TJ07 recommendation.

too expensive, man

 

[bleucharm28]

im selling my used TJ07 on ebay. Starting bid is $75.00, but shipping is expensive as hell. $90

 

[guru007]

^^ thanks. But with shipping it is going to be too expensive. And anyways I am looking to get a new case...

So fa no luck finding exactly what I want. But PC A70F looks like it... if somebody owns one, can you comment on its build quality. In terms of how strong it feels and if there is any rattling or not.