Cases: Shortlisting: Down to 5!

[imported_Acrobat]

Hi,

I currently own a Thermaltake Tsunami Dream case and I`m seeking on replacing it with something better. My main issue with the Tsunami case is that its too small to accommodate long graphic cards. The end of my card obstructs access to the HD rack. I definitely don't want to face such issues again so I want my next case to be big and well designed. Other things I`m after are good airflow and yet not noisy, some decent form of cable management system as I`m very untidy and it must look nice and have a quality feel about it.

PS. I`m twice as old as your average teenager so I don't need 100 fans and flashing LEDs, i also don't intend using any watercooling.

I`ve somewhat narrowed my options to the following:

CoolerMaster Stacker 830 or 831
CoolerMaster RC-1100 Cosmos
Thermaltake Armour +
CollerMaster HAF 932
Silverstone Raven RV01

Any opinions on what may be best? Or any other options I should be considering?

 

[Tullphan]

Have you seen any of those cases in person?
I've learned the hard way that one cannot depend on reviews, etc. when it comes to choosing a case. What works well for them might not work well for you...what they like in appearance & build you may not like.
Here's a Cosmos S 1000 (albeit refurbished) for $119 + ~$20 shipping.
Here's a Stacker 830 w/TX-2 cooler for $99 + ~$20 shipping. Be advised it's a silver case, if that matters to you.
The HAF 932 seems to be getting alot of positive reviews around here. I had a Sniper (still do, just collecting dust now) & I must say it was a joy to put a new build in w/the wire management & all. I just still prefer my LL V1000B because of its' looks & quality of build.
In the end, you can read reviews & opinions till you get a headache. Just pick out something that you really like.

 

[NYHoustonman]

You're looking at the RV01; have you considered the RV02? I've built a rig for a friend in one and it ended up working out well enough that I'm basing my next build around the case . It's solidly built, although I would rather have an all-metal exterior, and the airflow is just about unmatched in the reviews I've read.
There's the FT02, which has the same layout but is more conservative, but that still isn't confirmed and may have been pushed back until November.

 

[imported_Acrobat]

Thanks for your replies. I`m from Malta, an island in the Mediterranean and for something as heavy as a case I`m in practice limited to what I find from local retailers since the shipping costs on such a heavy case would be prohibitive. Thats teh reason why I`m just looking at the RV01 and not the RV02. Another option is the Antec 1200, but from what I read it seems that cable management is pretty bad for that case.

I`ve also still got to go and look at the cases in person; but are there any you think I should avoid? Or any which despite being Full ATX may be very tight in fitting long video cards or 4-5 hard drives?

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
You're looking at the RV01; have you considered the RV02? I've built a rig for a friend in one and it ended up working out well enough that I'm basing my next build around the case . It's solidly built, although I would rather have an all-metal exterior, and the airflow is just about unmatched in the reviews I've read.
There's the FT02, which has the same layout but is more conservative, but that still isn't confirmed and may have been pushed back until November.

Yes FT02 ETA is mid November according to a Silverstone rep.
The RV02 is excellent and cooling is much better than RV01.
My biggest gripe with the RV02 is the placement and ease of (accidental) actuation of both power and reset switches! I cannot even tell you how many times I've accidentally RESET the system when putting the top cover on or just leaning on the machine! :|

Outside of that, stock cooling, noise level, and cable management are superb. There's 70mm of clearance for connectors so that's fine as long as you're not using any DVI-D15 adapters, etc. The RV01 would have this same issue.

 

[NYHoustonman]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: NYHoustonman
You're looking at the RV01; have you considered the RV02? I've built a rig for a friend in one and it ended up working out well enough that I'm basing my next build around the case . It's solidly built, although I would rather have an all-metal exterior, and the airflow is just about unmatched in the reviews I've read.
There's the FT02, which has the same layout but is more conservative, but that still isn't confirmed and may have been pushed back until November.

Yes FT02 ETA is mid November according to a Silverstone rep.
The RV02 is excellent and cooling is much better than RV01.
My biggest gripe with the RV02 is the placement and ease of (accidental) actuation of both power and reset switches! I cannot even tell you how many times I've accidentally RESET the system when putting the top cover on or just leaning on the machine! :|

Outside of that, stock cooling, noise level, and cable management are superb. There's 70mm of clearance for connectors so that's fine as long as you're not using any DVI-D15 adapters, etc. The RV01 would have this same issue.

I restarted the system during Windows install, by accident, a good 4 - 5 times while building my friend's PC . That is actually my biggest problem with the case as well. He was using a VGA-only monitor as well, so we experienced the DVI-VGA adapter issue - but he's since upgraded to a 2209WA.

I really wanted to wait for the FT02, but with the delays and the 5870 launch, I couldn't wait anymore, will be building my rig over the weekend . If it looks like enough of an improvement, I may switch over when it's released, though.

Come to think of it, maybe I just won't plug in the reset button - I'll never use it, anyway...