Cooler Master vs. Antec vs. Raidmax case???

[Loki1]

Hi, I'm basically building a low budget computer that I'll be using at college so it'll be used for some light picture and sound editing, maybe some Counterstrike/Guild Wars and lastly ... schoolwork. Right now I'm trying to buy one of three cases off newegg that fit my budget and I think will last me 4-5 years down the line. I am stuck at choosing just one out of three brands of cases - I have done as much research on all of them as I can, two of the cases seem to be new releases because I could not find any reviews on them, so could anyone give me some suggestions? Thanx:

Case 1: Cooler Master Centurion 5
Pros: Nice styling, good company, able to select my own PSU, tool-less
Cons: Hard to pull off front bezel, lot of dispute about how well the case cooling is (1 120mm rear fan, 1 80mm intake fan, side panel + exhaust tunnel) supposdly the case cools even better b/c air can pass easily through the front mesh and air is pulled in through the front by the rear 120mm fan??? sounds fishy

Case 2: Antec Solution SLK3000-B
Pros: Again nice black case, solid built, good company rep, able to select own PSU, front and rear 120mm fans
Cons: Cheap front panel, no information about how actual cooling is - I am skeptical about just having two fans in the case, if I intend to upgrade my components (maybe more game-oriented) in the future I want to keep the case but I might need additional cooling options which might make me buy a whole new case

Case 3: Raidmax Horizon
Pros: 2 80mm rear, 1 120mm front intake, 1 80mm side panel w/ wind tunnel, I don't have to worry about cooling for sure although REALLY Noisy which doesn't bother me much since I have music on usually, Raidmax = solid company, premoded gaming rig so in case I want to get into more gamin i can jus stick w/ this case + fulfills school needs, looks nice
Cons: No reviews, no idea on quality or how long everything will last, might have to replace PSU

Thats it! ANY suggestions welcome, if you have other cases out there that are $30-50 and are good for a first build lemme know! - At the moment, I'm leaning most toward the Raidmax because of its cooling options, but the Antec is not far behind, Cooler Master ... .... dunno

 

[n7]

Welcome to the forums.

I would stay far away from Raidmax's PSUs.
If you really want their case...go for it. But get a better PSU.

Cases are something i feel is a personal preference, so i won't tell you to get one or the other (though i do like my expensive - but nice - TT Soprano )
Do get a good PSU though. Enermax, Antec, OCZ, Fortron, Seasonic...likely forgetting some good ones there, but there's some ideas.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

I'd stick with the Raidmax Horizon (or Coolermaster Centurion) and go with an OCZ Modstream 450/Fortron BleuStorm 500W.

-TPG

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Case 3: Raidmax Horizon
Pros: 2 80mm rear, 1 120mm front intake, 1 80mm side panel w/ wind tunnel, I don't have to worry about cooling for sure although REALLY Noisy which doesn't bother me much since I have music on usually, Raidmax = solid company, premoded gaming rig so in case I want to get into more gamin i can jus stick w/ this case + fulfills school needs, looks nice
Cons: No reviews, no idea on quality or how long everything will last, might have to replace PSU

Specs don't agree with you .
Cooling System
80mm Fans 1
Side Air duct Yes

-TPG

 

[Loki1]

Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Specs don't agree with you .
Cooling System
80mm Fans 1
Side Air duct Yes

-TPG

Lol, i think you might have just looked at newegg. I actually emailed Raidmax for the specs and the ones I posted are correct .

 

[suicidalpigeon]

since you're on a budget, xclio and fsp fortron has 450w models for around $50.

 

[hans007]

i think the coolermaster probably looks the most i dont know, expensive of those 3. or maybe i'm just tired of the old antec look. i think the centurion front is partly aluminum so thats somewhat nice.

i may be biased though since i have a wavemaster. the raidmax (well all their cases really) seem a little cheaply built.

 

[Loki1]

Do you guys think that a front 120mm front fan + 120mm rear fan + possible 80mm side fan is good enough cooling for a (maybe later on) gaming case? I could always try drilling more fan ports but I have never done it before. Thanx

 

[Lazien]

It's much more expansive but this case rocks. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119042
I use it now and the cooling capabilities are top notch

 

[Supershanks]

Centurian 530 - Poor Man's Stacker Cheap Looks good cool.

 

[Loki1]

I like the Centurian 530, do you know if it's possible to add a fan where the side air port is?

 

[jfrog]

The Centurion 530 looks like a good case.

That said, if it were my case, I'd definetly cut out the front fan grill and maybe even the rear grill.

Those rear fan grilles on that Raidmax are just horrible and very restrictive...why can't case manafacturers just use wire grilles instead of stamped grilles?

 

[l Xes l]

im in for either centurion 5 or 530.. i own a 5 personally.. (see sig pics)... it's got good quality.. tool free.. good ventilation... and looks about 500 times better than other ones u mentioned.. i couldn't ask for more..