Favorite Case?

[It's Not Lupus]

I'm currently using a corsair 650D. It has some issues like the grill in the front fan which I cut out to eliminate noise, faulty hot swap bay, its massive size, paint that chips easily, non-standard 200mm fan depth, and price. Cable management is excellent though.

I'd have to say my favorite case is the Antec 300. It's cheap. Build quality is excellent. The size is perfect. It looks awesome. It has space for standard 120mm fans and whatnot. The only thing it lacks is better cable management. But that's not really a problem unless one has a lot of hard drives or other components.

Unfortunately the 300 two's front loses the squarish shape and looks hideous.

 

[gpse]

I had an Antec 300, great case but loud. I then got a Corsair 550D that I couldn't be happier with, very quiet, excellent cable management, etc.

 

[postmortemIA]

LianLi, cases that last more than computers and their owner.

 

[Smoblikat]

LianLi, cases that last more than computers and their owner.

They also cost more than the computers and the owners.

My Rosewill Blackhawk ultra is by far my favorite case out there, thats why I got it. I Could have chosen any case but I wanted this one specifically for is massive amount of HDD bays and awesome cable managment. Used to own an Antec 300 and if you cut a few holes theres enough room to fit a lot of cables (not the 24-pin though).

 

[ElFenix]

mine might be the define R4. fractal basically ripped off the P180, kept the subdued styling 🙂thumbsup🙂, made it cheaper in some ways (foam instead of tri-ply construction) and better in others (140mm fan mounts, coverable vents, no stupid separate power supply chamber making cabling a chore).

i don't have one though, so it might be 550D, which is similar.

 

[MoInSTL]

mine might be the define R4. fractal basically ripped off the P180, kept the subdued styling 🙂thumbsup🙂, made it cheaper in some ways (foam instead of tri-ply construction) and better in others (140mm fan mounts, coverable vents, no stupid separate power supply chamber making cabling a chore).

i don't have one though, so it might be 550D, which is similar.

I just moved from a P180 to an R4 two weeks ago and I don't they are similar at all as the R4 is acoustically superior. I think a more accurate statement is that Corsair pulled from Fractal's design.

The 550D has about half the amount of foam thickness of the R4 on the door. The R4 uses a sound dampening material and not foam except on the door. Which unlike the 550D has a place behind the door for your fingers and not stiff to open. Before I decided on a case I went to Micro Center so I could check out the R3 and 550D side-by-side. MC does not have the R4 in stock yet. The R4 has made some improvements like the ability to remove one or both drive cages more back panel room. If you can see the 550D in person I think it may be a good thing to do before paying $30 more for it. I am really liking the the built in three-setting fan controller, PSU dust filter, ease to get to front panel fans and filter, and the top panel power button and connectors on the top. I keep it below my desk so the USB ports are placed in a more convenient spot. Like the R3, one can choose Arctic White, Black Pearl or Titanium Grey. I chose the latter. I like choices.

Edit: If you have any questions about it, feel free to PM me.

 

[lakedude]

Antec Sonata, seriously.

I've got perhaps a dozen current systems and have tried several different cases and I still like the Sonata best.

The Antec 900 looks cool and has lots of nice fans but it is a compete PITA to install drives. I don't care for the way the side door goes on but at least the edges are sturdy so the door lines up properly.

The Sniper Storm is okay but it is huge and the side door is hard to get on straight. You almost have to lay the computer on its side and push the door flat to get all the stupid little clips to line up.

The LianLi is overrated IMO, poor side door design (a common problem, I despise the average side door).

Meanwhile the Sonata is quiet and I love the way the drives install. The side door hinges in front and snaps in the rear with no stupid thumb screws or alignment issues, easy peasy. Sure it ain't got the best cooling and it lacks cable management but the Sonata is just a great case, YMMV.

 

[lakedude]

Also whatever you can get the best deal on. Ultimately the case is just a box. Sometimes there is a "Shell Shocker" or "Slick Deal" on a case that make it the best case at that precise moment and time. I'll take a decent $50 case over my favorite case @ $100 every time. It ain't that big of a deal.

 

[FMX]

I love all Lian-Li cases , and all Fractal Designs. I am also fairly fond of the new Corsair cases.

Though Lian-Li almost delivers, I still feel there is a void for high end simplistic, minimal, beautiful cases - something very Apple-esque. Maybe I'm just a dreamer.

 

[Nemesis 1]

I love all Lian-Li cases , and all Fractal Designs. I am also fairly fond of the new Corsair cases.

Though Lian-Li almost delivers, I still feel there is a void for high end simplistic, minimal, beautiful cases - something very Apple-esque. Maybe I'm just a dreamer.

Lian Li was My choice for 2012. But having the best also means the most expensive . On the market today 1 case stands out for a dual loop case . It has no comp. Its just very expensive to mod into the perfect case. We have done that . Its not for the average user or even the higher end guys . These cases are for people with money that just want the best. So the mark up is high so as to keep sales low . The people who can afford them don't want the lower classes having them also. So thats who I cater to . I also vary smart . You have to buy the case and have me mod it for you. The case you order is delivered to me . In this manner I am nothing more than a guy who mods your PC for you and not a company that sells PCs . I hate the laws inforce on cooperations and small business. I put the purchase burden on the customer and simply mod it for a fee. Every piece.of hardware you buy directly yourself but I recieve the shipment. I only assemble and give you a list of what to buy. In this manner I beat the theives which is gooberment.

This is the best water cooling case made today for 2 loops . every aspect of cooling is taken into consideration for cooling including the 2 pumps and the 200 watt fan controller . 4 controllers of 50 watts each . lots of heat to get rid of and we do it.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/i...Full_Tower_Aluminum_Case_w_USB30_-_Black.html

 

[Maximilian]

My current FT02, its awesome. Antec 300 is great too, solid as hell for the price.

 

[Smoblikat]

Lian Li was My choice for 2012. But having the best also means the most expensive . On the market today 1 case stands out for a dual loop case . It has no comp. Its just very expensive to mod into the perfect case. We have done that . Its not for the average user or even the higher end guys . These cases are for people with money that just want the best. So the mark up is high so as to keep sales low . The people who can afford them don't want the lower classes having them also. So thats who I cater to . I also vary smart . You have to buy the case and have me mod it for you. The case you order is delivered to me . In this manner I am nothing more than a guy who mods your PC for you and not a company that sells PCs . I hate the laws inforce on cooperations and small business. I put the purchase burden on the customer and simply mod it for a fee. Every piece.of hardware you buy directly yourself but I recieve the shipment. I only assemble and give you a list of what to buy. In this manner I beat the theives which is gooberment.

This is the best water cooling case made today for 2 loops . every aspect of cooling is taken into consideration for cooling including the 2 pumps and the 200 watt fan controller . 4 controllers of 50 watts each . lots of heat to get rid of and we do it.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/i...Full_Tower_Aluminum_Case_w_USB30_-_Black.html

That case looks ugly as hell. Wouldnt a Xigmatek Elysium/Rosewill Blackhawk do the same thing with more room and a reasonable price?

 

[MoInSTL]

The people who can afford them don't want the lower classes having them also.

That's a bizarre comment.
:thumbsdown:

 

[postmortemIA]

That's a bizarre comment.
:thumbsdown:

it is like apple premium 😀

They also cost more than the computers and the owners.

My Rosewill Blackhawk ultra is by far my favorite case out there, thats why I got it. I Could have chosen any case but I wanted this one specifically for is massive amount of HDD bays and awesome cable managment. Used to own an Antec 300 and if you cut a few holes theres enough room to fit a lot of cables (not the 24-pin though).

your Rosewill Blackhawk ultra is more expensive than mainstream lian-li case

 

[Smoblikat]

it is like apple premium 😀



your Rosewill Blackhawk ultra is more expensive than mainstream lian-li case

The "mainstream" lian Li case is also a small midtower with no features.

The cheapest Lian Li case on newegg is 70$, it has 3 hard drive bays and room for TWO fans.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

one of my favorite all time cases was the Antec Super Lanboy

extremely lightweight and compact without having to go to mATX, relatively inexpensive, and for the time it has some pretty good airflow as well, offering a 120mm intake and exhaust which was relatively rare for the time


As far as recent case I have to give lots of credit to Silverstone for innovation and aesthetics. Two of my current cases are the FT02 (90 degree motherboard with bottom to top air flow makes so much sense and it works very well in practice) and the TJ08-E, which is yet another clever design that is mATX and flips the motherboard upside down and is cooled primarily by a single 180mm intake

But as far as overall value in terms of performance/aesthetics/cost/ease of working with, I have a lot of admiration for Fractal with my experiences working with the Arc Midi in a couple of a builds.

 

[rickon66]

Antec all the way, my last four builds Antec 900, 200, 300-2 and an older one I don't have a model number for. I would rather put the least $ in a case that just does the job with good cooling - no bling zone!

 

[VirtualLarry]

I like my Rosewill Blackhawk (the regular one, not the larger Ultra).

HOWEVER - it has a problem with the headphone jack. If you plug a stereo headphone into the jack, the plug pops out just a little bit, and you can't hear. If you pull it out a little more, it shorts the L and R together, so you can hear, but you get mono output in both ears. It's a PITA.

If they fixed this, then the case would be nearly perfect.

Oh, and I have no idea how to disassemble the top and front, in order to change out the fans if they ever fail. Unlike the Antec 300 where that is an easy job.

 

[natto fire]

As far as nostalgic and fun/total case modding, it's the InWin Q500. For practical and great out of the box look/function, I am really liking my Lian Li P50 armor suit. I had an Antec P160 for over 6 years, so that was another favorite. Just a few that stick out after 13 years and many cases worked in.

 

[richaron]

one of my favorite all time cases was the Antec Super Lanboy

extremely lightweight and compact without having to go to mATX, relatively inexpensive, and for the time it has some pretty good airflow as well, offering a 120mm intake and exhaust which was relatively rare for the time

*snip*

Dude, I have one of those bad boys running my puter right now 😀

I literally just pulled the trigger on an upgrade this weekend (Lian Li PC-v700), & waiting on some parts before I do my transplant. There were couple of annoying points with modern components, but that case lasted me 8 years whilst still giving a decent performance: da bomb.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I love the look and room of the Corsair 800D. But it had some seriously sharp edges making it painful to carry.

My favorite is my current case:

Good my "needs".

 

[crunkzilla]

My current FT02, its awesome. Antec 300 is great too, solid as hell for the price.

Currently using the black FT02 for the past 2 years and its by far the best case Ive ever used. Its the first tower case I have not been afraid to use on the floor because the filters do a good job of keeping dust out. Plus I couldnt imagine using another case that didnt have all the connections on top. Very much worth the money I spent on it.

 

[Tifosi248F1]

one of my favorite all time cases was the Antec Super Lanboy

extremely lightweight and compact without having to go to mATX, relatively inexpensive, and for the time it has some pretty good airflow as well, offering a 120mm intake and exhaust which was relatively rare for the time

Dude, I have one of those bad boys running my puter right now 😀

I've got an old P4 system running in one of those. Real nice case back in the day.


After building a system for someone using a Corsair Carbide 400R, I think those might be my favorite new cases. Plenty of room, lots of cooling options, and real nice cable management features at a solid price. And I like the basic looks. No weird bumps or notches on the front bezel like some other cases around $100, and no front door which I like. Maybe a slim window beside the side panel fan vents would give it a little bit of style while keeping it simple.

 

[nitromullet]

I love the look and room of the Corsair 800D. But it had some seriously sharp edges making it painful to carry.

My favorite is my current case:

Good my "needs".

+1

If I was still watercooling the CaseLabs would be it hands down.

The best air cooling, money no object case is the SilverStone TJ11 IMO. It's quite over priced though.

 

[danjw]

Silverstone Tejemin TJ11:

The lower chamber can hold 2 radiators, with one up to quad 140mm. It doesn't have a single rivet in it anywhere, so you can disassemble it completely. I just wish they offered it without paint.