Help me decide on a new case, I'm eyeing the In Win 904 Plus

[phobostau]

This will be my (lost count) PC build. Currently my main gaming PC is in a rackmount Lian Li 4U, and my powerstation (video/photo/coding) is in a P280. But I will be building out a new office and re-combining my powerstation and gamestation into a single new build.

I currently have one build in an Antec P180 (amazing case), and another in the P280 (disappointing build quality compared to P180, but superior component/cable management). The new P380 is a huge let-down for my applications, full tower is too big and there's no 5.25" bay -- so that legacy has come to an end for me.

I currently have the In Win 904 Plus sitting at the top of my list; its fantastic build quality and glass window are gorgeous, but it is a very difficult case to get. Newegg seems to be the only USA vendor. I want to have more than one choice, so please recommend some alternative options!

My spec goals:

• Mid Tower
• Quiet
• Budget is $150 - 300
• At least one 5.25" bay
• Multiple USB 3.0
• Extremely nice build quality, the less plastic the better
• Glass and aluminum construction preferred
• NOT an ugly plastic Transformer looking gaming PC
• Windows are in again, so I'm cool with a window, but it must be glass not plastic/lexan
• I won't have a high heat load, and I probably won't overclock
• There's a small chance I might go liquid cooling, support would be nice

 

[Yuriman]

What's going inside it? How many hard drives (2.5", 3.5")? mATX or ATX?

 

[phobostau]

What's going inside it? How many hard drives (2.5", 3.5")? mATX or ATX?

ATX

One 2.5" and one 3.5" drive. My main storage/backups are in rackmount servers.

 

[naddicott]

I just finished a build with a Fractal Design R5 - there are variants with windows. Definitely fits the bill for quiet (I found it when researching for a modern update of the p183 - someone described the Fractal cases as the "spiritual successors" or "what the 180 line should have become if Antec hadn't gotten lazy"). The two included fans are plenty quiet and I got a 3rd of the same model so everything would match.

The R5 has two USB 3.0 ports on the front panel.

Enjoyed being able to remove extra drive bays I wasn't using for better airflow. Lots of room to stash cables behind, the Velcro "zip ties" for cable management are nice. Lots of places for fans / water cooling, but if you don't want a fan in a spot it comes covered by default. Dust filters very easy to access/remove for cleaning.

Maybe more plastic than you'd like, but it checks most of the other boxes. Definitely not a gaudy "transformers" look.

 

[phobostau]

I just finished a build with a Fractal Design R5 - there are variants with windows. Definitely fits the bill for quiet (I found it when researching for a modern update of the p183 - someone described the Fractal cases as the "spiritual successors" or "what the 180 line should have become if Antec hadn't gotten lazy"). The two included fans are plenty quiet and I got a 3rd of the same model so everything would match.

The R5 has two USB 3.0 ports on the front panel.

Enjoyed being able to remove extra drive bays I wasn't using for better airflow. Lots of room to stash cables behind, the Velcro "zip ties" for cable management are nice. Lots of places for fans / water cooling, but if you don't want a fan in a spot it comes covered by default. Dust filters very easy to access/remove for cleaning.

Maybe more plastic than you'd like, but it checks most of the other boxes. Definitely not a gaudy "transformers" look.

Good recommendation and a beautiful case, I can definitely see the P180 and P280 inspiration. Added to the potentials list.

 

[phobostau]

Upon some deep soul-searching, I've realized I use my BD drive less and less as the years go on. I still use it, but likely not more than once a week or every other week; whereas it used to be daily. I could probably get away with a USB BDRE drive.

 

[iShatterBladder]

Antec 1200 . Youre welecome

 

[phobostau]

Antec 1200 . Youre welecome

I do appreciate the suggestion, but this case doesn't really fit the bill of what I'm after. It's honestly a bit tacky, built of steel and plastic instead of aluminum and glass, and is a full tower when I'm looking for a mid.