Looking for a new case to replace my Cooler Master HAF 922

[thehotsung8701A]

I am looking for a clear panel full size white case that is on par or better than my HAF 922 which at that time was widely regarded as the best case available.

My HAF 922 is build like a tank and have even survive a major car crash and is still going strong but it also bring me very bad memories so that is why I am upgrading.

The HAF 922 has superior cooling and airflow and you can few cold air at your feet even on hot summer days and it is a very impressive piece of hardware.

While the HAF 922 is a awesome case, it is rather dull looking and isn't really exciting.

There are two case I'm currently looking at. The Corsair 760T Artic and the 780T price point the same.

I love the overlook look of the 780T but the clear screen panel is smaller than I want while the 760T has a huge clear panel but a very filmsy screen, filmsy motherboard tray, and no dust cover on top. Those are the two I'm currently deciding. Please let me know if they are better than the HAF 922.

Are there any other suggestion you guys might have. My requirement is a clear panel white or color case. No black


Thanks guys!

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I am looking for a clear panel full size white case that is on par or better than my HAF 922 which at that time was widely regarded as the best case available.

My HAF 922 is build like a tank and have even survive a major car crash and is still going strong but it also bring me very bad memories so that is why I am upgrading.

The HAF 922 has superior cooling and airflow and you can few cold air at your feet even on hot summer days and it is a very impressive piece of hardware.

While the HAF 922 is a awesome case, it is rather dull looking and isn't really exciting.

There are two case I'm currently looking at. The Corsair 760T Artic and the 780T price point the same.

I love the overlook look of the 780T but the clear screen panel is smaller than I want while the 760T has a huge clear panel but a very filmsy screen, filmsy motherboard tray, and no dust cover on top. Those are the two I'm currently deciding. Please let me know if they are better than the HAF 922.

Are there any other suggestion you guys might have. My requirement is a clear panel white or color case. No black


Thanks guys!

Is this your HAF 922 version?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=HAF_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

I have three of those. There was another version, or maybe it was called the 912, which had smaller side-panel vents.

If your disenchantment comes primarily from the color, there's no reason you couldn't get some premium enamel spray paint, primer and sandpaper, to then make it a "pearl-white" or "pink" HAF 922.

I just don't pick my cases primarily for appearance. Yes-- a side-panel window is nice. So, too, is airflow. Lately, I've been eyeing the Corsair C70 because it is compact, but still has decent airflow possibilities:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9015&cm_re=Corsair_C70-_-11-139-015-_-Product

One guy painted his sidepanel window with the same olive-drab color, and then stenciled on it the printing you find on US military ammo boxes: "50-caliber . . " etc. Peace -- through superior fire-power! Definitely a great theme for your FPS games.

 

[lehtv]

Phanteks Enthoo Pro, maybe?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LW3X1PA/?tag=pcpapi-20

NZXT Switch 810 is excellent too, but a bit pricier
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00752QYOC/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Is this your HAF 922 version?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=HAF_922-_-11-119-197-_-Product

I have three of those. There was another version, or maybe it was called the 912, which had smaller side-panel vents.

If your disenchantment comes primarily from the color, there's no reason you couldn't get some premium enamel spray paint, primer and sandpaper, to then make it a "pearl-white" or "pink" HAF 922.

I just don't pick my cases primarily for appearance. Yes-- a side-panel window is nice. So, too, is airflow. Lately, I've been eyeing the Corsair C70 because it is compact, but still has decent airflow possibilities:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9015&cm_re=Corsair_C70-_-11-139-015-_-Product

One guy painted his sidepanel window with the same olive-drab color, and then stenciled on it the printing you find on US military ammo boxes: "50-caliber . . " etc. Peace -- through superior fire-power! Definitely a great theme for your FPS games.

Yes that is the one I have! Painting a HAF 922 is still la HAF 922. The bad memories stem from a bad heartbreak and this computer was build to replace the pain which it clearly wasn't capable of doing. So In general I don't want any black case and certainly not an HAF 922 even if it was in different colors. Also I want a full tower case!

Back then and in general you buy a case for performance not for look but in my case I will be looking at my case a lot and seeing stuff that bring you bad memories is never worth it.

@lehtv

Seen those, but those screen are too small. I want a white or color case with the biggest clear screen possible and I think the 760T is the biggest while the 780T is average. I plan on upgrading my computer with LED light and other stuff. This will be my babe for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for the suggestion. Also the reason why I consider Corsair is their case is known for innovation. Both the 760 and 780t are so easy to open up. No more screw needed! That save a lot of hassle.

 

[stockwiz]

I built my last 2 systems with an HAF 932 and barring some amazing new case someone posts here that they find superior I'll probably build a third system with the same case.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I really love my cooler master cases and have built systems in them. I would take a look at their current offerings which have superior cooling before committing to anything.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

I built my last 2 systems with an HAF 932 and barring some amazing new case someone posts here that they find superior I'll probably build a third system with the same case.

I don't know if there is going to be much more improvement to a solid case other than that transformer case (did you see that thing?). I love cooler master and HAF 922 but bad memories is associated with it as well. When people ask me what case to get, I always recommend any HAF case.

I really love my cooler master cases and have built systems in them. I would take a look at their current offerings which have superior cooling before committing to anything.

The thing is this time around I'm going to be putting the computer on top of my desk since I have a giant desk so being able to look at it beauty is important to me. I'm going to be working on it more than I ever did with the HAF 922 because taking out the side panel is as easy as opening a door. Ease of use is very important to me. Also being able to see inside my computer without opening it up is I think a very important feature. Other than for light show, it easy to see first hand if anything goes wrong. This is something I could not do on the HAF 922.

Like I said before, these HAF case are build like a tank and if it wasn't for the bad memories, I would still be using them.

One negative I have about the HAF 922 is that it a dust magnet. Cleaning it got tiresome. These new Corsair seem to alleviated that problem.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Cooler Master just announced their new MasterCase series. Modular mid-tower cases that you can customize to adapt to your needs over time.

I'm not sure when it'll come to the U.S. though, but I would look into it for your next upgrade.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Cooler Master just announced their new MasterCase series. Modular mid-tower cases that you can customize to adapt to your needs over time.

I'm not sure when it'll come to the U.S. though, but I would look into it for your next upgrade.

Look very nice mate, but it doesn't fit in with any of my criteria. Also I think the Cooler Master Stryker look the best.

My criteria are clear side panel, white or color, no black, full tower and ease of access.

Thanks for those picture though, they are lovely.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Cooler Master just announced their new MasterCase series. Modular mid-tower cases that you can customize to adapt to your needs over time.

I'm not sure when it'll come to the U.S. though, but I would look into it for your next upgrade.

. . . .

Is that what they call it? "MasterCase?"

What do you think the price-tag on that sucker will be? That really looks like a promising case.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Is that what they call it? "MasterCase?"

What do you think the price-tag on that sucker will be? That really looks like a promising case.

I'm confuse, are all those things that you can take out on that MasterCase, not possible on other case? I'm not very familiar with case technology.

It can't be more than $200 that would be my guess.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm confuse, are all those things that you can take out on that MasterCase, not possible on other case? I'm not very familiar with case technology.

It can't be more than $200 that would be my guess.

If you're still familiar with your HAF, it's still a fairly simple design in comparison to some other CM cases. For instance, I've got a CM Stacker mid-tower -- all aluminum -- which has a lot of options for fans, possibly a 240mm radiator, pull-out motherboard tray, and so on. HAF has the VENTS that MIGHT be accommodated for alternate cooling solutions, but they're less elaborate. The Stacker design is a bit dated: for instance, the PSU installs in the upper-case rear.

So what I see in the photo-links of this "MasterCase" design is an attempt to incorporate previous refinements of older CM cases with newer ones. CM would expect, for instance, that AiO coolers are being more widely used.

A lot of users may understandably pick a case for its style, smaller footprint, compactness, appearance with various "bling" aspects. Then they select their other parts, including a cooling strategy. I incline toward selecting the cooling strategy and parts, then find a case that promises to reduce any work I might do in modding it to fit the other choices.

Generally, simpler less expensive cases will probably include more pop-rivets in the construction. More expensive cases may have parts that disassemble with screws or latches.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

If you're still familiar with your HAF, it's still a fairly simple design in comparison to some other CM cases. For instance, I've got a CM Stacker mid-tower -- all aluminum -- which has a lot of options for fans, possibly a 240mm radiator, pull-out motherboard tray, and so on. HAF has the VENTS that MIGHT be accommodated for alternate cooling solutions, but they're less elaborate. The Stacker design is a bit dated: for instance, the PSU installs in the upper-case rear.

So what I see in the photo-links of this "MasterCase" design is an attempt to incorporate previous refinements of older CM cases with newer ones. CM would expect, for instance, that AiO coolers are being more widely used.

A lot of users may understandably pick a case for its style, smaller footprint, compactness, appearance with various "bling" aspects. Then they select their other parts, including a cooling strategy. I incline toward selecting the cooling strategy and parts, then find a case that promises to reduce any work I might do in modding it to fit the other choices.

Generally, simpler less expensive cases will probably include more pop-rivets in the construction. More expensive cases may have parts that disassemble with screws or latches.

Thanks for the explanation. They make great case but nothing to really stand out from the crown. Not sure why they don't do a full clear side panel like what Corsair is doing? But maybe it a good thing that I'm moving on from Cooler Master, just to start fresh and make better newer memories.

I'm still kind of shock to see there isn't that many interesting case to choose. I love Corsair product but I don't like their cheap construction whereas these CM product are build for durability yet aren't really to my taste. They were never to began with but back then I didn't have much cash and wanted performance over appeal.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Thanks for the explanation. They make great case but nothing to really stand out from the crown. Not sure why they don't do a full clear side panel like what Corsair is doing? But maybe it a good thing that I'm moving on from Cooler Master, just to start fresh and make better newer memories.

I'm still kind of shock to see there isn't that many interesting case to choose. I love Corsair product but I don't like their cheap construction whereas these CM product are build for durability yet aren't really to my taste. They were never to began with but back then I didn't have much cash and wanted performance over appeal.

Well, in that matter, I am the last one to ask: I always plan performance over appeal . . . bling. . . . To have good cooling for electronic components, you need air-flow with heatpipes or water.

You could take a look at something like this. It is also a case which I myself thought had possibilities.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...gclid=CMnciojl9MUCFQWUfgodjncA8g&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Well, in that matter, I am the last one to ask: I always plan performance over appeal . . . bling. . . . To have good cooling for electronic components, you need air-flow with heatpipes or water.

You could take a look at something like this. It is also a case which I myself thought had possibilities.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...gclid=CMnciojl9MUCFQWUfgodjncA8g&gclsrc=aw.ds

OMG!!! That is most impressive and really crazy. Thanks for that suggestion. I'm going to check this out, but even this might be too crazy for my taste. Appeal matter just as much as performance if you have your rig on top of your computer.

What made you decided not to go with that case?

 

[Ketchup]

If I liked a white case, the Stryker would be it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119260&ignorebbr=1

The fan controller was great for the last build I had in my Trooper (I still use it, even though it wouldn't have been necessary with my current board) and the mounting possibilities are endless (for water or air).

 

[thehotsung8701A]

If I liked a white case, the Stryker would be it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119260&ignorebbr=1

The fan controller was great for the last build I had in my Trooper (I still use it, even though it wouldn't have been necessary with my current board) and the mounting possibilities are endless (for water or air).

The Stryker doesn't compare to the 760t, 780t, and the Level 10 GT. I want a case that stand out and unfortunately CM doesn't make stand out case in my opinion.

I narrow down the selection to just the 760T and Level 10 GT. I guess there is no way to know until I can see them all in person.

Thanks for that link but Stryker just doesn't tickle my fancy.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

OMG!!! That is most impressive and really crazy. Thanks for that suggestion. I'm going to check this out, but even this might be too crazy for my taste. Appeal matter just as much as performance if you have your rig on top of your computer.

What made you decided not to go with that case?

Well, I didn't need the "bling." The Tt case probably provides as much in the way of large vents that I get with the HAF. The HAF is cheaper. On the one hand, you can invest more in a good case, and re-use the case for successive builds. On the other hand, you may want to explore a different cooling strategy with the new hardware. Then, you'd either want to put the expensive case up for sale, or use it for something "less important." If you're going to use it for something less important, the cheaper case leaves you with less in the way of sunk cost. If you wanted to sell a more expensive case, the shipping is a bitch, and there are all the transaction costs. Especially, selling a modified case could be problematic.

Finally, if I need to get out my Dremel or make sheet-metal modifications to the case, I'd prefer cutting on something that would be less of a loss in dollars. Of course, cutting aluminum is easier than SECC sheet-steel, but manageable. If I needed to do something like build a new side-panel to replace a botched mod, I could do it with either aluminum or SECC steel for an otherwise all steel case.

So I figure I have it both ways for now with the HAFs. That being said, I'm considering purchase of another case for my new computer, but I won't be buying parts for it until very late in the year. By that time, I may have a plan to mod one of the HAFs.

 

[thehotsung8701A]

Well, I didn't need the "bling." The Tt case probably provides as much in the way of large vents that I get with the HAF. The HAF is cheaper. On the one hand, you can invest more in a good case, and re-use the case for successive builds. On the other hand, you may want to explore a different cooling strategy with the new hardware. Then, you'd either want to put the expensive case up for sale, or use it for something "less important." If you're going to use it for something less important, the cheaper case leaves you with less in the way of sunk cost. If you wanted to sell a more expensive case, the shipping is a bitch, and there are all the transaction costs. Especially, selling a modified case could be problematic.

Finally, if I need to get out my Dremel or make sheet-metal modifications to the case, I'd prefer cutting on something that would be less of a loss in dollars. Of course, cutting aluminum is easier than SECC sheet-steel, but manageable. If I needed to do something like build a new side-panel to replace a botched mod, I could do it with either aluminum or SECC steel for an otherwise all steel case.

So I figure I have it both ways for now with the HAFs. That being said, I'm considering purchase of another case for my new computer, but I won't be buying parts for it until very late in the year. By that time, I may have a plan to mod one of the HAFs.

I think I understand what you mean. Your talking about how the case doesn't fully open up, am I correct? That the one thing that bother me as well. I don't even know what so special about those sata drive. What really get me is that case has the most dust filter I have ever seen. I might be wrong but it seem like a lot of thought was put into it. It also nice to have lock feature (quite useless for me) and a handle to carry the computer. However neither that case or the corsair 760t look bigger than my HAF 922. Are all full tower case suppose to be bigger than a mid-size tower case? It sure doesn't look that way from video. It seem pretty small. The HD 5850 GPU is one of the largest GPU ever made and I still have plenty of room in my HAF case so I'm not even sure how big these cases are. I know for sure that the Corsair 780T is big since I seen how much space is left after putting in duel GPU.

With that said, CM case are a dust magnet. The amount of time I have to clean my case is a real hassle. The other case with their dust filters seem to get rid of this problem.

Do you know of any other good looking crazy case out there? I definitely like the appeal of the TT level 10 GT and I wouldn't have found it out without your help. I just wonder if there are other good cases out there that I am missing out. I know the original level 10 is pretty cool but I think the fit is even worst.

Like I said, your paying a premium price for these case yet there is always something that distract each case from being perfect.

I wanted the Corsair 780T in yellow so badly but due to QC, Corsair decided not to release it to the public because they care about their paint job. Which is so unfortunate because that would have been so amazing.

 

[nitromullet]

In Win just showed off a number of unique cases at Computex... No word in pricing, but I doubt they will be cheap.

http://www.inwin-style.com/en/goods.php?cid=100

 

[tweakboy]

You plugging this or what ?