Looking for good budget Case. Please help me pick.

rimmi2002

Member
Sep 17, 2007
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Hi I am making a new build. with i2500k processor and GA-Z68MA-UD2-B3 matx mobo. I am looking for a budget case that has allows you to have screwless HDs and doesn't cost too much. I had picked out three. I was wondering if anyone who has any experience with these cases can comment on which might be the best. Thanks.

1. Thermalake A60 for $45 after rebates: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...t-_-11-133-181

2. Cooler Master Centurion 5 for $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068

3. Rosewill Challenger for $50. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147153

The thermalake once seems to have the best specs for the price, but it doesn't have too many reviews on newegg. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with that case and can vouch for it being solid. Thanks.
 
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infoiltrator

Senior member
Feb 9, 2011
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My Rosewill Challenger is my favorite, good air, good features and price.Not a lot of space behind the motherboard, but enough, more than many more expensive cases.
The Centurion, I have an old one I modded. Very solid, good quality, top mount PSU, no acess behind mothboard, easy parts supply Cooler Master Store. Unless things have changed 80mm fan in HDD cage and exhaust 120mm, not great for high watt video cards. I put 92mm fan with 80mm mounts in cage front.
Never owned a Thermaltake case, looks like the winner.
I bought the Lian LI PC-K57 on sale, which is arguably better if larger and plainer.
You can get a 4-pack of R4 Cooler Master fans on Amazon $15 if you reach super saver $25 purchase. Yate Loon are also good.
The A-60 is "feature rich", the Challenger is a very good budget case, meaning a lot for the price, The Centurion is classy old school.

The cost depends on add ons too. And quality/performance/noise of included fans. Do you need utmost cooling? (ie video card)
In the sub $100 usually execution of some features are better than others.
An mATX board willl swim in any of these I expect, but good smaller cases seem to cost more. Enjoy.
 
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BAD311

Member
Mar 18, 2009
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Thermaltake V3 will NOT take any Corsair H series water cooling unit, sadly. I have a brand new V3 case sitting in the corner of my room because the customer wanted the H50 installed.

So yea, if anyone wants a V3 black let me know. Installed & removed mobo and a case fan, reinstalled case fan. No damage, scratches, etc..