Need Recommendation for New Case (List of Requirements)

[Not So Mild]

Well, it's time for a new computer, and I have just about everything figured out except for the case. This is going to be my first non-budget friendly build, and I'm attempting my first custom water loop (first computer with any water cooled component actually) so it has to be perfect. Originally I was going to Lian Li PC-011 (this was back around October) but the price premium and the slightly more exotic look turned me away. Lian Li then announced the Alpha series cases that looked cool, and I figured you'd get the Lian Li build quality for around 150? Sounds like a deal to me. Unfortunately case reviews looked rather poor. Then comes the Fractal Design R6. I was determined this was going to be my case until about a week ago. The only way you can mount a 360mm rad up top and in the front, is with the front rad having the ports on the top, which makes poor loop draining, so this probably won't happen. I have a list of features I'd like to see, so I'm hoping someone can tell me what the name of this case is, as I know pretty much what I want:

-I'd like a mid tower case
-Has to accommodate 2 360mm radiators
-Dust filters are pretty much a must so no case labs cases
-I've grown to like the look of PSU shrouds that are in cases. Hides more cables for a cleaner look
-Tempered glass side panel to show off my loop, but the other side I'd prefer not to be tg. The top and front can be whatever.
-Good cable management features (gromets and tie downs on the back. This is why I'm not going with the EVGA DG series)

I feel like I'll get a few recommendations for the NZXT s340, and I know it checks pretty much everything off the list (not sure about the rad room in it), the one and only silly reason I don't want this case is that I've seen a lot of builds in this case, both online and with my buddies, and it doesn't seem very special to me anymore. I need this case to feel good to me. It has to match all the excitement that I've put into this computer. Since I'll be looking at the case all the time, I have to like the way it looks.

I appreciate anybody who has made it this far. I know how annoying it is to see a lot of threads asking for recommendations, but I feel like I know exactly what I want, I just need to find the company and case that meets all these wants.

 

[Crono]

Silverstone Primera or Phanteks Enthoo Pro M, tempered glass versions.

 

[Not So Mild]

Silverstone Primera or Phanteks Enthoo Pro M, tempered glass versions.

Appreciate the suggestions. Never heard of Silverstone and I'm not a fan of the looks of the Primera, so I'll pass on that.

I kind of forgot about Phanteks. I've heard a lot about the Enthoo series. The Enthoo Evolv looks nice and I think it meets my requirements. I think I'd prefer that over the Pro M, but I'll definitely look into the brand. It's funny that I forgot about Phanteks, I ran into an issue finding a water block for my current 1080ti, and Phanteks makes the only one I can find that fits it, but it's sold out everywhere so I had to buy a 2nd gpu this past weekend and will sell my original. Fresh on my mind, and I already forgot.

 

[aigomorla]

The Primera is one ugly case, i dont blame you for wanting to pass one it, but silverstone is a highly established company.
At one point in history they were leagues ahead of their competition and stood side by side with other case makers like cooler master and Lian Li.

But on that note, you can not fit 2x360's in a NZXT... The top doesnt accomidate a 360 radiator.

The only case i can think of that would probably fit your wants with plexiglass and a showcase type apperance would be a Thermaltake Tower 900
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133327

It can accomidate 2 x 480 radiators, with magnetic filters for easy cleaning.
Has whole lot of room in the rear hidden.
And has temper glass panels.
And has a "Showcase" type look to it, to show off your loop.

 

[Not So Mild]

The Primera is one ugly case, i dont blame you for wanting to pass one it, but silverstone is a highly established company.
At one point in history they were leagues ahead of their competition and stood side by side with other case makers like cooler master and Lian Li.

I'll take your word and won't judge Silverstone based on that one case. I'll look into their cases further.

There's something about the bigger Thermaltake cases that just doesn't catch my eye, I'm not sure what it is. I think if I were to go with a more show-offy case, I'd just grab the PC-011 from Lian Li. I'm trying to go for a more standard mid tower case, but with just enough to stand out. I might be forced to pick a bigger case though, I'm having trouble finding the perfect case.

I've been looking more into the Phanteks Pro M. Originally I was liking the Evolv, but it seems like a lot of reviews are bashing on it's water cooling capability. The Pro M seems fine. At first I didn't like the mesh look in the front. I know it'll provide much better air flow that way, so I'll get over it. The big question I have on this case, does anyone know (hopefully first hand, but I'll take your word if you've seen other sources) if you can fit a 360 rad on top and in front simultaneously? It looks like you should be able to, but I don't want to drop the dough on the case and find that's not the case. Also, what's hard drive mounting like on the back? I know that if I put a 360 in front, you lose the HDD space in the basement. I plan on getting an 850 Evo as boot drive, and that'll mount behind the mobo, but I also want a 3.5" for mass storage, and I'd really enjoy if I could mount that hopefully next to the 2.5". Maybe a little modding? Not sure.

 

[aigomorla]

One of my alltime favorate cases is and most likely always be the Silverstone TJ-07.

you will need a case which can handle a 420/480 up top.
The reason for this is because most of the time when mount a rad up front and up top, they clash together at the top corner.
The thickness of the front mounted rad will cause length clearance with top mounted rad, which is why u need that extra gap up top length wise to fit a radiator up top and front.

Also the phantek has one very big weakness in top mounted rads.
It doesnt give u enough top clearance, so you end up covering like 1/10th of the top of your motherboard.
Not a problem if and when your PC is setup, however a MAJOR PITFA if u didnt get those power plugs in and ur plugs are located up top.

Lastly that TT i showed u is the Silverstone Raven style mounting.
The board sits in a 90 degree angle from traditional so your ports are all located up top.
That means u dont need to crouch down for anything.
Your cpu's are left hanging lengthwise so they rest completely on the pci-e slots.
Also your Monitor ports are located directly on top of the case.

The only problem tho i see with that case, is you need to have a good eye for symmetry.
If you can build your loop very symmetrical, i honestly don't think you can get much show off then that case.

 

[Not So Mild]

Yeah, I've been thinking about cases and how everything is going to fit a lot today.

To be honest, my requirements are really extreme, and on top of that I want something that looks really good. I'm only going to have a single 1080ti and a 8700k so i don't need all that rad space by any means, I just like the look of 360 rads more than 240. The more I look at reviews and watch videos, it seems like Pro M isn't going to work for me. You brought up a great point with needing the extra rad space up top. I've been trying to find pictures online to see how they line up, but if I just look at spec sheets, I could get an easier answer.

Raven style mounting is interesting. I was actually talking to a buddy today that it'd be cool if I you could rotate the mobo 90 degrees, but have your I/O underneath. The only problem I see with this is it's just more wires being guiding along your desk instead of falling off the back. I'm going to try and do something with all my I/O and power cables this time around to help complete the whole build look.

The more I think about it, I might just get the PC-011. It checks all my boxes as long as I mount a rad underneath. I don't know how well cooling will be, but I haven't heard anything negative yet with it, and I know In Win has a few cases like this as well (303 for example). The ROG version comes with a PCI riser cable so I can vertical mount the gpu, so I'll probably get that. It also has a USB-C port, which I probably won't use, but there's that too.

I know I'm not very interested in Silverstone cases like you are. I've given them an honest look, and while I don't see anything obviously wrong with them, I can't force myself to love something that I don't. It might come with time, but for now, you're giving me a lot to think about.

 

[bfun_x1]

I saw a picture of a Thermaltake Supressor F31 with a 360 on top and front but they were thin rads. I doubt a thick rad would work. How about a 360 and 280?

 

[Miklebud]

The new Lian-Li PC011 Dynamic and Air fit those requirements, I THINK. There's little hard details about them aside from the few videos on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rofbFIe_Qw&). The only uncertainty for you is the dust filters... This is the case I'm getting to match my 8700K and 1080. According to Lian-Li's Facebook: "After the holiday, we'll be just a few weeks away from the launch of the new O11 Dynamic!"
Oh and the price has come down is in the $129-150 range.