Need some advice RE mid tower case...

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Hey all -

I have $175 Amazon credit and was looking for a new mid tower case. What's the best, sleekest black case out now?

 

[crazymonkeyzero]

Personally, I don't particularly like Amazon's selection of cases, but imo, the Corsair 650D is a very elegant looking case. Its $190 on amazon, but I've seen it on sale for less before...around $150.


http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Obsidi...6509198&sr=1-2

 

[WiseUp216]

I like the Corsair 550D myself. Considering moving up to it from a Corsair 400r in the next week or two.

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Obsidi...6517978&sr=1-1

 

[Sleepingforest]

The Fractal R4, no contest (plus, only $110 and comes with a fan controller and has excellent silencing!):

 

[tracerbullet]

I like the Corsair 550D myself.

I love mine! Might not be the best case available or the best for any particular purpose but I love it. Adequate space inside without being unnecessarily big, plenty of grommets to run cables, plenty of mounts for lots of drives, fan options all over the place, covered panels that can be removed for airflow as desired or left in place for noise reduction, filters for the intake fans, sleek front door that hings on either side, and so on.

I'd suggest anyone take a look at it. Fractal R4 is a solid option too of course, but I liked the added flexibility (primarily the removable panels with filters under them) of the 550D.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

The Fractal R4, no contest (plus, only $110 and comes with a fan controller and has excellent silencing!):

After some research I went with the R4. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[smitbret]

You'll love the R4. These FD cases are just flat out no gimmicks and solid.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Just finished my build in the R4, excellent case to work with. The build came out sweet IMHO, what do you guys think?

Specs -

ASUS Rampage IV Gene
Intel 3930k
16GB Corsair Vengeance 1866RAM
2x Intel 520 SSD
EVGA Nvidia Titan
OCZ Fatal1ty 1KW PSU
Fractal Design Define R4
Corsair H80i w/Cougar PWM Fans
3x Noctua Case Fans 120mm
2x Fractal Design R2 140mm Case Fans

 

[MoInSTL]

I think it turned out very clean.

You have quite a few fans. How is the noise? What speed are you running the 3 fan controlled ones?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

You should have turned your PSU upside down

 

[SpeedTester]

Xxthe, looks good, do you have any cooling issues mounting the radiator tubes up vs down? I know corsair recommends the tubes being at the bottom of the radiator.

 

[Charlie98]

Where did you mount the 2X SSD's?

You should have turned your PSU upside down

There is a filter on the bottom of the case for the PSU and the bottom fan... That's how I mounted my PSU (fan down in my Define Mini.)

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

I think it turned out very clean.

You have quite a few fans. How is the noise? What speed are you running the 3 fan controlled ones?

Thank you!

I have the 2 140mm'ss in the front running off the controller. I mostly leave it at 5V, but when benching I turn it up to 12V.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

You should have turned your PSU upside down

I did some research regarding this and everywhere I look I read that it really doesn't make a difference, I could be wrong though.

I like the color of the fan, it glows a nice red into the case, not a tacky red like some fans.

I'll definitely do some testing both ways and see how it goes.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Where did you mount the 2X SSD's?



There is a filter on the bottom of the case for the PSU and the bottom fan... That's how I mounted my PSU (fan down in my Define Mini.)

The R4 has two spaces for SSD's behind the motherboard tray, that's where they are.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

Xxthe, looks good, do you have any cooling issues mounting the radiator tubes up vs down? I know corsair recommends the tubes being at the bottom of the radiator.

I honestly didn't realize. I'm gonna flip it tonight.

 

[lehtv]

I did some research regarding this and everywhere I look I read that it really doesn't make a difference, I could be wrong though.

It doesn't really make a difference in terms of performance, reliability ,temperature, noise or anything like that. BUT turning it upside down means you can't accidentally drop anything into the PSU, and it will not gather any dust, and the fixed cables will be closer to the motherboard tray.

I would probably block the front top fan opening, and turn the radiator fans around so they push air out of the case. The bottom fan probably doesn't make any difference since you already have efficient front intake with 2x140mm and you only have one graphics card to cool

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

I think it turned out very clean.

You have quite a few fans. How is the noise? What speed are you running the 3 fan controlled ones?

Thanks!

It's really quiet, I'm surprised. I think the combination of fan controller and sound dampening material is the key here.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

It doesn't really make a difference in terms of performance, reliability ,temperature, noise or anything like that. BUT turning it upside down means you can't accidentally drop anything into the PSU, and it will not gather any dust, and the fixed cables will be closer to the motherboard tray.

I would probably block the front top fan opening, and turn the radiator fans around so they push air out of the case. The bottom fan probably doesn't make any difference since you already have efficient front intake with 2x140mm and you only have one graphics card to cool

Awesome suggestions, thank you!

 

[MoInSTL]

The bottom fan probably doesn't make any difference since you already have efficient front intake with 2x140mm and you only have one graphics card to cool

I can attest that removing both drive cages provides plenty of airflow with those two fans. I am running a stable and cool mild OC of 4.5. I just run 3 fans not counting the Macho cooler fan. While you are flipping your PSU over try unplugging that bottom fan to see how much noise it eliminates. With the PSU flipped, it may not be an easy fit.

Edit: In fact, it looks like your PSU cables will be an issue with that bottom fan.

 

[MoInSTL]

The R4 has two spaces for SSD's behind the motherboard tray, that's where they are.

I ordered a Samsung 840 Pro 128GB that will arrive next week. I was tempted to mount them behind the motherboard but I decided I wanted more accessibility. I took a drive tray, removed the drive rails and stacked my two 2.5" on it, then applied velcro to the bottom and the case floor. I may just velcro the new one or remove my 64GB 830. The thought or pulling the whole thing to get to that would be a lot of work.

 

[xxthe_remedyxx]

H80i flipped and fans now exhausting. Been Priming for a few hours and CPU doesn't hit 71c. Thank you all for the suggestions...