Second Guessing Case Decision

[TWGF1572]

First time builder here. Been lurking in a lot of forums trying to get information, and I've now reached a point where I could use some feedback on a case I bought.

For background - I be building a home use computer. Internet, watching videos, some younger kids games. But, on the rare chance I get to break away from the family (1 & 4 year old) I do want the ability to play some better games and get some stress relief in. Right now, my computer locks up on anything more advanced than Medal of Honor:Allied Assault. That's as wild as I can get.

I'm down to building an i3, FX6300, or A10-5800K system. I understand that's overkill for my needs, but I'm willing to pony up a bit to have the ability to run with games when I want to. I'd be adding a GPU to the first two systems. No crossfire, no liquid cooling, etc. Not my question, but hopefully gives some background.

I was trolling the Black Friday sales and was sucked in by this case for $79 before a $15 MIR. Good reviews, lots of features. It's here and it's BIG. I don't think I likely need all the fans, and don't like that they MOLEX fans that are only on 100%. I didn't really know what that meant when I bought it, and I assumed that all mid ATX cases were roughly the same size, so shame on me for pulling the trigger on something I didn't fully understand. I know I can buy a fan controller, but that's another $30 in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147107

I keep looking at it now that it's here and keep wondering if I should trade down for something smaller in the mid ATX range (the NZXT 210 comes to mind ) or even head down to the m-ATX mini towers. I don't need a gazillion hard drives or enough fans to create a small tornado..... I also don't really care that much about LED's, one way or the other. If I find these annoying, I'll probably kill them.

Any thoughts? I know small vs. large is more of a personal thing. If I ship this thing back to NewEgg I'll walk away with $47 after shipping. Is stepping down to the NZT210 Elite a huge trade down from what I currently have, given what I'm putting in the case?

I know I'm kissing the shipping back goodbye if I do this. I would feel really bad about that, and feel stupid for even thinking about it - but I also have to stare at this thing for 5 years or more.... It was an impulse buy, and I'm regretting it now.

Any thoughts?

 

[Eureka]

If you have the room for it, does it really matter? A case is a case, as long as it gets the job done you're ifne. Take comfort in the fact that with a bigger case, cooling is easier and so is the build. Fixing something will be much easier too.

Also, you can get a fan controller from ebay for cheap, provided you wait for shipping from China or whatever. You can also find PWM fans to plug into your motherboard and control it through software.

Unless you can get them to take it back without any loss, it's not worthwhile. A mid tower will only be slightly smaller (maybe 2" off the height and the depth), and the m-ATX is a whole different beast.

Plus, if you're going to use a AMD processor, it'll help with cooling the thing.

 

[TWGF1572]

This is a good point. 2" really isn't going to make that big of a difference. I do like all the room inside, and since this is my first build I can use all the help I can get.

Thanks for the reality check.

 

[kleinkinstein]

Second guessing already? Wow, this must be a new record. Typically that feeling doesn't sink in until after the build is completed and you've been staring at it for at least 30 days.

 

[Eureka]

Second guessing already? Wow, this must be a new record. Typically that feeling doesn't sink in until after the build is completed and you've been staring at it for at least 30 days.

This is quite true, I've had my big box build for around 45 days and now I'm musing about converting it to a mITX for the novelty factor. Either way it doesn't matter because my case never moves and I've got plenty of room for the big box.

 

[amdTJL0]

I was looking at getting this case too, and now this post kind of worries me. How is the build quality on it despite your thought that it is too big?

 

[tracerbullet]

If you have the room for it, does it really matter?

Agreed. At first I was thinking HTPC build for some reason - if that was the goal, then yeah small and sexy is nice. Everything else... bigger = easier to work in and potentially more airflow if it's got the space for fans or at least some passive cooling. This one does and that's a good thing.

I'm not a gamer either, and my new case (Corsair 550d) is much bigger than my Antec Sonata. Point being I just went bigger last weekend too. But it's going under a desk so it really just doesn't matter in the least. It's a sexy beast and I can't wait to finish putting it all together. I mostly got it for the features, but i'll pack a ton of stuff inside and still have room to breathe. I'm happy.

I remember looking at your case during my search. I think it's a good choice. Yes you could get a smaller one, but it won't be *that* much smaller, and it'll be more work to put together.

If you bother going smaller, then really go for it - go micro and minimize the whole thing. But if your'e looking to cut a couple inches, no need to bother.

 

[TWGF1572]

I was looking at getting this case too, and now this post kind of worries me. How is the build quality on it despite your thought that it is too big?

I'm probably a poor guy to comment on that, first build and all. And the only thing I've installed so far is a power supply. But I am used to working with machinery, and from what I've seen so far I'm happy with how it's been constructed compared to some of the thin/flimsy stuff I've run across.

I think the New Egg reviews are pretty much spot on - if you are comfortable with the one or two issues highlighted (molex fans for one) than I'd pull the trigger.

 

[TWGF1572]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I think what happened is that I am so used to walking into a big box store and seeing the smaller form factor cases, that this one just shocked me a bit. I can see where bigger is better, and the reality is this thing is just going to be sitting by a desk anyway. Cheers!

 

[Sunny129]

i also think you should just stick w/ what you've got now. you'll have more than enough space and cooling for your needs. and if the fans are too loud, you could probably disconnect one or two of them to reduce noise and still have sufficient cooling in a case that big. if its still not quiet enough at that point, i'd do what someone else already recommended, and that would be to buy some PWM fans to replace the molex fans, and utilize the 4-pin headers on the motherboard. that way you can control fan speed, and thus fan noise.