[SOLVED] Help choosing a case from limited selection

[bigjoday]

Hi All

I live in a middle eastern country and let's just say we desparately need our own newegg. I am stuck with a limited selection of cases for my new build (i5-2500k, Asus Z68 Pro) and not interesting in paying high shipping prices for the cases (they're heavy).

So here is what I am stuck with:
COOLER MASTER Elite 311 Plus (RC-311P-TWN2)
Thermaltake Commander MS-I Snow Edition (VN40006W2N)
Corsair Carbide Series 400R (CC-9011011-WW)
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer (SGC-1000-KWN1)
Antec Eleven Hundred (Eleven Hundred) +1
Corsair Carbide Series 500R (CC-9011012-WW) +2
Antec P280 Black ATX Mid Tower (P280) +1

(UPDATED) My only requirements are:
- that it should have decent/acceptable airflow (gets really hot in here!)
- Good dust guards/filters (you guessed, hot and dusty!)
- and has front USB 3.0 I/O ports

Your help is much appreciated. My current preference is the CM Storm Enforcer (Tom's Hardward Forum seem to recommend the Antec Eleven Hundred)

 

[T_Yamamoto]

P280

 

[bigjoday]

Thanks for the recommendation.

When I did some research on the P280, I figured out that it shares the same chassis as the Eleven Hundred, but the Eleven Hundred has better airflow at the expense of louder noise

I think with how the weather is in the middle east, I would tolerate a bit of noise for better cooling.

What do you think?

 

[bigjoday]

People over at Tom's Hardware forum heavily recommending the 500R

 

[Charlie98]

Just a question from experience... how dusty is it where you are at? Cooling is one thing, sucking a bunch of dust and dirt into your nice, new build is another...

 

[bigjoday]

Very good point, it does get pretty dusty on some days (30-40 days a year)

I had a problem with an old PS3 that chucked up too much dust

I see the 500r and the 1100 have some removable dust covers, but it will eventually be an issues that I have to live with

Will more cooling (and thus more fans) accelerate dust buildup on my components?

 

[ricoviq]

Corsair Carbide Series 500R (CC-9011012-WW)

It's very roomy and will accomodate a long GPU if you decide to do that. If you want to see my current build using this case, check this http://youtu.be/i9jjAUNE6sw

 

[jesh462]

I think the 500r or 1100 would both make excellent choices. In either case, I don't believe that the cases come with dust filters for all of the available fan slots. You'll have to purchase more separately. You can factor that cost into your calculations to help you decide.

Also if I remember right, the 1100 is a negative pressure case. If you're that concerned about dust, the Carbide may be worth choosing simply because of that fact. Either way you really should blow all the dust out of your rig regularly.

 

[bigjoday]

Thanks, it seems like almost everyone is converging towards the 500r one way or another (+separate dust screens, some even suggested cheesecloth!)

Will do more research on the 500r (and maybe the 400r, they're only like $15 diff)

 

[bigjoday]

Going for the Carbide 500r guys with DEMCIflex dust filters for the side covers (if I can figure out where they sell them!)

Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[Charlie98]

Going for the Carbide 500r guys with DEMCIflex dust filters for the side covers (if I can figure out where they sell them!)

Thanks for all the help everyone!

I just installed 2 DEMCiflex filters on my HAF922 in an attempt to cut down on all the dust... we'll see. I just covered the side vent with adhesive paper, and blocked the front slots with masking tape in attempt to create some positive air pressure in the case...

...wish the 550D would have been out when I bought this. :'(

 

[jesh462]

Congrats I hope you enjoy your new case!