Question Taking another whack picking out a new case

[DrMrLordX]

Hello! I've started a new thread since my old one was me looking for side-mounted fans, and now I've decided to simplify my build by removing the side panel entirely, turning the case 90 degrees, and running tubes from the waterblocks to/from the rad through the side of the case. Should be lovely.

That means I need a case that can:

house an EATX motherboard (Asus Crosshair x670e Hero)
house a 7900XTX Merc 310 Speedster
do a good job of cooling the RAM with top/front fans (no side fans)
preferably have a USB-C option on the front panel

My Thor v2 is really a bit too heavy, outdated, and poorly-built for me to want to use it again. So that's out of the question.

If I narrow my search to EATX motherboards and USB 3.2 type c 2x2 front panel all I get are these on pcpartpicker:

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/case/#A=0&D=16&f=3

Not really a great selection.

I've got a USB 3.2 type-c 2x2 header on my board so I'd like to plug it up. But paying nearly $400 for a case that mmm doesn't really look like a $400 case to me seems a bit much. The Inwin case looks . . . interesting? Might be a bit cramped, or maybe not.

 

[aigomorla]

You completely blew past thermaltake entirely.
The Core P line might not be a bad option for what your asking for, as its a wall mountable on top of what you asked for with HDTV wall mounts.

Core - Chassis - Products

www.thermaltake.com

I personally run a Thermaltake Core X5.
I had a Mountain Mod's, but i wanted usb 3.1 and type C.
Its a cheap poorman's hori.

But tin the X5 i am running 2 x 480 thick rads + dual DDC + bay res + 2 gpu blocks + 1 cpu block on a hybrid of rigid and flexable tubing.

 

[DrMrLordX]

You completely blew past thermaltake entirely.
The Core P line might not be a bad option for what your asking for, as its a wall mountable on top of what you asked for with HDTV wall mounts.

Core - Chassis - Products

www.thermaltake.com

I personally run a Thermaltake Core X5.
I had a Mountain Mod's, but i wanted usb 3.1 and type C.
Its a cheap poorman's hori.

But tin the X5 i am running 2 x 480 thick rads + dual DDC + bay res + 2 gpu blocks + 1 cpu block on a hybrid of rigid and flexable tubing.

The rad is external so I don't care about all that, I just want/need USB 3.2 type C 2x2 and at least according to pcpartpicker, only a few cases have that right now. It's either that or buy a widget on amazon to offer that functionality.

 

[DrMrLordX]

I will look over the Thermaltake cases this weekend if I have the time to see if it meets my needs with the frontpanel. Otherwise I may actually try the Inwin A5, though it looks kind of cramped.

It doesn't need to be fancy. It's gonna look like a steaming pile of crap once I'm done with it, but it's gonna work oh so nice. Hopefully.

My main concern is: will the top/front airflow cool the RAM. That's about it. Well that and the USB C front panel being 2x2 instead of just Gen 2.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Long time Thor Case owner here.
I gave up trying to find perfect case and settled on a Fractal Torrent.
Everything air cooled here, just upgraded to a modest priced Gigabyte AM5 board with a 7800x3d

Haven't done much tweaking other than turning on xmp profiles and playing a few games, but temps look good, and framerates seem solid.

Case is generally quiet (though can get loud if i boost fan speed, but no need to do that yet)
few inches shorter than the thor and quite a bit lighter.

Only real complaints i have
1.) Top panel piece is plastic and not metal
2.) If you drop any screws into the bottom of the case they are not easy to retrieve.

That said, i am keeping the thor case for a linux box in the basement

 

[Tech Junky]

Just an FYI any C port will do 2x2 on the front. Don't filter by that to get more options. I have a meshify 2 that works just fine for 20gbps on the C port. I also added a TB4 card for $60 off Amazon for 40gbps goodness.

 

[DrMrLordX]

I finally settled on an msi case that mostly meets my needs. Build isn't done due to Asus shenanigans and me being lazy. But at least the case seems adequate.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Was buying just a few weeks ago and ruled out Asus on account of their recent issues. The MSI Tomahawk boards almost pulled me in, but, I went with Gigabyte simply because I owned an early AM4 gigabyte board and it was solid with no headaches and cheaper.

Glad you found something that should work well for you. Hope the build quality on your MSI case is solid!

 

[DrMrLordX]

Hope the build quality on your MSI case is solid!

It seems okay so far. I've got the board and PSU installed and have all the cables "routed". It's definitely not as flimsy as my Thor v2.

The case is the MSI Velox 100R.

 

[aigomorla]

im really wishing for a large desk case now again.

This product is no longer available.

This product is no longer available.

www.alibaba.com

But i have a habit of spilling stuff on my desk.
And i am not the cleanest desk person, with clutter even Mr. Clean would give me a face palm at with this shiney head.
Also i need a spot for 3 LARGE monitors to mount on, which i don't think thats possible with tempered glass, unless its super thick glass.

But i was looking at the lian li, and Eureka has one too now it seems.

Eureka 55‘’ RGB Sit-Stand Gaming Desk with PC Case and Glass Desktop

GTG-EVO Glass Computer Case Standing Desk is a must-have for any PC enthusiast, featuring an integrated mid-tower PC case and full surface RGB lighting.

eurekaergonomic.com

But i think that alibaba one is probably the best as its a red harbinger which went out of business.
But that alibaba one seems to be a direct rip of the red harbringer.

 

[Hotrod2go]

I finally settled on an msi case that mostly meets my needs. Build isn't done due to Asus shenanigans and me being lazy. But at least the case seems adequate.

Funny how you picked an MSI case, I did the same thing today after my trusty old Nanoxia case front power button & LED panel died this morning.
I ordered the MSI Sekira 100R.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Well I gotta admit, MSI made it easy and relatively-cheap to get a modern front panel. Though the Sekira 100R seems smaller and yet more expensive . . . ? Maybe that's a local pricing phenomenon.

 

[Hotrod2go]

Well I gotta admit, MSI made it easy and relatively-cheap to get a modern front panel. Though the Sekira 100R seems smaller and yet more expensive . . . ? Maybe that's a local pricing phenomenon.

That particular model ticked all my must have boxes. Especially with 3 dust filters. Also, adopting a non X 7000 series build lessens heat management issues hence the mid tower size.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Guess you gave up on the E-ATX?

I'm just starting my case search now, but I have an additional requirement of needing a 5.25" drive bay (yes I know I could USB attach it, and no, I will not due to too much clutter).

 

[DrMrLordX]

Guess you gave up on the E-ATX?

I'm just starting my case search now, but I have an additional requirement of needing a 5.25" drive bay (yes I know I could USB attach it, and no, I will not due to too much clutter).

That was more me being an idiot than me giving up on anything. I rechecked my board and wouldn't you know it, it was standard ATX form factor (basically).