What brand of Cases are good for budget novice builders?

[nexgenbuilder]

I'm not familiar with all of these new brands of pc cases but wanted to know how Xion and Raidmax cases are. I'm not asking anyone to compare them to Antec cases or Lian Li of course.

 

[nexgenbuilder]

Don't post things telling me that neither are good. I need constructive crit. but I want one of thoise brands b/c i think they look nice for my set ups

 

[smopoim86]

some of the raidmax cases are ok, but for a cheaper case i would go with the coolermaster centurion. (maybe not enough lights and bling to go with what you're looking for though)

 

[RallyMaster]

Definitely liking my Raidmax X-1 after I modded the bejesus out of it. Took off the door, moved the USB ports from front bezel to side panel (drill lots of holes and held it in with paper clips). The motherboard tray is a plus because you can overclock your computer out of the case and then put it back in after you get a stable overclock. This case also has very good cooling potential if you know what you're doing.

EDIT: Tinsnip every single fan grill and replace with one of those cheap wire grills/fan guards.

 

[yh125d]

I love My raidmax xB, up to 5 80mm fans, if you dremel out four of the vent holes. pretty too

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Definitely liking my Raidmax X-1 after I modded the bejesus out of it. Took off the door, moved the USB ports from front bezel to side panel (drill lots of holes and held it in with paper clips). The motherboard tray is a plus because you can overclock your computer out of the case and then put it back in after you get a stable overclock. This case also has very good cooling potential if you know what you're doing.

EDIT: Tinsnip every single fan grill and replace with one of those cheap wire grills/fan guards.

I got my X-1 about the same time you did, and its been a great case. The only problem is that sometimes the LCD works, sometimes it doesn't. But I dont know if thats the case or the fact the motherboard got messed up when a generic PSU blew.

 

[Frintin]

I have a couple of the Raidmax Scorpio cases in black and silver and love them!

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Definitely liking my Raidmax X-1 after I modded the bejesus out of it. Took off the door, moved the USB ports from front bezel to side panel (drill lots of holes and held it in with paper clips). The motherboard tray is a plus because you can overclock your computer out of the case and then put it back in after you get a stable overclock. This case also has very good cooling potential if you know what you're doing.

EDIT: Tinsnip every single fan grill and replace with one of those cheap wire grills/fan guards.

I got my X-1 about the same time you did, and its been a great case. The only problem is that sometimes the LCD works, sometimes it doesn't. But I dont know if thats the case or the fact the motherboard got messed up when a generic PSU blew.

I removed the front LED display. There's no point to it honestly other than to tell me what temperature it is inside my room...(and why isn't it in ºC?!).

 

[JechtShot]

When you say budget, do you mean like less than 100 dollars spending? I have this one and I love it to death. Looks very clean and simple and pretty good quality considering its cost.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144177

EDIT: Sorry I just saw now that you were comparing Xion to Raidmax.

 

[Zepper]

I like the way the Raidmax Smilodon works but it's hard to get a Raidmax case to one's house w/o shipping damage (their packaging tech is crap). And the X-1 is better than the other Raidmax but probably not riced out enough for you. I'd suggest you buy from a place that will double-box like Directron.

Xion is a new brand and from what I can tell they're just another riced-out line of crap boxes.

NZXT is about the only company that makes riced-out boxes that I'd consider getting for a friend who just had to have something gaudy. Thermaltake made a few good ones too like the SViking.

.bh.

 

[996GT2]

I'd go with Raidmax; I was seriously considering their X-1 case before I bought my Cooler Master Wave Master and heavily modded it to improve the crappy stock cooling.

 

[nexgenbuilder]

im thinking about cooler master instead of either brands now just b/c of the cooling potential. just got myself a 3500 with a K8-N and plan on OCing. but still open to all opinions. IM NOT LOOKING FOR ANYTHING TOO FLASHY OR "BLINGY" IF U GUYS THOUGHT THAT.lol
But still going deffinately with Raidmax for now. might just get both

 

[RallyMaster]

hmm...Raidmax X-1...remove door, snip all the fan grills and replace with a wire guard, add some YLs, find new way to implement power switch, flip window to have 80mm on bottom doing exhaust, move USB ports to side panel of case....very quiet and very effective cooling FTW.

 

[BigJ]

Outpost.com has the Antec 900 Case for $60+shipping after rebate. I don't know what you mean by budget, but it looks like a steal for the price. I ordered one.

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: smopoim86
for a cheaper case i would go with the coolermaster centurion.

Agreed, I've had cheap cases, the least of which (besides my Centurion 5) was my X-Dreamer II and I can tell you that I had quite a few more problems with the X-Dreamer than the Centurion. The toolless drive/card features are nice, although I don't know how well those card clips will hold up in the long run. The stock cooling is much more adequate and/or much quieter than any cheap case I've come across, and I think the metal mesh front w/ the filters helps at least some. Where the 120mm exhaust fan is, the holes are big enough so that they don't impede airflow too much, and it's large enough to fit an X1900 series video card in (so should fit an 8800GTS). I am very satisfied with this case, and if you want a good experience with your case, if you don't want it to be too hot or loud, don't want it to fall apart, and don't want it to cut you every time you open it up, I suggest you go with it.

 

[Zepper]

Well, if you've broadened your scope, look at the Rosewill R560x series and the R6A series. See my review over on TechIMO.com/reviews/ under Cases titled: Yeong Yang/Rosewill R5604 etc. If the specials are still going on at Newegg/ChiefValue, then they are hard to beat for the money.

.bh.

 

[nexgenbuilder]

YAY!!! I've been raising money all this time. My budget is now nearly $80 . I know its not much but this will allow for a much better cae.

Also- I know nothing about good brands of powersupplies. Please help me out. My system is very basic.

-AMD 3200, XFX 6200, 1gb RAM, and 160 gb hdd

 

[Zepper]

I'd still say go with one of the Rosewill cases I mentioned earlier. iStar has some feature-rich PSUs with active PFC and full-range auto voltage sensng. However they are still unknown quantities. But iStar has a good rep in the server world so I doubt they's risk it by selling junk into the consumer market. The TC-400PD1 should do you or the Enhance ENP-4150GH from eWiz.com.

I have also found a stash of really nice, heavy aluminum cases that look like Lian Lis. They are the same as the Kingwin Kt-424 series. Check the reviews on the 424 around the web and you'll find the 424 series to be highly regarded - and the price is a LOT lower now than when they were in their heyday. There are probably very few of them left so the source is not for general distribution. I don't want the "AT effect" to wipe them out... All that are left are the silver w/o window and the black w/ window. I also have a simple method to get around the small exhaust fan w/o cutting very much. If you're interested, PM me.

.bh.

 

[imported_Smurf]

IMO, people are afraid of Xion products because they haven't been tested or reviewed thoroughly.

I just purchased a 600w xion psu for 120 - 30MIR, based on 37 customer reviews on New Egg.

I'll let you know how it turns out!

 

[RallyMaster]

Xion is a POS brand. us3rnotfound ordered a Xion Stacker and found it to be some flimsy crap. He ended up with an Antec 900. Stay away from Xion crap TBH. Raidmax > Xion. I own two Raidmax cases: X-1 as well as the Diamond and all of them are solid as a rock.

 

[nexgenbuilder]

so this is how you edit. lol

 

[nexgenbuilder]

my bad, but anyway, I got it down to the X-1 and the Katana. But I also like the way the Sagitta looks. Any suggestions or favorites between these 3? And also, I will be upgrading the psu from either of them, any suggestion for around $70-$80? Help is greatly appreciated.

 

[RallyMaster]

Well...suggestion would be to remove the door on any and all cases (I removed the one on my X-1 to allow for more airflow. I've still yet to figure out a permanent power button placement but I'm working on it.). Out of the X-1, Katana and Sagitta, I would say get the X-1 and find some way to get rid of the door and find a method to place the power button. If you're not intent on working on your case much (I've modded the hell out of the X-1), then go with the Sagitta. The Katana's top USB, sound features are definitely convenient but are a b1tch to wire and hide especially in a windowed case.

PSU Recommendation: Enhance ENP-5150GH (although you'll have to end up sleeving a lot of stuff). Corsair HX520W if you've got the extra cash/on sale for ~$90.

 

[nexgenbuilder]

im looking at the X-1 + this psu - RAIDMAX RX-630A ATX12V / EPS12V 630W Power Supply 115/230 V CB, IEC, TUV, UL, CSA - Retail
Please, someone tell me if this is a good combo for the price. Or i am still open to any and all suggestions.

 

[RallyMaster]

Raidmax PSUs aren't good (I've blown one up before), unlike their cases. Get the Enhance like I recommended. eWiz should have it in stock.