What to look for in a budget gaming case?

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SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,740
2,092
126
SAWYER said:
So far I have found a couple on amazon that I may get, is there any particular features I should make sure the case has?

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Bl...ywords=pc+case
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z
43.99 prime


http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Black...ywords=pc+case
Rosewill Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case CHALLENGER
44.93 prime


http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-REDBO...ywords=pc+case
Rosewill REDBONE ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Cases REDBONE
Click to expand...

I have strong opinions about this, all originating from cooling priorities.

Do you already have a hardware configuration assembled? Or are you choosing parts for a completely new machine?

During the last decade, a lot of folks -- some still here and including myself -- gained some experience with the sheet-metal wonderfulness of case modding. A lot of work, but you begin to develop opinions about what you want in a case.

Are you going to use a water-cooling or AiO cooling solution? Or are you cooling the CPU with an "air" or heatpipe cooler? Are you overclocking the rig, or holding to the stock settings of your hardware?

On these cases that you've linked. Those are all decent cases and have various levels of potential. But these other factors may -- or may not -- influence your choices, and may even do so profoundly. Further, "cheap" SECC cases can give you a very nice result.
 
S

SAWYER

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
16,742
42
91
I have not picked out any of my parts yet, but it will be for a budget gaming pc build so nothing special and no water cooling and probably no oc'ing
 
BonzaiDuck

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,740
2,092
126
SAWYER said:
I have not picked out any of my parts yet, but it will be for a budget gaming pc build so nothing special and no water cooling and probably no oc'ing
Click to expand...

In such a "case" [hah!] then, any of those choices might do. You might want to investigate:

-- how easy it is to remove and replace side-panels
-- how many fans, of what size etc. you'll need, and whether the case provides a place for them
-- how sturdy are the side-panel installations
-- What sort of quick-release features allow easy installation of drives and other peripherals
-- does the case provide ports for the latest standards for external connections? eSATA? USB 3.0?

The reason I'm not going to nitpick over your links, is that they are all priced about the same, look about the same -- may even BE the same!

Case-making had become very competitive; they try to anticipate what people want. I have an old CoolerMaster Centurion sitting here -- fitted with my elderly Mom's new computer. It has the same quick-release drive bays that all the latest and greatest CM's have. The only thing I don't like about it is the overly-filtered front fan intake.

One other thing. How likely would you be to keep the case if you upgrade all the electronics? And -- the aesthetic factors. Also, I've said this before -- when they produce a case with various vents and features, these are options. There is no requirement that you use them all; there should only be an imperative to choose and use them effectively.
 
Essence_of_War

Essence_of_War

Platinum Member
Feb 21, 2013
2,650
4
81
Cougar Spike mATX for $15 AR

All killer. No filler.

If you want an inexpensive, compact, but still reasonably capable, gaming case for a tight budget to maximize the value of other relevant things like the GPU, this is the case for you. I'd go ahead and blow a couple of bucks on a decent front mounted 120mm fan, and still consider this a budget win.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,225
126
I've been looking for similar. I've used the Redbone, and the V3 or V4, forget which one.

The Redbone, the QC is horrid. I bought two, the side panel near the rear was bent in slightly (but no box damage), and the power switch literally fell out on one of them.

The V3 or V4 (forget which one I had) was alright, but the rear exhaust fan didn't always want to turn, unless I manually gave it a push. Unsure if that was because of the mobo's fan connection / BIOS settings, or if the fan was defective.

A better choice than either one of those, would have been the Rosewill Blackhawk that was $59.99 a few days ago. (I posted it in Hot Deals, for those that were interested.)
 
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