Your views on this case

[Heusen77]

Hey,

I am thinking about getting this case; ANTEC NINE HUNDRED TWO GAMER ATX CASE....what's the verdict on it? Any other suggested cases with a side window that is nice would be appreciated also. Budget: $75 - $150


thanks

 

[ScorcherDarkly]

This is a refresh of one of the most popular cases ever, the Antec 900. It's quite nice. Good airflow, good looks (I think, others not so much), lots of space for long video cards and several hard drives. Definitely a worthy choice.

The main differences between this case and the original are the black interior (vice gray), external fan controls for each fan on the back, the top fan has blue LEDs, and the drvie cages have removable dust filters. If none of those things matter to you, you can save some cash and get the original. I think the extras are worth it, as they bring the old 900 up to speed with better offerings out there like the HAF line.

 

[nyker96]

I like the 900-2, excellent case, but if you want more air flow, the Antec Lanboy Air or the haf 932 is better in that area. I bought a haf 932 not too long ago and was choosing between the haf and 900-2 (about same price). There's a few limitations to know for the 900-2. you might want to consider:

1. The max accepted video card length will probably not accommodate the longest card on the market.
2. if you want to keep the side fan, some of the larger cpu heatsink cannot be installed. i.e. the case lacks just a tad on the width. (I think anything above 158mm will require the side fan to go)
3. you cannot put water cooling fans inside the case as easily, but possible.
4. case has no wheels on the bottom, so can't be moved around easily.

 

[daw123]

You may want to keep an eye on this thread, which also involves the Antec 902:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2115010

 

[fluffmonster]

Case is great for dust control. The airflow is decent, but not spectacular. Stock fans are pretty loud at any but the lowest setting which isn't a big deal since fan speed seems to make little difference. Interior is a bit cramped. The harddrive cages are crap, and even if you never mess with your harddrives you will have to deal with the cages to get at the front air filters. Sound insulation is weak...you will be able to hear exactly how loud your vid card fan is. I wouldn't spend more than $100 or so on this case, if that (the fact that I already did notwithstanding :/).

 

[Heusen77]

thanks for the valuable info...i'll be looking at a few of the other cases that were mentioned

 

[QueBert]

I have a Coolermaster Scout, pretty well built, I like the window and the handles are great since I do take my computer with me some places. Looks are a subjective thing but I think it's a very nice looking case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-196-_-Product

 

[bleucharm28]

haf 932 X, black inside and out, with full side window

 

[Petey!]

CM 690 II with some extra fans.

 

[Heusen77]

I have a Coolermaster Scout, pretty well built, I like the window and the handles are great since I do take my computer with me some places. Looks are a subjective thing but I think it's a very nice looking case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-196-_-Product

how good (spacious and strong) is that Coolermaster Scout case? I was just looking at it and it looks pretty interesting (price looks good)

 

[QueBert]

how good (spacious and strong) is that Coolermaster Scout case? I was just looking at it and it looks pretty interesting (price looks good)

I don't have a huge video card, but I have 5 HD's in it and a uhhh 4850/70 (forget which) I still have plenty of space inside when I need to tinker around. As far as strong, it feels real solid. It's not heavy but it's not light either. The handles on the top make it a joy to lug around, and even if you don't plan to take it with you places, they give you a place to tuck your usb/audio cables if you use the front panel. If you look at the reviews on Newegg it's 5/5 average for 700+ people. I think that says a lot. I paid $120 when it had 1st came out, and would buy it again at that price if I needed another case. $80 seems like a super sick deal for it.

The only thing I would change is a few more holes on the MB tray so I could hide my cables easier, but even with that said it has fairly decent cable management.

 

[Heusen77]

thanks for your view on the case, i actually did have a look at the reviews on newegg.com and it seems like a good case at a good price....i currently have the antec 900 and the side window is cracked and the top panel broke so that is moving around and has me abit annoyed....so i decided to look at getting a new system but explore the case options (i do like the like of the Antec cases though)

 

[daw123]

***snip***....I currently have the antec 900 and the side window is cracked ***snip***

The same thing happened to my house-mate's Antec 900 when he was moving house. The plastic can't be that strong.

 

[james1701]

You will have a LOT more room in a 932 case with possibly better cable management. Are you dead set on a side window? If not, you might look at the Corsair 600T.

I have a 900, and moved up to the 942 or HAF X. Best case I have ever owned. I love the quality on the Cooler Master cases. A buddy in my clan has the 932, and he swears its the only case he will buy again.

 

[Heusen77]

i wont say i'm dead set on the side window but i like how it looks and the fact that you can see inside the case to check on your parts from time to time

 

[RussianSensation]

I have the Azza Solano. While it doesn't have dust filters, it is larger than the Antec 900-2 and has better airflow due to 2x140mm fans at the front + 1x230mm fan at the top. It has 3 fan speed settings for the top fan, but you can't control the fan speed of the front intake fans (although they run pretty quiet at 900-1500 rpm). It also costs $79.99 after rebate plus another $10 off Newegg. So it makes it a better deal than the 900-2 imo. But it doesn't have 2.5 inch brackets for SSD or USB 3.0.

If you want even more airflow, there is the Hurrican. However, other recommendations in the thread such as the 932 and 690 II (SSD dock ) are excellent as well, but for other reasons other than airflow. The 690 is better looking than the Solano or the 900-2 and has better quality construction imo / features (but it doesn't have the case window you want).

There are also some Lian Li cases in your price range. With them you get an elegant looking case and even better quality construction, but the airflow isn't as good.