Advice on New Case

[njallday]

So I'm planning on getting a new full tower case, as the case I bought a while back has horrible cable management and airflow. I've been looking at the NZXT Switch and Phantom, but I've run into a dilemma. What I'm really looking for is a case with a barrier between the PSU and the rest of the components, such as in the 800d. Incase I'm not being very clear, I'll include a clear picture. So basically I'm looking for decent case for around $150-$160 (roughly £90-£100) that has this feature. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[AndyMosh]

Fractal Design Define XL.

 

[PetrolHead247]

Fractal Define XL for sure

 

[njallday]

Thanks for the advice. A question, how is the airflow? I see that it's a silent case, but it seems like the material would block airflow.

 

[AndyMosh]

Well you can have 2 x 140mm fans at the front for intake and then there's a massive exhaust fan + 1 more, i'd say included fans provide enough air flow, though I would buy the extra front one.

See specs here:

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68

 

[PetrolHead247]

The airflow is actually pretty good in the Define XL. Yes it's designed to be a silent case, but if you want some added airflow but want to keep the silence, adding some Noctua focus flow or Akasa Apache fans would be a nice idea. Tbh though, the stock fans are fine, so too is the airflow.

 

[njallday]

Hmm, really considering this case. Before I decide to commit, any other cases with this feature?

 

[e56imfg]

The Cosmos 2...

 

[njallday]

Please read the whole post, I said $150-$160, not $350

 

[e56imfg]

And I was answering "any other cases with this feature?"... Not the topic

There really isn't anything else with that feature.

 

[Calibretto]

Well since the define cases are basically knocking off Antec's Performance One series

P183

 

[AndyMosh]

Well since the define cases are basically knocking off Antec's Performance One series

P183

If the Define XL is a knock off of that then i'd rather have the knock off, that case just looks horrible to work with.

 

[ruthless_villain]

Thanks for the advice. A question, how is the airflow? I see that it's a silent case, but it seems like the material would block airflow.

Not full towers but the standard R3, Corsair 550D, Coolermaster silencio and The NZXT Hush 2 but thats shite

 

[Calibretto]

If the Define XL is a knock off of that then i'd rather have the knock off, that case just looks horrible to work with.

I think a lot of people feel that way.

The Antec boxes are good, and very quiet, but the Fractal Designs are definitely more "contemporary" enclosures.

 

[SnW]

My vote, Corsair 500R (white) but its kinda personal

Ray.......

 

[KING_OF_SAND]

Well since the define cases are basically knocking off Antec's Performance One series

P183

Hardly a knockoff. Just because it looks like it does not mean it's a knockoff.

Dictionary.com (an unlicensed copy of something, especially fashion clothing, intended to be sold at a lower price than the original.)

Knockoffs are NOT judged by what came first, and by that logic all PCs are knockoffs of Apples.

 

[Jason-CL]

Just make your own midplate. It's not that hard. Though I wonder why you'd want to do such a thing considering constant airflow through a case is the optimal idea. Hard to do when you have a midplate covering 3 fans.

 

[njallday]

The midplate would help keep non-modular power supplies such as mine much more organized, and I'm only running one HDD and possibly an SSD later on, I don't need major intake cooling in the front. And indeed, the Fractals look so much better than the Antecs.

 

[Calibretto]

Err... Semantics?

If I have to rephrase "knockoff" to "drew just about ALL their inspiration from" then that's fine with me.

But denying that it's so is just embarrassing yourselves.

I even think Logan remarked that it was so in his review. I'll use the old Futurama expression that it's a "widely believed fact"

 

[sunnydurian]

Another vote for Fractal Design Define XL!