Alternative to HAF X

[Crash55]

My last build used the HAF X case and I have had no issues. However I figure that there must have been improvements since 2012.

I am looking for a full tower and I need at least one exposed 5.25" bay for an optical drive. I still need to read and burn discs. I would like a hot swap bay as well but it looks like I could add one it. I have used the eSATA and Firewire ports on the HAF X. I would like them but they are not deal breakers. I will air cooling - probably with Thermalright Le Grand Macho RT.

 

[Doomslayer]

Well if you want to stick with CoolerMaster brand have you looked at the MasterCase IMO with these cases CoolerMaster have really up there game maybe even passed Corsair in terms of case making.

 

[BigDaddyKong]

The Bequiet dark base 900 looks fantastic to me lately.

 

[Crash55]

Well if you want to stick with CoolerMaster brand have you looked at the MasterCase IMO with these cases CoolerMaster have really up there game maybe even passed Corsair in terms of case making.

The Master Case looks good but it can't take an EATX board

 

[Doomslayer]

The Master Case looks good but it can't take an EATX board

If you can wait not sure if your going to like this but EVGA is coming out with a case that will fit a E-ATX motherboard there is also that Be Quiet 900 that will fit a E-ATX but that is not cheap there is also the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv but that only goes up to a set size for E-ATX.

It's all going to depend on how much you want to spend finding a case that can take a E-ATX motherboard sometimes can not be cheap either.

 

[Crash55]

I looked at EVGA's case and it is definitely aimed at sitting on a desk. With most of the connectors and LCD on the bottom of the side, they become useless to me.

I saw some reviews of the Be Quiet and you sacrifice cooling to gain lower noise.

The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv is missing any external 5.25"bays.

I am rather surprised by how many cases are dropping 5.35" bays. I still move data around that way. Especially since work has banned all USB drives.

What really confuses me is that all the high end motherboards I looked at are E-ATX but the most interesting cases are only ATX

 

[Doomslayer]

I looked at EVGA's case and it is definitely aimed at sitting on a desk. With most of the connectors and LCD on the bottom of the side, they become useless to me.

I saw some reviews of the Be Quiet and you sacrifice cooling to gain lower noise.

The Phanteks Enthoo Evolv is missing any external 5.25"bays.

I am rather surprised by how many cases are dropping 5.35" bays. I still move data around that way. Especially since work has banned all USB drives.

What really confuses me is that all the high end motherboards I looked at are E-ATX but the most interesting cases are only ATX

The reason is ATX motherboards are more main stream where E-ATX is not what is your budget that could make it a little bit easier.

 

[Crash55]

Budget? That is a secondary concern on this build. Under $500 would be good. I looked at the Case Master ones but didn't really like them.

My plan is to simply keep looking until I find something I like. The weird part is that I tend to be more interested in the old cases than the latest ones. Must be getting old

 

[Doomslayer]

Budget? That is a secondary concern on this build. Under $500 would be good. I looked at the Case Master ones but didn't really like them.

My plan is to simply keep looking until I find something I like. The weird part is that I tend to be more interested in the old cases than the latest ones. Must be getting old

There is another option have you looked at the Phanteks Enthoo Pro Chassis comes with 5.25 ODD bays.

 

[Crash55]

That one is a possibility.

I was also looking at the Thermaltake Level 10 GT just because it was different

Thanks for your suggestions