Best case for £50 - £100

[pickyantivirus]

Hey everyone,

I'm sure you get this a lot but things change fast in this market.

I'm planning on starting a new build soon with an Intel Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge (if i can wait that long) CPU with a Noctua NH-D14 as the cooler. PSU will be a Corsair AX750, ASUS P8Z68-V/GEN3 Intel Z68 Motherboard, GTX 560 (possible SLI), 8GB Mushkin Blackline, 60 or 120GB Corsair Force 3 SSD, already have a 500GB WD blue and a 2TB WD green.

My question is, What is the best case for these components for the budget of £50 - £100

Any advice on Component changes are also welcome and very much appreciated.

I'm currently favoring the 690 II Advanced (white), NZXT Phantom or Bitfenix Shinobi.

 

[PetrolHead247]

All the cases you've listed are pretty good. Take a look at the Fractal Design Arc Midi too though, it's also a fantastic case.

 

[Nathlm]

Cooler master storm enforcer may just do the trick

 

[King Damager]

Silverstone Raven RV03. Right at the top of your budget, but it is an absolutely cracking case for £99.99. The only issue is that it isn't particularly watercooling friendly, so if you wanted to go down this path it wouldn't be great. Then again, no case for 50-100 is great at wcing the kind of setup you want to put in.

Other options would be the 690ii, Shinobi, Zalman Z9, Corsair 500R, and if you could stretch to it the Cm Storm Trooper would be worth a look.

But yeah, personal choice would be RV03:

http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cases_cooling/silverstone_raven_rv03_review/1

Gold + Innovation, and that was when it was £113.99, can now be found for £99.99

kd

 

[nothingspecial]

Clear winneris the CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced. A superb case for air, LCS (H100 et al) or entry level watercooling. Around the £80 range. Search around and you'll find black, white or black and white (as linked)

 

[pickyantivirus]

Clear winneris the CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced. A superb case for air, LCS (H100 et al) or entry level watercooling. Around the £80 range. Search around and you'll find black, white or black and white (as linked)

I do love this case, thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. Considering them all. the full white one is really nice but the black and white is also nice.

 

[DoctorZ]

they are all good cases, but it really depends if you prefer looks over functionality or the other way around.

the best case in your budget in my opinion is the fractal design arc midi hands down. sure it doesnt look as cool as other cases but the water cooling options are great if you want to go that route later on and the D-14 gets swallowed by this case because of its great width and its build really well for that low price tag.

but if i had to choose from those 3 you listed i would choose the 690 or the phantom. i really dont like the inside of the shinobi personally

 

[pickyantivirus]

thing with the Cm Storm Trooper is you're stretching towards NZXT Switch 810 money (when its out) which is an amazing case. I like the Fractal Arc Mini. I am also a bit or a Corsair fan boy so the 500R really appeals and has that clean and tidy look about it. I've got loads of options and thanks to you all for you time and suggestions.

Ryan

 

[ruthless_villain]

i personally wouldnt get the phantom, but the rv03 is a great case and you should consider the fractal r3 as well tbh

 

[pickyantivirus]

Thanks Guys, got a lot of thinking to do and I'm pretty much 100% waiting for Ivy Bridge. But when it's built I will post some pictures on the forum. Keep an eye out a few weeks after IB release if you want to see the result

 

[Azurite]

Obsidian 550D or the 810 switch. Its 100£++ but i think its worth it.

 

[Terrifictez85]

Hey fella, i would recommend the Sharkoon Tauron.

Is £69.99 at aria.co.uk on offer.

Has everything you need and more. Plus the fans are pretty quiet.

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/Sharkoon+Tauron+Black%2FRed+Midi+Tower+Windowed+Chassis+w%2F+USB3.0+?productId=47874

 

[pickyantivirus]

Hey fella, i would recommend the Sharkoon Tauron.

Is £69.99 at aria.co.uk on offer.

Has everything you need and more. Plus the fans are pretty quiet.

http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/Sharkoon+Tauron+Black%2FRed+Midi+Tower+Windowed+Chassis+w%2F+USB3.0+?productId=47874

Hey mate,

Just wondered if you had one of there or a Sharkoon as I'm wondering what the build quality/fans are like. I do really like the look of the case though, nice window and front panel.

 

[Nculver]

I have heard that the quality of the plastics on the RV03 are sub-par, but i personally don't own one. The CM 690II sounds like a good option though, I like the look of it.

 

[Terrifictez85]

Hey mate,

Just wondered if you had one of there or a Sharkoon as I'm wondering what the build quality/fans are like. I do really like the look of the case though, nice window and front panel.

This is my current case. The fans are really good, the only downside is that there isn't much room in the back of the case for cable routing. The case looks even better in person

 

[pickyantivirus]

This is my current case. The fans are really good, the only downside is that there isn't much room in the back of the case for cable routing. The case looks even better in person

It's a very nice case but I keep being drawn to the CM 690 II Advanced in white/black.

I know you get more fans and really good air flow with all of the cases above but the CM just seems to have that simple, tidy look about it.

I'm still struggling to choose but have plenty of time to decide.

EDIT: Forgot to ask, does the top/ rear fan of the sharkoon have LEDs. if i consider this case I will end up getting red LED fans for the top and rear if they aren't supplied. Also does the Noctua NH-D14 fit ok?

 

[Terrifictez85]

It's a very nice case but I keep being drawn to the CM 690 II Advanced in white/black.

I know you get more fans and really good air flow with all of the cases above but the CM just seems to have that simple, tidy look about it.

I'm still struggling to choose but have plenty of time to decide.

I had that case too and loved it, i just like the fact that the window doesnt have those stupid grills on. The cable management is awesome and the fact you can remove multiple hdd caddies and relocate them. Is just a shame the bottom caddy is riveted in otherwise you'd be able to fit a 240mm rad in the front and a 280mm in the roof. JKust hope they make a white version as it would look immense. Especially for the price. Think this is the last case i'll buy for a while now.

 

[pickyantivirus]

I had that case too and loved it, i just like the fact that the window doesnt have those stupid grills on. The cable management is awesome and the fact you can remove multiple hdd caddies and relocate them. Is just a shame the bottom caddy is riveted in otherwise you'd be able to fit a 240mm rad in the front and a 280mm in the roof. JKust hope they make a white version as it would look immense. Especially for the price. Think this is the last case i'll buy for a while now.

Thanks for you time mate taking all into serious consideration.

 

[Mattdiv]

I've just decided on the Fractal Arc Midi. About to place my order. I've done a lot of looking into it and finally settled on this one.

With a window it would be perfect.

The 690 II Advanced looks good too but the Fractal is cheaper and generally better, in my opinion.

 

[DoctorZ]

I've just decided on the Fractal Arc Midi. About to place my order. I've done a lot of looking into it and finally settled on this one.

With a window it would be perfect.

The 690 II Advanced looks good too but the Fractal is cheaper and generally better, in my opinion.

yea i got the arc too, for the price its really good and the window is a bummer but the sidepanel should be easy to mod if you want one tho