Case help

[NickOmega]

Seeing as I've started a new job and have the prospect of steady income for the forseeable future I've been looking into building a new rig. Ideally I'd like to get the case first as it would be my motivation every time I look at it, also I'm planning on watercooling and fitting a window if the case I settle on doesn't have one so any modding etc could be done in the meantime while the pennies stack up for the kit.

I've been looking around/watching reviews and I'm having a difficult time choosing a case. There's quite a few that I like and can see potential for but I don't want to spend silly money, especially if I'm going to potentially be chopping bits out etc. I've mainly been looking at mid towers, that don't require huge amounts of work to squeeze rads in.

The cases I'm leaning towards are:
BitFenix Shinobi
CM 690 II
Corsair Carbide 300R
Fractal Arc Midi R2

Then pushing the budget a little:
CM Storm Trooper/Stryker
NZXT Switch 810

Just wondered if anyone could offer their real world experiences/opinions/advice or alternative suggestions as I've been at this for days :banghead:

Edit: I'm not going for a mega build so no out of the ordinary requirements for the case.
I fancy going for an all AMD build again so probably looking at
CPU: FX8350 (or depending on how long it takes and what happens, maybe wait for Steamroller)
GPU: 7950/70 (or again, wait and see the 8000 series and what it brings) possibly crossfire at some point if I feel the need but I doubt it.
MoBo: Still looking into it, not decided.

I have no actual experience with WC but I'm just going on the assumption that for a CPU/GPU loop I'm going to need 2 radiators or one big one. Most likely won't be OC'ing right off the bat, nothing major anyway.

Edit Edit: Forgot to mention that I'll be using SSD for OS etc, but will also need a mechanical storage drive for the time being.

 

[Feronix]

Would be nice to know what kind of hardware you're trying to put in and how many rads you want if you're watercooling

 

[NickOmega]

Would be nice to know what kind of hardware you're trying to put in and how many rads you want if you're watercooling

Yeah that's my bad, edited original post with what I'm thinking at the minute.

 

[MacLeod]

I gotta say the Switch. If youre going to be water cooling and have to room to store a full tower case, thats what you should be after IMO. Youll want the most amount of room you can get to work in.

 

[NickOmega]

I gotta say the Switch. If youre going to be water cooling and have to room to store a full tower case, thats what you should be after IMO. Youll want the most amount of room you can get to work in.

Yeah I suppose in an ideal situation and with a more extravagant budget it would be a much easier choice. The upshot is that it would require little or no modding, the downside is that it's the most expensive of all the cases I've been considering. I don't really have the room for a full tower at the moment, but it's not a complete impossibility which is why I haven't discounted it.

 

[Feronix]

What about the Arc Midi R2? It's not too expensive but can fit 2 fat 240mm rads. After that I'd say Switch 810 as well tbh.

 

[NickOmega]

What about the Arc Midi R2? It's not too expensive but can fit 2 fat 240mm rads. After that I'd say Switch 810 as well tbh.

Good suggestion had completely forgotten about that case. Nice flexibility for radiators, maybe even a 360 with some modding of the top. Definitely another possibility to think about.

Edit: SpecialTech are doing a number on me at the minute, just seen the Shinobi core on there for £34.99 (£44 delivered)