Choosing a tower

[preolt]

Well I have narrowed down my tower decision to four towers but I am struggling to choose one. They all fit in my price range and have specific features I like about them. This is the system that is going into the tower.

CPU: i5-2500k

MOBO: Asus Sabertooth

PSU: Rosewill 1000W Bronze rated

RAM: G.skill 8 Gb ripjaws

GPU: msi frozr Gtx 560 ti

Will replace most case fans with noctua or scythe ones

First off the LIAN LI PC-7FN Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112249

This tower is the most expensive at 140$ but has instant savings making it 100$

It is on the larger end of the cases but still a rather small mid sized tower. Only part I am not crazy about is the blue LED fan which can be easily replaced.

Next is the LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112099

It is the second smallest tower in my line up and is rated highly by modders. nice clean sleek case overall and runs 100$

Third is the lowest priced case at 60$, but is not aluminum Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

It is a good case overall and well rated but it is not aluminum. This isnt a deal breaker but I do understand that is why its 40$ cheaper then the lian li's. Nice case once again well rated by modders.

Finally we have the smallest of the bunch the LIAN LI PC-A05NB Black Aluminum ATX Mini Tower

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112218

This tower runs for about 90$. It is the smallest of the group at only 15" in height. I am slightly leaning towards this case right now though I am still not positive.

As you might be able to see in my line up I want a smaller form factor case. Though I do want the best airflow possible as well. I might at some time in the future switch over to liquid cooling but until I can get the money I will be going with the norm of fans. I also will be modding these cases my self probably. Adding fans to the top or bottom where I see fit. My main question for you guys is what do you think is an overall better case ?

Thanks guys

EDIT: links fixed

 

[SieB]

Links not working mate.

Out of those cases i'd say either the PC-7B or the Antec 300. I don't if you would be able to use water cooling in them though, maybe someone else can confirm.

 

[preolt]

Links not working mate.

Out of those cases i'd say either the PC-7B or the Antec 300. I don't if you would be able to use water cooling in them though, maybe someone else can confirm.

Fixed the links sorry about that. Here are a few sites showing water cooling instillation. You might need to scroll down a bit on some of the pages.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=225417

http://www.overclock.net/case-mod-work-logs/498948-antec-302-a.html

Though I am not planning one water cooling for some time still

Thanks for quick reply

 

[ciksas]

Antec 300 or LIAN LI PC-7FN. If you get the 300 you will already have some money for water cooling

 

[SieB]

The Lian Li is really tiny but looks nicer than the Antec 300, but the Antec is larger and would be better for adding water cooling, I think

Tough choice but if it was mine i'd go for the Antec or look for other cases, I don't know much about water cooling and what the requirments are so I can't recomend other cases.

 

[Grizzly]

PC-7FN, you've at least then got the hose cutouts to mount watercooling equipment externally i.e. if you want a rad bigger than 120. All depends on what you plan to watercool in future. You might find either you need a completely different case or need to cut down on your watercooling plans.

 

[INMATE183]

If you get a diff design lian li you could fit the rad where the hd cage goes or a 2x 140mm in the top(although tight) but remove the HDD cage and replace with a 240mm rad with push pull

 

[dugdiamond]

get the antec1200 or a haf

 

[preolt]

get the antec1200 or a haf

Neither of those cases are small form factor cases smaller than 20"x9"x20". Would you guys say its worth it to pay the extra money for the lian li's over the other cases?

 

[Qubo420]

Dude the LIAN-LI PC-7FN is the way to go, trust me you dont need 10 fans to keep your PC cool, plus it looks awsome.

 

[preolt]

I guess I will probably choose the lian li pc-7fn and see how it goes. Thanks for your advice guys