CPU Case Suggestion?

[infernal008]

Hello, it is my first time purchasing a new case since the purchase of my cpu in a generic case. Presently, my cpu is enclosed in the said generic case.

I would like to hear from you about your suggestions on a good cpu case which has good air cooling performance in terms of the stock fans it already has and the potential for aftermarket cooling upgrade (Preferrably air cooling with the use of fans). I am also considering minimalistic looks.

I live in a tropical country with abient temperatures ranging from 30 to 34 degrees. I am not an overclocker and just uses stock configuration from my cpu, memory and gpu. Since it is quite often hot in my place, side fans are a good consideration to help cool my gpu as well.

Thank you, I am really in need of suggestions right now

 

[Feronix]

We're going to need more info than that mate;

- What CPU cooler are you using?
- Do you have watercooling plans?
- What's your budget?
- What size is your motherboard?

 

[infernal008]

Hello, thanks for your feedback.

I am using an Intel Core-i7 2600k with the stock intel cooler. I know it might not be the best but I had to compromise things to be able to purchase the processor. Though I also have plans on purchasing aftermarket cpu coolers, I just do not have any idea what yet because it depends on the clearance of the case right?

I do not plan on having a water cooling setup as I do not yet want to overclock my system because it already satisfies me. Though the option is clearly not thrown out. Maybe watercooling for the cpu with the aid of closed loop coolers like from corsair.

I have a budget of about $100, since our currency is different I may consider different ranges as long as it will be considerable.

I have an ATX motherboard.

Thanks!

 

[Feronix]

For your wishes, the best three cases I could find are:

- Fractal Design Define Arc Midi R2
- Corsair Carbide 300R
- Cooler Master Storm Scout 2

They *should* all fit your budget (I chose €80,-), all have USB 3.0 ports on the front and all of them support an H100i (and pretty much every other 2x120mm radiator). The 300R and Scout 2 also support side panel fans, the Midi R2 has a window.

From this point you'll probably just have to decide which one you like the looks of better, but performance wise they're pretty much the same. Corsair stock fans aren't the greatest though, but then again, not many stock fans that come with a case are.

 

[infernal008]

Thanks! I will look into them.


Do you think having side fans would do me good for gpu cooling? The trade-off for having side fans installed is that you could only put lower clearance cpu heatsinks right.

Or do you think strong front intakes alone can supply good cooling for the gpu inside?

Note: I am only using one gpu.

 

[OcSurfer]

Personally for that money i would go Nanoxia Deep Silence,
Brilliant Finish to it, is dead silent and has plenty of room for watercooling without the need to mod it.

 

[Tripp]

for your wishes, the best three cases i could find are:

- fractal design define arc midi r2
- corsair carbide 300r
- cooler master storm scout 2

they *should* all fit your budget (i chose €80,-), all have usb 3.0 ports on the front and all of them support an h100i (and pretty much every other 2x120mm radiator). The 300r and scout 2 also support side panel fans, the midi r2 has a window.

From this point you'll probably just have to decide which one you like the looks of better, but performance wise they're pretty much the same. Corsair stock fans aren't the greatest though, but then again, not many stock fans that come with a case are.

+ 1

 

[Feronix]

With a good front intake you should be fine tbh. In all cases you can either rotate or remove the upper harddrive cage for unrestricted airflow to your GPU. You might want to invest in some proper fans though

 

[infernal008]

Personally for that money i would go Nanoxia Deep Silence,
Brilliant Finish to it, is dead silent and has plenty of room for watercooling without the need to mod it.

That is indeed great, though unfortunately it is not available here in my country and having to order online would be a hassle to me. Thanks!

With a good front intake you should be fine tbh. In all cases you can either rotate or remove the upper harddrive cage for unrestricted airflow to your GPU. You might want to invest in some proper fans though

That's good to hear! Since I have almost no experience in proper cooling it has quite bug me thinking about side fan cooling. It could help in my decision making alot!

I have done my research on different stores here in my country, which among these do you think would be quite reasonable?

NZXT Phantom
Cooler Master Storm Scout 2
Aerocool Templarius Telum
Antex Eleven Hundred
Bitfenix Ghost
Corsair Carbide 400r
NZXT Tempest 410 Elite

*Sorry for the long list of choices

Note: Considering their price, the NZXT Phantom is the most expesive amont these choices and fortunately I could get one

 

[Feronix]

- The original Phantom is quite outdated by now, it's also a full tower. You can try to look for the Phantom 410 which would be better for you, though it doesn't have dust filters iirc.

- The Scout 2 is quite new and a good case, you have to like the looks though.

- Aerocool, please don't do it.

- Again, quite outdated and won't fit a 2x120mm radiator.

- The Ghost is build for silence, and so like any other case that's build for silence, it will have decreased cooling options (limited front intake as you can see).

- 400R would be a good choice, Corsair cases are usually top notch.

- Tempest 410 would be an okay option, but just not the one I'd personally go for. I think it's also the cheapest?

On a side note; Please use the

button to edit your post instead of posting twice in a row.

 

[infernal008]

- The original Phantom is quite outdated by now, it's also a full tower. You can try to look for the Phantom 410 which would be better for you, though it doesn't have dust filters iirc.

- The Scout 2 is quite new and a good case, you have to like the looks though.

- Aerocool, please don't do it.

- Again, quite outdated and won't fit a 2x120mm radiator.

- The Ghost is build for silence, and so like any other case that's build for silence, it will have decreased cooling options (limited front intake as you can see).

- 400R would be a good choice, Corsair cases are usually top notch.

- Tempest 410 would be an okay option, but just not the one I'd personally go for. I think it's also the cheapest?

On a side note; Please use the

button to edit your post instead of posting twice in a row.

Wow Thanks a lot!

This is what I want to hear, I have been reading separate reviews of most cases and I still do not have an idea of which would be better. Your definition of them is actually great.

I really find the Scout 2 to be looking really good. Though the Phantom strikes me the most in aesthetics.

I guess for me it would fall down to the Scout 2 and the 400r.

I am curious though, you have said the Phantom is quite outdate, knowing that they have released the 820 and 630, but are its features not quite enough or in which points is it not that good?

Thanks for your replies

** Haha I am sorry, I am just starting to familiriaze myself with the environment in this forum :lol:

 

[Feronix]

Well, reviews are usually done when a product has just hit the market. 3 Years ago, the Phantom would've been a good case, nowadays you can do much better for the money.

- It only has 1 front intake fan, the other cases have 2.
- The front intake is not filtered
- It has no USB 3.0
- The harddrive cages are non rotatable/removable

So I would no longer recommend this case, especially for your needs (good front intake) as there's only 1 fan, no filter and the harddrive cage would be in the way.

Does the shop where you're buying not have the Phantom 410? It's a little bit smaller, but more up-to-date case. Should also be a tad cheaper

There's a difference between the Phantom and the Phantom 410

 

[infernal008]

Well, reviews are usually done when a product has just hit the market. 3 Years ago, the Phantom would've been a good case, nowadays you can do much better for the money.

- It only has 1 front intake fan, the other cases have 2.
- The front intake is not filtered
- It has no USB 3.0
- The harddrive cages are non rotatable/removable

So I would no longer recommend this case, especially for your needs (good front intake) as there's only 1 fan, no filter and the harddrive cage would be in the way.

Does the shop where you're buying not have the Phantom 410? It's a little bit smaller, but more up-to-date case. Should also be a tad cheaper

There's a difference between the Phantom and the Phantom 410

Their price difference is about $5 dollars here considering the currency convertion.

I was attracted firstly to the Phantom's huge size and looks. And with their price difference I had first considered the Phantom thinking that It is better of both that the 410 is just a smaller midtower version of it not knowing that it has improved features.

These are my choices so far, considering your recommendation:

Scout 2, Phantom 410 and 400r. They cost almost the same here with very minimal price differences. Which among these do you think will be the best?

**I'm sorry for asking too much, I just have no experience in this thing and asking from more experienced people surely has helped me. You have my great thanks!

 

[Feronix]

You can never ask too much mate, I'm just happy I can help someone out

Both the Phantom 410 and the Scout 2 have a nice little window *and* options to mount side panel fans if you wish (though as said before, in most cases (no pun intended) that's not necessary). So I'd personally go for one of those.

The advantage that the 410 has over the Scout 2 is that it has a built-in fan controller and you can mount a fan to the upper hard drive cage, as seen here:

You can set it to blow directly over your GPU.

The Scout 2 however, comes with carrying handles. So if you do move your pc around a lot these might be convenient although not complete necessary

 

[infernal008]

You can never ask too much mate, I'm just happy I can help someone out

Both the Phantom 410 and the Scout 2 have a nice little window *and* options to mount side panel fans if you wish (though as said before, in most cases (no pun intended) that's not necessary). So I'd personally go for one of those.

The advantage that the 410 has over the Scout 2 is that it has a built-in fan controller and you can mount a fan to the upper hard drive cage, as seen here:

You can set it to blow directly over your GPU.

The Scout 2 however, comes with carrying handles. So if you do move your pc around a lot these might be convenient although not complete necessary

Thanks! I have considered the Phantom 410 among all my choices. It is quite reasonable for me and my needs, though I will have to read reviews to familirize myself with it and also to take the Scout 2 into consderation.

I must be lucky asking in this forum. Thanks once again! I am planning to purchase my case either tomorrow or the next day. And if wasn't able to ask here, I may have bought the Phantom one.

 

[Feronix]

No problem mate

Good luck on watching reviews and please let us know what you picked in the end and why! Might be helpful for others as well

 

[infernal008]

No problem mate

Good luck on watching reviews and please let us know what you picked in the end and why! Might be helpful for others as well

Sure I will! Thanks! Will update with my purchase here soon.

 

[remember300]

yeah those cases would be something id suggest, and when you have ya case take some piccies

 

[infernal008]

Hello! I have still not yet purchased a case for my cpu, though I have two choices so far, the NZXT Phantom 410 and the Cooler Master Storm Scout 2. As I was browsing, I have encountered the Cooler Master Enforcer, which looks good to me aestheticaly, do you think it will do well against my two options? Thanks!

 

[Feronix]

Yeah, that's a good looking case.

Only disadvantage that it has over the P410 and Scout 2 is that it won't support a radiator. Other than that, it's quite a good case. It only has one front intake fan, but iirc that's a 200mm one so you should be fine. Not as much choice on the market though, if you ever want to switch it out for a better one.

The upper HDD cage is removable so that'll be good as well!

Only other thing worth mentioning (imo) is that it has no cable management grommets, but instead it just has plain holes along the side of the motherboard tray.