Help finding Case

[blair]

Hi,

I need some help finding a case which covers all these area( or can be made to cover):

1) Dust Filters

2) good cooling with at least 1x 120 in the top

3) comes with good fans that can be speed controlled ( or a speed controller can be added)

4) side window

5) can take a 12" GPU (or xfx 5870 power connector come out the back so add extra length to it XD)

6) cable management

7) has the ability to add a water cooling in the future

and finally does not break the bank I.E. not £200 my budgets is around £100

thanks

 

[sheroo]

What kind of water cooling? What size rad are you thinking? As this will have one of the biggest impacts on your choice.

The CoolerMaster 690II comes to mind.

 

[blair]

240 but cant they be mounted externally so internally a case doesnt have to have room right?

 

[tinytomlogan]

Deffo look at the 690 II - also have a sniff around the forums for the snow drift threads where I watercooled a 690 II for gadget show live

 

[sheroo]

240 but cant they be mounted externally so internally a case doesnt have to have room right?

Yeah sure, that's upto you. The CM 690II will support 2 internal 240mm rads. If you plan on putting the rads outside then you can buy a non water cooling friendly case and you will have alot more cases to choose from.

 

[blair]

Yea i saw it but i dont have the money to buy water cooling at the moment just want to get a future prof case.

what type of fan connectors are they on the c 690?

 

[dugdiamond]

CM 690 II +1

 

[blair]

if i installed a side window panel there would only be 1 intake fan though?

 

[SieB]

One intake fan at the front should be ok I only have the front intake fan on my 690 II ADV and I am happy with my temps. You can buy a windowed side panel for the 690 and I think you can buy the case with a windowed side panel as well so no need to faf around doing it your self.

As for mounting the rads on the outside, you can but it doesn't look very good. The 690 would be the perfect case for you from what your needs are in your description, like Tom said check out the Snow drift rig he did for Gadget show live after you see that I reckon your decision will be made.

http://www.youtube.c...h/0/_YzbR3cHiNE

http://forum.overclo...e-system-build/

 

[sheroo]

I must admit though I quite like the ghetto look of rads on the outside sometimes.

HAF X might also do what you want. Side fan, window and can fit a triple rad in the roof.

 

[SieB]

Ye, Haf X would be a good case as well, check out Tom's water cooled Gigabyte Assassin vid on the youtube channel.

 

[blair]

whats the max size gpu the 690 can take i know some of the HDD cages can be removed but looking at my MB lay out the gpu will still be inline with the 2 secured HDD bays

 

[SieB]

12.1" according to my tape measure.

 

[blair]

i think the 690 might be a tight squeeze as my gpu with power connectors measures over 12"

 

[SieB]

Check out the case Sheroo mentioned, the Haf X. I just did a quick google search and found someone on a forum that has one with a 5870.LINK

Toms vid of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaSJcLdc2qE

 

[blair]

but for the same price what about the Antec DF -85?

 

[SieB]

Not sure about that case I haven't read or seen anything about it to be honest. There isn't that many good cases that can do both water and air cooling so you have to pick the best ones that have both options if that's what you want to go for and I only know of the Haf X, 690 II ADV and the Xigmatek Elysium that are good at both.

Some other members might have some other good suggestions though.

 

[blair]

why did XFX have to mount the power connectors on the back of the card and not the top like everyone else!

 

[blair]

where can i get a window side panel for the 960 in the UK?

 

[SieB]

Case with the windowed side panel LINK

Or you can buy just the side panel with the window LINK

Have a look around though you might find cheaper prices.