Case recommendations (ATX mid/high tower case)

[cluthz]

Thanks guys.

Came accross Fractal Design R3 as well; quite nice, though a little too stylish for my own tastes.

View attachment 30187

http://www.fudzilla.com/reviews/item/25360-fractal-design-define-r3-black-pearl-reviewed


I figured it would be worth investing into something a little more fancy than the 300R, since a case should last me for several upgrades.

The 500R seems very good in terms of value, but I'm not too fond of the side bump.

Fractal recently released an new and improved version, R4. It's a bit wider, and have 140mm fans instead of 120MM and integrated fan controller as standard.

 

[fabd]

So what case did you end up getting? I'm also in the market for a 500r alternative.

Check out my thread
http://www.tonymacx86.com/buying-advice/71281-whats-your-dream-case.html

I got the 650D (revision 1).

http://www.corsair.com/pc-cases/obsidian-series-pc-case/obsidian-series-650d.html

I could have just as well went for the 300R. I wanted to spend a little more on the case and didn't like the 400R and 500R, because I prefer the "black monolith" looks with flat sides and top, brushed metal instead of glossy panes.

It was 155 € on Amazon which seemd lower than average around here by ~ 40 €.

There was an issue with delivery so I haven't received it yet. Amazon sent me a replacement straightaway.

Just keep in mind people report fan noise problems especially with the front fan. I'm aware of this, a front fan is pretty cheap and if necessary my father has plenty of tools to remove the front mesh.

 

[fabd]

Something I forgot to mention:

One problem often mentioned about the Corsair 650D is that it has USB3.0 "pass throughs" for the front panel. So you have two cables *within* the case with connectors just as the ones that you're supposed to connect from outside. Some people "route" these all the way to the back and out and then plug them in USB3.0 ports.

Interestingly with the Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H which is recommended on this site, you get an adapter that can connect to the motherboard USB3.0 head, on the top left of this photo:

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTM0NTU2OTQ4NGY1UXlKbWNqN3JfMV84X2wuZ2lm


So I fit that in one of the drive bays, connected the USB3.0 cables from the case to it, and connected the other end to the motherboard. I don't have any USB3.0 devices though so I can't confirm if it works as intended.