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General Category => Geek / Games Discussion => Topic started by: KT 💣 KλBoƠM on November 03, 2023, 04:42:28 am
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So looking at cases as mentioned in this thread (http://www.killerz.dns2go.com/smfbb20/index.php?topic=218.msg2649#msg2649) as well as mentioned in this thread (http://www.killerz.dns2go.com/smfbb20/index.php?topic=202.msg2487#msg2487), I thought you both were right and in keep on the topic of each thread it only made sense to create this thread.
What I want in a case:
- Able to open the door on my own to keep it clean inside.
- Have at least 2 USB ports on the front for ease of access. (I typically use at least 9 USB ports at once.)
- Support my old HDD's still as well as my SSD.
- Support for my RW DVD player.
- Upgradable hardware wise.
- At least support for 5 fans and wide enough to not have video card size impact my ability to have needed fans or limit my choices of video cards that will fit in the case.
- Clean cable management.
- Sleek design and RBG fans etc.
I love my RBG lights, I like to hold onto tech I already have as I am poor, love to not have to worry about overheating (lots of fans if I want), love to have lots of upgrade capability for the future, and enjoy ease of access to my USB ports and lots of them.
So with that in mind... one day when I have money (which won't be for a while now) I had looked at these or ones like it:
(https://c1.neweggimages.com/itemreivewimages/reviewimg1920/74b25ff1a40a156b7b6202187a55bc3c92b7f4a172a80045f9d251705970ef1e.jpg)
(https://c1.neweggimages.com/itemreivewimages/reviewimg1920/d53b52881fa00eb4b31220e6f506fb170da1e0dcf551964f81b9de69644652a2.jpg)
I am finding more and more than good cases tend to not support many HDD and large components. I still want to keep my DVD player / recorder I have but that is just me. My mentality is I have it so why not use it. I want it still in my case. Also I am finding not a lot of USB ports on many cases anymore.
Sand, for what you were suggesting with the CORSAIR 3000D AIRFLOW Mid-Tower PC Case - Black - 2x SP120 ELITE Fans $70 USD (https://www.newegg.com/black-corsair-3000d-airflow-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811139192), what is that tray in the front?
(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/11-139-192-06.png)
The Fractal Design Focus G Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case for $55 USD (https://www.newegg.com/black-fractal-design-focus-g-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811352069) is okay too.
Need to make sure a case supports everything I have as well and no "well you don't really need that anyway" talk. I have what I have and it is all good for now. I am happy with what I have (except the need for speakers).
(https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductImageCompressAll1280/AK91S210730JUymR.jpg)
For the sake of cost and how expensive shipping is, it is probably best to look within Canada.
https://www.newegg.ca/Computer-Cases/SubCategory/ID-7 (https://www.newegg.ca/Computer-Cases/SubCategory/ID-7)
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Keep in mind that all that older hardware tech is being phased out. Or already has been. Example: Floppy drives are gone. And optical drives have pretty much gone away. HDD's are still around. But are in the process of being phased out for SSD's and M.2 drives.
With that now out of the way.... The Focus G from Fractal Design is one of the last modern cases that still support most of what you want. Clean cable management is not good in that case. But it can check off all the others. It comes with 2 LED fans. But can support up to 6 120mm fans. It has 1 SSD mount in the back behind the PSU and 2 removeable 2.5 inch or 3.5 in drive bays in the basement. 2 - 5 1/4 bays in the front. 2 USB ports in the front. But it's 1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0. It is able to support 2 - 240mm radiators at the same time. And has plenty of room to fit a RX 5700 XT with a full cover water block on it. It doesn't come with RGB, but you can add it.
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If you don't mind gray case for the Fractal G. I don't see it getting much cheaper.
https://www.newegg.ca/gunmetal-gray-fractal-design-focus-g-atx-mid-tower/p/11-352-075?Item=11-352-075&cm_sp=product-_-from-price-options
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Keep in mind that all that older hardware tech is being phased out. Or already has been. Example: Floppy drives are gone. And optical drives have pretty much gone away. HDD's are still around. But are in the process of being phased out for SSD's and M.2 drives.
With that now out of the way.... The Focus G from Fractal Design is one of the last modern cases that still support most of what you want. Clean cable management is not good in that case. But it can check off all the others. It comes with 2 LED fans. But can support up to 6 120mm fans. It has 1 SSD mount in the back behind the PSU and 2 removeable 2.5 inch or 3.5 in drive bays in the basement. 2 - 5 1/4 bays in the front. 2 USB ports in the front. But it's 1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0. It is able to support 2 - 240mm radiators at the same time. And has plenty of room to fit a RX 5700 XT with a full cover water block on it. It doesn't come with RGB, but you can add it.
Ya you know what I like even though I prefer black but who is going to see my computer anyway to show it off? Doesn't really matter :P
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If you don't mind gray case for the Fractal G. I don't see it getting much cheaper.
https://www.newegg.ca/gunmetal-gray-fractal-design-focus-g-atx-mid-tower/p/11-352-075?Item=11-352-075&cm_sp=product-_-from-price-options
Oh that is nice. Wish it had more USB at the front/top but ya nice
(https://c1.neweggimages.com/BizIntell/item/11/352/11-352-075/a6_101217.jpg)
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I have a Focus G here in black. I setup my old gaming rig in that case with a full custom water cooling loop with two 240mm radiators and 6 case fans. It's shocking just how much heat an OC'ed Xeon X5690 can put out.
The case is a bit on the small side and has very limited space in the back for cable management. The clear side panel is plastic. So, it's light weight but can scratch easy. Both side covers have captive screws so you won't lose them. One of the SSD mounts is in the back of the case and the screws are hidden directly behind the PSU. Poor design flaw but we are working with limited space. It does have two removable drive trays in the bottom. If you don't need them, you can mount an additional 120mm fan in its place. There are two 5 1/4 drive bays. And yes, only two front I/O USB ports. One is 2.0 and the other is 3.0.
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Right now the black one is on sale.
https://www.newegg.ca/black-fractal-design-focus-g-atx-mid-tower/p/11-352-069?Item=11-352-069&cm_sp=product-_-from-price-options
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Just so you are aware, this case comes with two 120mm front case fans. Plugs into a standard 3 pin fan header. They have clear blades with white LED lighting.
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If she gets a case with decent flow, she can add extra for now fans then maybe go rgb later.
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Or take blue ones from my current case?
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If she gets a case with decent flow, she can add extra for now fans then maybe go rgb later.
RGB case fans are still a bit on the pricy side. LED case fans are much cheaper but generally run at slower speeds to reduce noise. Or barely create enough static pressure to overcome some case dust filters.
It's a touchy subject when shopping for case fans these days. You want something that can last a long time. Runs quiet. Has the ability to generate a high enough CFM. Fits your astatic wants and needs and fits your case.
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If she gets a case with decent flow, she can add extra for now fans then maybe go rgb later.
RGB case fans are still a bit on the pricy side. LED case fans are much cheaper but generally run at slower speeds to reduce noise. Or barely create enough static pressure to overcome some case dust filters.
It's a touchy subject when shopping for case fans these days. You want something that can last a long time. Runs quiet. Has the ability to generate a high enough CFM. Fits your astatic wants and needs and fits your case.
CMF?
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CMF?
Sorry. CFM = Cubic Feet per Minute.
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Sorry. CFM = Cubic Feet per Minute.
Ah ok.
Edit: Fixed empty double quote.
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Here is some useful information when setting up your case fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba6w3QdnWBw&ab_channel=JayzTwoCents
Admittedly, my web server PC is setup for neutral air pressure. 2 front 120mm intake fans. 1 top 140mm fan and 1 rear 120mm fan as exhaust. This system has no filters. Only grills.
My gaming rig is slightly negative pressure. That has 3 bottom intake fans. Then 3 top fans and 1 rear fan as exhaust. They all 120mm fans. It just has an intake filter.
My new 7d2d server is setup for positive pressure. 2 front 180mm fans and one rear 140mm exhaust fan. Also, only an intake filter.
And out of all 3 systems, the neutral air system seems to collect the least amount of dust inside the case. Where the negative pressure system collects the most dust.
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Oh thank you for posting this! This is very informative! :)
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I just got a very pretty older case, didn't cost much but it's was probably one of the dirtiest cases I've encountered. I am in the process of a total disassembly and cleaning of the case but it should be worth it in the end. It is gunmetal with black trim, NZXT phantom 410 SE pretty sure the original fans are shot though. was thinking some ARGB fans would be cool.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1134408-REG/nzxt_ca_ph410_g2_ph410_phantom_mid_tower_gunmetal.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0fWgStloNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_RxxMBFqWQ
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Pretty cool looking old school air flow case. Plenty of space for 5 1/4 drives. As well as 3 1/2 HDD's. It would make a nice case for a retro gaming rig or a home nas. With how large modern higher end GPU's have gotten and how much cooling modern CPU's require, you would have to keep it low budget for modern gaming rig hardware. That side intake is just in the way. And the limited front intake and top exhaust real estate this case has could hurt overall performance of higher watt components. I look forward to seeing what you do with it.
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It doesn't have any of the cooling problems you mentioned. you do remember the subject of this thread right? KT started the thread about cooling a system like hers not a top 1% overclocked $3,000 over kill computer. I'm pretty sure with about 6 out of the up to 8 possible fans I would be able to keep my current rig cool with that case. R9 3900x and rtx 3070.
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It doesn't have any of the cooling problems you mentioned.
Oh no? See if you can fit a 3070FE in there with the side intake fan in place and close to door. I bet you $1 there is a clearance issue.
But I am sorry. I thought the subject was about "new" budget high air flow cases. My mistake. Maybe we should ask the tech Jesus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL5uttjPWZE&ab_channel=GamersNexus
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It's about 2.5 inches from where the video card screws in to where the side panel fits and the side panel fan mount is not near where the PCI-E power plugs would be on the card. Steve probably has a good list there.
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I have learned from my own case to always look for more space instead of "enough" so I don't have to forgo fans and certain video card upgrades.
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Well that is the ultimate goal. Finding a case that has the aesthetics and features to satisfy your tastes and needs respectively. AND is future upgrade ready to take on whatever hardware you might be able to get your hands on. Because if you think about it. Most people tend to stick with the same case and PSU for a couple of major upgrades. You will eventually replace them when they break or when they no longer support the new hardware you plan to get.
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Well that is the ultimate goal. Finding a case that has the aesthetics and features to satisfy your tastes and needs respectively. AND is future upgrade ready to take on whatever hardware you might be able to get your hands on. Because if you think about it. Most people tend to stick with the same case and PSU for a couple of major upgrades. You will eventually replace them when they break or when they no longer support the new hardware you plan to get.
Ya that makes sense. That is why "Just enough" is not good with the speed of how fast tech grows and old computer components become obsolete.
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Ya that makes sense. That is why "Just enough" is not good with the speed of how fast tech grows and old computer components become obsolete.
Exactly! Back in the day, many, if not all computer cases had several drive bays in the front of the case. This gave users the option for countless storage options. Floppy drives. Tape drives. Optical drives. Of course, hard drives. And just about anything else that you could fit in those easy access front drive bays. But back then, CPU's and GPU's didn't require much power and didn't put off anywhere near as much heat as they do today. A lot of those cases did have some air flow options in the front of the case. But were limited and restricted by those front drive bays and restrictive front covers. But now, high air flow is becoming ever more important to help cool higher and higher wattage components. We are at a point now where massive heat syncs or water cooling are a necessity if you want to get every last drop of performance from your computer. Floppy, tape and optical drives or a thing of the past for PC's for many good reasons. And HDD's are going the same route. They are heavy, take up a lot of space, are fragile and are way too slow to keep up with modern tech.
There were even a number of cases over the decades that had side intake. At first, it was to help cool the CPU. But later, when CPU's got relocated to near the top of the mainboard, the side intake had benefits to cooling the GPU. And sometimes more than just one. But now, GPU coolers have grown so large that side intakes have become pointless. Mainly because there is not enough room for the GPU and side intake fan. And the fan shroud on most modern GPU's won't benefit much from side intakes anyway. Unless the GPU is vertically mounted in the case. So, my recommendation when shopping for a new case. Don't focus so much on legacy hardware that you may still have. Think more about where the technology is heading and what can suit your needs now. I will be very happy to help you pick out something.
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So, my recommendation when shopping for a new case. Don't focus so much on legacy hardware that you may still have. Think more about where the technology is heading and what can suit your needs now. I will be very happy to help you pick out something.
It would be different if I was not deep in debt and claiming bankruptcy for the 2nd time around. Money is the biggest factor which happens to include what I currently have so I don't have to spend money on more just to make it all work and it. :(
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The video title pretty much speaks for itself here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYM9t4c_ev0&ab_channel=GamersNexus
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Nice :)