Help Me Find a New Case - mATX Under $100

[MEC-777]

Just installed an R9-290 in the Fractal Node 304. While temperatures are well within safe limits (highest I saw was 73 degrees on the GPU with OC), they are still a bit higher than I'd prefer. 

 

It's OK for now and I really like the Node, but I'm just testing the waters to see what other cases are out there that may give better airflow and provide more upgrade options for the future (mATX instead of mITX etc.).

 

Some key points;

 

-mATX compatible (not full ATX).

-Relatively small overall size.

-Good or excellent airflow with support for at least one 120mm AIO cooler.

-Tasteful, minimalistic style/design preferred.

-Side window if possible, but not necessary (airflow takes priority).

-No brand preference.

-Black and or white (black preferred).

-Less than $100 (CAD) if possible. The lower the price the better.

-MUST have clearance for a 300mm long graphics card.

 

May sound like I'm being a little picky, but I am open to suggestions that stray a little from these aspects. However, above is primarily what I'm looking for. 

 

Thus far, I've been looking at the Bitfenix Prodigy and Phenom m (they use the same core layout) but I'm having a hard time finding other, similar options that fit my requirements...

 

Any suggestions?

[Archangel1994]

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011029ww

 

Is probably your strongest option

[Krytopsy]

Where's the front air intake ?

[Hodor]

Where's the front air intake ?

In the front?

[MasterRaceFanBoy]

Where's the front air intake ?

you can add 2 fans in front..

[Krytopsy]

I rather get an ugliest case with mesh in the front for better cooling.

[MEC-777]

http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011029ww

 

Is probably your strongest option

 

Thanks. Yeah, the 350D is definitely on my radar. I was hoping to avoid the typical rectangular "tower" look, but I mean if it has everything else I'm looking for, then I could deal with it. 

 

Plus that window....  B)  So nice...

 

Also considering the Corsair Air 240. I like that the PSU and storage is hidden and makes cable management so much nicer/easier.

[spwath]

Thanks. Yeah, the 350D is definitely on my radar. I was hoping to avoid the typical rectangular "tower" look, but I mean if it has everything else I'm looking for, then I could deal with it.

Plus that window.... B) So nice...

Also considering the Corsair Air 240. I like that the PSU and storage is hidden and makes cable management so much nicer/easier.

Enthoo evovl

[MEC-777]

Enthoo evovl

How did I not know this was an mATX case!? I guess I glanced at it and assumed "full ATX tower". Don't judge a book by it's cover certainly applies here.

 

Very nice. A little pricey, but you get what you pay for, right?

 

Will add this one to the list. Thanks.

[rausch]

Prodigy M?

 

IT was a nice case (considering the design) to build in.  A 7990 fit (swapped for 2 280x), and was using an  H90 for the CPU, so no issue there. Its' definitely a 'different' design.

 

I will also second the Enthoo. I absolutely love my Primo, and would imagine the Evolv is just as nice.

[biggiebigs123]

i would say the 550d its got enough room for future upgrades.

[MourningSouls]

Silverstone TJ08B-E (-EW for window version)

Silverstone PS07 (Not sure if there is a window version, also comes in white)

Corsair 350D

Corsair Air 240 (Mixed feelings for this case, but it's worth recommending.)

Fractal Design Arc Mini

Fractal Design Node 804

[MEC-777]

Well it turns out I will definitely be needing a larger case if I want to keep the stock air cooling on the HIS 290. I was just playing Assetto Corsa for a few hours (very high/ultra settings @ 1080p) and this games makes the GPU work pretty darn hard, to say the least. I saw temps peak at 81 degrees at one point and it hovered between 75-79 most of the time. Technically still "safe" but way warmer than I'd prefer. There's just not enough airflow in the Node, even with all fans at max rpm (which sounds like a 747).  :unsure:

 

i would say the 550d its got enough room for future upgrades.

Checked out the 550D. It's a little too plain for my tastes (350D is borderline). But thanks for the suggestion.

 

Silverstone TJ08B-E (-EW for window version)

Silverstone PS07 (Not sure if there is a window version, also comes in white)

Corsair 350D

Corsair Air 240 (Mixed feelings for this case, but it's worth recommending.)

Fractal Design Arc Mini

Fractal Design Node 804

 

Arc Mini R2 is pretty nice, will give that a closer look.

 

At the moment, the Air 240 is looking like the best option. I like the big window to show off the guts and it has, by far, the best air flow options - without being too big or looking like another typical tower. 2x 120mm intakes on the bottom (for the GPU), 2x 120mm intakes on the front (one for the H60), and 2x 120mm exhaust fans on the top. Plus I really like the separate chamber for the PSU, storage drives and cables. Keep everything clean and cool.

 

Will keep looking and comparing. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[MEC-777]

Ok, I have to remove the Enthoo Evolv from the list, unfortunately. It's $149 CAD for the black version... 

[biggiebigs123]

Well it turns out I will definitely be needing a larger case if I want to keep the stock air cooling on the HIS 290. I was just playing Assetto Corsa for a few hours (very high/ultra settings @ 1080p) and this games makes the GPU work pretty darn hard, to say the least. I saw temps peak at 81 degrees at one point and it hovered between 75-79 most of the time. Technically still "safe" but way warmer than I'd prefer. There's just not enough airflow in the Node, even with all fans at max rpm (which sounds like a 747).  :unsure:

 

Checked out the 550D. It's a little too plain for my tastes (350D is borderline). But thanks for the suggestion.

 

 

Arc Mini R2 is pretty nice, will give that a closer look.

 

At the moment, the Air 240 is looking like the best option. I like the big window to show off the guts and it has, by far, the best air flow options - without being too big or looking like another typical tower. 2x 120mm intakes on the bottom (for the GPU), 2x 120mm intakes on the front (one for the H60), and 2x 120mm exhaust fans on the top. Plus I really like the separate chamber for the PSU, storage drives and cables. Keep everything clean and cool.

 

Will keep looking and comparing. Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Yea i sorta thought that as well but it was worth mention, though the case is large enough to add a lot of upgrades which is always a plus.      

[mapegl]

DON'T get the air 240. Such a crappy case

I would either recommend the arc/define mini or the 350d. They have their little flaws but all are nice cases that you can definitely do a nice build in and all have good build quality.

[MEC-777]

DON'T get the air 240. Such a crappy case

I would either recommend the arc/define mini or the 350d. They have their little flaws but all are nice cases that you can definitely do a nice build in and all have good build quality.

Can you be more specific with regards to the Air 240? Saying "it's crappy" doesn't really help. lol. Why do you think it's crappy? Have you worked with one or do you own one?

 

The Arc mini R2 seems a bit nicer, IMO, over the 350D, but both are more limited in terms of airflow compared to the Air 240. With the 240 I can have two 120mm [filtered] intake fans pushing fresh air straight on the GPU from the bottom, with the H60 plus another 120mm intake fan at the front and two 120mm exhaust fans at the top. That's a pretty healthy amount of airflow - more so than most cases of this size and category.

 

But if there really are some valid problems or issues with the 240, please share/explain. I want to know.

[mapegl]

Can you be more specific with regards to the Air 240? Saying "it's crappy" doesn't really help. lol. Why do you think it's crappy? Have you worked with one or do you own one?

 

The Arc mini R2 seems a bit nicer, IMO, over the 350D, but both are more limited in terms of airflow compared to the Air 240. With the 240 I can have two 120mm [filtered] intake fans pushing fresh air straight on the GPU from the bottom, with the H60 plus another 120mm intake fan at the front and two 120mm exhaust fans at the top. That's a pretty healthy amount of airflow - more so than most cases of this size and category.

 

But if there really are some valid problems or issues with the 240, please share/explain. I want to know.

Sorry! ;-)

I am angry at the case, that's all. ;-)

I still own one, but sending it back. ;-)

 

 

1) side panels are a bad fit. So when assembling and putting the side panels back on, you realise that there are gaps or they almost lap over one another. They don't have the correct size sometimes.

 

2) The metal side panels are so thin that it is easily possible to bend them by accident when taking them off and putting back on and that making it even worse with the fitting.

 

3) The plastic is pretty easily scratched on the plastic side panels.

 

4) I found the placement of the HDDs and SSDs to be weird, because the are close, but not close enough to be able to use two neighboring connector on one cable. (minor issue.) Also the HDD cage is in the was of the 8pin hole for cable management.....why??? Slick pointed this out as well. Seriously why do they do that?

 

5) The clamp for tightening the expansion cards down is very bad quality. Some slots were really tight, others loose. So if you are in bad luck and the two you need are badly made, your card will wobble around. Not desirable.

 

6) The fan mounts are only good because you can move the fans around on rails basically, BUT regular screws (which come with Noctua fans for example) will not work because the rails will spread apart under the pressure of the screw and the fan fell through for me. This was only the case when I slid the fan in the middle of the rail, and then I could decide between the fans is going to wobble or.....well ghetto tightening the rails which involves bending around on the case...why?????

 

7)Things I knew before hand, but might be something to consider for you. The R9 290 Trix I have was already a tight fit, and I am not talking about length. height is the problem. My cables already touched the side panel and made it difficult to put the side panel on which leads back to the bending of the side panel.... Also my card is almost the same height as the NVIDIA reference cards, so really the GPU selection is very limited with this case.

And since GPU height is a problem, CPU cooler height is as well.

As I said, I knew that and was willing to deal with it, BUT it might be a problem for some people.

8) The price is just as high as some other matx cases and quality is just not up there.....just not there.I could actually buy a 350D for less and get a solid case.

 

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

I cannot however say that all these issues will be apparent with all ordered cases. I cannot say that you will definitely have these problems, but for me they were there. Maybe my case was just bad on the side panels, but it really seemed like this could be a common thing or something that could happen easily when carrying around and such things.

[MEC-777]

Sorry! ;-)

I am angry at the case, that's all. ;-)

I still own one, but sending it back. ;-)

 

 

1) side panels are a bad fit. So when assembling and putting the side panels back on, you realise that there are gaps or they almost lap over one another. They don't have the correct size sometimes.

 

2) The metal side panels are so thin that it is easily possible to bend them by accident when taking them off and putting back on and that making it even worse with the fitting.

 

3) The plastic is pretty easily scratched on the plastic side panels.

 

4) I found the placement of the HDDs and SSDs to be weird, because the are close, but not close enough to be able to use two neighboring connector on one cable. (minor issue.) Also the HDD cage is in the was of the 8pin hole for cable management.....why??? Slick pointed this out as well. Seriously why do they do that?

 

5) The clamp for tightening the expansion cards down is very bad quality. Some slots were really tight, others loose. So if you are in bad luck and the two you need are badly made, your card will wobble around. Not desirable.

 

6) The fan mounts are only good because you can move the fans around on rails basically, BUT regular screws (which come with Noctua fans for example) will not work because the rails will spread apart under the pressure of the screw and the fan fell through for me. This was only the case when I slid the fan in the middle of the rail, and then I could decide between the fans is going to wobble or.....well ghetto tightening the rails which involves bending around on the case...why?????

 

7)Things I knew before hand, but might be something to consider for you. The R9 290 Trix I have was already a tight fit, and I am not talking about length. height is the problem. My cables already touched the side panel and made it difficult to put the side panel on which leads back to the bending of the side panel.... Also my card is almost the same height as the NVIDIA reference cards, so really the GPU selection is very limited with this case.

And since GPU height is a problem, CPU cooler height is as well.

As I said, I knew that and was willing to deal with it, BUT it might be a problem for some people.

8) The price is just as high as some other matx cases and quality is just not up there.....just not there.I could actually buy a 350D for less and get a solid case.

 

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

I cannot however say that all these issues will be apparent with all ordered cases. I cannot say that you will definitely have these problems, but for me they were there. Maybe my case was just bad on the side panels, but it really seemed like this could be a common thing or something that could happen easily when carrying around and such things.

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Very much appreciated.

 

I've been watching Hardwarecanuck's reviews on cases and he also mentioned Corsair's poor quality with certain aspects of the 240. Not too impressed with that. 

 

The main thing you mentioned that has now lead me to cut the 240 from the list is the issue with GPU height. The HIS R2-290 I'm now running has a very large cooler - in both length and height. If you had issues with the GPU power cables touching the side panel, then my 290 will definitely not fit this case. So thanks again!

 

This is the exact reason I come to forums like this. You often get the best answers and information from those who have first-hand experience. Information that isn't necessarily mentioned in typical reviews.

[mapegl]

-snip-

I am glad I could help! ;-)

At least all the trouble of switching my case back and forth was not all in vain this way.

[MEC-777]

I am glad I could help! ;-)

At least all the trouble of switching my case back and forth was not all in vain this way.

Indeed. Someone has to be the guinea pig...

[Garuger]

DS cube is what you are looking probably for . front can take 1 200mm / 140mm / 120mm , top 2 140mm or 120 mm and back 120mm or 140mm http://aerocool.com.tw/index.php/chassis/ds/ds-cube/78-case/ds/1053-dead-silence-red-edition-information

 

[MEC-777]

DS cube is what you are looking probably for . front can take 1 200mm / 140mm / 120mm , top 2 140mm or 120 mm and back 120mm or 140mm http://aerocool.com.tw/index.php/chassis/ds/ds-cube/78-case/ds/1053-dead-silence-red-edition-information

 

-snip-

 

This is a really nice case. Never heard of it before. Unfortunately it sell for about $115 CAD and you have to buy the window side panel separately for another $20. $135+ tax is a little steep for my budget, but not completely out of the question. 

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

[mapegl]

This is a really nice case. Never heard of it before. Unfortunately it sell for about $115 CAD and you have to buy the window side panel separately for another $20. $135+ tax is a little steep for my budget, but not completely out of the question.

Thanks for the suggestion.

The ds is not a bad case. Just keep in mind that you will have a plastic surface on the case that is easily scratched and that, similar to the fractal cases, you have to make compromises on the airflow side for the silence you get.

these are not necessarily flaws, just something one should consider before buying.

[MEC-777]

Ran a bunch of games last night and GPU temps never cracked 71 degrees and remained surprisingly quiet, which is acceptable IMO. So for now it's OK. Assetto Corsa is just a beast of a game at max settings and with a full field of 26 opponent cars on track, it nearly maxes out my i5...  :blink:  Lots of AI processing going on and it's definitely not very well optimized yet either.

 

Going to leave it for now and just turn the case fan up and keep an eye on the temps when I run Assetto Corsa from now on. I'm still planning to change the case sometime soon, but it'll be fine for the time being.

 

As for choosing a case, the Arc Mini R2 I think is the winner. One thing I've learned from the Node 304 is that Fractal Design cases are among the best in terms of build quality, function and style. I know style is subjective, but I just really like their clean, efficient designs. 

 

Thanks again for all your suggestions. It's not an easy choice.