Help Me Find a New Case - mATX Under $100

[PoloGG]

Have you looked at the new Bitfenix Pandora?

[MEC-777]

Have you looked at the new Bitfenix Pandora?

Yes, I have. 

 

Love the look, but it has some issues. It's a bit to expensive and if you watch Hardwarecanuck's review, he points out some build quality issues that really turned me off of it. Plus it's not wide enough to house my very tall HIS IceQ X2 R9-290, unfortunately. It also has somewhat limited airflow and fan/AIO mounting options.

[Hansell]

Thermaltake Urban SD1?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133258

-mATX compatible (not full ATX).check 

-Relatively small overall size.check 

-Good or excellent airflow with support for at least one 120mm AIO cooler. check for the 120mm AIO,almost of all(front is solid) of the side panels is full of holes

-Tasteful, minimalistic style/design preferred. meh , I not a fan of so many big holes

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

-No brand preference. 

-Black and or white (black preferred). check

-Less than $100 (CAD) if possible. The lower the price the better. check  $100CAD , 102 if u picky

-MUST have clearance for a 300mm long graphics card.check it have 350mm

 

and this some review http://benchmarkreviews.com/14309/thermaltake-urban-sd1-microatx-case-review/3/

[Garuger]

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.

Arc Mini R2 seems very good choise also

[MEC-777]

Thermaltake Urban SD1?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133258

-mATX compatible (not full ATX).check 

-Relatively small overall size.check 

-Good or excellent airflow with support for at least one 120mm AIO cooler. check for the 120mm AIO,almost of all(front is solid) of the side panels is full of holes

-Tasteful, minimalistic style/design preferred. meh , I not a fan of so many big holes

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

-No brand preference. 

-Black and or white (black preferred). check

-Less than $100 (CAD) if possible. The lower the price the better. check  $100CAD , 102 if u picky

-MUST have clearance for a 300mm long graphics card.check it have 350mm

 

and this some review http://benchmarkreviews.com/14309/thermaltake-urban-sd1-microatx-case-review/3/

Thanks for the suggestion. Not a bad looking case, but it does have a number of issues...

 

It has great ventilation, but on the other hand, no dust protection/filtration (very important - something I left off my original list - my bad (have 4 small dogs... ). It also has smaller fans and less air movement. No room for a 120mm AIO - even if you could rig it to one of the sides with the holes, it would most likely interfere with other components. 

 

Thanks anyways. Always interested in looking at different cases.

[minicale]

Mini R2 or PS07?

[Fgtfv567]

go for the Corsair Carbide Air 240 http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Airflow-MicroATX-Mini-ITX/dp/tech-data/B00LA6WXEO/ref=de_a_smtd pretty much meets all your requirments but I don't know about the GPU length.. it should be able to accommodate your GPU tho... 

[MEC-777]

go for the Corsair Carbide Air 240 http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Carbide-Airflow-MicroATX-Mini-ITX/dp/tech-data/B00LA6WXEO/ref=de_a_smtd pretty much meets all your requirments but I don't know about the GPU length.. it should be able to accommodate your GPU tho... 

I looked quite closely at the Air 240, but unfortunately it also has some issues and my GPU won't fit (card is too tall). 

 

Too bad though. It's one of the best looking cases in this category, IMO.

[Hansell]

Thanks for the suggestion. Not a bad looking case, but it does have a number of issues...

 

It has great ventilation, but on the other hand, no dust protection/filtration (very important - something I left off my original list - my bad (have 4 small dogs... ). It also has smaller fans and less air movement. No room for a 120mm AIO - even if you could rig it to one of the sides with the holes, it would most likely interfere with other components. 

 

Thanks anyways. Always interested in looking at different cases.

sure no problem :lol: , anyway when I choosing my case I never concern about included dust filter since I can make one with just magnetic adhesive? tape? I have no idea what its name in english but it very simple just cut dust filter as big as you need and tape them and walla magnetic dust filter .

and they do listed 120mm AIO in their website with a picture and I cant get a better look but I believe they put the rad at the top of the hdd 

[MPX309]

I think the Arc Mini R2 is still the best Matx case out there atm. Still waiting for the Phanteks Mini XL, the Evolv looks sweet also.

 

Good video 

 

[shwarz]

i bought a bitfenix prodigy-m 

 

tbh i was not really that impressed if you want a case with good airflow would not be my first choice 

 

too many comprimises to fit micro-atx in there.

 

sold it to a mate in the end.

 

i wanted good airflow and good temperatures

afterall i did downsize from a silverstone rv03

 

so in the end i went with the silverstone SG09

 

looks arent for everybody but i like it and you would 

struggle to find a case of this size with better airflow.

 

oh and i am currently running a r9 290 with a gelid icy vision

 

overvolteed to +100 running at 1150mhz core highest temp in games 75 degrees

and thats only at 1500rpm on the cooler. and all case fans at just above audible

[MEC-777]

I think the Arc Mini R2 is still the best Matx case out there atm. Still waiting for the Phanteks Mini XL, the Evolv looks sweet also.

 

Good video 

 

-snip-

REALLY liking this case. Love the unusual, yet simplistic design.

 

Thinking I might just save up a few more coins and go with this over the Arc mini R2, but the Arc mini has more airflow/fan/rad mounting options... I don't know. It's a tough call.