help pick between 2 cases

[mxk]

I've been planning my build for a few months now and it's getting closer to build time. I then decided on the Fractal Design Meshify C, since it has god-tier airflow which is perfect for having a 280mm AIO. Then, I saw the EVGA DG-76. It has a front glass panel, yes, but I was considering the fact that I can take it off. I've seen pictures, and I don't think it looks that bad with the glass off so I wouldn't have bad airflow anymore. Both cases, with as much fans as I want to put in each come out to the same price, so thats the main reason I'm having trouble deciding.

 

DG-76

-good airflow (with the front glass panel off, which I would do)

-has some rgb that I can sync with my ftw2 1070ti and cooler

-has 3 120mm fan slots on the top

-no rubber grommets for cables

 

Meshify C

-good airflow

-rubber grommets for cables

-1 less fan slot

 

Both cases go hand in hand for me so I just wanted some input from other people. Also, is there anything I'm missing that would help me decide?

[Semper]

the DG-7x series, while a nice looking case, is behind the curve for where modern chassis have evolved to.
 

My vote here has to go to the Meshify C

[straight_stewie]

8 minutes ago, mxk. said:

Both cases go hand in hand for me so I just wanted some input from other people. Also, is there anything I'm missing that would help me decide?

They are so similar featurewise. If you're sure it's only between these two cases, and that both have all of the features that you want, then pick whichever one is more aesthetic to you.

[mxk]

2 minutes ago, Semper said:

the DG-7x series, while a nice looking case, is behind the curve for where modern chassis have evolved to.
 

My vote here has to go to the Meshify C

I did watch that video actually, and it did help quite a bit. If the meshify c goes back up in price when I buy, I'll probably end up going with the evga case even though I miss out on good cable management. I'm sure I can make something work. If the mesh c is cheaper or the same price thats an easy buy

[TrigrH]

I built in the Meshify C, its a fantastic case to build in, but now knowing how thin and cheap the interior metal frame is I wouldn't recommend it.

 

The all the stand offs stripped the screw holes on the case meaning you basically wont able to change the motherboard as the standoffs now turn with the screws.

[mxk]

1 minute ago, TrigrH said:

I built in the Meshify C, its a fantastic case to build in, but now knowing how thin and cheap the interior metal frame is I wouldn't recommend it.

 

The all the stand offs stripped the screw holes on the case meaning you basically wont able to change the motherboard as the standoffs now turn with the screws.

damn! Thats good to know

[Semper]

6 minutes ago, mxk. said:

I did watch that video actually, and it did help quite a bit. If the meshify c goes back up in price when I buy, I'll probably end up going with the evga case even though I miss out on good cable management. I'm sure I can make something work. If the mesh c is cheaper or the same price thats an easy buy

If you like the harsh lines of both these cases, look into an S340 or S340 Elite, like mentioned in the introduction, over the DG-7x series. It's the case i'm currently using, and I've been quite happy with it. My only complaint with it, and why i'm currently in the process of replacing it (waiting on my purchase to be fulfilled from back-order), is that it's somewhat limited on the custom loop liquid cooling support front.

I do believe it's a discontinued line however, so your mileage may vary for finding a new one.

[mxk]

Just now, Semper said:

If you like the harsh lines of both these cases, look into an S340 or S340 Elite, like mentioned in the introduction, over the DG-7x series. It's the case i'm currently using, and I've been quite happy with it. My only complaint with it, and why i'm currently in the process of replacing it (waiting on my purchase to be fulfilled from back-order), is that it's somewhat limited on the custom loop liquid cooling support front.

I do believe it's a discontinued line however, so your mileage may vary for finding a new one.

The s340 elite would be my option but it doesn't sell as far as I've looked, and is a little bit out my budget. The s340 is still sold but I do want the full glass side panel, since I actually want to look at my pc for the first time.

[Semper]

11 minutes ago, mxk. said:

The s340 elite would be my option but it doesn't sell as far as I've looked, and is a little bit out my budget. The s340 is still sold but I do want the full glass side panel, since I actually want to look at my pc for the first time.

Check the used market. eBay, hardwareswap, the classified on here, or heck, potentially even craigslist might get you something.

It's less that the DG 7x series are terrible designs, but more that there's much better to be had for less, or around the same price. Some of In Win's offerings are solid options at a lower price point as one example. It's just an early evolutionary step for EVGA (I think this is technically their second generation of design), as they don't have a whole lot of experience designing chassis. Their first attempt was a hot mess.

[mxk]

On 11/30/2018 at 2:40 AM, Semper said:

Check the used market. eBay, hardwareswap, the classified on here, or heck, potentially even craigslist might get you something.

It's less that the DG 7x series are terrible designs, but more that there's much better to be had for less, or around the same price. Some of In Win's offerings are solid options at a lower price point. It's just an early evolutionary step for EVGA (I think this is technically their second generation of design), as they don't have a whole lot of experience designing chassis. Their first attempt was a hot mess.

I'll look into stuff, I'm not fully sure about doing an s340 elite I guess, because of the semi-covered panel. I do want to OC an 8600k with a 280mm aio, did you have any issues?

damn theres nothing in my area. I'll probably go with the meshify C. I'll look into inwin, though I remember reviewers saying there wasn't much cable management space

[Semper]

6 minutes ago, mxk. said:

I'll look into stuff, I'm not fully sure about doing an s340 elite I guess, because of the semi-covered panel. I do want to OC an 8600k with a 280mm aio, did you have any issues?

Are we talking the front panel? If so, she's got sufficient room to breathe. I lost the silicon lottery with my 4790k, so I just leave her at stock. She didn't give me any thermal issues however.

Mileage may vary for 280mm rads. Like I said, I'm leaving her for another enclosure as she's a little limited. from roof to PSU shroud, you have ~ 334mm of clearance. if you use low-profile front intake fans (I.E. anything smaller than 25mm thickness) you drop down to even less than that, as the front panel logic board has a stamped sheet metal shield sitting directly on top the topmost 140mm. I was able to fit a radiator and pump/res combo in the case, but everything was very tightly packed, given the length of the fans, the radiator, and the pump/res combo, and the length of a 1080ti.

I've got her gutted at the moment so she looks a mess right now, I gave up on water cooling her, but you can see the remnants of what's left of her build.

The AX280 is a particularly bulky radiator (in both height and width) for what she is, but she has literally 1mm of movement up and down. The pump/res I was using was split above and below the GPU, the tube connecting the two brushed up against it.

Previous to the custom loop, she fit an H240X2 with no issue at all, and I suspect most any AIO should fit just fine.

[mxk]

On 11/30/2018 at 3:00 AM, Semper said:

Are we talking the front panel? If so, she's got sufficient room to breathe. I lost the silicon lottery with my 4790k, so I just leave her at stock. She didn't give me any thermal issues however.

Mileage may vary for 280mm rads. Like I said, I'm leaving her for another enclosure as she's a little limited. from roof to PSU shroud, you have ~ 334mm of clearance. if you use low-profile front intake fans (I.E. anything smaller than 25mm thickness) you drop down to even less than that, as the front panel logic board has a stamped sheet metal shield sitting directly on top the topmost 140mm. I was able to fit a radiator and pump/res combo in the case, but everything was very tightly packed, given the length of the fans, the radiator, and the pump/res combo, and the length of a 1080ti.

I've got her gutted at the moment so she looks a mess right now, I gave up on water cooling her, but you can see the remnants of what's left of her build.
 

The AX280 is a particularly bulky radiator (in both height and width) for what she is, but she has literally 1mm of movement up and down. The pump/res I was using was split above and below the GPU, the tube connecting the two brushed up against it.

Previous to the custom loop, she fit an H240X2 with no issue at all, and I suspect most any AIO should fit just fine.

I'm still pretty hooked on the open-front panel design. Mega rip to your bad chip, F. I've thought about custom water cooling but that should be something I think about when I have a job and a little extra spending money that doesn't need to go to college. Meshify C is probably still the go to case for me.

[Semper]

4 minutes ago, mxk. said:

I'm still pretty hooked on the open-front panel design. Mega rip to your bad chip, F. I've thought about custom water cooling but that should be something I think about when I have a job and a little extra spending money that doesn't need to go to college. Meshify C is probably still the go to case for me.

You likely won't be disappointed with the Meshify C.

If your main concern is airflow, GN has a roundup for 2017 cases specifically on the subject. I don't think there's one for 2018 yet, but I may be mistaken.
https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3120-best-gaming-pc-cases-of-2017

[TVwazhere]

On 11/30/2018 at 4:20 AM, Semper said:

I don't think there's one for 2018 yet, but I may be mistaken.

There is

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3397-best-and-worst-pc-cases-of-2018

 

Side note, The NZXT S340 was replaced with the H500, functionally the same case.

[mxk]

8 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

There is

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3397-best-and-worst-pc-cases-of-2018

 

Side note, The NZXT S340 was replaced with the H500, functionally the same case.

doesnt the h500 have worse airflow than the s340? I wanted to pick up the h500 but since it has that solid front panel I decided not to.

[TVwazhere]

16 hours ago, mxk. said:

doesnt the h500 have worse airflow than the s340? I wanted to pick up the h500 but since it has that solid front panel I decided not to.

And yet the S340 has a solid front panel????

 

They're basically exactly the same performance wise. Both use the same style stock "negative pressure setup" which works well for the GPU but no s much the CPU <-link, and both of them have the same top/bottom air vent openings for any front fans you place in the case.

[mxk]

6 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

And yet the S340 has a solid front panel????

 

They're basically exactly the same performance wise. Both use the same style stock "negative pressure setup" which works well for the GPU but no s much the CPU <-link, and both of them have the same top/bottom air vent openings for any front fans you place in the case.

I mean yes it has a solid front panel but there is more clearance. It doesn't really matter since I can't get one and I'm doing the meshify C