Case good for beginner?

[Blawkbuilder]

Hey all,

I've been throwing the idea around of building my first computer (although I likely will not actually do so until I desperately need a new one), and have been snooping around for components.

 

I noticed that Austin Evan's most recent personal build is based in the Fractal Define R4 case. Although it would be my first, I would like the build to be a long lasting and effective one (such as room to watercool multiple components and/or add a second graphics card later on in its life). People who have bought the Define R4 like the sizing, layout, styling, and sound solutions the case brings, but many of the wire management and hard drive locations have sounded inconsistent and a bit more difficult to manage for a new builder.

 

Can anybody with experience (either with this specific case or in general) vouch for this case or recommend a more practical one? I'm up for a challenge, but it still need to be doable with my zero experience.

 

To be completely honest, I have not really dived into the case market yet, so someone who could also simplify and explain major brands as well as their strengths/weaknesses would also be a huge plus for me.

[79wjd]

Hey all,

I've been throwing the idea around of building my first computer (although I likely will not actually do so until I desperately need a new one), and have been snooping around for components.

 

I noticed that Austin Evan's most recent personal build is based in the Fractal Define R4 case. Although it would be my first, I would like the build to be a long lasting and effective one (such as room to watercool multiple components and/or add a second graphics card later on in its life). People who have bought the Define R4 like the sizing, layout, styling, and sound solutions the case brings, but many of the wire management and hard drive locations have sounded inconsistent and a bit more difficult to manage for a new builder.

 

Can anybody with experience (either with this specific case or in general) vouch for this case or recommend a more practical one? I'm up for a challenge, but it still need to be doable with my zero experience.

 

To be completely honest, I have not really dived into the case market yet, so someone who could also simplify and explain major brands as well as their strengths/weaknesses would also be a huge plus for me.

Buy any case you want. If there is a decent amount of room behind the motherboard tray you'll be able to wire it up decently well. 

[Blawkbuilder]

Buy any case you want. If there is a decent amount of room behind the motherboard tray you'll be able to wire it up decently well. 

Thanks for the rep, are you saying that despite branding, each case is individual?

[LawrenceBarnes2013]

Define R4 / Haf X / NZXT H440, H230 /  but the Haf X is my favorit lots of room, very good internal layout, support for Dual 200mm Rad on the Top, an Intake Fan for your Graphics cards, but the three are just awesome, and doesn't mean you shouldn't  check some other options 

[CoolBeans]

Corsair Carbide 200R/300R or 450D

Fractal Design Arc Midi R2/Define R4

Antec 302/300

NZXT H440

[79wjd]

Thanks for the rep, are you saying that despite branding, each case is individual?

What I'm saying is you don't really need experience to build in a case. So, as long as its a decent case you'll be able to build in it--and the R4 is a good case. 

[Rorgash]

for basic unless you have one special case you want, the ones i recommend is:

 

Fractal Define R4, NZXT H440 or Corsair Air540 or Corsair 450D

[helping]

Fractal Design Arc Midi R2/Define R4

go with one of these

room for anything except (except for srs watercooling in R4) and enough space behind the tray to hide a body

[Blawkbuilder]

Define R4 / Haf X / NZXT H440, H230 /  but the Haf X is my favorit lots of room, very good internal layout, support for Dual 200mm Rad on the Top, an Intake Fan for your Graphics cards, but the three are just awesome, and doesn't mean you shouldn't  check some other options 

All three look large and stylish- appreciate it.

[Guest Kloaked]

Phanteks Enthoo Pro is what I'd recommend.

 

The case isn't going to determine your "effectiveness" or "long lasting-ness", it's up to what hardware you put in it and how you take care of it.

[LawrenceBarnes2013]

All three look large and stylish- appreciate it.

yeah, room for even an extreme water loop once you got the hang of this kind stuff 

[©D0n7H8M3™®]

IF YOU REALLY WANT SPACE FOR WATERCOOLING GO FOR CASELABS HUGE MONSTERS. But really if you are building your first computer don't go not water cooling directly as you are compiling your first components just build your own pc run it for about a year or so then decide if you want to water cool but if you are desperate buy a premade watercool loop like the corsair h110 or h100i for water cooling without the hassle of the possiblity to wet your shit. But in all seriousness get the case you think looks the best because watercooling shouldn't be the first thing you should think about when you are building you first computer fullstop

[Blawkbuilder]

Thanks all, NZXT got recommended a few times along with the R4 and a few different Corsair cases. Great responses to a newb like me.

[SeanAngelo]

i'd say the Corsair Carbide 200R or 300R

[Thorium19]

Fractal design arc midi r2 gets my vote, with lots of room, and support for watercooling if and when you want to go down that route.

[Meteora]

fractal design r4 definitely, I made my first build in it 

[DildorTheDecent]

snip

It is mid tower though. So there is limited room for huge components. 

[GloriousPain]

Hey all

 I suggest Phanteks:Entho Pro, Corsair:C70, or sticking with the R4

Edit: R4 and H440 are silence optimised cases with pretty bad airflow it's the burden of the beast I don't recommend them for a beginner...