Help Choosing a Case

[kittsykat]

Hi everyone,

 

Im building a system and need a great air cooling case.

 

Features I need:

 

Front, Bottom AND Top dust filters

possibility to install and AIO 240mm water cooler (I think the h100i)

SSD mount on the back (not using any HDDs)

Hopefully under $100 

 

 

Cases I've already looked at

1.  Fractal Arc Midi R2 (this is probably the front runner for now, not sure of any issues but it is a little expensive)

2. NZXT Source 530 (no top dust filter)

3.  Fractal Arc XL (expensive, and maybe its too big...idk)

 

As you can see i dont have a particular form factor i need.

 

Thanks in advance!

[spwath]

Enthoo pro

[siberiansteel11]

Fractal arc xl I've seen it IRL it's pretty spacious at least in the future you won't have problems in terms of expansion. Just my opinion though. although their are a lot of great cases you can find. I always Use corsair in my personal builds

[Trik'Stari]

best airflow is the Air 540, it's 120 USD but still worth it for room, cable management, and airflow

[Graviityy]

Personally if form factor is really playing a part, i would look into the thermaltake core v71. Its a full tower, but its really not that massive or anything. when i put it next to my old mid tower it was only about 1.5-2" taller and a little wider. I got it so i can fit more radiators when i feel the need to upgrade. Even if you dont need the space now you'll have plenty of room to add any cooling you want. Plus it comes with 3 200mm fans (2 intake at the front and one out the top) and 1 140mm in the back so airflow is great! Its just a really nice case over all. Ive seen it run anywhere from $130-$150. Well worth it in my opinion. 

[kittsykat]

best airflow is the Air 540, it's 120 USD but still worth it for room, cable management, and airflow

Problem is it has one dust filter.  At its price point I find that unacceptable

[kittsykat]

Personally if form factor is really playing a part, i would look into the thermaltake core v71. Its a full tower, but its really not that massive or anything. when i put it next to my old mid tower it was only about 1.5-2" taller and a little wider. I got it so i can fit more radiators when i feel the need to upgrade. Even if you dont need the space now you'll have plenty of room to add any cooling you want. Plus it comes with 3 200mm fans (2 intake at the front and one out the top) and 1 140mm in the back so airflow is great! Its just a really nice case over all. Ive seen it run anywhere from $130-$150. Well worth it in my opinion. 

WOW thats an incredible case...really expensive, but I can see why.  Thanks for this one ill look into it!

[Trik'Stari]

Problem is it has one dust filter.  At its price point I find that unacceptable

Very true, but the intake is only on the front, no reason for dust filters on exhausts.

[kittsykat]

Very true, but the intake is only on the front, no reason for dust filters on exhausts.

Also I prefer to go with strong positive air pressure...i like using the top front and bottom for intake with a single rear exhaust.

Plus there isn't a filter over the PSU screen

[Trik'Stari]

Also I prefer to go with strong positive air pressure...i like using the top front and bottom for intake with a single rear exhaust.

Plus there isn't a filter over the PSU screen

Fair enough, although even as someone who smokes around his PC, I've never had much dust build up there (probably PSU specific?). Just saying, you can't beat the air flow and cablemanagement on this case, dust filters aside.

[Whypatch]

Have the Arc Midi R2 with an H100i and it's excellent. I would totally recommend it but the ssd mounts are kind of terrible.

[kittsykat]

Have the Arc Midi R2 with an H100i and it's excellent. I would totally recommend it but the ssd mounts are kind of terrible.

ok thanks.  Where did you mount the h100i

[Whypatch]

ok thanks.  Where did you mount the h100i

Top. The mounting holes are offset so you can do push/pull(though I wouldn't recommend it)

[kittsykat]

Top. The mounting holes are offset so you can do push/pull(though I wouldn't recommend it)

ok.  Are you using it as an intake or exhaust.  

Also about the fan mount on the bottom.  

Do you personally have room to intall a 140mm fan or do you have to use a 120mm fan...and what PSU are you using

[Whypatch]

ok.  Are you using it as an intake or exhaust.  

Also about the fan mount on the bottom.  

Do you personally have room to intall a 140mm fan or do you have to use a 120mm fan...and what PSU are you using

 

Exhaust. I have to use a 120mm with my 850G2.

[kittsykat]

Exhaust. I have to use a 120mm with my 850G2

ok thank you so much!  youve been very helpful

[Whypatch]

ok thank you so much!  youve been very helpful

No problem.