Replacing current case. Need recommendations

[decimalpoint]

Maybe I'll have better luck over here at LTT instead of Tom's. 

 

So, when I was first building my pc my budget did not allow for a decent case, I had to go with something that fit my budget and the Zalman Z11 looked good enough so I got it. I now have around $200 to spend on an upgrade and need some assistance.

 

I'm looking at the Thermaltake Level 10 GT just because it looks like a great case that has stood the test of time and still has features that cases today have, and it looks really cool at that. My only concern is if it is missing some standards or features that wasn't necessarily required of customs PCs 4 years ago, ex. proper 120 or 140 mm fan mounting holes, amount of motherboard expansion slots, SSD mounts, etc. (yes, I know it's an old case). I know it is missing an internal USB 3.0 header, but I had to buy an adapter for my current Zalman case anyway so that won't be an issue. 

 

Any other recommendations? My requirements are as follows: must have outward exposed 3.5 in drive bays (I love the NZXT H440's design, but the whole front door swing open thing isn't my cup of tea). I would prefer to have, but not necessary, an exposed 2.5 in drive bay as well, toolless drive installation (SSD & HDD), decent ventilation, good cable managment, and if at all possible a widowed side panel. 

 

Other cases I was considering: 

Phanteks Enthoo Luxe (Highly considering this over the Level 10, just don't really like the flip up door for the I/O, but I can overlook that)

Corsair 870T & 760T (not to fond of the flimsy looking acrylic window)

NZXT Source 340 (I know it doesn't meet my requirements, but its so damn sleek)

Corsair Air 540 

Thermaltake Core V51

Any/all recommendations will be considered and are highly appreciated!

My parts

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/decimalpoint/saved/RqL2FT

 

[Zinqs]

If you like plain and simple go with the obsidian 750d. And the nzxt h440 is a beautiful case. But it does not have any exposed front bays as you stated.

[Aniallation]

Corsair 450D.

[Raudi_]

NZXT Switch 810 Its a great case for the price I picked it up about a week ago.

(Potato Quality Photo in the dark)

[spwath]

Ft05!
Rv05!

[STRMfrmXMN]

Fractal R4 Windowed?

umm

Corsair 450d?

[decimalpoint]

Wow such response

If you like plain and simple go with the obsidian 750d. And the nzxt h440 is a beautiful case. But it does not have any exposed front bays as you stated.

I like the 750D, I just wasn't sure about the size of it as I have somewhat limited desk space and it is somewhat bland lol.

 

Corsair 450D.

The 450 is an interesting option, I just prefer the more radical design of the level 10.

 

NZXT Switch 810 Its a great case for the price I picked it up about a week ago.

(Potato Quality Photo in the dark)

Love the look of the Switch 810 will definitely be considering it. Although, the "Ultra Tower" design does look a little on the large side...does it take up much space?

 

Ft05!
Rv05!

Ft05 is interesting, but doesnt have the exposed bays like i mentioned. Rv05 has the same problem.

 

Fractal R4 Windowed?

umm

Corsair 450d?

Fractal r4 windowed is nice looking and ive heard great reviews but i dont like the whole door thing to access your drive bays.

[Aniallation]

Love the look of the Switch 810 will definitely be considering it. Although, the "Ultra Tower" design does look a little on the large side...does it take up much space?

Switch 810 is huge (as is that picture, should have been resized or in a spoiler, @KingCry)

[Raudi_]

Switch 810 is huge (as is that picture, should have been resized or in a spoiler, @KingCry)

I know my bad it came right of my ipod touch 5th gen, I didn't get to resize it.

[Raudi_]

Love the look of the Switch 810 will definitely be considering it. Although, the "Ultra Tower" design does look a little on the large side...does it take up much space?

Honestly I have it under my desk and its bigger then my old case I would say if you need to put it under a desk, give make sure you have about 25 inches of room (top to bottom) 

[decimalpoint]

Honestly I have it under my desk and its bigger then my old case I would say if you need to put it under a desk, give make sure you have about 25 inches of room (top to bottom) 

Alright, thanks for the info. preferrably I'd like it on top of my desk for easy access. But under the desk is optional as well. Could I get your opinion on the Level 10 GT as it was truely the main focus on my post?

[decimalpoint]

Honestly I have it under my desk and its bigger then my old case I would say if you need to put it under a desk, give make sure you have about 25 inches of room (top to bottom) 

Also, does the switch 810 feel cheaply made at all? I does seem like there is a lot of plastic...

[Raudi_]

Also, does the switch 810 feel cheaply made at all? I does seem like there is a lot of plastic...

The level 10 GT is not what I would personally go for because I like a clean simple look plus it looks more like a toy then a computer case to me. But the Switch 810 if very well built not all that much plastic at all, Its got a fan hub in the rear, its got a rear IO LED, SD Card Reader and has plenty of room to work in if your worried about working space inside the case.

[decimalpoint]

The level 10 GT is not what I would personally go for because I like a clean simple look plus it looks more like a toy then a computer case to me. But the Switch 810 if very well built not all that much plastic at all, Its got a fan hub in the rear, its got a rear IO LED, SD Card Reader and has plenty of room to work in if your worried about working space inside the case.

Lol about the toy computer case, I guess i just like the radical design and plus the case locks are great since im going to be carrying my pc to college soon, but thanks for the opinion. Thats good to hear about the switch 810, Hardware Canucks mentioned the plastic and made me worried. Any opinion on the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe? 

[Raudi_]

Lol about the toy computer case, I guess i just like the radical design and plus the case locks are great since im going to be carrying my pc to college soon, but thanks for the opinion. Thats good to hear about the switch 810, Hardware Canucks mentioned the plastic and made me worried. Any opinion on the Phanteks Enthoo Luxe? 

The Enthoo Luxe is an extremely well built case that uses the same base chassis as the Enthoo Pro.

[decimalpoint]

The Enthoo Luxe is an extremely well built case that uses the same base chassis as the Enthoo Pro.

Alright cool, will be considering the switch 810 along with the luxe and level 10.

[decimalpoint]

Purely from a functionality standpoint is there anything wrong with the level 10 gt?

[Raudi_]

Purely from a functionality standpoint is there anything wrong with the level 10 gt?

Nope its perfectly fine.

[decimalpoint]

Nope its perfectly fine.

Thanks!

[Fragsa1]

 

My requirements are as follows: must have outward exposed 3.5 in drive bays (I love the NZXT H440's design, but the whole front door swing open thing isn't my cup of tea).

 

 

I think you misread something when you were looking at the H440, it simply doesn't have external drive bays (5.25" or 3.5"). It's not a door, but i digress. I wouldn't suggest the H440 anyway.

 

My vote is for the The Enthoo Luxe, there's very little to fault it on. Plus there's no front door.

[decimalpoint]

I think you misread something when you were looking at the H440, it simply doesn't have external drive bays (5.25" or 3.5"). It's not a door, but i digress. I wouldn't suggest the H440 anyway.

 

My vote is for the The Enthoo Luxe, there's very little to fault it on. Plus there's no front door.

I love the design of the Luxe. But yea, I just looked it up idk where I got the idea that it had front drive bays.