Looking for a great case

[FruitBasketSilex]

I'm looking for a good $70-$80 case. I'm in particular looking for something with a side window, good airflow, great look and 240mm rad support for the future, though that requirement could be dropped to a 120mm rad support. My list of components that will be going into this case is below.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Sfenerin/saved/PxDnTW

[OriginalPromise]

NZXT Phantom 410/530 or anything from Corsair.

I'll also edit your build..

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncNMmG

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncNMmG/by_merchant/

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Amazon) 

Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste  ($6.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($139.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: Patriot Viper 3 Low Profile Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($69.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($119.98 @ OutletPC) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($53.67 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card  ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($84.99 @ Mwave) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($13.99 @ Newegg) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($11.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $1086.55

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 03:05 EST-0500

[FruitBasketSilex]

No need for a disc drive/wireless network adapter, have a disc drive already, and I will be plugged into router, any way you could stick in a good CPU cooler into that, i'm on about a 1050$ budget.

[FruitBasketSilex]

IS a HAF 922 any good?

[droidxd00d]

I've done a build in that case before and it's decent but there are much better cases for the money IMHO. Anything from corsair or fractal design at that price would be much better value. The 922 is very bare bones has no dust filters no cable grommets etc.

[FruitBasketSilex]

How about a 500R?

[FruitBasketSilex]

Anyone have a 500R or know if it's any good?

[Faceman]

@FruitBasketSilex

 

Look no further, this is your case.

 

Phanteks Enthoo Pro

 

I've also made some changes to your build.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZHHJx
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZHHJx/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($108.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ Directron)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $990.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 04:31 EST-0500

 

I went with the Devil's Canyon i5-4690k.  Supposed to offer much more consistent OC results, and is $10 less expensive.

Don't buy such an overpriced motherboard.  Those RoG series motherboards are overpriced and don't offer anything really valuable to the customer other than lots of SATA ports and USB connectors, which a $100-$120 motherboard already has plenty of. Here is a good, feature-rich motherboard with SLI capabilities that matches your color scheme and is cost appropriate.

I went with 120GB of SSD storage.  Its only $17 more, and you get double the storage.  Trust me, you'll need it.  120GB is really the minimum. A-DATA Sp600s are great SSDs.

I also went with a better HDD.  Toshiba and Hitachi are bad HDD brands and have a higher than average failure rate.  Stick with a Seagate Barracuda or Western Digital Caviar Blue.

Excellent choice of GPU and PSU.

The case is incredible.  The absolute best case money can by at around $100 and you will be glad you spent an extra $20-$30 on this case because it will be reused time and time again in all of your future builds.  This case is an investment.  It has tons of room for expansion, and is of the highest build quality.

[FruitBasketSilex]

@FruitBasketSilex

 

Look no further, this is your case.

 

Phanteks Enthoo Pro

 

I've also made some changes to your build.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tF3xWZ

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tF3xWZ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($107.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ Directron)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $999.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 04:25 EST-0500

 

First, hopefully there will be some good sales this coming week to drop the i5 down to $200.

Second, don't buy such an overpriced motherboard.  Those RoG series motherboards are overpriced and don't offer anything really valuable to the customer other than lots of SATA ports and USB connectors, which a $100-$120 motherboard already has plenty of.  I've personally owned a Z87-A and it is a fantastic motherboard with all the features you could ever possibly need.

Keep in mind that you are buying a Haswell processor and not devil's canyon.  So no mix-matching a Z87 motherboard and an i5-4690k.  You MUST get an i5-4670k.  OR a Z97 motherboard and an i5-4690k.

I went with 120GB of SSD storage.  Its only $17 more, and you get double the storage.  Trust me, you'll need it.  120GB is really the minimum. A-DATA Sp600s are great SSDs.

I also went with a better HDD.  Toshiba and Hitachi are bad HDD brands and have a higher than average failure rate.  Stick with a Seagate Barracuda or Western Digital Caviar Blue.

Excellent choice of GPU and PSU.

The case is incredible.  The absolute best case money can by at around $100 and you will be glad you spent an extra $20-$30 on this case because it will be reused time and time again in all of your future builds.  This case is an investment.  It has tons of room for expansion, and is of the highest build quality.

I found your post a little offputting at first, but I came to my sense. Thank you for your changes, I will use them, Does the mobo have a led post-code display, and i'll definitely look into that case.

[Faceman]

I found your post a little offputting at first, but I came to my sense. Thank you for your changes, I will use them, Does the mobo have a led post-code display, and i'll definitely look into that case.

It does not have a post-code display.  Is this really an absolute must have feature thats worth $40 to you?  This will mean less SSD storage, and a lower end chassis.

 

Also, I found that if you went with Devil's Canyon from the start, you can pay $10 less, and get an all red/black build.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZHHJx

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZHHJx/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($209.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($108.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ Directron)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $990.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 04:31 EST-0500

[FruitBasketSilex]

It does not have a post-code display.  Is this really an absolute must have feature thats worth $40 to you?  This will mean less SSD storage, and a lower end chassis.

 

Also, I found that if you went with Devil's Canyon from the start, you can pay $10 less, and get an all red/black build.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZHHJx

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RZHHJx/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($209.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($108.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($59.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($51.99 @ Directron)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($329.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $990.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-20 04:31 EST-0500

Honestly, I love the post-code display, so yes.

 

I think i'll go with that build that you just reccomended, Can you recmmend a good CPU cooler for approx 40$?

[Faceman]

@FruitBasketSilex

 

By the way, there are some excellent PSU alternatives that cost less and some give you the headroom to go SLI in the future.

 

Corsair CSM450W  -  $30.  This is on the low end, but 450W is enough for overclocking an i5 and a 970 thanks to the ultra low power consumption of the 970.  The price is very good, so if you need to cut corners somewhere in your build, this is an option that will still provide you the performance you desire.  Maybe if a post-code display is something you really want, this will allow for it.

 

Corsair HX650 - $60.  This is a fantastic price for such a highly regarded PSU. 650W is also enough for SLI in the future thanks to 970's low power consumption.  This is an excellent option if you are not afraid of Mail in rebates.

 

EVGA SuperNOVA G1 750W - $60.  Not as good as the G2 series, but still a good PSU. 

 

A few great options for CPU Coolers are:

 

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - $30.  This guy is a staple.  I've owned one and it works wonders.  Highly recommended

 

Be Quiet! Shadow Rock 2 - $35.  On sale from its not $50-$60 price tag, this one provides even better performance than the 212 EVO.  Just be careful of NCIX's notoriously high shipping rates, it could easily put this cooler closer to $50 when all said and done.

 

Cooler Master Seidon 240M - $70.  Another cooler that I have owned personally.  I know it is out of your price range, but it is probably the best high end price:performance cooler on the market.  If you can use a masterpass or visa checkout discount, the price further drops by 10%.  The only problem I see is that it has a blue LED, which would clash with the red/black theme.

[FruitBasketSilex]

@FruitBasketSilex

 

By the way, there are some excellent PSU alternatives that cost less and some give you the headroom to go SLI in the future.

 

Corsair CSM450W  -  $30.  This is on the low end, but 450W is enough for overclocking an i5 and a 970 thanks to the ultra low power consumption of the 970.  The price is very good, so if you need to cut corners somewhere in your build, this is an option that will still provide you the performance you desire.  Maybe if a post-code display is something you really want, this will allow for it.

 

Corsair HX650 - $60.  This is a fantastic price for such a highly regarded PSU. 650W is also enough for SLI in the future thanks to 970's low power consumption.  This is an excellent option if you are not afraid of Mail in rebates.

 

EVGA SuperNOVA G1 750W - $60.  Not as good as the G2 series, but still a good PSU. 

 

A few great options for CPU Coolers are:

 

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - $30.  This guy is a staple.  I've owned one and it works wonders.  Highly recommended

 

Be Quiet! Shadow Rock 2 - $35.  On sale from its not $50-$60 price tag, this one provides even better performance than the 212 EVO.  Just be careful of NCIX's notoriously high shipping rates, it could easily put this cooler closer to $50 when all said and done.

 

Cooler Master Seidon 240M - $70.  Another cooler that I have owned personally.  I know it is out of your price range, but it is probably the best high end price:performance cooler on the market.  If you can use a masterpass or visa checkout discount, the price further drops by 10%.  The only problem I see is that it has a blue LED, which would clash with the red/black theme.

I went with the Hyper and the EVGA, would you mind checking out my build and making sure it looks good?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Sfenerin/saved/PxDnTW

[Faceman]

I went with the Hyper and the EVGA, would you mind checking out my build and making sure it looks good?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Sfenerin/saved/PxDnTW

That looks perfect, and you're ready for SLI 970s whenever you decide to!

 

Let me just double check that the EVGA PSU is a good one.

[FruitBasketSilex]

That looks perfect, and you're ready for SLI 970s whenever you decide to!

 

Let me just double check that the EVGA PSU is a good one.

Also, does that Motherboard that you supplied up top, the Gigabyte one, have an LED post display? ^-^

[Faceman]

@FruitBasketSilex

 

Hm... not the best reviews.  It is a very new model, and it seems to be a revision of an older, disappointing PSU.  While this one does come with flat black cables, 80+ Gold rating, and a 10 year warranty, it seems lots of people have getting dead power supplies, or units that die shortly after installation.  Kind of off putting.  EVGA is renown for their customer service, and I've had nothing but the best experience when dealing with them.  There are currently no true reviews of the PSU like from HiTechLegion or Johnny Guru who actually dismantle the PSU to look at the innards.  Because I don't want you to end up with a dud, I'm going to recommend you go with a different model. 

 

If you can somehow fit the EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W into your budget, then that is truly one of the best PSUs built.  Comes with the best ratings from all of the credible reviewers.  Has an awesome no-fan-spin feature at low temperatures and loads to go along with the flat black cables, full japanese capacitors primary and secondary, and 10 year warranty.  It is more pricey though coming in at $80-$90.

 

If that is too expensive, the Corsair HX650W PSU for only $60 is a no-brainer.  It is of fantastic build quality, full japanese capacitors primary and secondary, 7 year warranty, and enough power for SLI 970s.

 

The Gigabyte motherboard I selected does not have an LED post display.  You're going to end up spending $150+ on a motherboard if you absolutely have to have that feature.

[FruitBasketSilex]

@FruitBasketSilex

 

Hm... not the best reviews.  It is a very new model, and it seems to be a revision of an older, disappointing PSU.  While this one does come with flat black cables, 80+ Gold rating, and a 10 year warranty, it seems lots of people have getting dead power supplies, or units that die shortly after installation.  Kind of off putting.  EVGA is renown for their customer service, and I've had nothing but the best experience when dealing with them.  There are currently no true reviews of the PSU like from HiTechLegion or Johnny Guru who actually dismantle the PSU to look at the innards.  Because I don't want you to end up with a dud, I'm going to recommend you go with a different model. 

 

If you can somehow fit the EVGA SuperNOVA G2 750W into your budget, then that is truly one of the best PSUs built.  Comes with the best ratings from all of the credible reviewers.  Has an awesome no-fan-spin feature at low temperatures and loads to go along with the flat black cables, full japanese capacitors primary and secondary, and 10 year warranty.  It is more pricey though coming in at $80-$90.

 

If that is too expensive, the Corsair HX650W PSU for only $60 is a no-brainer.  It is of fantastic build quality, full japanese capacitors primary and secondary, 7 year warranty, and enough power for SLI 970s.

 

The Gigabyte motherboard I selected does not have an LED post display.  You're going to end up spending $150+ on a motherboard if you absolutely have to have that feature.

Bah, I must relinquish my need for an awesome led post display then. Maybe i'll upgrade the mobo in the future, who knows.

 

I went with a slightly cheaper supernova that's still 750w, recommended by SR-71 blackbird from Tom's Hardware. Thank you for all of your help. You're an awesome guy.

[Faceman]

Bah, I must relinquish my need for an awesome led post display then. Maybe i'll upgrade the mobo in the future, who knows.

 

I went with a slightly cheaper supernova that's still 750w, recommended by SR-71 blackbird from Tom's Hardware. Thank you for all of your help. You're an awesome guy.

No no no, thats an even worse model.  The NEX Bronze?  Thats a terrible PSU.  I'm telling you, go with the Corsair HX650.  Its a very high end PSU with more than enough power for overclocking and SLI.  Its at a fantastic price right now, don't pass it up.

 

Yea, you're going to have to miss out on that tiny feature, its just not worth it to sacrifice elsewhere in your build for a post LED light.  If it does mean that much to you, upgrading your mobo is always an option, but motherboard is not something that impacts performance, so that money would be better spent elsewhere in your build.

 

You're welcome for the help, hope you stick around and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have.

[FruitBasketSilex]

No no no, thats an even worse model.  The NEX Bronze?  Thats a terrible PSU.  I'm telling you, go with the Corsair HX650.  Its a very high end PSU with more than enough power for overclocking and SLI.  Its at a fantastic price right now, don't pass it up.

 

Yea, you're going to have to miss out on that tiny feature, its just not worth it to sacrifice elsewhere in your build for a post LED light.  If it does mean that much to you, upgrading your mobo is always an option, but motherboard is not something that impacts performance, so that money would be better spent elsewhere in your build.

 

You're welcome for the help, hope you stick around and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have.

The problem with the HX650 is it boosts the price up to 1070$, i don't do mail in rebates, so it's at 90 right now, and soon goes up to 100$

[Faceman]

The problem with the HX650 is it boosts the price up to 1070$, i don't do mail in rebates, so it's at 90 right now, and soon goes up to 100$

Ahh, understandable.  I might need to find you a different motherboard then because its a $20 MIR.

 

Are you open to a temporary PSU or a non-modular PSU?

[FruitBasketSilex]

Ahh, understandable.  I might need to find you a different motherboard then because its a $20 MIR.

 

Are you open to a temporary PSU or a non-modular PSU?

I don't know what a temporary PSU is, and I am fine with a non modular PSU.

 

How about the Rosewill Capstone 750W/750w-semi-modular?

JonnyGuru gave it a 9.1?

[Faceman]

I don't know what a temporary PSU is, and I am fine with a non modular PSU.

 

How about the Rosewill Capstone 750W/750w-semi-modular?

JonnyGuru gave it a 9.1?

Rosewill Capstones are excellent PSUs, if they fit your budget, definitely go for it.

 

Temporary PSU is less expensive PSU that is functional and works, you just use it in the meantime until you buy a more expensive PSU.  A CX600M is an example of a temporary PSU.

[FruitBasketSilex]

Rosewill Capstones are excellent PSUs, if they fit your budget, definitely go for it.

 

Temporary PSU is less expensive PSU that is functional and works, you just use it in the meantime until you buy a more expensive PSU.  A CX600M is an example of a temporary PSU.

Well, I went with the non-modular capstone. I think my build is complete. Thank you for all of your help. I love this site, has such a friendly community.

[Faceman]

Well, I went with the non-modular capstone. I think my build is complete. Thank you for all of your help. I love this site, has such a friendly community.

Happy to help.  Capstone is a fantastic PSU and will last you a long time.  Do a build log!  Stick around too, you caught us at a weird hour, but usually tons of people available to help.