Help me plan out the next upgrade cycle for my current machine.

[TheSLSAMG]

In the past few weeks, my PC has not been doing too well. The case is trapping hot air like crazy, and my Dark Rock 3's mounting hardware has now failed. My rig is sitting in a worn C70 with externally mounted 140MM fans because of airflow needs. Therefore, I am looking to replace some stuff in the coming months. I know, it's a bit early, but I reckon the case and cooler market changes so ill-often that planning early can't hurt too much. I do have some requirements and wants below:

 

• Stay under $350 USD
• Offer the best cooling solution possible
• No Phanteks cases, not a fan of the styling
• No Fractal Design cases, that includes the Define S
• No cube-style cases, such as the Corsair Air 540
• Must have a side panel window
• Must match a gold/black color scheme
• I would like more storage, but I do not want a HDD
• Not too much plastic in the construction of the case, or at least let it be good quality plastic
• Keep 120MM fans to the absolute minimum
• No Corsair or Noctua fans

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QhNrf7- This PCPartPicker lists what I currently have and how much I got it for. Missing obviously are the case and cooler.

[cesrai]

Can I ask why no plastic and fractal ??? and why no corsair or Noctua ??

[ADZ_123_!"£]

I would go for this case.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph410b3

[Ace Lean]

Can I ask why no plastic and fractal ??? and why no corsair or Noctua ??

word

[JoaoPRSousa]

So, 350$ for the case and cooler.

[Jade]

I would go for this case.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph410b3

At that price, the obvious answer is the S340.

[TheSLSAMG]

Can I ask why no plastic and fractal ??? and why no corsair or Noctua ??

I have lightened up a bit on the plastic, as I do realize there is good quality plastic out there.

 

No Fractal Design cases for a few reasons, mainly the Define cases seem to trap in heat and have bad airflow compared to open cases for the trait of silence and the cases don't look very exciting.

 

No Corsair fans because I am not a fan of style over substance. They're not terrible fans but they are obviously more an aesthetic aid than an airflow aid.

 

Knowing both of these now will probably help you understand why I don't want Noctua. But to put it simply, they don't look very nice and are far too expensive for what they do considering great fans exist at a more reasonable price point with good aesthetics.

 

word

[TheSLSAMG]

So, 350$ for the case and cooler.

Case, cooler and possibly storage (though storage isn't necessary.)

[ADZ_123_!"£]

At that price, the obvious answer is the S340.

He has $350 might as well go for something a bit exciting looking.

[zappian]

• No Corsair or Noctua fans

 

[TheSLSAMG]

I would go for this case.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph410b3

Glossy black plastic, I question how that will stand up against scratches and scuffs. As well, it doesn't exactly work with the gold.

 

At that price, the obvious answer is the S340.

Airflow is of importance, the S340's airflow doesn't seem to be that great due to the solid front panel (though I know that the top and bottom are open.)

[ADZ_123_!"£]

Glossy black plastic, I question how that will stand up against scratches and scuffs. As well, it doesn't exactly work with the gold.

 

Airflow is of importance, the S340's airflow doesn't seem to be that great due to the solid front panel (though I know that the top and bottom are open.)

I'm just going to put it out there that looking on pc part picker for a black & gold case the only option it came up with was this.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-bfcneo100kkwkarp

[TheSLSAMG]

I'm just going to put it out there that looking on pc part picker for a black & gold case the only option it came up with was this.

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-bfcneo100kkwkarp

You don't have to go with a black and gold case (the case doesn't have to be two-tone.) Black fits fine.

[Jade]

Glossy black plastic, I question how that will stand up against scratches and scuffs. As well, it doesn't exactly work with the gold.

 

Airflow is of importance, the S340's airflow doesn't seem to be that great due to the solid front panel (though I know that the top and bottom are open.)

Airflow's been fine for me. 30C idle all around, 50C full load CPU / low 60C GPUs, noting there's two GPUs and I'm using a Hyper 212 Evo... with only the top exhaust fan and two intakes running. The rear exhaust fan is faulty and thus I keep it off unless under very high load.

[ADZ_123_!"£]

You don't have to go with a black and gold case (the case doesn't have to be two-tone.) Black fits fine.

Oh ok then I would go with this case.

NZXT Noctis 450

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-can450wm1

[TheSLSAMG]

Airflow's been fine for me. 30C idle all around, 50C full load CPU / low 60C GPUs, noting there's two GPUs and I'm using a Hyper 212 Evo... with only the top exhaust fan and two intakes running. The rear exhaust fan is faulty and thus I keep it off unless under very high load.

Fair enough, will keep it in consideration. I can spend more though, so remember that. I reckon most 280MM AIOs sit around $130, so I would have another $220 to spend on a case. Of course I won't spend all of that, but I can afford more than the S340.

[Jade]

Fair enough, will keep it in consideration. I can spend more though, so remember that. I reckon most 280MM AIOs sit around $130, so I would have another $220 to spend on a case. Of course I won't spend all of that, but I can afford more than the S340.

Wasn't particularly recommending it to you, was just recommending it over the Phantom 410.

[TheSLSAMG]

Oh ok then I would go with this case.

NZXT Noctis 450

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-can450wm1

You see, I've been looking at the Noctis since this morning. I really like it, but the red LEDs put me off. I may very well end up with it, but I will have to consider other options unless I want to mod white LEDs into it or keep them unplugged entirely (that's no fun.) Airflow also concerns me because it seems almost as closed as an H440 and it uses 120MM fans (not necessarily bad for airflow, but I still want to keep them to a minimum.)

[ADZ_123_!"£]

You see, I've been looking at the Noctis since this morning. I really like it, but the red LEDs put me off. I may very well end up with it, but I will have to consider other options unless I want to mod white LEDs into it or keep them unplugged entirely (that's no fun.) Airflow also concerns me because it seems almost as closed as an H440 and it uses 120MM fans (not necessarily bad for airflow, but I still want to keep them to a minimum.)

Well if you want more information on the case here is a (very) in depth review of it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXhRUrYvKkc

[JoaoPRSousa]

Case, cooler and possibly storage (though storage isn't necessary.)

Case is a personal choice, but here goes

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 280L 122.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($105.99 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.98 @ OutletPC)

Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $267.96

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-28 15:15 EDT-0400

Since the case brings fans, I'd recommend you to get "custom" ones.

[cesrai]

I have lightened up a bit on the plastic, as I do realize there is good quality plastic out there.

 

No Fractal Design cases for a few reasons, mainly the Define cases seem to trap in heat and have bad airflow compared to open cases for the trait of silence and the cases don't look very exciting.

 

No Corsair fans because I am not a fan of style over substance. They're not terrible fans but they are obviously more an aesthetic aid than an airflow aid.

 

Knowing both of these now will probably help you understand why I don't want Noctua. But to put it simply, they don't look very nice and are far too expensive for what they do considering great fans exist at a more reasonable price point with good aesthetics.

You got a source of corsair not being airflow aid ??? and I mean the AF series.