Choosing a case.

[xByakko]

Ok, so this is probably WAY too early but I felt like seeing what people think so far.

 

Fractal Design Define R4 Windowed

 

VS.

 

NZXT Phantom 530 (This case is still on pre-order I think)

 

 

If YOU had to chose, which would you choose. Then include a separate answer of which you think I should choose.

 

My usage are as below:

-Mild overclocking

-Air cooled

-Average gamer load

-Casual video editing/Content making

-Light programming

-Photoshop

-Got good fans (Noctua NF-P12s as well as Scythe GTs)

-Sits on top of a desk next to me.

-Occasional overnight operation. (Right next to the bed)

-Silence is a mild consideration.

-Ambient temps vary on season (Can range from 6 to 30 degrees Celsius)(New Zealand)

 

 

On a completely different topic, will 80+ bronze 650w PSU (Seasonic M12II) run an overclocked i7 3770k with an overclocked HD7870 ? I have 2 Mechanical drives, 1 DVD+CD combo drive, Sound card that runs on PCIe power and 3 case fans.

[calebp123]

I would go with the r4 just because I don't really like the feel of nzxt cases. Also with the psu thing you probably might want to be careful. 

[mgsstar]

I would go with the Phantom 530 because it has more room for cable management and because that it is larger. Your system shouldn't be that loud since you are buying good fans.

[Jaybird]

R4, its just go sexy. On a side note, if you want to have it sit next to you, the prodigy is quite nice.

[xByakko]

well this wont be a new build, but rather a case swap and some smaller upgrades. so prodigy is not going to work since i cant afford to get a new motherboard (Using ATX).

 

so i guess overclocking 3770k wont be a choice with my overclocked 7870?

[Ferguson]

well this wont be a new build, but rather a case swap and some smaller upgrades. so prodigy is not going to work since i cant afford to get a new motherboard (Using ATX).

 

so i guess overclocking 3770k wont be a choice with my overclocked 7870?

well there is plenty of space for a h80i or a h100i if you have space get a noctua nh-d14 if you want to overclock alot get one of those if as you said mild and you don't want to bust the bank the cooler master hyper 212 evo is a good choice and that psu should be good enough- i overclock a amd fx8120 to 4.2ghz with a h55 and get no more then 40C i also oc my gtx 550ti to 1000mhz and it doesnt reach past 70C with the fan speed on 40% just have a good intake at the front 

[xByakko]

using a hyper 212 evo already, but considering a nh-d14 or silver arrow extreme (since i feel like a go dual 120 rad or go home person, but h100 is more expensive compared to the air coolers. the h80 costs about the same as a nh-d14 here, still more expensive that silver arrow) for some bling :P. still a bit worried trying to overclock a 3770k with an overclocked 7870 on 650w. anyone tried before?

 

kind OT: r4 is really tempting, but im worried about temperatures since the 7870 gets pretty hot for me, i can hear the fans ramp up when playing dota 2. although my fan curve is a bit on the aggressive side, but its around 60 degrees on 60%speed while playing. (i also have a ghz 550ti :D but i dont use it since its gets really hot running gw2 unless i drop the settings pretty low)

[WoodenMarker]

I'd get the R4 for the nicer window. If not for the window, I'd get the Phantom 530 because the R4 is a boring case.

[JanusBananus]

I would personally go with the Define R4 because I like the clean and simple design.

[onionring]

idk if size matter when you put it on the desk?

[iWearKiltz]

i own the r4, and so i can vouch for it and say its a very nice case. like others, i dont like the nzxt cases due to the design, though it'll be a newer case and may have newer features.. if you like the phantom, and it gets good reviews, i'd go for that, just because its newer. otherwise, the r4, minimalistic and silent case.

[xByakko]

i like both their designs tbh, im not too picky with the window since im the kind that only wants to see the cpu and gpu. maybe the psu. size isnt much of a consideration, but i have a bitfenix shinobi atm and its a tight fit on my desk, and the cable management is a bit tricky in this. i do like the silence factor but im very worried about temperatures if i decide to overclock a 3770k with my 7870.