Best ATX case around $100 USD? Bit OCD on looks.

[Zando_]

I'm going to eventually upgrade my case (currently a Corsair Spec-02). I'm thinking about going for a Corsair 400C (but no TG ), a Phanteks P400, or an NZXT S340 Elite. I'm not sold on the S340 Elite, bit it is till a nice looking case. I'm hoping to get a 980 Ti and upgrade to Ryzen, and put in a custom loop. Which will look the best with a water-cooling loop, has the best cable management, etc? Are there any other cases with a similar clean look that are better? 

 

I'm most likely getting an ASRock Tiachi mobo, so I'd like the case to look good with that. I like the idea of a white PC, but I don't think it'll match my other devices and such. The only white devices I've had are an old broken iPad 3, and an iPhone 4s and 4. Now I've got a Space grey iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Pro, and a 2012 MacBook Pro (classic silver). I'd like to get a bamboo desk, so it'd go good with white, and my room is light green, so it would make for a nice natural/clean look. Also, my bed and 'extra' desk are a battleship grey. I don't think I have the audacity to pull off the white look. 

 

Also, what color RGB should I go for? I'd like to try a purple glow, but again, that doesn't jive with my personal style or decor. I definitely want to avoid black and red and black and green, as they are overused, IMO. 

 

Thanks for any help you guys can give me! 

 

EDIT: Also forgot to add, and just remembered it because of someone else who wants it, the NZXT H440 also looks nice. 

[samcool55]

Phanteks Enthoo series are worth a look.

 

[Zando_]

2 minutes ago, samcool55 said:

Phanteks Enthoo series are worth a look.

 

I have, but aren't they expensive? I think they're around $160 USD.

[samcool55]

Just now, Zando Bob said:

I have, but aren't they expensive? I think they're around $160 USD.

Some are but i know there are cases in the series for less than 100 dollars.

[Mr. Whale]

Just now, Zando Bob said:

I have, but aren't they expensive? I think they're around $160 USD.

I've got the Enthoo Evolve TG. The price bump is worth it imo

 

[minibois]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

I have, but aren't they expensive? I think they're around $160 USD.

The P400S with tempered glass is around 100 USD, the plastic window version even cheaper.

Yeah if you're looking at the Enthoo Pro's and stuff, you're looking at 160 USD.

 

I am personally looking at the P400S as it seems like a great case + it's looks aren't an 'overstatement' (as in it doesn't look super over the top)

[Mr. Whale]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

I have, but aren't they expensive? I think they're around $160 USD.

I do think that the S340 is a good choice tho, I've built in the standard one before and it was nice

I'm not too sure about a custom loop though, I know the enthoo is good for it

 

[Zando_]

1 minute ago, Mr. Whale said:

I do think that the S340 is a good choice tho, I've built in the standard one before and it was nice

I'm not too sure about a custom loop though, I know the enthoo is good for it

 

Yes, the Enthoo Evolv would look wicked with a custom loop. But I'd be torn between that and the Corsair 570X. 

[Zando_]

3 minutes ago, Mr. Whale said:

I do think that the S340 is a good choice tho, I've built in the standard one before and it was nice

I'm not too sure about a custom loop though, I know the enthoo is good for it

 

How come the S340 isn't a good choice? @Bezolek is torn between an S340 Elite and the H440, so any info would be helpful. 

[Mr. Whale]

If it was between them two then I would go with the S340 Elite, it's far less in your face. I suppose that comes down to your preference tho. I always thought that the Corsair Air 540 was a nice looking case, maybe look into that?

 

[Zando_]

Just now, Mr. Whale said:

If it was between them two then I would go with the S340 Elite, it's far less in your face. I suppose that comes down to your preference tho. I always thought that the Corsair Air 540 was a nice looking case, maybe look into that?

 

That's another case I really like. I like the S340, but I think the Phanteks P400s is a bit softer looking. 

[Mr. Whale]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

That's another case I really like. I like the S340, but I think the Phanteks P400s is a bit softer looking. 

I'm not a fan of the P400's, if I was you I'd spend some time really looking for one, I bought a 760t around 2 years ago and it's my biggest regret. It's just sat their and gathered dust since I bought the Enthoo

[Mr. Whale]

how about Phanteks new case, that tower one? Not too sure on the name, not follow computex that close but it looks cool and different

 

[Zando_]

12 minutes ago, Mr. Whale said:

how about Phanteks new case, that tower one? Not too sure on the name, not follow computex that close but it looks cool and different

 

I haven't heard about it. If I was going to get any case from Computex, I'd get the massive Corsair one that can fit two PCs inside it. And then I'd be bankrupt. 

[Zando_]

@Mr. Whale @samcool55 @Minibois I've decided, with the help of Mr. Whale, to go for a Phanteks Enthoo Evolv TG. Only prob is, what mobo? High end ASUS mobos are too expensive. I really like the ASRock Tiachi, but I don't know if it's compatible with the RGB in the Evolv. Which leaves me with MSI's mystic light sync. I can afford an MSI Gaming Pro Carbon, and really love the way it looks, but I've kind of been scared off by people saying they have memory OC problems. Is it really as bad as they say? 

[Zusafek]

6 hours ago, Zando Bob said:

@Mr. Whale @samcool55 @Minibois I've decided, with the help of Mr. Whale, to go for a Phanteks Enthoo Evolv TG. Only prob is, what mobo? High end ASUS mobos are too expensive. I really like the ASRock Tiachi, but I don't know if it's compatible with the RGB in the Evolv. Which leaves me with MSI's mystic light sync. I can afford an MSI Gaming Pro Carbon, and really love the way it looks, but I've kind of been scared off by people saying they have memory OC problems. Is it really as bad as they say? 

The only info I can give you about the Phanteks cases is the led is compatible with Asus Aura sync and MSI Mystic Lighting. That much I do know as I have 2 P400 cases with complete rgb led setups from Phanteks in them. 

[Zando_]

10 hours ago, Zusafek said:

The only info I can give you about the Phanteks cases is the led is compatible with Asus Aura sync and MSI Mystic Lighting. That much I do know as I have 2 P400 cases with complete rgb led setups from Phanteks in them. 

Well, once I get my mobo and CPU, I'll find out, won't I? 

[SteveGrabowski0]

20 hours ago, Zando Bob said:

EDIT: Also forgot to add, and just remembered it because of someone else who wants it, the NZXT H440 also looks nice. 

The H440 would be terrible for water cooling because of the small side vents at top that neuter any top mounted radiator. I would completely strike that case from your list.

[Zando_]

Just now, SteveGrabowski0 said:

The H440 would be terrible for water cooling because of the small side vents at top that neuter any top mounted radiator. I would completely strike that case from your list.

OK. @Bezolek, this may be the deciding factor you need if you want to do a custom loop at any point.