Scoping out mATX cases with side panel window

[Mira Yurizaki]

I'm looking into planning for my next build, which is going to be somewhere in the not so distant future (likely early 2018). But I've decided to move away from mini-ITX since its main appeal no longer feels suited for my requirements and if I'm going to go any bigger than what I currently have, I may as well bump it up to mATX. But not ATX, because that's just too big for me.

 

So the only requirements I have are:

• mATX tower form factor. I want something that requires as little floor space as possible. So those cube cases are out.
• Side panel window. I don't care if it's acrylic or glass

And a "nice to have":

• Easy to access fan filters.

I've narrowed the options to four cases, so if you have one of these I'd like to know what your thoughts are.

• Corsair Obsidian 350D
• IN WIN 301
• Phanteks Enthoo Evolved
• Fractal Design Define Mini C

Or if you have anything else, let me know

[Moeplazz]

• Phanteks Enthoo Evolved looks nice

[Monkey Dust]

The 350D is quite an old case now, it's roof looks a mess, it has two optical bays (which judging by your other options you don't need), and IIRC no SSD mounts on the back of the motherboard tray. I'd give the 350D a miss now. The IN WIN 301 looks very short of airflow, I'd say a 'reference' rear exhausting graphics card would be a must, and go easy on the CPU. I'd say it's between the Phanteks and the Fractal. Unless you are planing an mATX X299 or Threadripper build, in which case Fractal for the greater airflow, but the Phanteks won't have a problem with Z270 or Ryzen if you're going that way. 

[Mira Yurizaki]

Oh, I forgot to add a "nice to have":

• Easy to access air filters. I don't want to unscrew fans to get at them

I don't plan on having an AIO cooler either.

[TVwazhere]

Only other cases I can think of is the Corsair 88r and Masterbox Lite 3.1. Personally I'd choose the Fractal Design Define Mini C

[Mira Yurizaki]

2 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Only other cases I can think of is the Corsair 88r and Masterbox Lite 3.1. Personally I'd choose the Fractal Design Define Mini C

The Masterbox looks neat.

 

Though I'm trying to figure out why the Red/Black version is $35 on Newegg.

[TVwazhere]

1 minute ago, M.Yurizaki said:

The Masterbox looks neat.

 

Though I'm trying to figure out why the Red/Black version is $35 on Newegg.

No idea

[Damascus]

301 or TG define mini C