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View Full Version : Which popular case should I get?



bug
06-23-2008, 08:12 PM
Which of these would be the best? I prefer cases that focus on function over form. High cooling (with low noise) is much better than a "pretty" look. I'm really not a fan of clear sides.

COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

XION II XON-101 Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208005

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119115

RAIDMAX O2 ATX-302BP Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156182

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024
I'm not sure about the Antec Sonata III due to the front panel grounding problems. I really like the case, but I don't know if I want to take any risks. This thread on Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/248527-31-grounding-problem-antec-sonata-confirmed-cust-support) makes it sound like it has been resolved, though. Would newer shipments include the fix, or do you think it would be something where I would have to contact customer support?

Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018

Antec Three Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042


Regardless of the case, my power supply will be Antec EarthWatts 500. The case must also be able to hold a GeForce 8800gt and Zalman 9500 (Intel version). Finally, I need to have 2 (or more) 5.25 external bays, 1 3.5 external bay, and at least 4 3.5 internal bays. I believe that all of those cases fulfill my bay requirement...

RickyTick
06-23-2008, 10:16 PM
The Cooler Master RC series are nice. I'm surprised you didn't list an Antec 900 or P182.

bug
06-24-2008, 03:54 AM
The Cooler Master RC series are nice. I'm surprised you didn't list an Antec 900 or P182.

I do like the Antec P182 a lot, but I'm wary of mounting my hard drives vertically. I'll have to take a second look at the 900 to see how the internal 3.5 bays are arranged...

I believe that I'll narrow my selection down to the Cooler Master RC and Antec cases.

Thanks!