D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 Hello. After a recent bad streak of components dying on me, I feel that it's no longer economically sound to keep patching up my aging machine. Unfortunately, it's sitting on a discontinued socket (1366) so I'm pretty much starting from scratch here. So I'm looking at cases and I've decided to go Full Tower this time. I'm sure that a Mid-tower would probably be enough combined with good cable management but I've had enough problems with extra long Radeon cards and playing "SATA Cable Operation" that I appreciate the extra space. Also, I'm going for an air cooled machine, so it should help with the airflow. In addition to the tower size, it needs USB 3.0 ports in the front and no transparent side panel if possible. Metal is preferred, but good build quality trumps it. I absolutely hate PCs that look like Christmas trees when working, so no default LEDs on the fans or case is a plus (ease of removal as well). So far I've only looked at the Corsair Obsidian 700D (it seems to be out of stock everywhere) and the Silverstone TJ07 (no side panel, USB 3.0 model). Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 I have an Antec 300 I bought a few years ago that I really like. It's roomy, has a bottom-mount power supply area and comes with two large variable speed fans. As a bonus, it's quite inexpensive. Oops... it says USB 2.0 but I'm not sure if there's actually a cabling difference. There's a 300 II that supports 3.0 but it's kinda weird looking to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggis Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 what about the 750D? http://www.corsair.com/en/pc-cases/obsidian-series-pc-case/obsidian-series-750d-full-tower-atx-case.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Author Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 what about the 750D? http://www.corsair.com/en/pc-cases/obsidian-series-pc-case/obsidian-series-750d-full-tower-atx-case.html It looks pretty great, despite the transparent side panel. Corsair's own website says that they're out of stock :/ So it should be hard to get it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neu B Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 This is the best tower I've ever had. Insane amount of cooling and quiet. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163213 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phouchg Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I have an Antec 300 I bought a few years ago that I really like. It's roomy, has a bottom-mount power supply area and comes with two large variable speed fans. As a bonus, it's quite inexpensive. Oops... it says USB 2.0 but I'm not sure if there's actually a cabling difference. There's a 300 II that supports 3.0 but it's kinda weird looking to me. I also had the original one for years and thought it was great and spacious, but later realized that damn if it's not one of the most unwieldy things in existance if one needs to swap things often. Also, it does have problems with long graphics cards and cable hell. @OP: Fractal Design Define XL R2. In fact, the non-XL version, Define R4, is already very spacious, but since you're also looking at things like 700D... XL it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggis Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 It looks pretty great, despite the transparent side panel. Corsair's own website say that they're out of stock :/ http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.A0.Xobsidian+750d&_nkw=obsidian+750d&_sacat=0&_from=R40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Fractal Design Define XL R2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CO2T56qDkrsCFYEDOgodzRwA1A&Item=N82E16811352029&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Computer+Cases-_-N82E16811352029&ef_id=UjiWZgAAABdkdggQ:20131202170701:s Full tower, quiet, sane looks, good build quality. Phouchg and goretsky 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggis Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 Fractal Design Define XL R2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CO2T56qDkrsCFYEDOgodzRwA1A&Item=N82E16811352029&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Computer+Cases-_-N82E16811352029&ef_id=UjiWZgAAABdkdggQ:20131202170701:s Full tower, quiet, sane looks, good build quality. Thats an awesome looking case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Author Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 I also had the original one for years and thought it was great and spacious, but later realized that damn if it's not one of the most unwieldy things in existance if one needs to swap things often. Also, it does have problems with long graphics cards and cable hell. @OP: Fractal Design Define XL R2. In fact, the non-XL version, Define R4, is already very spacious, but since you're also looking at things like 700D... XL it is. Yes, like I said, Mid-tower would probably be fine but since I tinker with the build from time to time, the extra space is much appreciated. Adding an HDD to my current case (Antec Nine Hundred Two) required much more work than I expected just to keep the cables from becoming a jumbled mess. Fractal Design Define XL R2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?gclid=CO2T56qDkrsCFYEDOgodzRwA1A&Item=N82E16811352029&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Computer+Cases-_-N82E16811352029&ef_id=UjiWZgAAABdkdggQ:20131202170701:s Full tower, quiet, sane looks, good build quality. Wow, that looks great. Still, I don't want to get my hopes up. I still need to talk with my supplier to see if they can procure one for me and how much would it cost me. Being in Portugal makes it a bit more complicated than just ordering off of Newegg :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Berry Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 What's your price range, exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Author Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 Prices for the XL R2 seem to be in the 130 - 150 euro range so that's a massive plus compared to the +300? price the someone quoted me for the Silverstone TJ07. As for price range, the max I'm willing to spend is 300?, with the sweet spot being under 200?. So let's say 120 - 300?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Berry Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Oh yes, I definately recommend both Fractal Design and Corsair cases. Either way, you won't go wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vvo Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Antec 1200 full tower case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Author Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 Oh yes, I definately recommend both Fractal Design and Corsair cases. Either way, you won't go wrong! From what I've seen, the XL R2 seems like a pretty sweet deal that ticks all the boxes if I can get my hands on one. I will, however, spend some time researching it and reading reviews. I made some bad choices in my first build due to my inexperience (BIGGER NUMBERS WOOO), and I don't want to repeat those because this time money isn't as tight (more room for costly mistakes :unsure: ). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Berry Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Try watching unboxing videos of the cases so you get at least the general idea of how things look inside and out. A good reviewer will show all aspects of the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riahc3 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Hello, For work, I just got the NZXT H630. Sadly Im going on vacation from the Dec 16 to Jan 7 so I will not be able to review it or anything. That being said it is VERY spacious and beautiful. Looks quiet as well and well ventilated. Reviews looked good too. Its also in your price range and no windows or lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Berry Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Here's a video for you of the XL R2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak180 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Here's a video for you of the XL R2. I actually have the Mid tower with the glass side.. This case is built like a tank! and looks beautiful.. I should have went for the Full tower for the extra space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Author Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 Hello, For work, I just got the NZXT H630. Sadly Im going on vacation from the Dec 16 to Jan 7 so I will not be able to review it or anything. That being said it is VERY spacious and beautiful. Looks quiet as well and well ventilated. Reviews looked good too. Its also in your price range and no windows or lights. Thank your for the suggestion. I'll try to look up some reviews of it and check what its price is. Is it full metal or metal frame with plastic panels? Here's a video for you of the XL R2. Yeah, I was about to look at Linus' YT channel. He does a great job reviewing cases. I got the idea for the TJ07 chassis from his personal machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. S. Veteran Posted December 2, 2013 Author Veteran Share Posted December 2, 2013 I actually have the Mid tower with the glass side.. This case is built like a tank! and looks beautiful.. I should have went for the Full tower for the extra space. Pretty much why I'm going Full Tower this time. The extra space has pretty much no downsides. Case makers will someday transition to only making Full Tower and Mini-ITX or mATX cases. +Mirumir 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak180 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Pretty much why I'm going Full Tower this time. The extra space has pretty much no downsides. Case makers will someday transition to only making Full Tower and Mini-ITX or mATX cases. Completely agree! It was a real challenge when it came to wire-management :P Not the best pic but I went Mid tower so I could keep it on my desk +Majesticmerc 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riahc3 Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Hello, Thank your for the suggestion. I'll try to look up some reviews of it and check what its price is. Is it full metal or metal frame with plastic panels?Full metal: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6951/nzxt-h630-silent-case-review/2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudnartim Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156280 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsrcomp Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I got this two years ago and really like it Not the cheapest case in the world. Side loading HD trays and lots of big fans. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133192 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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