I'm looking for a full tower with some style, I like the way the NZXT Phantom looks like in pictures but it seems to lack a window on the standard model and the one with a window only has a mini/partial one. What full tower cases have some style along with a window and space for a water cooling system (or do they all have that these days)? That and don't cost ridiculous amounts like $300+. Unless there is a real good reason for it, I'd feel stupid spending that much on a case. Yes, I'm well aware "style" is very subjective, a case is very much personal preference but I want to know what you guys think.
Like you said style is very subjective, I like some Fractal Design cases: Define R4 Arctic White - Window http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=107 Define R4 Black Pearl - Window http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=106 Define XL R2 Black Pearl http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=111 ...but as far as I know there is no XL R2 series version yet with side windows. But I see no problem to do some mod on it with plexiglass to get side window.
I like the way they look, but I'm looking for something a bit more flashy. Those are very direct no-nonsense designs. I prefer to have a full tower for space to work with and with this video card it's not an option, it won't fit in anything except a full tower due to its absurd cooler (Accelero Xtreme Plus). I will be upgrading the video card but I don't know when nVidia are releasing their junk or how long their cards will be. I prefer to keep the budget under $200 if possible and I will likely use air cooling to start on the Haswell system I'm going to build but I want it to have space for water cooling in case I decide to upgrade later. The air coolers I use tend to be enormous as well so they often would come close to the door of mid towers and block any option for a door fan. If I get a plain case I've been considering this - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053 It has great reviews, the price is low and the shipping is only $10 (because it appears to Newegg's own brand). The only problem is it's not flashy enough and it lacks a window. :wanker: Edit: Actually, despite the plain look the video makes it seem pretty freakin' sweet - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eStwwZFlOoQ#! But USB 2 ports? Why, WHY?!
It turns out there is a million different sizes and styles of the Phantom. The ginormous 820 version which appears bigger than a standard full tower is currently on sale - http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=77682&promoid=1079 The shipping is oddly free, just $6 for insurance. It has style, it has a window, it's large enough to beat whales to death with, but is it worth a total of $233?
Like you said, style is subjective. Personally and this may just be me, but i just got the Zalman Z11+ and i absolutely love it! But its a love/hate case, build quality is amazing, so sturdy and has the side window and great airflow EDIT: just saw you wanted a full tower... point invalidated
I placed the order. Only to later realize I am both blind and deaf, as it has 6 HDD/SSD slots... I have 7 internal HDDs/SDD. So now I have to: A - Cancel my order on Monday quickly (I should be able to do it instantly through their website, but their website is stupid and buggy) B - Rest the SSD on top of an HDD since it's so thin anyway C - Come up with some sort of mod D - Get rid of my old 500GB Caviar Blue and 2x 640GB Barracuda 7200.11s and replace them with 2x 4TB something, too bad the prices are STILL artificially bloated If I cancel the order I'd like to order something with like 10 HDD/SSD slots but I've found nothing which has as many features as the Phantom 820 which has that, not one that looks nice anyway.
I watched a video of the CM Storm Stryker, not quite my style but thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I should just leave the order for the Phantom 820 and use 3.5 to 5.25" converters? But that would make cabling messy. Maybe I should take the el-cheapo way out and get that Thor V2 I originally wanted... ARRRGGHHHH!!
I'm trying to decide between the Phantom 820 and one I just ran into called the Genesis 9000, a reverse ATX case with supports for heavy video cards (which I think is important, my current one bent slightly due to the HSF weight)... but it can reverse to become a standard ATX case as well. It's very interesting. What say you Gurus? This: Or this which doesn't look as impressive but has more drive slots, can reverse sides and has card supports: Pre-tax it's $200 for the Phantom 820 (order already in), $155 for the Genesis 9000 at the same store so I'd save $45 pre-tax if I change my order. Both are sale prices.
I was going to suggest the Storm Stryker as well. The NZXT is a pretty nice case, very clean look. The Genesis is intriguing, but the tiny blue tinted side window is a bit goofy.
Well in about 9 hours they'll be shipping it unless I call and change my order. I really like the video card weight support the Genesis has (due to my current one bending or bending the PCIE slot and/or itself with weight)... but I still find the Phantom 820 to have more style. Worst case I guess I can use a 3.5 to 5.25 converter and use the top slots since the window won't show that part anyway.
I have one of these. http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00001903 If you want unique,this is it.
Well, that's just not true. There are no graphics cards or graphics card coolers that don't fit most gamer ATX cases just fine. But a full tower will be easier to work with, sure, especially with multiple graphics cards. CM Storm Stryker (white) $170 AZZA Hurrican 2000 (black/blue) $146 AR shipped (black/red $140 shipped) Any NZXT Phantom is good, pick your color In Win GRone (white) $110 AP (gray $140 shipped) If you didn't have a budget: In Win D-Frame red $420 In the ATX mid tower and super tower class: Corsair 600T Silver $170 AR XCLIO WBTK Advanced $155 (not sure about the build quality, and the cable management is bad, but externally it looks badass) Xigmatek Elysium $150 I'd probably go for the GRone white, it looks awesome and it's the cheapest as well. I especially like the icy window color.
I know this sounds gehtto but double sided 3M tape the SSD where ever you want it has no moving parts and is not heavy.
