Computer Case Help

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Hey guys. I am going crazy here trying to decide on a case to buy. I keep ordering then canceling lol. To say I am indecisive would be an understatement! My main thing is I just can't decide if I want a bottom or top mount PSU. I am so used to top mounted, but it seems almost all mid to high end cases are now bottom mount. I am kind of old school I guess so it just seems "wrong" to me. I simply can't wrap my head around what the benefits to a bottom mounted PSU would be, other than to make the case less top heavy {which honestly is not an issue, IMO}. So guys, what are your thoughts on that? My price range is $60 or under which doesn't leave me a ton of options.
 
Yeah, that price range is a bit tough to work with but not impossible. I believe the reason PSUs are now at the bottom is for the heat to flow more naturally out of the case, since heat rises. Don't quote me on that though.

Any other specifications you want to meet besides price? Off the top of my head, I can recommend the [Antec Two Hundred] and the [Antec Three Hundred] (If it's on sale.) That's what I would recommend just solely going on price.
 
Yep Creepin, the Antec could work because it's free shipping. I was looking at that, or this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Centurion-Tower-Black/dp/B0015A2JSA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281417827&sr=8-10 or this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Centurion-Tower-Black/dp/B0015A2JSA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281417827&sr=8-10

I guess I really don't have any other spec's to meet. Kinda seem like all cases in this range are very similar. What should I look for even?
 
NZXT Gamma. PSU is bottom mounted. It's not a problem for me. It has 4 5.25in bays, and 6 3.5in. bays (3.5's are all internal). It also has pre-drilled holes for water cooling tubes, if your into that. Has 6 places for fans. (All 120mm, though some can hold a 140mm aswell.) Made out of steel, and installing parts is almost tool-less. You can find it for $40-$50.
 
x2 said:
Yep Creepin, the Antec could work because it's free shipping. I was looking at that, or this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Centurion-Tower-Black/dp/B0015A2JSA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281417827&sr=8-10 or this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Centurion-Tower-Black/dp/B0015A2JSA/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281417827&sr=8-10

I guess I really don't have any other spec's to meet. Kinda seem like all cases in this range are very similar. What should I look for even?
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I guess what I meant in regards to other specs is,

  • what motherboard sizes are you planning to use? (ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro ATX)
  • The height and width of the case? (This is mostly asked due to the type of graphics cards and/or the type of CPU coolers you want to install, also cable management.)
  • How many drive bays do you think you'll be needing? (Both external and Internal.)

Some stuff to think about if you haven't.
 
I believe they mount PSUs to the bottom now so the heat from the case won't have to flow through the PSU to exhaust. It's much more effective just to have fans there than to have a PSU.
 
I have wondered that too, why PSUs have been moved to the bottom. It seems that PSUs had extra fans, so those were utilized to help move heat out of the case, even though it wasn't most efficient for cooling the PSU itself. With higher wattage power supplies, the PSU needs fresh, cool air, not air already heated by the other computer components.

That being said, my ATX case with the PSU on top is fine with a 630 watt supply.

I have been impressed with the Antec -hundred line of cases though, particularly the Antec Nine-hundred II case. That might be a bit higher than your price range though.
 
That's true Polygon, they do indeed look better. But for now I decided to go with a top mount case and I went with this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Centurion-Tower-Black/dp/B000GVT072/ref=sr_1_24?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1281560108&sr=1-24 I just hope it's as nice as the regular Centurion 5.
 
No, but that's the one I'm ordering for my build. I've looked it over for hours online, it's exactly what I want. I wish more cases featured the handle and mic/headphones/USB ports on the top like it does. The glass panel is nice too. :D
 
Hey Thrav if you wanna do some drooling check out the Storm Scout Club thread on this page- http://www.overclock.net/computer-cases/ It's over 1000 pages long!!!
 
x2 said:
Hey Thrav if you wanna do some drooling check out the Storm Scout Club thread on this page- http://www.overclock.net/computer-cases/ It's over 1000 pages long!!!
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My laptop won't even load the link. O_o

Also, check this out Creepin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK_elZ0sxAE
 
CreepinDeth said:
Not bad. I just realized this is a mid-tower case. Looks like a no go for me. I'm more of a full tower kind of guy. :D
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You may like the HAF 932 http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-High-Tower-Black/dp/B001EPUQAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281575811&sr=8-1
 
ThravRande said:
But it's a roomy one. You could fit a MASSIVE video card in it.
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With barely any other room to work with. Airflow would get choked out. If I had the proper tools, I would modify the case to fix that, but it's not just about fitting graphics cards. It's also about the Mobo/CPU and the extra drive bays. It's not a horrible case by any means, just not for me.

x2 said:
You may like the HAF 932 http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-High-Tower-Black/dp/B001EPUQAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1281575811&sr=8-1
Click to expand...

That's a good case, not sure about the front bezel though.
 
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