I'm building a PC for only the second time and the first didn't go well - the first one I managed to fry. Since then I've told a local PC shop which components to buy and had them build it for me. Now that I'm a little older and a little wiser, I want to avoid that costly option. I've got everything except the case and that's giving me a little headache. I had plumped for the CM690 Advanced II but it didn't come - bad stock or something - so now I'm looking for an alternative. I've got the original version of the Antec 900 and it doesn't have much length-ways room for working between the graphics card (bought a 5850) and the hard drives, so I'm ideally searching for something bigger My budget is £100. What can you recommend?
The CM690 II is a great all-rounder case at this price point so couldn't you just order it from another store? However there are some other alternatives that stand out at this price point. Best Value: Xigmatek Utgard Best Cooling: Antec Nine Hundred Two Cooler Master HAF 922 Best Noise Levels: Fractal Design R2 I'd take your pick out of these after reading the reviews & deciding whwat's most important for you in a case.
Bigger than Antec 900? 1200 or HAF932. Really, though, why on earth would you even need space between the graphics and the hdd-cage? You can mount the HDDs elsewhere...
Yeah, if you really do need a large case then these are your best bets as they're not too far off your budget.
What's important for me is having tool-free access, especially for fitting a new HDD or a SSD. Also space for fitting the power connectors and general cable management around the graphics card. This excludes the 902, which is a disappointment for me, since I like its styling. I'll try to find another CM690 II, I guess. The combination of the mesh front, the tool-free drives and so many fan mounts makes it a winner for me.
Why do I need that space? Fat fingers mean I've had trouble fitting the power connectors on my HD4870 card in my 900.
What was your last case? CM690II is in stock at Scan I don't really see why you need anything bigger than a 900, a 5850 is 9.5" (same as a 4870) so any well designed Mid Tower should accommodate and the CM 690II sports removable lower drive bays for more space But here's some advice should you chose the CM690 - fill all the fan bays but buy a fan controller, then reduce all the fans to about half speed, I have the original case and most of the fans are disconnected otherwise it would be impossible to sit near
I ordered a CM690 II from Scan. They sent me a CM690 original, which is going back, and said they've got a stock problem. This explains why they're both the same price, I think. Good point about the fan controller. I've not had one of those before but I'll look at them.
I know, I was just mentioning that because he said that he was having issues getting it from scan & the only other places he'd probably be able to get free delivery are EBuyer & CCL.
You can fit four HDDs no problem in my Antec 900 with ease and no risk of blocking the graphics card (unless it's some crazy triple slot cooler). My 4870 isn't near the HDD cages so I can fit the full six in there if I wanted to easily. (My 4870 has power connectors pointing toward the side of the case so they're even less of an issue, I consider power sockets parallel to the PCB to be an annoying design flaw.)
Storm Sniper or the HAF922>Antec 900. WIth that said if you want a gigantic case, use the 932, even if it's hideous.
I love my HAF 932. The main reason is wiring up, the back pannel has a outward bulge which allows large cable bundles to be easily routed and none of the forcing the door on to make them fit. The only issues with it is the lack of dust filters, but these can be easily modded with moddling mesh and tights
Mine has power connectors on the end, so sticking into one of the HDD cages. I guess I could remove the cage - hadn't thought of that before. However I want something new, since I've got all the other components new. Come Friday, aka payday, I'll toss a coin between the CM690 II and the HAF 932.
The HAF X looks great if you like the aesthetics. Persoanlly I don't so I'd much rather go with the ATCS 840 or a Liani-Li.
HAF X is the bigger brother of the ATCS. Its either or really, no one cases come into it in my opinion
