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Cases Good airflow budget case

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Plugs, 2 Apr 2023.

  1. Plugs

    Plugs Minimodder

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    I'm thinking about a new build, and my existing case is not the best for cable management etc so it is probably time for a new case.
    Opening up any component website brings up a long list of cases which all look the same. Worse still, YouTube has not been helpful as when searching for good budget case it doesn't seem to mention any of the ones appearing within the price range I originally thought.

    Does anyone have any ideas of a good case...
    • for ~£60
    • with good airflow
      • with mesh filter to stop dust being pulled in
    • space for cable management
    • I guess Mid-Tower for ATX
    Or is it mostly junk at that price and my only hope is to get lucky on second hand market?
     
  2. Spanky

    Spanky Multimodder

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    Mid tower is like full ATX right?

    If you can manage a M-ATX then the thermaltake S100 is a cracking option.
     
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  3. ModSquid

    ModSquid Multimodder

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    I've built a couple of systems inside variants of this (I think it's different included fans/type of (A)RGB that differentiates them) and found them really good for the money. Three front fan mounts, two roof, one rear and one underneath for the PSU (pre-filtered). Can be slightly tricky (only slightly, mind) stashing your cables if you use the full HDD cage and your PSU is non-modular, but if you're mainly SSD (two rear motherboard tray mounts) and/or single large HDD and don't have too many captive cables you'll be fine. Top vent is meshed but I used that as exhaust; only concession I had to make was getting some separate filters for the front intakes (separate links to examples) and to cover the gaps in the frame, but that was all very inexpensive.
     
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  4. Plugs

    Plugs Minimodder

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    Thanks, unfortunately I think I need a full ATX board for this one.
    Yeah that sort of thing is what I meant by cases that mostly look the same - I suppose it is a bit different and I know the MSI brand. However I'm not sure how good airflow will be with a mostly solid front panel. Also the linked one only has one fan - so by the time you've put a few in you'd be into a higher range with better cases and more included fans?
    But thanks. I've added it to the considerations list.
     
  5. SuperHans123

    SuperHans123 Multimodder

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  6. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    https://www.scan.co.uk/products/aerocool-falcon-g-v2-mid-tower-case
    Or
    https://www.scan.co.uk/products/cit...k-4x120mm-argb-fan-hd-audio-mic-in-3x-usb-atx
    Or
    https://www.overclockers.co.uk/phanteks-eclipse-p300-air-midi-tower-case-black-window-ca-09y-pt.html

    For the p300 it only has 1 fan, but there's these thermalright ones that are excellent for the money
    Thermalright TL-C12C-S CPU Fan 120mm ARGB Case Cooler Fan, 4pin PWM Silent Computer Fan With S-FDB Bearing Included, up to 1500RPM cooling fan(3 quantities) https://amzn.eu/d/1gSxSku
     
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  7. SuperHans123

    SuperHans123 Multimodder

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    I can testify to the 'goodness' of the Phanteks P300.
    Built a PC for a work colleague for Christmas and was simple to build in and looked great.
     
  8. Plugs

    Plugs Minimodder

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    Lancool 205 doesn't look that good for airflow, though there is a mesh version but it is more expensive. In fact there is the Lancool 215 is closer to budget than that.
    Has that CiT stolen the facia of a Torrent?
    P300 is winning, though the P400 is a better size though a bit above budget.

    Thanks for the good suggestions, they are in my considerations list now.
     
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  9. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    Corsair 4000d airflow can be had for £80 at scan currently. Adds a echelon or 2 of quality to the rest.
     
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  10. Vault-Tec

    Vault-Tec Green Plastic Watering Can

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  11. SuperHans123

    SuperHans123 Multimodder

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    It doesn't look like it has good airflow but it actually does and reviewed really well in this regard
     
  12. SuperHans123

    SuperHans123 Multimodder

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    Well worth adding £20 to the budget for this.
    Best case I have ever built in and worked with
     
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  13. keef247

    keef247 Modder

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    I'm personally going for an Antec NX410, massive mesh front end for good airflow, 2x 140mm fronts, 1x120mm rear, tool-less windowed door on a hinge that can lift off easily, adjustable rgb by a case button (if you're into that) supports full atx, matx and itx... £60 for the black one £70 for white from scan. Will do me fine for living under the desk on it's supplied feet.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The fan's are really good for what they are and nice and quiet, it doesn't have the rubber grommets around the cable management holes but really who cares?

    Massive support for multiple fans/rads and all that jazz if you want that?

    All the usual magnetic dust shields and jazz.

    The ONLY gripes people dislike are the 3 fans are linked to the rear 120mm and connected via molex - but that is really nit picking isn't it, who cares and doesn't have a sata-molex adapter or a spare cable from their fully modular psu's these days... Oh and it doesn't have a usb-c on the front - again who ever uses one/cares? I have zero use personally for one, anything usb-c I have is plugged in at the wall and charged i.e. my phone...

    Nice enough small size yet can house the biggest HSF coolers such as the dark rock pro 4 and noctuas, can fit beefy graphics card lengths too.

    [​IMG]

    Comes in white or black - make sure you look at a proper video of it, the rendered images make it look a bit marmite but in person in a real video it looks sleek in either colour :)

    For example


    Black:
    https://www.scan.co.uk/products/ant...w-2x-140mm-argb-1x-120mm-argb-fans-usb-30-atx
    White:
    https://www.scan.co.uk/products/ant...w-2x-140mm-argb-1x-120mm-argb-fans-usb-30-atx
     
    Last edited: 18 Apr 2023
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  14. ModSquid

    ModSquid Multimodder

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    Without going back through them all, it seems about three or four of those cases look similar to the point of almost-plagiarism. Probably can't go wrong with any of them, with the difference being cost and included fan count.
     
  15. keef247

    keef247 Modder

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    How dare you insinuate the chinese copy things :D
     
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  16. Anfield

    Anfield Multimodder

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    Don't even need to copy, just hand a bag of cash to an oem along with a jpg of your logo, et voila, you are a case "manufacturer".
     
  17. keef247

    keef247 Modder

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    Oh I'm fully aware dearest, it was a joke :D
     

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