Computer Cases

Edit: This post originally started last night but I could not finish it as I had to go to work at 4 again today so I slept early.

Hi folks!

Today was a very hectic day for me and after coming home I slept like a log and woke up not too long ago. I wanted to post this before I go to eat food and sleep again. I work at 4 in the morning so I need to sleep soon as well.

So today we are going to be talking about computer cases. Buying a good computer case is essential to your build. Part of it is of course aesthetics as you can show off a really cool looking case but a major thought should be put in to how the parts you have will fit inside your computer. You need to think of about effective cable routing, component size and air flow. Always look at the number of fans it can fit. It should have enough slots for your hard drives, also be spacious enough to house your huge video cards (as most of the time you have to take out a hard drive cage to accommodate them thereby reducing your carrying capacity for hard drives. As always dimensions, dimensions, dimensions! Pay close attention to your video card size, motherboard size, cpu cooler size and make sure they will all fit in to your case. You can either pick your case first and then fit components, or pick your components first and then go for the case. Either way be careful and plan ahead to save headaches later on.

The Companies that I like are Corsair, NZXT, Cooler Master, Antec and Thermaltake but make no mistake, there are a lot of companies and you are more then welcome to try out something else which catches your eye. Just make sure to look at what the case is constructed out of. Metals will last you longer then Plastics and tool less options will save you from pain.

Dimensions are H x W x L (Height x Width x Length)
ANTEC (http://www.antec.com)

Antec has a long list of Cases that you can look at on their website but I will be listing my favorite to keep it simple. Also take a look at their Skeleton Case. Very radical!

Antec Lanboy air

Supporting an awesome modular design, you can position almost all of your components any way you choose. With the ability of having up to 15 exhaust fans, this case will keep cool no matter what. Add to that the open frame mesh panel construction, heat and dust stay out!. Can fit up to a 16 inch graphics card. Selling for $179.99. Comes in Blue, Red and Yellow. It is a ATX Mid Tower and the Dimensions are 20.20 in x 8.70 in x 20.30 in


Other good cases from Antec,

Antec Gaming Series One
Price $49.99
Dimensions : 17.2in x 8.2in x 19.2in
Up to 10.5 inch Graphics Card can be fitted.

Antec Three Hundred
Price $54.99
Dimensions : 18.30in x 8.10in x 18.00in
Up to 11 inch Graphics Card can be fitted

COOLER MASTER (http://www.coolermaster.com)

Top of my list when it comes to computer cases and cooling solutions. Their COSMOS II was featured in the Dream Machine 2011 by Maximum PC.

Cooler Master HAF 922

The ever popular HAF Series (High Air Flow.) It supports 1 x 120mm rear fan, 1 x 200mm front red LED fan, 1 x 200mm top fan (or 2 x 120mm fans) and 1 x 200mm side fan (or 2 x 120mm fans) and a 120mm or 140mm bottom fan.. Can support E-ATX Motherboards. Selling for $149.99. ATX Mid Tower with Dimensions 22.20in x 10.00in x 19.70in.






Other good cases from Cooler Master,

Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
Price $149.99
Dimensions : 22.70in x 9.00in x 21.50in

Cooler Master HAF 912
Price $59.99
Dimensions : 19.50in x 9.10in x 18.90in
Can fit up to a 15.6 inch video after removing the hard drive cage, otherwise nearly ~10.6inch

NZXT (http://www.nzxt.com)

Makers of some really good looking cases, NZXT greatly held my interest as I was making my build. They also make gaming mice among other things.

NZXT Phantom

In my opinion one of the best looking cases out there, the Phantom is a ATX Full Tower capable of holding the most massive of video cards and very spacious on the inside with great cable management and air flow. Capable of holding up to 7 fans and also containing an integrated fan controller. It can support E-ATX motherboards. Selling for $124.99 and has several color options so browse Newegg for the other ones. Dimensions , 24.53in x 8.74in x 21.26in.





Other good cases from NZXT are,

KHAOS Classic Series
Price $249.99
Dimensions :  24in x 8.85in x 23.5in


M59
Price $49.99
Dimensions : 20in x 7.48in x 17.68in

CORSAIR (www.corsair.com)

Relatively new to the computer case scene, Corsair hit the ground running with some awesome cases.

Corsair Graphite Series 600T Special Edition White




 Looks gorgeous in white but is available in other colors as well, the 600T is a Mid Tower ATX case with a spacious inside. Supports Micro ATX and ATX motherboards. Selling for $169.99 and Dimensions are 23.30in x 10.4in x 20in







Corsair Carbide Series 500R White Steel
Price $139.99
Dimensions : 20.5in x 8.1in x 20in

Corsair Obsidian Series 800D
Price $259.99
Dimensions : 24in x 9in x 24in

THERMALTAKE (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com)

One of my favorite companies, Thermaltake has also entered the E-Sports scene with several very good gaming keyboards, mice and headsets (http://usa.ttesports.com/index.aspx) and if you are in touch with Star Craft 2, they sponsor White-Ra.

Thermaltake Level 10 GTS Snow Edition


This gorgeous case is ver good at keeping your components cool with support for up to 5 fans. Four hot-swappable hard drive bays are also available and capable of holding a decent sized video card. Selling for $114.99 and Dimensions are 18.2in x 9.2in x 20.1in.







Other good cases are as follows

Level 10
Price $799.99
Dimensions : 26.22in x 12.52in x 24.17in

Thermaltake Armor A90
Price $94.99
Dimensions : 20.30in x 8.30in x 19.80in

The case I chose was

HAF912

Found it for sale for $30. I will be upgrading in the future as well but for now loving this case and don't have any complains about it.

As always choose any case that you like but make sure meet your needs and have good airflow. I will try to post some more today but as it is the weekend, let's see.

Till then,
Kiyoshi out.