Decent quality mid tower without BS features

[freeagent]

I'm sure I wouldn't love the price

Yeah.. BS features and all

It is a bday gift to myself

 

[Vario]

I was dissatisfied with all the consumer options so I just shelled out a bunch of cash and went with a Silverstone Server 'RM' case instead. They have some nice ones, the one I got has 2x120mm in front with dual external 5.25, but there is also one that has 2x180mm in the front, and another that has 3x 120mm and another 3x120mm behind it for dual 360 radiators. I used an adapter to run 2x140mm in place of the 2x120mm.

These models come with feet and handles so you can use it like a traditional tower case.

https://www.silverstonetek.com/en/product/computer-chassis/

 

[Octopuss]

The Montech case looks really interesting (the basic one of course, the max only has one extra fan and RGB stuff). I will consider it. Too bad the ports and buttons are very stupidly placed on lower front instead of the top, but I guess I could live with that, the PC sitting under the table in a corner of the room.

Strictly visually, I also dig the Asus GT502, but it's expensive AF as well, plus it's really wide, which might be annoying.

 

[PATHGALORE]

COUGAR MX600 RGB - Full Tower Gaming Case - COUGAR

Experience a perfect storm of cooling features with full ventilation, strategic filtering and targeted convection guidance. The MX600 RGB raises the bar for compact design: future-proofed full-tower capacity, versatile GPU orientation, streamlined setup, and efficient cable management… all with...

cougargaming.com

Great case for reasonable price.

 

[Vario]

The Montech case looks really interesting (the basic one of course, the max only has one extra fan and RGB stuff). I will consider it. Too bad the ports and buttons are very stupidly placed on lower front instead of the top, but I guess I could live with that, the PC sitting under the table in a corner of the room.

Strictly visually, I also dig the Asus GT502, but it's expensive AF as well, plus it's really wide, which might be annoying.

If you like that style maybe consider Lian Li O11 variants. My O11 Air Mini feels really high quality for $100, its mostly steel. Almost no metal. I would consider the O11 Dynamic Evo.

 

[Iceni]

I've been really happy with my Montech King 95 pro. The glass front can be swapped for mesh that's included. The case is very quiet. Well populated with fans. And there's loads of space to work and solutions for making builds in it work.

It's been good enough that my son and his girlfriend have both got them as well.

Both sides and the front of the case are removable, it's very easy to build in.
If you are using your own fans then there is a non pro version that is cheaper. The montech fans are decent enough tho, and with a custom curve I've managed to get my pc almost silent.
Loads of GPU space. And it's deep enough for just about any cooling solution for the CPU.

Rear mounted PSU is an odd one, I thought I would hate it, but the cables are really easy to manage, and the space at the back of the case is really generous. I managed to do a PSU swap with very little difficulty.

Montech King 95 Pro Review

The Montech King 95 Pro boasts the classic structure of a sandwich-layout chassis, but it goes beyond mere strength. It features a uniquely designed exterior, incorporating bent glass and intricate details that distinguish it. What's more, it comes equipped with an impressive six fans, all at a...

www.techpowerup.com

https://www.montechpc.com/king-95

https://www.montechpc.com/king-95-pro

 

[Octopuss]

Strictly visually, I also dig the Asus GT502, but it's expensive AF as well, plus it's really wide, which might be annoying.

I take it back! This case cost less than the Fractal Define 7, and the dimensions are actually great. And it comes with no fans at all, which I take as a plus unlike most others
That might just be my new favourite!

At least I have plenty of research to do when I'm sick of looking for a monitor

 

[Sithhy™]

Too bad the ports and buttons are very stupidly placed on lower front instead of the top, but I guess I could live with that

Not sure if you mean the Montech I recommended, but it has buttons & ports on top of the case, near the front

 

[Octopuss]

I might have mixed stuff up, I spent most of yesterday digging into monitors and cases

I have also found the cases review section on TPU, so I'm going through those now.

 

[Chrispy_]

I might have mixed stuff up, I spent most of yesterday digging into monitors and cases

I have also found the cases review section on TPU, so I'm going through those now.

I'm a bit late the the thread but Phanteks XT Pro and Corsair 4000D can be found cheap, they're simple decent quality cases without any BS.

I'm also liking the new 2024 NZXT H5 Flow, though I haven't bought one for any builds yet, it's probably my next personal case. 100% airflow focused, no-frills design and the non-RGB variant is also very cheap.

 

[Octopuss]

As I went throught a few reviews here on TPU, I started paying attention to the temperature graphs, and some of the diffences are MASSIVE! The Montech is near the top at like 20°C (either CPU or chipset, not sure) cooler than for example the Asus GT502 which I previously liked.
I think I will base my pre-selection on that metric.

 

[Chrispy_]

As I went throught a few reviews here on TPU, I started paying attention to the temperature graphs, and some of the diffences are MASSIVE! The Montech is near the top at like 20°C (either CPU or chipset, not sure) cooler than for example the Asus GT502 which I previously liked.
I think I will base my pre-selection on that metric.

Ignore TPU's temperate graph.

TPU doesn't test with case fans unless they're included with the case, which is dumb as rocks. It's a fair test but it's not a useful test, because most cases are designed to have fans added and some of them are sold with zero fans.

Because of this, the temperature graphs for every single TPU case review are completely useless. Gamers Nexus probably do the best case temperature testing, even if Tech Jesus gets overly nerdy and bores me with graph after graph after graph.

 

[Octopuss]

I think it's relevant to me because I only use one rear fan.

 

[vMax65]

I'v had the NZXT H6 Flow since launch and it has now been reduced in price. Can only say it was easy to build in, great cooling...space for all the basics.

 

[Octopuss]

I certainly enjoy looking at white cases even if they don't fit into my room.
Nice aquarium

 

[Chrispy_]

I think it's relevant to me because I only use one rear fan.

So no top, front, or bottom fans?

Most cases have only one rear fan, because the motherboard and card slots take up all the space instead, but your typical ATX case is expecting three front fans, one rear fan, and if you want to use an AIO that goes in the roof.

 

[Octopuss]

I tried using front fans on a few occasions in past, and they did absolutely nothing for temperatures.
I think a case with a grille at the top will do a lot more than any fans. But I can certainly add an outtake fan to the top then! Actually a 200mm top fan might work very nicely if I find a case that can fit that (probably not, 140mm will do).

 

[Chrispy_]

I tried using front fans on a few occasions in past, and they did absolutely nothing for temperatures.
I think a case with a grille at the top will do a lot more than any fans. But I can certainly add an outtake fan to the top then! Actually a 200mm top fan might work very nicely if I find a case that can fit that (probably not, 140mm will do).

Did the case in question have adequate venting for the front fans?

There are a bunch of articles and videos covering optimum fan placement, but the reality is that most of them agree that you want as much airflow from front to back as possible, balancing intake and exhaust flow rates as closely as you can. Hardware Canucks, Gamers Nexus, JayZ2C, LTT to name a few....

Slight positive pressure is preferable since it means intake air goes through dust filters and the gaps in your case push dust away, rather than turning into dust collectors.

One intake (front, middle fan) and one exhaust (rear) is the best cooling per dollar.
Two intake (front, middle fan and front, top fan) and two exhausts (rear and top, rear) is the sweet spot that's close to optimum.

Edit:
Here, this one is kinda good for fan basics