I feel like a case can really make or break a build. Or at least your enjoyment of it. My specs are below, but I sort of picked a case at random. I’m looking for suggestions.
My current build has served me since 2010 and it’s time to upgrade the CPU, Motherboard, and case. Everything that can be replaced easily has been and it’s really showing it’s age. I mention this because it’s likely the case I pick will be used for the next ten years of my life!
Stuff I care about
- Ease of opening for cleaning/assembling. Part of why I don’t clean my current on as much as I should is how annoying it is to open.
- Ease of moving. I’m more interested in handles than weight, but I still don’t want something stupidly heavy.
- Size. I’d prefer something a little too big rather than something a little too small. I don’t necessarily want a full tower though. As long as I can get in easily and there is some extra room for the next GPU I’ll inevitably buy in the next 10 years I’m good.
Stuff I don’t care about
- Water cooling. I have zero interest in getting custom water cooling. Too much effort for me.
- Looks. I don’t really want some crazy RBG thing, but I also don’t specifically need some super minimalist thing either.
- Price. So, obviously I don’t want to waste money, but if I need to splurge a little I’m willing to. Within reason.
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 5700X 3.4 GHz 8-Core Processor | $162.00 @ Amazon |
| CPU Cooler | Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler | $64.98 @ Amazon |
| Motherboard | MSI MPG B550 GAMING EDGE WIFI ATX AM4 Motherboard | Purchased For $0.00 |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory | $54.99 @ Amazon |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory | $54.99 @ Amazon |
| Storage | Samsung 980 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive | $159.99 @ Amazon |
| Storage | Seagate Barracuda Compute 2 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive | $64.98 @ Amazon |
| Video Card | Zotac GAMING Trinity GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB Video Card | Purchased For $0.00 |
| Case | Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case | $104.97 @ Amazon |
| Power Supply | EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G6 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $133.99 @ Amazon |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $800.89 | |
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-06-14 14:57 EDT-0400 |
You definitely want a mid size case if you’re going to move it around. I got a full size with my first build and while it is nice and roomy, it’s never fun to move when needed.
The case you have in your list has your 2.5" SSD storage in the back and PSU under an aluminum bar at the bottom. Everything else will mostly likely be easily accessible, but if you ever need to do PSU/SSD changes, it won’t be as easy as everything else.
Otherwise, I really like Corsair cases, they’ve never done me wrong.
I don’t have a specific case to recommend, but I’d suggest browsing case reviews at Gamers’ Nexus. They specifically test air flow and temps, which should matter to you since you’re not interested in water cooling (I’m the same way, btw).
Let us know what you decide on.
Finally getting around to this lol. Thank you so much for the recommendation of Gamers’ Nexus. This “Best of 2024” video is very helpful. Also, so as to not bury the lede, they make it clear that it’s not cases made in 2024, just ones available in 2024, so they consider past years as well.
I haven’t made a decision yet, but it seems like many of the big brands from ~15 years ago when I did this aren’t as relevant now, so this has been informative.
Just a heads up, deepcool is getting sanctioned for selling to Russia
Thanks, I’ll find some different parts then. Voting with my dollar, and all.
Cases are so important. I’ve now gone with mATX but got full tower I have had good experiences with be quiet!. That said, they are heavy and focus on cooling and noise. For moveability I might say Thermaltake or NZXT.
is this your current specs? the ATX mobo will be a problem here, i mean, will you use those extra slots? matx boards are a nice nowadays and it opens a lot of possibilities, you could use a nice 4 slot case without ITX tax:)
The motherboard I already own because it was bundled with my graphics card, but it’s still sitting in the box ready to be used. So it’s not part of my current build but it’s “free” (or at least a sunk cost lol).
(My current build uses a Rampage III Extreme if you want to feel nostalgic.)
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Lian Li is the best case manufacturer currently because almost every other case manufacturer is copying their designs (so many fish bowl cases, cases with venting and open panels in the lower shroud area, and cases with a second chamber behind the motherboard for the power supply and drives). Fractal Design is also decent, but not as innovative as Lian Li.
I have the Lancool 3 currently, white version because white colored cases are easier to see inside with normal indoor lighting. No extra lights makes it easier to work in. The only complaint is that it’s not silent at all. Also I would prefer no glass, but not really a complaint.
