Casing Recommendations

xKazeolus

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Hi all!

Have been thinking about this for days and yet I still can't get any decisions made so hope any bros can provide some advices.

Current case is a Fractal Design Arc Midi R2. Not much complaints about it cause I like its simplicity except its damn heavy when comes to maintenance. And since doing an upgrade soon for my parents' computer, thought of changing my casing and hand over it to them since their casing is rusty beyond description.

I'm pondering between Corsair Obsidian 450D, CoolerMaster CM690 III, NZXT H440 and Fractal Design Define R5 (if it's really that good, then won't mind the heavy weight over the USB ports since sometimes i would use up to 3 ports). Having 4 USB ports in the front I/O is a plus point but not a main priority. Will not be doing any watercooling, just normal aircooling.

Thanks in advance for the feedback! :)
 

Jian19

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Air cool and light weight think 450D fits the bill
 

garfield82

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+1 450D

at the same time u cant really go wrong with R5 too.
So just do alittle bit more research and see which of the 2 you prefer more.
 

xKazeolus

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Air cool and light weight think 450D fits the bill
read a lot of reviews regarding its build quality, that's why pondered if not simply will be my choice if i can get hold of extra hdd cage too. haha.. and was told about brushed aluminum will get stained or something, no experience with it before.. only hear-say.
 

Jian19

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think as long as its at 1 corner without ppl messing it should be fine ? quite a num of ppl here own the case and maybe they can share their experience with u.. i think its a good case, just that need to clean the dust regularly with its design
 

xKazeolus

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think as long as its at 1 corner without ppl messing it should be fine ? quite a num of ppl here own the case and maybe they can share their experience with u.. i think its a good case, just that need to clean the dust regularly with its design
yeah.. hope for feedbacks! haha.. i even went to scan thru most of the cases people put on their rig profile and found out 760T to be the most popular but too big for my taste :/ thanks jian!
 

monikernemo

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This kind of score subjective lah.

I think R5 is good.

Never ever ever buy a piece of overpriced Tupperware.
I also thought it was plasicky because clearly can see ma all the plastic but some one in hwc told me (some time ago) it was made of metal worh. :s22:

Sent from microwave oven using GAGT
 

xKazeolus

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This kind of score subjective lah.

I think R5 is good.


I also thought it was plasicky because clearly can see ma all the plastic but some one in hwc told me (some time ago) it was made of metal worh. :s22:

Sent from microwave oven using GAGT

apart from the noise dampening feature and additional 2 usb ports, is there any good difference between R5 and Arc Midi R2?

hoping for some CM 690 III bros to share their feedback too :D
 
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shadow84

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apart from the noise dampening feature and additional 2 usb ports, is there any good difference between R5 and Arc Midi R2?

hoping for some CM 690 III bros to share their feedback too :D

R5 has a door while arc midi r2 does not? R5 is just slightly bigger (taller) than the midi r2. Arc midi r2 has direct front mesh for better airflow.
 

monikernemo

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apart from the noise dampening feature and additional 2 usb ports, is there any good difference between R5 and Arc Midi R2?

hoping for some CM 690 III bros to share their feedback too :D

R5 front intake more restrictive compared to midi R2 because air comes in from the side vent

R5 odd bay is removable and has Velcro straps for cable management. R2 has no top cable management hole for routing of CPU 8/4pin PSU cables?

Sent from microwave oven using GAGT
 

trento

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U have to see wat u prefer. Silence, tool less, ports, cooling, design etc.

Most have sufficient features. 690 is not silent. R5 is not tool less. H440 has no 5.25 bay.

Personally, i love the H440 looks best. Since all have sufficient cooling mounts, will just take the one i like looking at most.

R u lazy to manage cables? Can consider Air 540 as cables are placed in the other chamber, don't even need any cable ties
 

Ark Law

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apart from the noise dampening feature and additional 2 usb ports, is there any good difference between R5 and Arc Midi R2?

hoping for some CM 690 III bros to share their feedback too :D

How about something radical like the Node 605? :D
 

shadow84

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R5 front intake more restrictive compared to midi R2 because air comes in from the side vent

R5 odd bay is removable and has Velcro straps for cable management. R2 has no top cable management hole for routing of CPU 8/4pin PSU cables?

Sent from microwave oven using GAGT

Arc midi r2 has it. Used that case before. If wan remove ODD bay, can try arc Mini r2.
 

trento

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R5 front intake more restrictive compared to midi R2 because air comes in from the side vent

R5 odd bay is removable and has Velcro straps for cable management. R2 has no top cable management hole for routing of CPU 8/4pin PSU cables?

Sent from microwave oven using GAGT

Just an alternative pov. These days with good coolers, airflow is no longer critical. Folks are using itx systems with top end gpu and getting away with it. More importantly is what sort of coolers can one fit in a case. All the selected cases allow this.
 

xKazeolus

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R5 has a door while arc midi r2 does not? R5 is just slightly bigger (taller) than the midi r2. Arc midi r2 has direct front mesh for better airflow.

i don't really find the door to be a benefit and yea it can be removed. haha, but kinda defeat the purpose..

R5 front intake more restrictive compared to midi R2 because air comes in from the side vent

R5 odd bay is removable and has Velcro straps for cable management. R2 has no top cable management hole for routing of CPU 8/4pin PSU cables?

oh yea.. just recalled seeing photos of chunk/choke of dust balls at the side vents of a R4..

U have to see wat u prefer. Silence, tool less, ports, cooling, design etc.

Most have sufficient features. 690 is not silent. R5 is not tool less. H440 has no 5.25 bay.

Personally, i love the H440 looks best. Since all have sufficient cooling mounts, will just take the one i like looking at most.

R u lazy to manage cables? Can consider Air 540 as cables are placed in the other chamber, don't even need any cable ties

I'm quite OCD with the cables so not lazy to manage them but not as perfect as some bros here. haha.. yea, as mentioned the given HDD cage is too little for my usage (idk why they give 4 SSD mounts =\)
 
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