Looking for Feedback on Gaming Cases

[Terry155]

My 1st post!


I'm in the process of having a gaming system put together and have been researching some cases. I'd really appreciate any feedback you can provide. The cases I'm considering are:

Antec Sonata II

Antec P180

Antec Nine Hundred

Thermaltake Soprano DX VE7000 BNS

Keeping in mind that I'm a total computer neophyte, please keep it simple. It has been suggested that I consider two things:

1) The case needs to hold the 8800 GTX card, and,
2) I have pets, so the need for good filtration & airflow

I'm don't care about flashing lights and ringing bells. I'd really like it if the headphone jacks were easily accessible.

Thanks in advance.

[Panda Man]

Welcome to HWL!

I was going to say the 900, but it has no filters, so unless you don't mind installing your own filters I'd have to say the Thermaltake Soprano. You could also look at the P182, which is just as good as the Soprano IMO. Just my 2 cents.

[Hitman]

I would suggest adding the Gigabyte 3D Aurora 570 to your list, and drop the Sonata II and P180.

[One4yu2c]

Short and to the point, the P180's cable management is an exercise in frustration. The recently released P182 addresses this (I'll be posting a review next week), and while it's a decent mid-tower, there's a few niggling flaws that prevent it from reaching the top of the heap.

As pointed out, the 900 is a great case, but you'd HAVE to rig your own air filters if dust management is a priority.

The Aurora case that Hitman linked is a great chassis, as is the Thermaltake Armor. It comes with filters all over the place, and the smaller version that I own (Armor Jr.) remains my favorite mid-tower.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by One4yu2c

Short and to the point, the P180's cable management is an exercise in frustration. The recently released P182 addresses this (I'll be posting a review next week), and while it's a decent mid-tower, there's a few niggling flaws that prevent it from reaching the top of the heap.

As pointed out, the 900 is a great case, but you'd HAVE to rig your own air filters if dust management is a priority.

The Aurora case that Hitman linked is a great chassis, as is the Thermaltake Armor. It comes with filters all over the place, and the smaller version that I own (Armor Jr.) remains my favorite mid-tower.

The Thermaltake Armor and Armor JR look like a pretty decent case, but what the heck is with them little flippy door things on the front???

[halutzparilla]

well, i never tried any of those except the Sonata II which is PITA to work with...

i have and love my CM Ammo and Mystique Cases... i grew tired of the Ammo Look so i switch to the Mystique which for me is very elegant and have the appeal of a gaming rig... Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

but if airflow i personally would rate from highest to lowest (this disregard the filter, coz most of them will make you install your own...)

1. Antec 900
2. Armor (for bigger size) armor jr. (if you want a mid size)
3. CM Mystique (most cheapest of them all, and have already installed screened filters, and nice flashy LED which i normally disconnect, nice sliding door protect from sudden impact, with my exp with this its really very usefull coz i roll allover my work table so banging in the comp is unavoidable... )

:D i sound like i'm pushing Mystique, but really its all up to you...

[Terry155]

Does anyone have any feedback on the Thermaltake Soprano DX VE7000 BNS? I can order it for $149 Cdn, which seems pretty reasonable.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Terry155

Does anyone have any feedback on the Thermaltake Soprano DX VE7000 BNS? I can order it for $149 Cdn, which seems pretty reasonable.

Well can't help ya there!!! doesn't seem that they are sold in the US yet!!!!

The pictures that I seen look pretty sweet, and man I got to tell ya, we gave away a Soprano at a LAN Event, and it was a sweet case, but it wasn't the VE7000 series of cases.

This might just be one for TTPete!

[gvblake22]

The Thermaltake Soprano is basically budget version of the Thermaltake Tsunami; the major difference being the plastic front door on the Soprano vs. the all aluminum front door on the Tsunami.

To add the the list of great cases already mentioned, the Cooler Master Centurion 5 and Centurion 530 are both great budget oriented cases with good cooling and filter material over the intake fans.

EDIT:
Just realized the Soprano DX is a new, updated version of the original Soprano and they now made the front door all aluminum. The Soprano DX looks like a very nice case actually. Although I have never seen it in person or read any reviews on that specific case, I see no reason not to recommend it.