Computer cases: Good ones. Cheap ones.

What is a good case that has easy installation?  Looking to pay between $50 and $75.

I don't really care what it looks like.  However, I would rather it be more of a "black box" look...

Than a gaudy "please kill me" look.

I would suggest in purchasing something of higher quality for two parts out of a new or first time build.
A case and a power supply.

Now keep in mind that doesn't mean to go crazy or way over budget but these two components can last for multiple builds.

A case is completely a personal decision depending on what your priorities are; lots of space, watercooling, good airflow, compact size, silence, etc.

A power supply is simply about brand and quality. A gold rated 500-650w PSU is the sweet spot right now and 700-750w in case you ever plan on going with a highend dual card setup. Corsair and Seasonic have great build quality and general have very good prices on newegg, there was just a deal on a Seasonic X750 for $90 after all savings.

I was planning on going with a X750!

What would be a "higher quality" case, you think?  Are the Corsair Carbide series cases high quality or should I go with Obsidian?

I was planning on going with a X750!

What would be a "higher quality" case, you think?  Are the Corsair Carbide series cases high quality or should I go with Obsidian?

realguitarhero5

It really depends on what you are looking for. Myself, I like the whole sleek industrial look. My first real case was a Antec P180b because I was focused on silence at the time. My second and current case is a Cooler Master ATCS840 because I wanted a full tower so I could full enclose my watercooling loop.

I personally like metal cases, they are heavier but IMO look better and just feel like higher quality.
Features I love:
A removeable mobo tray with holes for CPU heatsink access and PSU cable routing. OMG it makes modding/updating your build so much easier, you just unplug everything slide out the tray and do your thing, you don't have to remove all the other components and all the freaking mobo screws.
Bottom mounted PSU. It allows for the higher TDP components to be at the top of the case and hopefully gets them better airflow.
Removeable hard drive cages with SSD adapters. Again, makes swapping things in/out so much easier when you can work on it outside the confines of your case.
Simple airflow concept. Once you start getting too many fans involved you really have too many variables to try to find your best config. I personally like to set up my cases with positive air pressure to reduce the amount of dust in my system and to move as much cool air as possible through my radiators.

So for straight forward advice, outline what you want from your case and narrow the search that way.
As far as brands there are too many to list but just a few off the top of my head; Antec, CoolerMaster, Corsair, Silverstone, Fractual Design, Lian Li, Rosewill, ThermalTake and NZXT. With that sort of price point you are looking at midtowers which should suit your needs just fine.

What is a good case that has easy installation? Looking to pay between $50 and $75.

I don't really care what it looks like. However, I would rather it be more of a "black box" look...

Than a gaudy "please kill me" look.

realguitarhero5

$59.99 after $20 MIR + Free S&H ....... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

*+

[QUOTE="realguitarhero5"]

What is a good case that has easy installation? Looking to pay between $50 and $75.

I don't really care what it looks like. However, I would rather it be more of a "black box" look...

Than a gaudy "please kill me" look.

DieselCat18

$59.99 after $20 MIR + Free S&H ....... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

*+

$59.99 BEFORE 10 dollar MiR + free S&H...... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060

$65 ...... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108406 (comes in black at other retailers)

I'm a fan of the Storm Scout 2 myself. Lots of airflow that will be great for keeping your computer cool.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119263&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Is the Zalman Z11 Plus anygood?  It's pretty cheap and has good cable management behind the motherboard as well as a spot back there for a 2.5" SSD as well.

I'd also recommend the Antec 300 Illusion for $60 + free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

It comes with 4 fans (2 front intake, 1 top exhaust, 1 rear exhaust)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146078

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146077

Hmm.... low budget then: Cooler Master Haf 912.

Antec 300 (or the new version, 302 is it?)

Corsair 200r, 300r etc

I would suggest in purchasing something of higher quality for two parts out of a new or first time build.
A case and a power supply.

Now keep in mind that doesn't mean to go crazy or way over budget but these two components can last for multiple builds.

A case is completely a personal decision depending on what your priorities are; lots of space, watercooling, good airflow, compact size, silence, etc.

A power supply is simply about brand and quality. A gold rated 500-650w PSU is the sweet spot right now and 700-750w in case you ever plan on going with a highend dual card setup. Corsair and Seasonic have great build quality and general have very good prices on newegg, there was just a deal on a Seasonic X750 for $90 after all savings.

LordEC911

What ever case you get just make sure it has USB 3.0 for a front panel. May seem like a small thing but having to plug an external hard drive or 3.0 pen drive in the back of your case is going to be annoying once 3.0 becomes very common.

Does anyone know where you can get a 90s style beige ATX case (preferably with good airflow) My monitor and keyboard are old, but my PC is new, and it would be cool if it matched them. There is one on newegg but it is a desktop case, and I would prefer a tower.CPX7700

[QUOTE="CPX7700"]Does anyone know where you can get a 90s style beige ATX case (preferably with good airflow) My monitor and keyboard are old, but my PC is new, and it would be cool if it matched them. There is one on newegg but it is a desktop case, and I would prefer a tower.kraken2109

Tomorrow im picking up the Centurion 6 from Cooler Master, I've always loved the Centurion line, just a great all-rounder case that looks clean and has heaps of features!

For $80Aud its a steal!