Opinions on Cases

I've been using my HAF 932 for over 9 years(going on a decade.... wow) and only have had to replace one of the 230mm fans(front) in all that time. I'm window shopping for some possible options preferably a case with at least one 5.25" slot for bluray drive but all recommendations are welcome.

Even if you pick up a case with multiple 5.25" bays, you can fit them with HDD brackets to mount a HDD or SSD. That's what I did with my Fractal Design Arc XL that I have.

I have 2 HDDs mounted in them and 1 blu-ray rom and one dvd-rom as well.

Fractal Design Define R6 would be my pick. It has one external 5.25" slot behind the door. It's a mid tower case, tho. Define XL (something) would be the full tower version.

@04dcarraher: I'm using Antec GX330 which has one 5.25 slot which is removable but you won't be able to use all of the fans slots.

But if you are looking for more quality brands you should look for Fractal Design and Phanteks cases

Perhaps something like this nzxt s340. Just buy an external drive or something to plug an internal drive externally. I think it looks so much cleaner without the bay drives sticking out imo.

Here's my case (Fractal Design Arc XL) - pic is from when I was putting everything together a good 4 years ago; you can see the two HDDs mounted in the 5.25" bays and one of my dvd-roms as well. The SSD is mounted on the back side of the MB tray. Under the 5.25" bays is space for 2 HDD cages, each one can hold 4 drives. I removed them so the front fans weren't being blocked by anything. Lots of open space - I like it.

@Yams1980: It was my front fan that failed on me a couple of years ago. Was able to get a replacement 200mm for like $15.

@neatfeatguy said:

Here's my case (Fractal Design Arc XL) - pic is from when I was putting everything together a good 4 years ago; you can see the two HDDs mounted in the 5.25" bays and one of my dvd-roms as well. The SSD is mounted on the back side of the MB tray. Under the 5.25" bays is space for 2 HDD cages, each one can hold 4 drives. I removed them so the front fans weren't being blocked by anything. Lots of open space - I like it.

You're case is similar to the one I have:

In general, I like clean and subtle designs with practical interiors with lots of neat ideas and stuff. NZXT, Fractal Design. Corsair also makes great cases but they are a bit pricey imo.

Yeah I like Fractal Designs cases, they are clean and understated. Phantek is a little flashy for me, but they are good cases.

I like NZXT, too, I think my current one is an NZXT case. They are also clean and simple on the outside but just awesome interiors.

@mrbojangles25: Yup forgot about NZXT, they do also quality cases just like Corsair does (IMO on that kind of level) and I do like 1 case from that company the S340

They still make cases with 5.25 bays?

nxzt 700i or nxzt s340