Full Tower Case For Next Build: Recommendations?

[JC Denton]

It's become a bit of a tradition for me to use a Full Tower ATX case for my PC builds--I've been doing so since my first when I was 12. I love the expansion possibilities.

My current build sports an Antec Twelve Hundred, which I've loved. Now it's time for another gaming build, and I'm a bit unsure of what to go with. I'm interested in the LIAN LI PC-A77F and the Corsair Obsidian Series 800D. I'm also still strongly considering the latest revision of the Antec Twelve Hundred.

I can't find much in the way of reviews of these models, so I figured I'd ask you guys for opinions. I'm not into the crazy futuristic styled full towers that seem to be prevalent these days--but more the sleek look of the cases I've mentioned.

Any thoughts? Any reason to stay away from / or lean towards any of the models I've mentioned. Is there anything I didn't mention that I should check out?

Links to my choices below:
Corsair Obsidian 800D: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139001

Lian Li PC-A77F: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112261

Antec 1200 v3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129100

[Meridian]

I have an 800D (actually I have two of them). Great for water cooling, but possibly overkill for air. If you are going w/c, there's a slot for a 360 rad in the roof but that's about it - there's only a single 140mm fan on the back and nothing underneath. If you are going for double or triple rads then this is not the case for you.

VERY heavy, as they are steel apart from the front panel. Will not take XL-ATX motherboards if you go to X79 chipset, but it will take E-ATX. Cooling is pretty good, but it's easy to replace fans if you want to upgrade. I like the mounting for the four main 3.5" drives which means they can be removed from the front without opening the case. Better yet, the SATA and power cables mount to the backplane for these four drives, so that you just undo a latch and pull to remove the drive.

Note that the case is not completely screw-free, in particular the the 3.5" drives have to be screwed to a mounting platform, but most of the rest is done without screws. Annoyingly, you can't buy spares of these platforms if you want to frequently swap drives. Cable control is pretty good, with most cables able to be packed away behind the back panel. Note also that the bottom mounting PSU means that you will almost certainly need an extension for the 12V auxiliary cable if the socket is at the top of the motherboard.

If you do buy one, make sure you get a later one, with the USB 3.0 upgrade (and IIRC, SATA 3 as well). You can buy these upgrades as separate parts, but that's just a waste.


M

[mmettin]

Another vote for the 800D

[oldbrave]

I've got to make it 3 - 0 for the Corsair 800D.

[JC Denton]

Does the 800D have a spot for an SSD? I noticed the new 1200 had one.

[kbohip]

I know it's not on your list, but have you looked into the CM HAF X? I have one and it's the best case I've ever had the pleasure of working in.

[Meridian]

Does the 800D have a spot for an SSD? I noticed the new 1200 had one.

IIRC, no - not a special one. You'll need an adaptor for any 2.5" format drive.

[mmettin]

Does the 800D have a spot for an SSD? I noticed the new 1200 had one.

IIRC, no - not a special one. You'll need an adaptor for any 2.5" format drive.

wait, wait...

Any of the Hot-swap trays can accommodate a SSD.

[oldbrave]

Yes, I'll double that, the Hot Swap tray's have mounting holes for the SSD's that are offset so the drive will line up with the HotSwap connections in the back plate!
You can also get extra hot swap trays direct from Corsair for $10 each :
http://www.corsair.com/us/pc-cases/c...ries-800d.html

[JC Denton]

I know it's not on your list, but have you looked into the CM HAF X? I have one and it's the best case I've ever had the pleasure of working in.

The design is a little too aggressive for me. I prefer the cases I have listed. Thanks for recommending it though.

It's pretty sick that the Hot Swap tray on the 800 is SSD 2.5" ready. I'm strongly leaning towards the 800D at this point. Is there any reason I should still consider the Lian Li?

The Antec is still in the back of my mind because its $100 less than the 800D.

But I think I will likely opt for the Corsair, as the quality seems to be very impressive. The price is up there obviously, however.

[Meridian]

Yes, I'll double that, the Hot Swap tray's have mounting holes for the SSD's that are offset so the drive will line up with the HotSwap connections in the back plate!
You can also get extra hot swap trays direct from Corsair for $10 each :
http://www.corsair.com/us/pc-cases/c...ries-800d.html

Corrected. I saw the holes in the bottom of the tray but couldn't confirm that they lined up - thanks. The trays are only available in the US, but I think the OP is based there?


M

[oldbrave]

On the page I linked to they have a search for retailers world wide !

[kbohip]

The design is a little too aggressive for me. I prefer the cases I have listed. Thanks for recommending it though.

It's pretty sick that the Hot Swap tray on the 800 is SSD 2.5" ready. I'm strongly leaning towards the 800D at this point. Is there any reason I should still consider the Lian Li?

The Antec is still in the back of my mind because its $100 less than the 800D.

But I think I will likely opt for the Corsair, as the quality seems to be very impressive. The price is up there obviously, however.

No problem, I kind of figured that's why you left it out. I think if I were you, I'd go with the Corsair. Reason being is it's a nicer all around case. Also, if you're like me, you'll always wish you'd have spent the extra money on the more expensive case because there's "that one" feature you would've really like to use.

[JC Denton]

After researching and asking you guys, I'm getting ready to order the Corsair 800D for my personal 'Ultra' PC Gaming Console build. As for reviews I've found, it seems to be universally loved--some calling it the best case they've ever used, others the best cable management setup they've seen, or simply the best case they've used in years.

So I'm about to head over to Amazon to have them ship one over to me.

I'm curious though--what do you guys think about Lian Li? I was surprised no one recommended any of their chassis to me, as I've always heard great things from reviewers about them, despite their price. Are their features just not up to par? Because they look very high quality built. I do still like the A77F http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112261 ... but the lack of window and $40 cheaper put Corsair over the top. And lack of info/reviews on it as well.

[kbohip]

I had a Lian Li...once. I hated that case! Lian Li, at least around 8 years ago when I bought mine, had to be the most overhyped computer case of all time imo. Ever since then I vowed never to get ripped off by one again.