So after so much time of googling different terms to understand a bit more I finally came up with this http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9TJZhM as my first build. Unfortunately I can't seem to find a case that fits with my graphics card other than this one I've chosen. While the case is nice, I very much dislike the feature of the USB and AUX ports being on top. (It could prove inconvenient if I ever want to slide it under a desk and my brain keeps telling me "that's not where those belong")
Maybe someone out there has had this same issue or could recommend a good case to me.
I have a Thermaltake Commander MS-1 (Connectors in the front) in use and managed to fit an Sapphire R9 Fury in there. The dimensions of the Sapphire 390 with Backplate are 308 X 127 X 42.3 mm. So you just need to look for a case that supports GPUs up to 400mm length and you are good.
Can I just point something out. You are looking for a mid tower case correct? Most mid towers will fit your graphics card actually pretty easily. Try @Logan's video of the BeQuiet case. Its a pretty nice case. here it is.
Both fantastic cases. Good Design and sturdy plus their main feature is being really quiet.
If there is anything wrong with these two suggestion please let us know what you desire in a case as it is the most personal part of the PC and recommendations are tough on my part because I know that fact.
I'd probably suggest you start here, performance is basically the same and it has a larger SSD for $500 less +/- the OS
also why do you need microsoft office and all that? just use open office or libre office or even just google docs, if you're a student and you have a .edu e-mail address you should be able to get huge discounts on that software anyways
Had a Fractal Design before my now Corsair 350D, and I'll be honest the quality wasn't too amazing. Power button broke and I brought the 350D, contacted Fractal Design about buying a replacment I/O and they just outright said they will send me a new one for free. Going to make a nice server case!
I actually really like the way these look and the quality at which they seem to have been built. While part of me would like to do the whole flashy lights stuff, I think a larger part of me would just prefer something "snazzy". Something clean cut and when put to the test will perform well.
I will definitely have to look into this and save myself the money, thanks! Also that case looks quite interesting; never seen a cube case.
I'd take Fractal, NZXT, Phanteks, and Nanoxia in build quality all over Corsair on cases... I like the high-end Corsair SSDs, their CPU AIOs, and their high-end PSUs... Corsair uses a lot of flimsy plastic on their cases... I've gotten some kind of "beat up during shipping" cases from Fractal and I had one where a fan had a bad bearing... but everything's metal on them except the front panel (which I don't want to be metal so I can pop it off and clean it regularly without tabs bending)
Not a big fan of CM HAF series or Corsair in my experience...
At the moment, I'd say the Fractal Define R4, Nanoxia Deep Silence, and Phanteks Enthoo Pro M are the best quality per dollar at the ~$70-80 range... that I've built in... for build quality / cable management reasons
I suppose the next step up would be the NZXT H440, Define R5, NZXT Phantom (if you're into that look)...
then the ultimate (assuming you don't care about price and just want the best) is this guy... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=11-854-022 ^--- THAT is the epitome of build quality... Case Labs eat your heart out... lack the customization Case Labs brings I suppose but that case is the nuts...
I REALLY like Phanteks' attention to detail and engineering... if you're building in a Phanteks case you will NEVER have a problem like "I REALLY JUST want to route that wire like this, but there's just not a good option here... Damnit!" :P
Phanteks is like the Squarespace of cases... it kind of forces you to make it look good
I'm not saying nobody else makes a good case... I'm sure a bunch of cases are awesome... all I can speak on is my anecdotal experience on what's good and what's not IMO...
i've an antec p100...antec isn't doing too well these days and i can see why...but i love that p100 and happy i went with it. For the money, it's a sturdy built case with easily removeable dust filters, plenty of fan options, no side window (which didn't make sense for my placement anyways) and good sound dampening features. I love it and though i do catch myself drooling over windowed cases (the new bequiet cases are fucking HOT in all black) i'm so attached to this case (and lazy).
It's sturdy and does the job, silently. There's nothing that made me go "oh, didn't expect that, that's an inconvenience" just an efficient case.
I use a Thermaltake Commander MS-1 because I am to lazy to move my system into the Level10 GT I got a while ago... But as everything fits into the MS-1, I will keep it this way until my mobo breaks or something.