I'm seriously thinking about replacing my PC case, because it sucks up dust like a vacuum cleaner.
I think it would be easiest to just list my needs/wants:
Support for ATX motherboards
Price at ~$100 (or in my case in Germany, ~€100)
Dust filters on all intakes
Preferably dust filters on any open area (i.e. passive exhaust vents and exhaust fans)
Dust filters need to be easily removable (no screws or fans in the way)
As silent as possible (I'd rather have a lot of fans at low RPM than a couple at high RPM)
No meshes on the side panels, because of dust and escaping sound
Anti-vibration features, especially for the harddrives.
So far after doing days of research, my main contender is the BitFenix Ghost, it has 2 easily removable dust filter panels (front and top), and one magnetic dust filter at the bottom. My gribes with it, though, are that I'm unsure how much noise the top panel lets out, and that there are only 4 x 3.5" HDD trays (and I'm not sure where and how to get additional ones).
A popular choice amongst many are the Fractal Design Define R2, R3 and R4 cases. My issue with those are that the lengthy bottom dust filter slides out backwards, and I can't move my PC forward because of spacing and attached cables. Another issue is that it seems like the front dust filter panel has the fans attached to it, so they need to be removed every time, as well as that the panel is attached with screws.
I know my post has been lengthy, but I hope you guys can help me!
I have the Define R4 and it meets all those requitrements perfectly, the lengthy PSU filter can be a slight pain but since the PSU isnt pulling much air anyway it doesent need cleaning to often
As for the front you dont need to remove the fans, you just pop open the grill, pull the tab and angle the fan assembly out slightly (so simple), and slide the filter out, i can do this while the computer is on and it takes half a second to do.
I was trying to decide Between the Ghost and R4 and for cooling,sound and build quality i liked the R4 more, so thats what id recommend.
indeed go with the define R4 i have the same needs as you and also i cant move the PC to often but it is not that big of a pain in the ass. The R4 is the perfect case for you.
Thank you both for your posts. The R4 is back in contention, and ahead of the Ghost!
Just 2 questions, I've read a couple of user reviews complaining about rattling if there are 2 fans mounted in the front, do you guys have that problem as well?
And on the front there are grills along the sides. Are they for supplying air to the fans, or do they bypass the fans and are only there for passive venting?
They supply air to the fans, and i have 2 140mm Silent Series R2 Fans in the front and dont get any rattling or sound whatsoever, and theyre only audible in a quiet room at 12v (barley) but i usually just use the fan controller to keep them at 7v as it doesent effect temps.
Vouch in the R4's case. I have one, the fron filter sucks in a lot of dust and seems to stop it all, and it's easy to clean. Everytime I take out my PSU filter its always clean, most likely because its fanless when not under load. And this case is sexy!