Deciding what case to use

Hardware Hub Cases / Chassis
1

In the next month or 2 I plan on doing my first PC build, I have all the parts of the build already chosen and researched. I have chosen novatech.co.uk as my supplier of the components. Originally, I planned on using the Antec One as my case, it had good air flow and cable management etc. But, I have now noticed that it has been removed from the website and I am not sure if it will be re-added. Therfore, I have decided that I need a second choice, in case the Antec One is not going to be sold through Novatech (see what I did there :D). 

I have decided to narrow it down to these 3 cases:

Fractal Design Core 3000: http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cases/cases/7350041080541.html

 

Coolermaster HAF 912 Plus:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cases/cases/rc-912p-kkn1.html

 

Zalman Z11 Plus:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cases/cases/z11p.html

 

I'd rather not spend more then £60, so the HAF really is the most expensive choice. The looks are not that important to me, but if a case is the best looking and the most practical then it's a win win! What I'm more interested in is A) The Cable management options, B) Overall quality of the case C) The quality of the pre-installed fans and how many there are (I'd rather not buy extra and install them myself :P ) D) Graphics card clearence. 

If it helps, the motherboard I plan on using is the Gigabyte Z77- D3H. 

 

Thanks

 

2

I was lookinh thru the website you provided and couldn't find any Bitfenix cases; I use the Bitfenix Shinobi windowed version and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a not so expensive case.

Among those 3, before I bought myself the Shinobi, I was really looking into the HAF912. However, seeing the Zallman, I like the features in it; USB3.0 front I/O, etc. The cable management options, however, is little to non-existent in terms of cable routing holes, but it looks like you can tuck most wires behind the mobo with that case. AS for the fans, you have a lot of options for add ons in the future. I for one usually purchase separate fans and substitute the preinstalled fans that came with the case, but since this is from Zalman... well, I think it would be just fine.

In short, I give a vote for the Zalman. But if you can, look at the Bitfenix line of cases =]

Cheers and good luck with your first build!

3

I'll have a look at the Bitfenix Shinobi, thanks for the reply.