Hello Everyone,
I am planning on building a mATX gaming pc, and I want an elegant case to house it. I want a good airflow, pretty quiet, and high quality case. I am currently looking at the Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 and the Corsair 350D. Which is better and why? Are there any other cases I should be looking at? I want a case with a window, no bigger than these two options, and high quality. Please suggest other options if you know of any. I do not want to drop down to a Mini ITX board. I would be willing to spend up to about 180 USD if the case is really good.
Thanks in advance!!
I like the build quality of the fractal cases. Lost of medal.
I'd go fractal design arc r2 out of those 2 options if you want a windowed case
Another option is the Xigmatek Aqulia, its a little smaller but wider and uses a horizontal M-ATX motherboard layout. This is great as it allows you to place large graphics cards and coolers onto your motherboard without any stress or sag. The case will fit 3x2.5" HDD's or SSD's 2x3.5" HDD's and a 5.25" optical, it'll also fit 140mm fans (big plus as quieter than 120mm). Its noticeable in that it has a cube like shape (about 390x403x265mm) including handles like the bitfenix prodigy but actually solid, a tinted window and generally good quality, noise level and cooling. Other nice features is that the HDD's don't get in the way of the airflow into your case, they are instead mounted below the motherboard tray with there own cooling airflow. The only downside of the Aqulia is it can be a little hard to find, especially if your outside the states like I am... for more info on this case see Tek Syndicates video about the case, they highly recommend it.
After looking over features and reading about it, the Xigmatek Aqulia is a serous contender against the 200r (cheap, well built) and arc mini r2 for my next case, don't own one of of yet. Having said that, currently I'm liking the build quality, cooling and sound level of my current define r4, with a huge exception of the really low quality fan controller and short case feet...
Regarding these two issues with the defie r4, the former (fan controller) means it the front fan wires needed to be held in with tape or they fell out slightly under the slightest vibration or bump causing the front fans to turn off. To solve the latter (very short case feet due to lower dust filter) my case is currently sitting on 4 jar lids. These give it a bit more room for the lower intakes, if you live on carpet this is necessary as the lower fan filter for one 140mm case intake and the PSU is actually pushed into the carpet otherwise, limiting airflow. If you don't live on carpet you'll be fine without a fix here so ignore this and move on.
On the whole its a big plus for fractal design here, case works well, but those 2 issues did annoy me so I wouldn't call there designs or build quality flawless, and for my next build (soon as the other isn't a gaming PC, it only handles day to day and productivity\rendering) want to go slightly more portable, thus will probably give Xigmatek a try next time.
Thanks for the input! I am still considering the Xigmatek Aquila, I am excited for the build that Tek Syndicate is going to do in it. His build will probably help me decide over all what I am going to do. I have ruled out the 350D, because I like the Arc Mini better. I like the styling of the Arc Mini much better than the Aquila, the box look isn't really doing it for me. I don't know, I'm still deciding.