I've been looking at several new cases awhile back, and now that the Define R5 is out, I'm back to looking again. My Cooler Master Storm Stryker is a nice case. But, it sorta feels a bit cumbersome and huge, maybe a little more flashy than my tastes are these days, and the front detachable fan covers are a pain in the ass (There's 8 of them, 9 in total if you don't have the CD drive bay occupied). I also find it's a tiny bit hard to work with in some cases, and I haven't been able to find a decent safe way to have my SSD in place and have my HHD and CD Drive plugged in at the same time (I'm sure it's just a shit wiring job though).
The point is... I'm starting to look at something sleeker, smaller, lighter, and easier to work with. The R5 is a good start for sure, as I like the door idea and several of its other features. The dimensions of my Stryker are 250.0 x 605.6 x 578.5 mm / 9.8 x 23.8 x 22.8 inch. It's a 35 pound monster. And I don't think I need a monster these days, so something smaller than that would be nice. Mid-tower preferred. I like a little bit of flash still, but not tons. Fractal Design is leaning on minimalistic for me, but something like the Phantom is maybe a bit much.
Hope that's enough info to go on! I appreciate the help in advance~
Just rebuild your existing rig, the Stryker is a darn good case with some of the best cable management around. If you still have grips with it there are some great mid towers from Fractal, NZXT or Corsair. Plus Bitfenix which offer great value for money.
I like the components though, and I can't really afford to re-build. The end-game here is to get something smaller and sleeker, something not nearly as flashy and fancy. I also am not a fan of all of the covers on the front. It's a real pain to clean...
The R5 is looking to be my best option. That, or the Corsair 230T
Ah, I must have made a mistake somewhere... There are no real issues with the case. It's perfectly fine! Except for the fact it's huge. I'm trying to downsize just to have a smaller, sleeker looking case, not one that screams "GAMER!!" the moment someone sees it XD
EDIT: I realized you said "Re-build" my existing rig, and use the Stryker. Maybe I forgot to mention, but my rig is already in a Stryker, and has been for over a year now. The case is just un-weildy nowadays, so I'm opting into a smaller option
The Stryker is one of a very few " gaming style" cases i actually like. However I opted for the Define R4 based on sleek looks, noice dampening features, rock solid reviews and the fact that it wouldnt be too large to fit on my desk. On top of all I found a killer week-end deal on a windowed Black Pearl case at the time. Within the last 14+ months i have built an additional two R4 systems with/for friends of mine and added a Arc Mini R2 for myself. No faults, complaints..issues whatsover on any of these thus far. Im considering (...more like saving up $ for..) to add a X-99 build and the Define R5 is on a very short list of contenders.
The R5 really is looking like my best bet. I really like what I saw with Logan's review. Though, I am curious about the Corsair 230T... I wonder if that one is comparable in any good way?
If you're up for a challenge and have some good airflow volume fans, then i really would reccomend the TC-102 by cooler master. It's the smallest PC case for a full sized ATX mobo on the market.
I'll be posting my build soon and you'll see from there. what an example would look like.
i have been SEARCHING ALL OVER for a case thats just like that. if fractal could make a micro define in that same layout i would be in heaven.
but i second the define R5 or R4. i have had the R4 for 2 years and the minimal aesthetics means it can blend in wherever you put it. ive had it in about 3-4 different apartments and it blends in wherever i put it.