Hey guys. I'm looking at these cases to build a new gaming with so i can upgrade from my APU build. I'm looking at these cases, and I was planning on using a black and blue color scheme. I do'nt know which of these cases to choose from. I'm planning either to air cool this system with a big air cooler, or us a Corsair H100i. Help me choose out of these cases.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146085
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139013
I recommend using a Fractal Design Define R4 and a Swiftech H220 instead of the Corsair H100i. Fractal Design makes fantastic products - I love my FD Define XL USB 3.0 - and the Swiftech H220 has a pump that is 6x as powerful as the H100i. Plus, the H220 can expand to support more radiators, pumps, waterblocks, etc. It is not that much more, either.
Personally, I'd go with the Phantom 410. I've had good experience with NZXT, and I like the styling better. It doesn't seem like you need anything special, so it's going to boil down to preference more than anything.
What a coincidence I am going to be doing a black and blue theme build soon as well. Personally I'd take the Phantom 410 but then again that is the one I am looking to use in my build. I'll second brennanriddell on a swiftech h220 instead of the h100i, or save some cash and get a nice air cooler.
Here are my thoughts about both cases. I hope I can help you decide.
If you are concerned with dust building up inside the case and don't want to spend extra money for the dust filters then go for the C70 because the intakes (front and bottom) already have dust filters and they are easy to remove. If you are not a big fan of putting fans on the side panel, you can buy a custom made plain window side panel. It's so easy to remove the C70's window side panel (just remove some screws, no dremeling is needed). If you don't want to get another custom made window panel, you can rotate the window 180 degrees, so the perforated side is closer to the HDD cages and so you can look at your hardwares better from the clear side.
For the Phantom 410, you can buy separate fan dust filters (I believe Silverstone makes them), but that means you need to spend extra money and those dust filters are not easy to remove because they are screwed to the fans. The side panel is gonna need some dremeling if you want to get like a big plain window panel.
For the exterior look, I personally love the Phantom 410 better than the C70, but for the cable management I will vote for the C70. Both cases can handle H100 just fine, any type of air cooler is also not a problem. But if you still use an optical drive, definitely go for the Phantom 410 because IMHO it will destroy the aesthetics of the C70.
There you have it, I hope this helps. :)
Personally, i dont like the over all look of the r4 at all, it's a box. I dont need the sound dampenong either. I'm a big person on aesthetics. And I dont really care if it's a durable case because i'm not going to beat it up and haul it around everywhere. But, i am conviced on getting the Swiftech H220. Just not the R4
Thanks for the advice. I might go with the c70 for cable managment and i might even put it in my workbench to do some case modding. Thanks alot for your post, really really helped me.