Case + CPU cooler recommendations

[Vermicious]

Hi All,

I built this system last year with help from this forum, and need to get a better case and CPU fan.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3sbSt
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card

I asked this same question back in like Sept 2013, but figured there may be some new stuff that came out since then?

I'd like to pay $50-100 for a case, and ~$30 for a nice CPU fan to accomodate moderate O/C. Features I like: Quiet, USB 3.0 (2x ?) on front. Don't need flashy lights or glowing case.

Prior recommendation was the Fractal Design R4.

- - - Updated - - -

After browsing through recent recommendations on different builds, I think I'll be looking at the following:

Corsair Carbide Series 200R Mid Tower ATX http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r
OR
Corsair Carbide Series 300R Mid-Tower ATX http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-300r

I'll probably pick these up at local MicroCenter, so which one I get will depend on what I think of them after checking them out in person.

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Universal CPU Cooler http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-...r-rr212e20pkr2

This cooler seems to be a stock recommendation

[Deleted]

for a aftermarket cooler you should definately go with the Hyper 212 EVO. It's a very good cooler for very little money.

Concerning case: I'm a fan of simple and plain cases, like the Fractal Design Define R4 (http://geizhals.at/fractal-design-de...l-a812617.html) or the Cooltek Antiphon (http://geizhals.at/cooltek-antiphon-...0-a888458.html)

both cases deliver decent airflow and alot of noise reduction.

[JosephStylin]

I've built in both the 200R and 300R. I have exactly zero complaints with either. Corsair makes great cases. 300R if you want slightly more room but the 200R can accommodate everything nicely as well.

[Vermicious]

the Cooltek Antiphon (http://geizhals.at/cooltek-antiphon-...0-a888458.html)

I don't think the Cooltek Antiphon cases are available in the USA. No results come up for them on google 'shopping'.

[Deleted]

I don't think the Cooltek Antiphon cases are available in the USA. No results come up for them on google 'shopping'.

very interesting - didn't know that.

[Vermicious]

Here's what I got:

Corsair Carbide Series 200R Mid Tower ATX http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r for $57.99
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Universal CPU Cooler http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-...r-rr212e20pkr2 for $29.99

along with WD Desktop Mainstream 2TB Intellipower HDD http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...2D0020HNC-NRSN on sale for $74.99 (this is just for data/media storage, I know it's not as speedy as a full WD Blue) My main OS/Program drive is a Samsung EVO 240Gb.

Nice little extended lunchtime trip to MicroCenter, time well spent

[Deleted]

Did you mean 57$ for the tower and 29.99$ for the evo?

[JosephStylin]

Here's what I got:

Corsair Carbide Series 200R Mid Tower ATX http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-200r for $29.99
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Universal CPU Cooler http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-...r-rr212e20pkr2 for $57.99

along with WD Desktop Mainstream 2TB Intellipower HDD http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...2D0020HNC-NRSN on sale for $74.99 (this is just for data/media storage, I know it's not as speedy as a full WD Blue) My main OS/Program drive is a Samsung EVO 240Gb.

Nice little extended lunchtime trip to MicroCenter, time well spent

Good choices, you won't regret that case or CPU cooler, I don't!

[Vermicious]

Did you mean 57$ for the tower and 29.99$ for the evo?

oops yes... will edit that

[DarkBlade6]

You may like this optimized silent case : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146109 70$

[vindicatorx]

I've built in both the 200R and 300R. I have exactly zero complaints with either. Corsair makes great cases. 300R if you want slightly more room but the 200R can accommodate everything nicely as well.

I used a 500 and I think a 300r love their cases I want to get that new Air 540 it looks awesome
http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/..._hero_up_1.png

[Low Hanging Fruit]

I can testify for the 212 EVO that you can OC a chip really nicely with it as long as the silicon lotto is good in the chip. It is by far the best "bang for your buck" option available when it comes to CPU cooling. A few are better, but they cost 40-50% more for such a marginal gain. I use that 212 EVO in almost all builds I do for both family and friends and they all have zero regret unless of course they want full custom water loops (much bigger bucks).

I have the 900D Corsair and can say they make pretty solid cases. Built in both a 500 and 300 class this month as well and they come across as similar quality and build. Fractal Design is usually the only other case brand I use besides Corsair for most my builds these days but I have been known to jump into a coolmaster from time to time as long as it isn't junk.

[Vermicious]

You may like this optimized silent case : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146109 70$

that looks nice but I already got the Corsair 200R. I opened it up last night and like what I see, will be doing the 're-case' either tonight after work or tomorrow.

the Cooler Master 212 looks awesome too, so looking forward to having the system re-built and try some O/C.

What's the current 'best' system monitor program, for monitoring temps/etc? I'll browse through the other posts, but thought I'd ask here too if anyone has a favorite.

PS I think I'll make a seperate topic for this in main computer forum, might be nice for reference for me and others. I have a short list started up.

[Zlebar]

You will enjoy doing the rebuild, I just did one where I went from an FX-8320, ASRock 990FX Extreme 3, Thermaltake Commander to a I5-4670k, MSI Z87-GD65, and a Corsair 200R.

[Vermicious]

won't see a big difference other than having a shiny new case... and possible OC.

But, that's good enough for me for now

- - - Updated - - -

Just got the system up and running again

OC'd the CPU to 4.20Ghz (i5 3570K) (Just changed multiplier to 42 in BIOS, left all other settings at Auto), and running HeavyLoad to stress it... so far the highest temp is 66C after 10 mins of 100% load. I think I can live with that

I remembered after an hour or so of 'more fan noise than I think there should be' to remember to set fan speed and temp settings in BIOS, since it's all new fans Much quieter now that they aren't all set to FULL... level 2 and target temp of 45C seems to work great.

Oh yeah the case rocks too ☺

******

Grrr having random lockups (everything freezes, audio will stutter a few seconds then stop if something is playing), only solution is hit the reset button... playing with BIOS settings to see what might be up, nothing in Windows event logs.