Looking for a simplistic case to house 2 GTX 680s along w/ an H100

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I am putting together a new comp build that will include a pair of GTX680s along w/ more than likely a H100 cooling the i7-3930k. I'd prefer a case w/ squareish corners, at least one that doesn't look like it is trying to be a dinosaur back or something. I have looked at the Corsair 650D, and I really like the usb 3.0 and the top HD bay, but I am not so impressed by the cooling or the usb 3.0 on pass-through instead of a header. I took a look at the 800D, but it seems like it needs to be updated to include usb 3.0 along with that price tag being my high-end for willing to spend.

So basic requirements
  • USB 3.0
  • Black
  • Minimalist Design, looks professional if you will
  • Great cooling performance (can add fans if needed)
  • Fits a 240mm Rad (H100)

  • Outside HD bay or hotswap
  • USB 3.0 is on header instead of pass-through
  • H100 in Push/Pull

Thanks in advance!
Antec P280 would work great except for the swap bay. That requirement will eliminate a lot of cases though, good cases.

What's with the H100 though and the 3930K? You'll get better gaming performance, use less power and have a much quieter system if you went with the 3770K. Oh and it'll cost a LOT less. (You balk about case prices then spend a lot more on the CPU/MB only to get a slower gaming setup???)

Get a good air cooler and that H100 is toast with less cost, complexity and risk of damage. Water cooling is more for fun than actual performance nowadays with air cooler being so damned good.
Hmm... What air cooler would you suggest I check out? It seemed that the H100 was a pretty capable cooler, especially without putting a massive amount of strain on the motherboard from a huge air cooler.
Yeah there's nothing wrong with it, it's just not the best choice IMO.

I know the Noctua NH-14 is at the top-ish, but there's also the Prolimatech Genesis and Thermalright Silver Arrow. I don't know a lot about the H100, but I bet you these coolers will match or exceed the performance with less noise, cost and complexity.

Strain isn't an issue unless you are really abusive. I've run these large tower cooler since the LAN party days 10 years ago and I've never had an issue.

If you're concerned though, the Noctua NH-C14 is a blow-down style that should have less of a cantilever effect on your motherboard.
Also the Thermalright Archon and the Phanteks PH-TC14PE.

Xbitlabs, SilentPCReview, and a few others do nice heatsink reviews. Keep a close eye not only on lowest temperature, but at what noise level it's done. :)
Fractal Define cases are nice. I recently purchased an XL - not nearly the build quality of my 800D, but a sturdy and solid case to work with for about half the price. It also meets your aesthetics requirements of not looking like a dinosaur back! It will need additional cooling for a dual-card setup, you'd have to remove one of the drive cages, and it probably will not accommodate an H100 ... If you're willing to consider alternative cooling options then you'll be set.

I wouldn't sweat about the HD bay so much - you can add one (like this) to your case for a pittance.

Honestly, though - the Obsidian 800D is just about the nicest case you will ever find to work with, and you can re-purpose it for years to come. I'm already on my second system build in it, I can see taking this with me to my grave. For a dual-card setup, you just can't beat it - there's something to be said for making absolutely zero compromises when it comes to space, build quality, and ease of access.

I do find it just a little ironic that you're considering video cards in the range of $1000 + a ridiculously overpowered CPU, yet you are complaining about the cost of an 800D being out of your price range. I don't suppose you're springing for three U3011's for this build also, are you?

Josh A.K.A CLF wrote:

Ha, I already have 3 - U2412M's sitting on my desk that I'm planning on pushing. Was still expensive but nowhere near as expensive as those :P

I am thinking that I need to change my case design perceptions. I honestly kind of expect quality cases for the $130 mark, my current build is in a NZXT Tempest, that I got for $99, and that case has been absolutely amazing. I like the majority of the features behind that case other than the "pull the dual video cards to remove an hd"(only with dual gpus) or the fact that i have scratched + broken the side panel acrylic. I actually put a 5-bay hd hot-swap unit in the center 3 - 5.25" slots, it worked great, but that has sense moved to my file server. So there really isn't a need for the hotswap in my desktop, it just would be a cool little feature.

But I am really wanting my next case to have usb 3.0 front ports and I am now willing to spend for quality. So lets put my upper budget at $350, does that sound reasonable for the case?

So it looks like I can get a $15 USB 3.0 upgrade kit for the 800D, but it seems like some cases are coming w/ it along w/ the sata-III backplane. So it could be a gamble, but at most i'm out $25 (for both backplane and usb 3.0) but again the usb 3.0 is "pass-through" design. :( I guess I will have to get something like this just to keep the exterior/back of the case looking at all decent. Ugh, having 2 usb cables running through the case out the back would be pretty annoying.
Corsair Carbide 500R, in black. Yeah, the fans glow, but you can turn them off.

It's designed specifically for the H100 and you can easily stick something huge like a NH-D14 in there instead if you wanted to. (I did).
If you insist on a $300+ case, I would suggest you also check out the Cosomos II, from Cooler Master, in addition to the 800D that you're considering.

It doesn't seem to have as good reviews as the 800D, but I just thought it'd be another case to consider. I've seen it on display at my local Fry's, and it seems to be an overall better case than the 800D (to me). It definitely has a USB 3.0 header design (and not a pass-through), and 2 hot-swap bays for 3.5 drives in the front.
Is the middle drive cage blocking the 200mm intake in the Cosmos II removable? If you could remove it, that would allow quite a bit of airflow to feed the video cards...
Any reason for the six-core processor? Those extra cores will do zilch for games and most usage patterns while costing you an arm, leg, and ear.
I just built an SLI GTX480 box with this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811146078

It was on sale for $30, IIRC. It's quite nice. But you wouldn't be able to fit multiple hard drives. Not sure about the radiator, but there are holes for tubing.

I realize this is the opposite end of your price range.
I avoid cheap (constructed) PC cases like the plague. If I had a nickel for every hour of my life I've spent trying to find the groundout in a cheap ass case that gets bent every time you look at it, I'd at least have enough to buy myself a really nice case!
Ended up ordering the 800D, thanks for all the input. I am really looking forward to this case (and the build :) )

I'm gonna buy that adapter to move the passthrough to just the backside of the motherboard tray and connected to the usb 3.0 header, set it and forget it.
Congrats on the 800D. :cool:
U-99 wrote:

We already went over this in his thread in CPU&Mobo. He just wants to set his money on fire. :(
minideezel wrote:

Congratulations! Seriously, the 800D is an absolute joy to build in. I'm never getting rid of mine.
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