Best PC Cases

Case Name : Price
  • NZXT Gamma : 2400
  • nzxt_gamma_finished.jpg
+Best value
-Should buy more fans
Clearance: cpu 168.5mm, gpu upto 10"
Alternative : NZXT Source 210 Elite
(Clearance: cpu 160mm, gpu 12.9")
Those who are looking for more gpu clearance should opt for this.
  • Bitfenix Outlaw APAC : 4200
  • 1o.jpg
+Inverted ATX layout, included 3 fans
-
Clearance: cpu 170mm, gpu 10.5"
Alternative: CM HAF 912
(Clearance: cpu 175mm, gpu upto 16.1")
Who are interested in bigger 200mm fans may opt for this.
  • Corsair Carbide 300R : 4400
  • 300r_hero_down_1.png
+Ease of installation
-
Clearance: cpu 170mm, gpu upto17.7"
Alternative : CM 690II Advanced
Clearance: cpu 177mm, gpu upto11.9"
It has lots of fan mounting options and newer version CM 693 will be released soon.

  • CM HAF XB : 6500
  • haf_xb_1.jpg
+Removable mobo tray,Test bench style layout
-Only two 3.5" drive bays
Clearance: cpu 180mm, gpu 13.1"
Alternative : NZXT Phantom 410
Clearance: cpu 170mm, gpu upto 16"

  • Corsair 500r : 7000
  • corsair-500r.jpg
+Ease of installation,Lots of cooling potential
-
Clearance: cpu 180mm, gpu upto 17"
Alternative : NZXT Phantom
Clearance: 150mm (with the side panel fan) and 180mm (without the side panel fan), gpu 13.7"
  • NZXT Switch 810 Hybrid : 10500
  • nzxt-switch.jpg
+ water cooling,design
-plastic construction
Clearance: cpu 190mm, gpu upto upto 14.7"
Alternative : CM Storm Trooper, phantom 530
  • NZXT Phantom 630 : 12800
nzxt-phantom-630,Z-U-369354-13.jpg

+Excellent cooling(3x200mm)
-
Clearance: cpu 170mm / 200mm without side intake, gpu upto 19.9"
Alternative :

SFF:
  • CM elite 120 advanced : 3000
  • Small%20(1%20of%2010).jpg
+Compact HTPC style
-Poor ventilation.
Clearance: cpu 65mm, gpu 13.5"

Silence oriented:
  • Antec P280 : 7800
  • antec_p280_041.jpg
+Clean looks,water cooling
-Thermals are acceptable

Clearance: cpu 180mm, gpu 13"

Micro Atx:
Cooler master N200: 3000
8226_03_cooler_master_announces_n200_n400_and_n600_cases.jpg


+price, usb 3.0, water cooling support
-no dust filters at the front, cable routing
Clearance: cpu 160mm, gpu upto 14.5"

alternative:
Corsair obsidian 350d: 6600
corsair_obsidan_350d.jpg


+ aesthetics, support for high end components and water cooling.
-airflow, price
Clearance: cpu 180mm, gpu upto 13.7"
 
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Good initiative. If you can put in some good pics we can move this to the BG section in your name where you and others can maintain it. :)
 
Here're a few from my side. Inputs from several review sites (SPCR, Hexus, TPU) and price information from The IT Depot. Please feel free to edit them.

1.Case: Antec NSK 4400
Pros: Compact ATX cabinet, removable hard drive cage with rubber grommets, low price
Cons: No intake fan supplied, provision for only 80 mm intake fan, cable management is difficult
Price: Rs. 1350 approx.

4400-02.jpg
4400-01.jpg


Note - This is a perfect case but only suited for the most basic builds such as office systems and download rigs. Construction and build quality is good. I can personally vouch for it because we got a couple of these (before I switched over to the Lian Li but my roomie is still using one). I had managed to fit an ATX motherboard with a Thermalright 120 Ultra heatsink along with a lengthy 4870 GPU! The hard drive cage is removable which permits a lengthy card to be installed and a 120 mm fan can be DIY-screwed/zip-tied to the front metal panel. Unused power supply cables can be neatly tucked in above the DVD drive if the drive is mounted on the second slot from the top. In short, this case is a pure win for its price.

2.Case: Cooler Master CMP 250
Pros: Compact ATX cabinet, straight 2.5” drive cage, support for 2 nos. 120/92/80 mm fans on the side panel, low price
Cons: Top-mounted PSU design makes cable management harder, supplied 120 x 25 mm fan is nearly useless due to the very low CFM
Price: Rs. 1800 approx.

CMP 250 2.jpg
CMP 250 1.jpg


3.Case: Cooler Master Elite 361
Pros: Compact ATX cabinet perfect for HTPC/download setups, XL cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, horizontal & vertical placement possible, the most affordable ‘HTPC’ case in India right now
Cons: Poor aesthetics (esp. if it has to be displayed on the AV rack), will not accommodate tall heatsinks due to the case’s design, cable management is difficult
Price: Rs. 2130

Elite 361 1.jpg
Elite 361 2.jpg


4.Case: Cooler Master N200
Pros: Compact mini-ATX cabinet perfect for HTPC and LAN gaming box, excellent aesthetics with meshed front bezel, USB 3.0 port (one) on front panel, bottom-mounted PSU design, outward bulge of the side panels and the cutouts on the motherboard plate make cable management easier, supports tall heatsinks, long GPUs and LCLC systems, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations
Cons: Space inside the enclosure is a bit cramped after the installation, bulging of the side panels may not suit everyone’s taste, supplied 120 x 25 mm fans are nearly useless due to the very low CFM
Price: Rs. 2815

N200 1.jpg
N200 2.jpg


5.Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced
Pros: Ultra-compact mini-ATX cabinet perfect for HTPC/download setups, good aesthetics with brushed Alu. front panel, USB 3.0 port (one) on front panel, supports standard ATX power supplies, perforations at sides and top ensure adequate airflow, fits a low-profile heatsink with a fan (such as the Noctua NH-L9i)
Cons: Inadequate cooling if used with high-end quad-core CPUs and high-end GPUs (Cooler Master advertises, ‘ Supports Ultra High-End VGA’s (HD7990/GTX690)’), supplied 120 x 25 mm and 80 x 15 mm fans are nearly useless due to the very low CFM
Price: Rs. 2930

Elite 120 1.jpg
Elite 120 2.jpg



6.Case: Cooler Master N400
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, straight 2.5” drive cage, good aesthetics, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design makes cable management easier, supports LCLC systems
Cons: No cutouts on motherboard, supplied 120 x 25 mm fans are nearly useless due to the very low CFM
Price: Rs. 3425

N400 1.jpg
N400 2.jpg


7.Case: Corsair Carbide 200R
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, good aesthetics with all-black interiors, XL cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray makes cable management easier, exceptional cooling with support for 8 nos. 120 mm fans, a great budget chassis perfect for gaming systems
Cons: Plastic SSD mounts
Price: Rs. 3540

200R 1.png
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8.Case: Antec 300
Pros: Bottom-mounted PSU design, good aesthetics, straight 2.5” drive cage, adequate cooling potential with support for 5 nos. 120 mm fans (supplied - 120 x 25 mm and 140 x 25 mm fans with 3-speed switch control)
Cons: No FP USB 3.0 ports, no cutouts on the motherboard tray makes cable management harder and requires removal of motherboard from the tray for aftermarket heatsink installations
Price: Rs. 3650

3ch2DFI.png

A300 2.jpg


9.Case: Antec 302
Pros: Bottom-mounted PSU design, good aesthetics, adequate cooling potential with support for 6 nos. 120 mm fans (supplied - 120 x 25 mm with 3-speed and 140 x 25 mm with 2-speed switch control), USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray makes cable management easier
Cons: Awkward SSD installation bays, interiors not coated in Black, build quality not up to the mark
Price: Rs. 3720

A302 1.jpg

antec 302 2.jpg


10.Case: Corsair Carbide 300R
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, excellent aesthetics with all-black interiors and brushed front bezel, XL cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray makes cable management easier, exceptional cooling with support for 8 nos. 120 mm fans, supports high-end GPUs with SLI and Crossfire configurations
Cons: Cutouts for cable-routing lacks rubber grommets (expected for a chassis that costs over 4k!), aftermarket liquid cooling support questionable
Price: Rs. 4390

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300R 2.png


11.Case: Cooler Master N500
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, good aesthetics with all-black interiors and fully meshed front bezel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design makes cable management easier, exceptional cooling with support for 9 nos. 120 mm fans, supports high-end GPUs with SLI and Crossfire configurations
Cons: Cutouts for cable-routing lacks rubber grommets
Price: Rs. 4545

N500 1.jpg
N500 2.jpg


12.Case: Cooler Master Centurion 6
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, good aesthetics with all-black interiors and fully meshed front bezel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design makes cable management easier, exceptional cooling with support for 9 nos. 120 mm fans, plastic locks for drive bays - tool-free mounting,
Cons: No dust filters for fans - expect the case to be maintained periodically, cutouts for cable-routing lacks rubber grommets
Price: Rs. 5025

Centurion6 1.jpg
Centurion6 2.jpg


13.Case: Corsair Carbide 400R
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, excellent aesthetics with all-black interiors, XL cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray (with rubber grommets) makes cable management easier and user friendly, exceptional cooling with support for 10 nos. 120 mm fans
Cons: Firewire port could have been replaced by an eSATA port, side panels protrude out (can be an eye sore for some), only two FP USB ports
Price: Rs. 5315

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14.Case: Cooler Master N600
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, good aesthetics with all-black roomy interiors and fully meshed front bezel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray (with rubber grommets) makes cable management easier, exceptional cooling with support for 10 nos. 120 mm fans
Cons: Expensive (could have been priced at the 5k mark)
Price: Rs. 6085

N600 1.jpg
N600 2.jpg


15.Case: Corsair Carbide 500R
Pros: USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, excellent aesthetics and build quality with all-black spacious interiors, XL cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray (with rubber grommets) makes cable management easier and user friendly, exceptional cooling with support for 10 nos. 120 mm fans (supplied 1 no. side panel 200 mm fan, 2 nos. front 120 mm fans and 1 no. rear 120 mm fan), FAN speed and LED switch bundled
Cons: Firewire port could have been replaced by an eSATA port, side panels protrude out (can be an eye sore for some), only two FP USB ports, dust can be an issue - requires periodic maintenance
Price: Rs. 7080 (Black)

500R 1.png
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16.Case: Cooler Master Silencio 550
Pros: Excellent noise dampening with sound proofing pads on side panels, good aesthetics with all-black interiors and mirror finished front bezel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray makes cable management easier, adequate cooling, one FP USB 3.0 port,
Cons: Expensive (could have been priced at the 6k mark), , cutouts for cable-routing lacks rubber grommets
Price: Rs. 7070

Silencio550 1.jpg
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17.Case: Antec Solo II
Pros: Excellent noise dampening with polycarbonate sheets bonded to 1mm thk side panels and top panel, good aesthetics with all-black interiors and glossy mirror finished exteriors, USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, fans are installed using rubber isolators instead of screws reducing vibration and noise
Cons: No exposed 3.5” bay, less internal storage bays, top-mounted power supply design, glossy exteriors = fingerprint magnet, only one 120 mm fan included, expensive (could have been priced at the 6k mark)
Price: Rs. 7190

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18.Case: Antec P280
Pros: Excellent noise dampening with foam sheets bonded to side panels and door, good aesthetics with all-black interiors and a brushed front cover, USB 3.0 ports (two) on front panel, cutout on motherboard backplate for easier heatsink-backplate installations, bottom-mounted PSU design and cutouts on motherboard tray (with rubber grommets) makes cable management easier and user friendly, folded metal edges = no cuts and injuries while working
Cons: Fans are installed to the case using screws instead of rubber isolators, side panel appears a bit lousy, questionable build quality (for eg. case feet made of plastic), not radically different from the P180
Price: Rs. 7795

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Antec p280 has a major design flaw. I ordered it once from it depot. It came with a dent and a broken foot. Sent it back and it came with a broken foot again. The feet are made of plastic and break even if a feather falls on them. Not recommended. Finally ended up buying a corsair 650d which is a far better case in terms of build.
 
What about the big daddies / beasts ?

Antec Twelve Hundred ~ 10980/-
Antec DF-85 ~ 11250/-
CM Storm Trooper / Stryker ~ 11890 | 12999
Corsair Obsidian 800D ~ 17500/-
NZXT Switch 810 Hybrid ~ 10600/-
Thermaltake Level 10GT ~ 20499/-

[prices sourced from primeabgb]
 
Trooper and Stryker was sweetly priced. I wonder whats the price for 900D . 30k or above i guess.
 
@Gannu Is this thread a recommendation thread or a listing thread for pretty much all CM models? :p

Here's my contribution. It's still a proof of concept while the production modalities are being worked out. Probably the first enthusiast designed/crowd funded case in the world

The NCASE M1

uJjrtTt.jpg


Concept came about on the SFF sub-forum at [H] - http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1717132

  • mITX
  • Single or dual 120mm rads
  • full size GPUs
  • SFX PSU (or ATX up to 140mm, non-modular)
  • Up to 3 x 3.5" HDDs
  • Up to 4 x 2.5" HDDs
  • 4 x 120mm fan mounts
  • 1 x 80/92mm fan mount
  • 12.59L (The prodigy in comparison clocks in at around 36L)
PS - Please stop calling the BitFenix Prodigy an SFF case
 
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@stalker - I was taking theitdepot's list as the reference. :p I haven't listed several other (mostly high-end) cases yet. Will do that shortly when I find some time.

Question is, is the Ncase M1 available/going to be available here in India?[DOUBLEPOST=1372130327][/DOUBLEPOST]
The feet are made of plastic and break even if a feather falls on them.


Added this part.
 
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@stalker the M1 looks good, but its going to be a purely enthusiast case(like you said), will be a nightmare for most to assemble... and you pretty much have to go for liquid cooling, very limited air cooling options. good share though.
 
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@stalker - I was taking theitdepot's list as the reference. :p I haven't listed several other (mostly high-end) cases yet. Will do that shortly when I find some time.

Question is, is the Ncase M1 available/going to be available here in India?[DOUBLEPOST=1372130327][/DOUBLEPOST]

I thought the idea was to list the 'best available PC cases'. Not all available PC cases.
International shipping is available, though of course it will be expensive. Here's the initial prototype's indiegogo page - http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ncase-m1-prototype-a-mini-itx-case

@stalker the M1 looks good, but its going to be a purely enthusiast case(like you said), will be a nightmare for most to assemble... and you pretty much have to go for liquid cooling, very limited air cooling options. good share though.

It is an enthusiast case, however liquid cooling is NOT a necessity. The case has been designed to accept a variety of air cooled options (though the bigger tower coolers might have clearance issues). If you check out the thread on [H], there are 3-4 builds posted (built in the prototype that Lian-Li shipped). It's going to be anything but a nightmare to assemble :) (as long as parts are selected keeping it's restrictions in mind). Remember, this case was designed by the 'community'. The whole purpose was to make something that regular case manufacturers don't offer, a convenient, easy to work with, versatile & compact case.
 
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Added info on CPU and GPU clearance.[DOUBLEPOST=1373635636][/DOUBLEPOST]More information/cases suggestions are welcome:)

I will be updating the thread when ever i got enough time.
 
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