That's not going to be worth the extra expense for everyone, but because the panels are accessories, you don't have to decide whether you want them or not until after you own the case. I do find the basic presentation of the 2500D a bit drab, but adding the $69 wood accent panels morphs the 2500D from a plain bulky box to something I enjoy looing at. But of course, that generally costs extra. For even more room for cables on the 2500D, you can opt for a smaller SFX power supply. The other cases I've tested with these rear-connector boards don't have nearly enough space behind the motherboard. But more importantly, due to their dual-chamber design, they provide enough room for the large amount of cable slack that results from plugging nearly everything in behind the motherboard, instead of up front. These cases get the basics right, like cutout placement (although a PSU support strip right above the bottom cutout is annoying). And if you're after a case for a full-size ATX build, the company also sells a 6500D Airflow for $199. But as a case specifically for rear-connector motherboards, it's the best I've tested so far. Read: NZXT H7 Flow review Best Performance-Focused ATX CaseĬorsair's 2500D airflow doesn't stand out much as a general Micro ATX case. And if you don't like the look of the fully vented front and you aren't that concerned about keeping your temps a low as they can go, the non-Flow H7 model has a solid front, but with everything else we loved about the H7 Flow. That, combined with the boxy look and perforated front means this case isn't the prettiest on our list, but it can certainly look good with some tasteful lighting delivered via your components, extra fans or a light strip. The primary missing feature here, which will feel refreshing for many builders, is the lack of any RGB to light up your system. It's also a pleasure to build in, with good cable management and a $130 MSRP that's quite reasonable in this era of seemingly ever-increasing prices. With just two of the company's F120Q Airflow case fans behind a skeletal frame with a perforated front panel, the NZXT H7 Flow manages to deliver excellent temperature and noise level numbers in our testing, beating or competing well against pricier chassis with more fans and glass panels. But priced about $30 more than the Corsair case, with somewhat noisy fans and CPU thermals that weren't quite as good as we'd expect from a mesh front case with three 140mm spinners, it's not as easy to recommend as Corsair's 4000X RGB. Read: Corsair Obsidian Series 4000X RGB ReviewĪlternatively, if you're after something with a bit more flexibility, the Lian Li Lancool III RBG is an impressive option with movable front IO, excellent cable management and lots of internal space. Add to that Corsair’s class-leading RGB ecosystem, and you’ve got a very pretty case that’s convenient in use and always looks good, no matter what you install inside it. While it won’t blow you away with premium materials such as aluminum, the dark tinted glass ensures that you only see RGB lighting inside the case, allowing you to be a little sloppy with cable management because you won’t see it anyway. Indeed, the 4000X RGB (as well as the similar 4000D airflow), is an extremely easy and convenient chassis to build a system in, and everything just makes sense. Priced at about $135 now, it’s not cheap, but its design is thoroughly considered and as you build with it, it’s clear where Corsair’s gaming and PC building pedigree comes from. We hope Fractal's bold move inspires other case makers to try something different.įans don’t spin fast enough for extreme performance requirementsĬorsair’s 4000X RGB is a sleek gaming tower that comes with two glass panels and three RGB spinners. But if you're after a case that matches the pretty furniture in your living room, has lots of room for storage, and won't break the bank at $130, nothing else comes close to the North. If you don't like the case's looks, then the company's Meshify 2 Compact (below), is probably a better option for you. The glass side panel may help a bit on the noise front, but likely at the cost of at least some thermal performance. Just note that it can get noisy when delivering those temps. Available with either a mesh side (as we tested) or tempered glass, and in white with chrome accents on the IO and feet, or black with some seriously pretty brass, this is arguably the prettiest PC case ever produced, period.Īnd thanks to its pair of 140mm fans and an included side bracket (for the mesh model) that can hold another pair of 140mm fans (not included), the North has excellent thermals as well. We aren't sure who asked for a PC case that mixed mid-century modern design (wooden slats and all) and high airflow, but we sure are glad that Fractal Design answered with the excellent North mid-tower.
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