changed my mind and want to go with a mid-tower...but I'd still appreciate recommendations.

[Cannon Fodder]

Prices, from Newegg....

Montech Sky Two GX - $103 + free shipping
Fractal Focus 2 RGB - $109 + $15 shipping = $124..... oooh, and how 'bout that - a $21 + tax difference, as opposed to "a whole ten dollars"
BeQuiet Pure Base 500DX RGB - $120 + $15 shipping = $135.... oooh, and how 'bout that - a $32 + tax difference, as opposed to "a whole ten dollars"

How 'bout that, I CAN read after all......

 

[Marzipan]

price would be $200 max.

what are the pro's / cons of the Lancool 216? the 160mm fans intrigue me and they don't seem expensive either. I haven't found a CDN listing anywhere, but the G89.LAN216RX-16 is only $7 USD @ Micro Center.

does anyone else have cases with 160mm fans? are there any cases where all fan positions can take a 160mm? what other brands are using 160mm fans?

is it safe to assume a 160mm fan will push as much air as a 140mm while being quieter?

 

[Cannon Fodder]

price would be $200 max.

That leaves A LOT of options open then.

what are the pro's / cons of the Lancool 216? the 160mm fans intrigue me and they don't seem expensive either. I haven't found a CDN listing anywhere, but the G89.LAN216RX-16 is only $7 USD @ Micro Center.

In-store pickup only, unfortunately.

I was kind of likin' that case as well, but the odd fan size was a bit of a turn off, although I THINK it may have hole spacing to allow use of other common fan sizes if the original(s) die..... maybe check on that.

 

[Marzipan]

That leaves A LOT of options open then.



In-store pickup only, unfortunately.

I was kind of likin' that case as well, but the odd fan size was a bit of a turn off, although I THINK it may have hole spacing to allow use of other common fan sizes if the original(s) die..... maybe check on that.

the 216 comes with 160mm for the front two spots, but there are mounting positions for 120mm and 140mm fans as well, with the rest of the fan locations in the case being 120mm or 140mm only. Copilot told me there doesn't seem to be any cases that's only 160mm fans. honestly, I think 160mm is a good idea in some ways. most cases are around 8" wide, so using more of the front panel width / spacing with 160mm fans makes sense. granted, mid-towers usually peak at 18" for height, which would limit you to only two 160mm fans, so you'd have to check performance metrics to see if how they stack up against the three 140mm most have.

 

[JD]

does anyone else have cases with 160mm fans? are there any cases where all fan positions can take a 160mm? what other brands are using 160mm fans?

I don't think anyone else uses 160mm. Silverstone made 180mm popular I'd say, with 200mm being the most common.

Fractal Torrent Compact could be another consideration if your budget has moved up now. It's dual 180mm in the front.

 

[CMetaphor]

Yeah 200mm is the "norm" for big, quiet fans. The problem is, a case designed for two 200s in the front will look asymmetrical / lopsided if you use anything smaller.

Also, I'm not sure how many such cases have full & real filters. Many are just plastic or metal grills that will block some pet hair but not much dust. Gotta research to see if there are any multi- 200mm fan cases that have full filtering.

What was the opinion on the BeQuiet or other options I mentioned earlier?

 

[freeagent]

I have a Torrent Compact, it can hold a 360 in the front and does not look funny. I am kicking myself a little for giving it to my oldest son lol. I am using a PA602 right now, and it has loads of room, cable management is a breeze compared to the TC, and performance is just as good. But.. I made payments on mine from Amazon. The TC should be in your range, and performance wise is probably better than most other cases on the market.

 

[Marzipan]

Yeah 200mm is the "norm" for big, quiet fans. The problem is, a case designed for two 200s in the front will look asymmetrical / lopsided if you use anything smaller.

Also, I'm not sure how many such cases have full & real filters. Many are just plastic or metal grills that will block some pet hair but not much dust. Gotta research to see if there are any multi- 200mm fan cases that have full filtering.

What was the opinion on the BeQuiet or other options I mentioned earlier?

not big on those particular be quiet!, but the Shadow 800 and Silent 802 intrigue me.

 

[Marzipan]

the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra filled almost every I wanted so ordered on a lil bit ago.

 

[Cannon Fodder]

@Marzipan Lookin' good. From NewEgg? It's pretty similar to the Montech I mentioned, except that it comes with 1 more pre-installed fan, but no rubber cable grommets. In any case, please do post the pics once you get it and get it thrown together.