I am looking to purchase an airflow case. I never have high end hardware. Generally mid range bang for buck components. MY PC is used mostly for gaming. I have a very old case and am looking to replace it with a mesh airflow case. I will just be going for fan cooling. No AIO's or liquid cooling or anything like that. I have narrowed my choice down to the Corsair 4000D and Lancool 216 but I am very undecided about which one to use so I figured I would create a poll and let that help me decide. Which one of the 2 cases would you all go for.
Which Airflow Case to buy?
- Thread starter MarkW1981
- Start date
crazyea
Well-known member
My personal Favourite is the Fractal Torrent. I have two. A white one and a Black one.
I don't have an opinion on the two you selected.
I don't have an opinion on the two you selected.
moocow
Well-known member
You can see the Fractal Torrent runs cooler than both the 4000D and the older Lancool 215.
But the 216 beats the Torrent in CPU test but not GPU test.
But the 216 beats the Torrent in CPU test but not GPU test.
CMetaphor
Quadfather
Lancool all the way I'd say. I haven't build a non-ITX system in a long while, but if I were, I'd definitely take double 200mm fans for sure!
crazyea
Well-known member
The lancool 216 has 2x160 and a 140. The 215 has 2x200 and a 120.
The Torrent has 2x180 and 3x140.
However at ~$100 the Lancool 215 seems like a bargain.
Bond007
Well-known member
Honestly both cases sound like they will suit your needs perfectly fine. I am sure lots of us could provide alternative options, if you would like to hear more about those, but it sounds like you have already done some research. Realistically those are both fine, and a case is a very personal choice (as long as it meets your requirements) ...you will be the one who has to look at it everyday.
Let us know your price bracket, features, and anything else (does size matter/glass/RGB/hard drive mounts/etc) if you want to hear many thoughts/options that could be considered. Otherwise pick your favourite of the 2 and be happy.
EDIT: that all said, if you want opinion, I would go for the 216 if I had to pick between those.
Let us know your price bracket, features, and anything else (does size matter/glass/RGB/hard drive mounts/etc) if you want to hear many thoughts/options that could be considered. Otherwise pick your favourite of the 2 and be happy.
EDIT: that all said, if you want opinion, I would go for the 216 if I had to pick between those.
I have done a lot of research and watch a lot of reviews and narrowed it down to this 2 and just really couldn't decide. But I am definitely open to other suggestions.
As far as budget goes I would like to spend around 100 to 120 dollars but would go a bit higher if it was worth it.
I just wanted a case with good build quality, good cable management and good airflow. My case sits under my desk so the looks are not all that important. Argh is not important either. If I went with the corsair I would add more fans as I don't feel it is sufficient as stock. I have 2 HDD and definitely wouldn't add more. I would like to phase those out.. Then I have an SSD. Both cases tick all my boxes so I just wanted to see if anyone has opinions or experience with either of those. For example today I came across a few forum posts where people with the 4000d complained about a rattle even having HDD installed and it turns out to be the dust cover below the PSU that isn't snug enough. But only happens with HDD installed which I will. They got around it by adding some tape to the dust cover to make it more secure. Not a huge issue but it does speak to build quality a little. It might also be something which has since been resolved since the case is old now.
The one other thing that stood out to me on the 216 is that it supports longer GPUs. There are not that many very long ones currently but you never know what might happen in the future.
moocow
Well-known member
I had a HDD in my 4000D but didn't really notice the rattle when it was sitting on carpet. However, it's on my desk now without a HDD. I'm running 2x120 Arctic Cooling airflow fans front and 1x120 rear. CPU cooler is an older Noctua NH-U12P with an Arctic Cooling 120mm static pressure fan. I don't think my fans are hitting 100% when I game but I'm using Fan Control to make a really n00b fan curve.
Bond007
Well-known member
USA or Canada? Do you want/need front panel USB C (many cases a few years old lack it)?
Some other options if you haven't looked into them. Some have much better US pricing than Canada, some are a bit older/lack usb C), and they have quite a bit of size variance (not sure if you considered how much difference there can be in size between ATX cases):
O11 Air Mini
P400A Digital (cheap in USA)
500DX or 500 FX
Meshify C or meshify 2 (several models/sizes/prices)
I am sure it will be quick for you to cut several or all of those, but to consider based on what you said.
Some other options if you haven't looked into them. Some have much better US pricing than Canada, some are a bit older/lack usb C), and they have quite a bit of size variance (not sure if you considered how much difference there can be in size between ATX cases):
O11 Air Mini
P400A Digital (cheap in USA)
500DX or 500 FX
Meshify C or meshify 2 (several models/sizes/prices)
I am sure it will be quick for you to cut several or all of those, but to consider based on what you said.
