New and upcoming case releases

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  • #1
    Starting with the: Fractal Design Meshify 2:

    Gamers Nexus:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTW2KHGzbM0
    Kitguru:
    https://www.kitguru.net/components/case ... -2-review/
    Tom's Hardware:
    https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fr ... y-2-review


    Phanteks P400A and Phanteks P500A still look better, both the be Quiet Pure Base 500DX Corsair 4000D Airflow in some measures competitive, although when you swap them all to the same fans, the P400A, P500A, and Meshify 2 seem to separate themselves from the those.

    That said the price Fractal Design asks definitely hurts. Looks like $130/140 (solid/window) vs $100 for P500A and $70 for the P400A...
     
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  • #7
    grommit!

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  • #8
    ScifiGeek said:
    grommit! said:
    continuum said:
    Starting with the: Fractal Design Meshify 2:

    Gamers Nexus:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTW2KHGzbM0
    Click to expand...

    Heh. I knew that foam filter on the original Meshify C was a bad idea.
    Click to expand...

    Foam filters are a massive PITA to clean as well. It's the one reason I would never consider a Meshify C.
    Click to expand...

    It was easy enough to remove when I had one, but the resulting lack of dust filtration didn't seem like a good idea.
     
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  • #10
    Removing dust filter is not an option for me, my environment is kind of dusty.

    IMO, "mesh front" cases are over-rated. The metal mesh typically has both bigger holes and inferior hole/material ratio, since there is a lot of material between each hole. Thus can catch less dust, while allowing less air to flow than a purpose designed dust filter.

    It's the solid panel that is usually in front of these cases that cut air flow. But if you get one with a case door, or an easy to remove panel you can just open it up if you need more airflow for gaming or hard core number crunching, and match or even best "mesh front" cases.
     
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    piatd

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  • #14
    Fractal Design Meshify 2:

    The front mesh panel swings open like a hinged door and is also more easily removable. The chassis is a Define 7, replete with swappable side panels and dust filters.

    Since the Define 7 is one of the best-constructed and most-versatile ATX cases out there, and the Meshify 2 front is a strong airflow performer, why aren't I all over this?

    I don't need that much space for components in most of my builds, and I value final form over ease of build. Like others, I'd need a Compact version to consider it, as well as something in all white or all black.

    And while I've always appreciated the appearance of the contoured mesh front panel--it's jagged yet undulating--the rampart lip around it looks clunkly. This frame, as well as the logo handle, detract from the minimalist, non-obtrusive aesthetic that helped draw me to Fractal starting with the Define R4. Something like this Meshify knockoff is closer to what I'd prefer looking at.
     
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  • #15
    I'm not entirely sold on the Meshify 2 either, but having seen the Corsair 4000D Airflow in person, I (based on pictures) prefer the Meshify 2 look so far.

    I do agree if you want something smaller, we're going to have to wait for a compact version.

    Hadn't heard of the darkFlash DLM21 before, looks like it might work well for air cooling? The 240mm AIO size limit means, at least for me, that I'd probably pass on watercooling.
     
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    dwolvin

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  • #18
    ScifiGeek

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  • #19
    Newish Antec P10 Flux is the kind of thing I like. Clean understated looks, decently quiet and ventilated. Plus a door. I like cases with doors.

    https://antec.com/product/case/p10-flux.php
    https://www.techpowerup.com/review/ante ... lux/7.html

    p10-flux-pdt09.png
     
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  • #22
    My current case in use is an old Antec Solo. Feels like the steel is about double the thickness of modern cases. I know they have fallen out of favor, so it would be nice if this case marked something of a come back.

    I really like door cases as the best of both worlds if done properly. Clean understated looks and quiet with the door closed, and equal to mesh case airflow with the door open, or removed where it still looks half decent.
     
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  • #23
    I want to clarify. I like the look of that Antec; its kind of what I was looking for... a simple case, no tempered glass or RGB and a (potentially) good air cooled system all with access to a single ODD slot. I ended up with a Cooler Master NR400 which only "failed" on one aspect.

    Funny that all these "non-storage-centric" cases all look about the same internally (i.e., the internals of my NR400 look a lot like this Antec's internals.)
     
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    Keljian

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  • #24
    continuum said:
    https://lian-li.com/product/lancool-ii-mesh-rgb/

    That one? How's temps/noise-- and obviously, what components? :D
    Click to expand...


    Yes that one.

    Noise is under control due to Argus monitor and otherwise quiet fans

    Specs are
    9900k w/d15
    Gigabyte Z390 Aorus ultra
    64 gig of 3200c16 ram
    1080ti (zotac amp!)
    2x Samsung 970 evo plus (1tb and 512gb)
    1x Samsung 850 evo (512gb)
    Corsair cm850m psu

    120mm fans inside the case are noctua redux s12b (1200rpm version)
    140mm fans in the case are bequiet shadow wing 2 and blowing upwards
    Front fans are unchanged (stock rgb Lian li)

    I have moved the 3.5 bays forward so I have room for cable management, this somewhat blocks the bottom front fan a little, but that is kind of irrelevant anyhow as it’s not blowing on anything important. The two noctua fans on the bottom near the psu are blowing fresh air upwards towards the gpu, and managing the cables below means they are less restricted. .

    Cpu temperatures are very much under control at a steady 75C w 26C ambient under load
    Processor is heavily tweaked for power saving using quickcpu (speed shift, undervolting, c states, core parking), but overclocked to 5.1ghz with AVX offset of 2, and long term power limit of 170w, short 250w

    More info on quickcpu settings here:

    https://hardforum.com/threads/quickcpu- ... s.1996926/

    Front fans are noisier if they rev up much, but there is no need with such righteous airflow. I may replace them, but haven’t yet as they work and are quiet enough when controlled.
     
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  • #27
    Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact is out.

    Reviews are a bit all over the place, performance seems eh by Hexus:
    https://hexus.net/tech/reviews/chassis/ ... 2-compact/

    Guru3D doesn't have comparisons in their performance #s that I like, but it looks quite good there:
    https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/f ... eview.html

    And Tom's Hardware likes it.
    https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fr ... act-review

    Gamers Nexus video (don't see on the website yet, just video...). Looks excellent for CPU, not quite as good for GPU. Standardized fans is similar-- but more competitive for GPU (still behind the best, but looks pretty good). And at stock fans, 36dBA case torture remains near the top for CPU, not so good for GPU.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94l1c5dMRX8

    Just skimmed the video, I'll have to watch more fully later. Either way it looks pretty good at first (well second) glance.

    edit: finished GN video. Looks good but some compromises/tight fits, especially if you want to watercool. Usual suspects-- pair of Phanteks (P400A and P500A), pair of Lian Li (Lancool II and Lancool 215), Corsair 4000D Airflow, Coolermaster TD500A, and yes, the rest of the Meshify 2 lineup (Meshify 2 and Meshify 2 XL) are all worthy competitors.
     
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  • #28
    continuum said:
    Gamers Nexus video (don't see on the website yet, just video...). Looks excellent for CPU, not quite as good for GPU. Standardized fans is similar-- but more competitive for GPU (still behind the best, but looks pretty good). And at stock fans, 36dBA case torture remains near the top for CPU, not so good for GPU.
    Click to expand...

    This GPU dead zone seems to be an issue with most standard design cases. You blow some air in from the front, but with no exhaust outlets near the GPU you are blowing into a pressure dead zone. Unlike the CPU Tower cooler setup which is ideal, with blowing air in the front, through the tower cooler and out the rear exhaust right behind. If you want really good GPU cooling, you need to either look into a case that relocates the PSU and has bottom intakes or do some modding.


    Just skimmed the video, I'll have to watch more fully later. Either way it looks pretty good at first (well second) glance.

    edit: finished GN video. Looks good but some compromises/tight fits...
    Click to expand...


    I really like Fractal and initially I was sure that is what I would buy (didn't), but I don't like the depth they have chosen for their affordable cases. It's just too cramped if you want HDD cage and 160mm+ modular PSU, and even a really big GPU can clash just with front fans, let alone front radiator. Just too squeezed on the depth for comfort.

    Overall, nice improvements over the Meshify C (Mainly better included fan set, and easier to clean filter), but still not a case I would buy because of the tight spacing.
     
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  • #30
    steelghost said:
    Side or bottom intakes do a lot for GPU temps, but neither works well with current trends of PSU shrouds and glass side panels.

    /glances admiringly at Define S which has neither, and hence gives you a choice of bottom and / or side panel fan mounts.
    Click to expand...

    Yes there are cases that try to fix and older cases with side intake would certainly help. Also the P10 Flux I posted earlier, has a partial solution, they have a fan on the PSU shroud, and they ventilated the other side of the case to intake air. If I didn't already buy a case, this is my current favorite affordable case and what I would buy:

    p10-flux-pdt03.png
     
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  • #32
    ScifiGeek said:
    I really like Fractal and initially I was sure that is what I would buy (didn't), but I don't like the depth they have chosen for their affordable cases. It's just too cramped if you want HDD cage and 160mm+ modular PSU, and even a really big GPU can clash just with front fans, let alone front radiator. Just too squeezed on the depth for comfort.

    Overall, nice improvements over the Meshify C (Mainly better included fan set, and easier to clean filter), but still not a case I would buy because of the tight spacing.
    Click to expand...

    I do think the marketing message around these compact cases is misleading. The smaller form factor automatically limits what type of build they're suited for, but they are marketed using the same feature checklists as their larger brethren. Can fit water cooling! Can fit multiple drives! Can fit large GPU's!**

    ** just not all at the same time

    Still, good to see the nylon filter replace foam, and that the ports are now mounted on the chassis. Not worth replacing my Inwin 103 though.
     
    Ananke

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  • #34
    I forget where I saw the suggestion, but some cases (iirc including my Fractal Define C) have some venting in the PSU shroud, so you can in principle turn the PSU upside down, so that it draws hot air from the GPU area and exhausts it out of the case. In my case, at least, the PSU can be mounted either way up, so it's technically doable.

    Of course, that screws with the PSU a bit, since you'll be "cooling" it with air that's at 30-40°C from the GPU, instead of 20-25°C from outside - and only high-end PSUs are rated for 50°C performance, most are rated at 40°C and derated above there. And it discards the value of PSUs with fans that turn off below a certain power/temperature rating.

    One other alternative that comes to me would be to remove the spare PCIe blanking plates and zip-tie a fan over the opening - but in my case, with a 2.5 slot GPU, there's only barely space for an 80mm fan.

    What I have tried, and intend to try again with a different fan, is a front-bottom intake through the removable panel in the PSU shroud, with baffling added to direct the airflow straight up to the GPU rather than mixing with all the cable mess down there. My front-intake doesn't offer much airflow into the GPU region, so the GPU currently pretty much stews in its own exhaust. It would still rely on passive venting through the air vents next to the PCIe brackets, and upwards past the GPU to the main exhaust fan. I've tried it, unsuccessfully, with my only spare fan (a high-flow-rate, 3-pin model), but I'm pondering getting a high-pressure, 4-pin model to try again.
     
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  • #35
    Ananke said:
    I forget where I saw the suggestion, but some cases (iirc including my Fractal Define C) have some venting in the PSU shroud, so you can in principle turn the PSU upside down, so that it draws hot air from the GPU area and exhausts it out of the case. In my case, at least, the PSU can be mounted either way up, so it's technically doable.
    Click to expand...

    I have seen this tested more than once. It does nothing.



    One other alternative that comes to me would be to remove the spare PCIe blanking plates and zip-tie a fan over the opening - but in my case, with a 2.5 slot GPU, there's only barely space for an 80mm fan.
    Click to expand...

    I have seen this tested with 92mm fans more than once. This works quite well. Example (6C temp drop with 92mm exhaust):
    https://www.reddit.com/r/overclocking/c ... under_gpu/
    zbLqrps.jpg


    While I haven't seen it done, it occurs to me, that if you are running out of space inside the case for a small exhaust fan, you should be able to attach one externally with the same result.
     
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  • #36
    It's just too cramped if you want HDD cage and 160mm+ modular PSU,
    Click to expand...
    At least for me, you can size up to the regular Meshify 2. So that makes sense. But yeah, definitely not the end-all-be-all of cases, good as it can be by many measures.


    Removing PCI slot covers and adding a fan - glad that works for you! Sadly for me I actually use my PCI-e slots for expansion cards. (I know, I know, rare!)
     
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  • #37
    continuum said:
    At least for me, you can size up to the regular Meshify 2. So that makes sense. But yeah, definitely not the end-all-be-all of cases, good as it can be by many measures.
    Click to expand...


    Meshify 2 is ~$200 Cdn. I shouldn't have to pay that to fit a fairly normal PSU and HDD.

    The Antec P10 Flux is $109 CDN and includes 5 fans, and has room for the PSU.

    Removing PCI slot covers and adding a fan - glad that works for you! Sadly for me I actually use my PCI-e slots for expansion cards. (I know, I know, rare!)
    Click to expand...

    Haven't done it yet. Just seen it reported successfully.

    I'd need to actually be able to buy a GPU, before I would need extra cooling for it.
     
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    dyungim

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  • #39
    ScifiGeek said:
    steelghost said:
    Side or bottom intakes do a lot for GPU temps, but neither works well with current trends of PSU shrouds and glass side panels.

    /glances admiringly at Define S which has neither, and hence gives you a choice of bottom and / or side panel fan mounts.
    Click to expand...

    Yes there are cases that try to fix and older cases with side intake would certainly help. Also the P10 Flux I posted earlier, has a partial solution, they have a fan on the PSU shroud, and they ventilated the other side of the case to intake air. If I didn't already buy a case, this is my current favorite affordable case and what I would buy:

    p10-flux-pdt03.png
    Click to expand...

    How does the P10 Flux compare to the Phanteks P500A in terms of noise level?
     
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  • #40
    dyungim said:
    How does the P10 Flux compare to the Phanteks P500A in terms of noise level?
    Click to expand...

    No idea. I haven't seen a comparison. But P500A is an open mesh case, not intended to be quiet, while the P10 Flux has sound damping materials.

    So on the surface P10 Flux should be quieter.

    But in testing of other cases, open cases can be quieter because you can run the fans slower. But that is mainly focusing on the case fans themselves.

    My personal experience is once internal components get older (GPU fans) then better sound insulating case is the quieter option.

    I also VASTLY prefer cases with a front door as it's easy to switch it back and forth between open - louder but more airflow, and closed - quieter, less airflow.

    P10 Flux is the case I would buy today. It has all the features I want, includes 5 fans, has a decent price, but I had already bought a lesser case before finding it, and I have a tight budget, so I wont' just run out and buy another one.
     
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